Cuba Libre

I have been interested in visiting Cuba for quite some time and finding out that several friends had visited last year propelled me into action!  As I think Cuba will change dramatically once the US blocade is lifted I was interested in seeing it before that happens!  Of course in December the start of talks between Presidents Obama and Castro was announced, after we had purchased our flights and fortunately had already booked most of the places we stayed. However, later, wanting to change the last 2 nights in Havana we found that all hotel rooms were now fully booked and so we did not have much choice!
We flew Paris to Havana direct which is a very long flight on a very full plane...no seats left available! There are very few flight possibilities from Europe and so Air France accommodates everyone. The 777 we were on had more seats installed than most!

We arrived at sunset but it took quite a time to get through the entry formalities. Everyone had to show their visas and have their photo taken, at least a 5 minute process for each person. No couples allowed together! With 2 planes in at the same time and approximately 800 people this understandably took time!  In a non air conditioned area!

So it was quite late on arrival at hotel. We were however delighted by the welcoming committee of bears!

Our hotel, the Palacio San Felipe, was an old palace renovated a few years ago and it looked as though just the facade remained intact.

The square was full of bears!

 The Buddy Bears have been apparently traveling the world since 2002!

We had decided to eat very locally fortunately and so only had to walk around the corner to the Paladar Los Mercaderes....

Here I had my first Mojito.......which quickly became my drink of choice!

Initially we were seated at an indoor table......

 but later allowed to move to a balcony table when it became available...

.....which allowed us to check out the street below.....

Our first impression of the food available to us in Cuba was very good.....
We started with a cold gazpacho soup which was excellent....

and the lobster in coffee sauce on the menu looked intriguing!

It was great!
Then back to the hotel room for a much needed sleep!