Escape to Cuba

Cuba!  How did this happen?  After we arrived home from Thailand in mid-February, the plan was to stay put for 6 months.  We would sell our houses and buy one a bit further from a major center, such as Barrie.  Our next trip would be to New Zealand in the fall.  Everything was going to plan until the ice storm hit.  I make maple syrup with a friend, who is on top of the NIagara Escarpment north of Shelburne.  After the ice storm, the area looked like a war zone.  It is the only time I have driven over a power line lying on the road, while the other power line was about 2 feet above my car.  All the roads were closed.  Once I made it to the sugar bush, it was apparent the season was over.  All the mainline and sap lines where under trees and branches broken due to the ice load.  It was a chilly March and April and there was nothing we could do.  Even hiking was problematic as the trails were choked with downed trees and branches.  Solution?  Book a short trip to somewhere warm.

The Beach!

You might note that Nickie and I rarely stay at resorts.  I find it taxing to reside in one area and do little other than drink resort beverages and hang by the beach.  We prefer hiking, exploring and visiting landmarks.  I have never been to Cuba and as a presage, don't intend to go back.

The Good

Cuba has amazing uncrowded beaches and pools.

The Not-so-good

Aside from walking along the beach, Cuba (at least where we stayed) does not have much in the way of hiking.  Another issue with the all-inclusive resort is a lack of points of interest.  I would love to see Havana, but a brief visit was not worth the 6 hour drive from the resort.

Not to sound too entitled, the food left much to be desired.  I should note that at the time of our visit, there where significant shortages of food, gas, power, etc.  I'm sure the resorts faced several challenges providing quality meals.

I have a theory that Cubans are good at building resorts, but not that great at preventative maintenance.  Actually, they are not great at maintenance of any type.  Maintenance costs money and it was quite evident that what little there was, was channeled towards the more critical repairs.

The Pool!

How to Survive in an All-Inclusive Resort

I don't have much in the way of advice for what to do in a resort.  Hopefully you enjoy relaxing near the pool or at the beach.  If you enjoy beer or tropical drinks, all the better.  If you drink wine, try not to have too lofty expectations...

Tipping helped considerably.  The average wage in Cuba is $230 per month.  That's right - not $230 per day, but $230 per month.  Tipping $1 is of great help to the Cubans.  We tipped the maids, chefs, serving staff and just about everyone else providing a service aside from the front desk.

We played tennis in the morning.  The courts were in decent shape and deserted.  There might be a correlation there.  Avoid playing in the afternoon heat.

Dinner!

Overall, not for us.  Fortunately, we were in Cuba for only 1 week.  After 3 days, I was ready to head home.  We will now revert back to the plan:  Move over the summer, then head to New Zealand in the fall.

Cheers!