We decided to go to Cuba (Veraderro) before the country opened up to our southern neighbours.  Nice area, and really friendly and nice people, although the weather was not what we had hoped. Too many clouds, and too much rain and cooler weather, but the food was plentiful, varied and good, the rum was delicious (straight, mohitos, pina coladas and cubatas) and included, and the cigars (at least the export ones) were delightful – the local cigars were a unique experience.  We had a direct 6hour flight from Kelowna to Veraderro.  Straight off this beach about 120kms is Key West.

The revolution in 1959 put paid to relations with the U.S. and ended imports.  Cubans have been maintaining their late 1950’s American cars with love and duct tape for the past 60 years.  The cars are spectacular and you see them everywhere.  Havana itself was clearly a magnificent city at one time, with strong influences from the Spanish and then the Americans in the early part of the last century, but it is crumbling and in dire need of investment and rejuvenation.  I expect it will soon be featured in US films and music videos.

But for me, Cuba is really about the cigars and rum, both the best in the world.  It was a pleasure to go to one of the Casa del Habanos government shops which sells about 150 different kinds of cigars.  Cuban rum is also delicious, a bit sweeter and spicier than we are used to – we had several types that were perfect for drinking neat.  Am looking forward to a smoke and sip at the rock cocktail table this summer.

The art scene in Cuba is vibrant with some great galleries. Not sure of the story behind this naked woman with a fork on a chicken.

This was the view the morning after we got back. We had a few centimeters during the night but the sun came out and it all began to melt.  Pat and Coop stayed at the house while we were away and enjoyed the company of Hime and had fun with the ATV.  Slides for the bathroom drawers finally arrived this afternoon so shall turn tomorrow to installing 8 drawers, building a storage box for the shop, and then building a dozen drawers for the kitchen.