We showered and got dressed for breakfast, which was served from 7- 10 am. At 9 am we had an orientation with "Air Transat", where an agent would give us more information about the resort and our excursion options.
The buffet was already busy at 8 o'clock. I did a survey and decided on toast, hard boiled egg, fruit and yogurt. Not too adventurous! The coffee was delicious. Walter did see an omelet station, but the lineup was too long for this morning's schedule. Another breakfast...
We wiped our mouths after a final gulp of coffee and walked down the stone paved pathway to the theatre area of the main lobby. A handful of fellow Air Transat guests were gathering and the lovely, olive-skinned woman in the teal blue uniform, stood down near the front row of seating.
Things we learned at this orientation:
1. Don't drink the water from your hotel room sink
2. Mealtimes, bank hours and guest services at the resort
3. The usual fee to leave the country is 25 Cuban Pesos but is included in the all-inclusive fees
4. Talk to her afterwards to book an excursion
Everyone in our group was from Canada, either Saskatchewan or Toronto area. So we chatted with a couple next to us and they were from Newmarket/Aurora area where Walter had framed houses in the summer of 1987. We talked with them about a possible excursion to Havana and planned to maybe book it at the same time. Rosie and Marco.
The lineup at the agent's desk was increasing, so we decided to find a second cup of coffee and relax a bit. All food and drinks are limitless and free at an all-inclusive. So we sidled up to the bar counter and ordered a black coffee and a cafe latte. The server would bring it to our table. So we wandered over to a couple of wicker chairs with a coffee table between them and sighed. Being served, having a leisurely cup of coffee in the cool and airy open lobby...it couldn't get any better than this! Our coffees were served with a stick of sugar cane. Yummy!
When we were finished our beverage, we strolled back to the Air Transat desk. We found out Havana day trip options were either 6 hour bus ride one way or a 300 Cuban Peso flight per person! Yea, NO! I guess not this time to Cuba! So we booked a Catamaran ride, snorkeling and dolphin show excursion; the shuttle left the resort at 8 am and came back about 5 pm. Included lunch at the dolphin centre. Sounded fun but not hours of bus transportation. The Catamaran launch place was only 15 minutes from our resort and it all took place along the Cayo Santa Maria. Perfect. We booked for Tuesday, the next morning.
We also availed ourselves of the 2 Peso Internet cards you could purchase. Not that we needed to be on Facebook or check emails, but to communicate to our kids that we were safe and sound. Walter went one way and I went to book our "a la carte" restaurant reservations. I chose Seafood for tonight, Italian for Wednesday and Oriental for Friday dinners.
The beach was calling our names. So we decided to change into our beach attire, grab reading materials and claim a spot. The resort is huge and we had to navigate one of three boardwalks to the beachfront. The main one led by a bar and snack booth and had blaring salsa or latino music. We found that one easily but decided to head away from the noise and hope for a couple of open beach loungers. There were several along the shore but the thatched roof shelters were up on the "cliffs" that could be accessed by climbing up some rocky steps. Those shelters were all occupied. We grabbed the first available loungers as a couple were just packing up their things and vacating. It was busy at midday!
The turquoise ocean, with a few colourful sailboats dotting the expanse, made a breath catch in my throat. Absolutely stunning! Again that surreal feeling struck both Walter and myself as we settled our pasty white bodies on the blue loungers. Slathering on the 45 SPF sun block, we sprawled out to catch some glorious sunshine.
More next time...
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