Viva Cuba!

So - as you all may know, I took a trip to Cuba with my Significant Other exactly this time last year - and made the mistake of booking through Air Canada Vacations (update to that saga later). What you may NOT know, is that we decided to do it again this year.

This time we commuted to Ottawa to spend time with friends and family, and started our week of relaxation and romance with Sunwing Vacations our of Ottawa.

It. Was. Great!

The flight started with swing music and champagne. Followed by a movie, small wrapped hot towels, great food and drinks all included in the flight.

We flew into Cuba without incident, smooth landing, nice airport, and a bus awaited us, expecting our arrival (key difference from our last landing).

We started a beautiful ride from Varadero to Jibacoa on a comfortable bus.

Crossing bridges, driving by couples holding hands, filled busstops, goats, chickens, bulls, horses, gorgeous flowers, palm trees, people selling thier wares to passing vehicles, eagles, turkey vultures, cows, billboards yelling about revolution, street signs, sculptures, and a breathtaking landscape. Bliss.

We drove to the base of a mountain and turned into what was to be our home for the next 7 days. Breezes Jibocoa. A pastel oasis. With its own mountain, coral reef, little villas, huge swimming pool, white sand beach, 4 restaurants, and a chalet that would put a ski resort to shame. It was stunning.

The view from the mountain lookout.

The chalet from the Piano Bar Level.

Our room was in a little villa right next to the beautiful pool. It had a giant king size bed with lots of pillows, satellite t.v., complimentary cigars and chocolate, and huge double glass doors making you feel like one with the beautiful scenery outdoors even when you were inside.

We had great neighbours who we shared good stories, tasty drinks, smokey cigars and a few meals with. They were from BC and a refreshing change from the "Lost in Translation" experience we had last year at our resort.

There were lots of great places to eat; a cuban restaurant, and italian restaurant that you needed to make reservations for and last (but not least) a buffett restaurant with ever changing themes from cuban, to mexican, to seafood night, and french - it was consistantly delicious and the waitstaff were always on the ball with fresh squeezed orange juice in the moring and delectable red and white wine in the evening. There was a beach restaurant as well that had the best fresh cut french fried we had ever tasted. Yum.

There were random creatures hanging around the resort adding to its charm and beauty.

The foliage was colorful and stunning.

And awe inspiring sunsets.

Even though it was unnessary in every way, shape, and form - we left the resort to go on a dat trip to Havana. It was interesting, informational, and fun. It put everything into perspective as to why the people of Cuba live the way they do and are perfectly happy doing so.

Here are some of the shots from the Colonial Tour we took:

The drinks were always great, the people were always friendly, and we would love to go back there again as soon as possible.

We finished off our last day there with an Irish Specialty Coffee and an unexpected visitor.