Rare Bimmer09 Posted February 5, 2019 Author #301 Share Posted February 5, 2019 The show ended after about 90 minutes and Alicia the CD took the stage again to thank us for coming and to remind us to return to the same coaches we came in. She called them out from the stage and staffers held up coach numbers. Ours, being 11- we didn't have to rush. In the lobby by the exit doors the entire dance team and musicians were there to say adios and gracias. Big smiles and I thanked them as a group with "perfecto" and "muchas gracias" exhausting my Spanish in a matter of seconds. Once outside there was coach 11 among a group of three. I suggested to Carol that we walk a block or two around the corner so I could have a mojito on the rooftop of the oldest hotel in town-The Inglaterra, which offers great views, live band and classic cars (taxis). Carol preferred to return to the ship to eat as they were keeping the buffet open for the returning passengers. We hadn't eaten since Buenaventura so it was a sound idea. Back to the ship! Once on the ship we visited the buffet and scored some nice hot vittles and in my case a cold Pilsner Urquell lager. On my plate were some hot fries, pizza, chicken satay with peanut sauce, nachos and salsa ,a little sandwich with cheddar and British Branston Pickle, super yummy pigs in blankets and a mix of steak and ground beef. Carol pretty much chose the same but added a mango salad and turkey wrap. Dessert? We shared a white chocolate eclair, a banana/chocolate semifreddo and pistachio cake. Great treat at the end of our day! Dining outdoors in Havana harbor by the Sunset Bar. Superb. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Bimmer09 Posted February 5, 2019 Author #302 Share Posted February 5, 2019 After our buffet supper it was time to go up on deck and take some photos of the Havana skyline. Not the blaze of twinkling lights I was hoping for. Our neighbor There's a party going on right here.A celebration to last throughout the year.. a midnight dance party I'm on deck 11 Looking forward and aft 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hockeyguru32 Posted February 5, 2019 #303 Share Posted February 5, 2019 (edited) 1 hour ago, Bimmer09 said: There's a party going on right here.A celebration to last throughout the year.. Kool & The Gang Edited February 5, 2019 by hockeyguru32 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Bimmer09 Posted February 5, 2019 Author #304 Share Posted February 5, 2019 (edited) I congratulate brother Hockeyguru32 on his excellent memory for song lyrics! I also congratulate Azamara Journey for lifting the Noro precautions prior to our docking in Havana. Serve yourself at the buffet! Here is a copy of the 4 pages of The Insider for our first day in Havana just incase you didn't wish to go ashore We are asleep in Havana harbor (on a ship-not with the fishes). Tomorrow we will go ashore alone and take a HoHo bus all over the city, visit the Havana Opera House, have a couple of drinks in the eye-candy Hotel Inglaterra, ride in a classic pinktaxi back to the Journey and sail out of Havana. Dinner in Discoveries no doubt. Coming up later! Stay tuned. Norris Edited February 5, 2019 by Bimmer09 cut photo 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QueenP Posted February 5, 2019 #305 Share Posted February 5, 2019 I'm loving reading through the Insider, it brings back great memories! I'm loving the photos too. Thanks Norris, it's a lovely start to my day to read your posts. Penny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Bimmer09 Posted February 6, 2019 Author #306 Share Posted February 6, 2019 Havana Day 2 I wanted to be on the streets before dawn but the late night and a need for deep sleep had me wake at 6.30 a.m. I just like taking photos in the dark when no people are around. See my 5 a.m walks in Rome Venice and Barcelona when you have time. Today, January 17th we have no tours planned. We are just going to walk off the ship into the street and get on a Hop On,Fall Off bus and see as much of Havana as we can. Pictures from our balcony and we sailed and we sailed, into the Mystic Opera has gone in the night and been replaced Cuban Navy ships More... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Bimmer09 Posted February 6, 2019 Author #307 Share Posted February 6, 2019 From up on deck We are joined by the cruise ship Berlin who will tender ashore all is quiet by the pool We meet at Discoveries on deck 5 at 8 a.m. Warm welcome (the host blows a hair dryer in my face) and seated by a window with a view of a shed. You can order a la carte or partake of the buffet they set up or both. So while our 5 oz. filet Mignon, scrambled eggs and toast is a cookin' I hit the buffet for a tasty bacon and leek quiche and Carol snags some fresh fruit Fueled for the day and raring to go we leave the ship, pass through the usual obstacles; ship security, passport/visa control ,bag check and we exchanged another $100 U.S for 87 CUC, mindful to get small coins for restrooms. The visas cost $75 per person and were charged to our shipboard account. Right outside the Cruise terminal is where the bus was found and we bought our transfer tickets from the conductor for 10 CUC each. Carol had a top deck seat all the way at the front and I had the opposite seat with 3 cameras for company. We were not going to HoHo but ride the thing all the way out and back where we would get off by the Hotel Inglaterra with a nice shady square in front and lots of colorful classic cars. The trip would take 2 hours and we set off at 10.40 a.m. Bus tour coming up... Norris 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CRLess Posted February 6, 2019 #308 Share Posted February 6, 2019 37 minutes ago, Bimmer09 said: and we sailed and we sailed, into the Mystic OOOHHH...I got this one....Van Morrison....Into the Mystic (also part of Zac Brown Band's song "Free" when sung live!) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mchell810 Posted February 6, 2019 #309 Share Posted February 6, 2019 20 minutes ago, Bimmer09 said: We meet at Discoveries on deck 5 at 8 a.m. ..... You can order a la carte or partake of the buffet they set up or both. Norris, Is this a standard policy? Only on port days? everyday? thanks, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BBMacLaird Posted February 6, 2019 #310 Share Posted February 6, 2019 27 minutes ago, Bimmer09 said: We meet at Discoveries on deck 5 at 8 a.m. Warm welcome (the host blows a hair dryer in my face) and seated by a window with a view of a shed. A hair dryer in the face!?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gbolton Posted February 6, 2019 #311 Share Posted February 6, 2019 1 hour ago, BBMacLaird said: A hair dryer in the face!?? Norris is a big jokester with a whacky sense of humour which makes his very extraordinary blogs and photographic genius very entertaining - I really enjoy going along with him and Carol to places I will never have an opportunity to see. It sure beats watching TV these days! 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJSailors Posted February 6, 2019 #312 Share Posted February 6, 2019 Totally agree with your post ,gbolton !👍 I couldn’t have written a better post. 😀 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Bimmer09 Posted February 6, 2019 Author #313 Share Posted February 6, 2019 3 hours ago, mchell810 said: Norris, Is this a standard policy? Only on port days? everyday? thanks, It was everyday and a great idea! Mix and match and so much variety. There would be a couple more Discoveries culinary surprises for us too. Norris 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Bimmer09 Posted February 6, 2019 Author #314 Share Posted February 6, 2019 3 hours ago, CRLess said: OOOHHH...I got this one....Van Morrison....Into the Mystic (also part of Zac Brown Band's song "Free" when sung live!) Indeed sir. A favorite Van song. Norris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
excitedofharpenden Posted February 6, 2019 #315 Share Posted February 6, 2019 7 hours ago, mchell810 said: Norris, Is this a standard policy? Only on port days? everyday? thanks, The Main Dining Room is open for breakfast every day 8-9.30am each day except those when there is a brunch on a sea day (held 10.30-1pm). The buffet is open every day. Mostly until 10am, but sometimes 9.30am if the itinerary dictates that a lot of people will be off the ship. The room service breakfast from 6.30am offers a nice alternative. I really enjoy breakfast in the MDR. Very civilised. Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hockeyguru32 Posted February 6, 2019 #316 Share Posted February 6, 2019 (edited) 12 hours ago, Bimmer09 said: and we sailed and we sailed, into the Mystic Van Morrison? TOO LATE!!!!!!!!!!!! Edited February 6, 2019 by hockeyguru32 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Bimmer09 Posted February 6, 2019 Author #317 Share Posted February 6, 2019 (edited) Havana HoHo bus tour The bus was sitting right outside the cruise terminal at the beginning of it's route. It was the T1 route so there is more than one. We hopped on and Carol paid for our transfer tickets. Upstairs to the open air and snagged our seats right at the front with a clear view ahead for taking photos and no glass in my way if I turned to my right. Partly cloudy and 74 deg F made for an enjoyable ride. I wore sunscreen and no cap, glasses not sunglasses as I needed to read camera settings. The ticket lady would narrate but it was rather garbled and I was just going to focus on the visual and enjoy the 2 hour ride. First stop was in front of Hotel Inglaterra and we stopped for about 10 minutes and took on more passengers Carol, in situ, with the Opera House behind her We move into traffic and drive away from this pleasant square towards the sea Edited February 6, 2019 by Bimmer09 text formatting 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Bimmer09 Posted February 6, 2019 Author #318 Share Posted February 6, 2019 (edited) On the Malecon The Malecon, all 7.5 miles of it, will vary from 6 lanes to 10 on the part we ride ,mostly with no median to separate oncoming cars Edited February 6, 2019 by Bimmer09 cut photos 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Bimmer09 Posted February 6, 2019 Author #319 Share Posted February 6, 2019 Hotel Nacional de Cuba https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hotel_Nacional_de_Cuba United States Embassy up ahead https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hotel_Habana_Riviera Neglected soccer stadium We leave the Malecon and drive inland 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mchell810 Posted February 6, 2019 #320 Share Posted February 6, 2019 12 hours ago, Bimmer09 said: It was everyday and a great idea! Mix and match and so much variety. There would be a couple more Discoveries culinary surprises for us too. Norris Agreed! Having table service and a little buffet in the MDR sounds wonderful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Bimmer09 Posted February 6, 2019 Author #321 Share Posted February 6, 2019 2 minutes ago, mchell810 said: Agreed! Having table service and a little buffet in the MDR sounds wonderful. Yes, it is good for added variety and also if you want to dine quickly but still get the same relaxed ambiance and stellar service found in the MDR. Norris 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Bimmer09 Posted February 6, 2019 Author #322 Share Posted February 6, 2019 The huge cemetery we passed yesterday at left Bridge over the river Alemandares and the park of the same name https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g147271-d3844115-Reviews-Parque_Almendares-Havana_Ciudad_de_la_Habana_Province_Cuba.html a bus shelter a different look for Havana and not what I had expected a modern hotel with toilet paper perhaps? "They're selling postcards of the hanging They're painting the passports brown The beauty parlor's filled with sailors The Circus is in town..." the sea again! a crowd waits for a bus More.... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kk99 Posted February 6, 2019 #323 Share Posted February 6, 2019 "And the only sound that's left after the ambulances go is Cinderella sweeping up on Desolation Row" by the incomparable Bob Dylan. Great pictures and wonderful writing style much appreciated. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Bimmer09 Posted February 6, 2019 Author #324 Share Posted February 6, 2019 18 minutes ago, kk99 said: "And the only sound that's left after the ambulances go is Cinderella sweeping up on Desolation Row" by the incomparable Bob Dylan. Great pictures and wonderful writing style much appreciated. A new screen name to me so double welcome! I bought that song in 1965 and still play it and remember the words as you obviously do too. I saw him live in 1966 (and twice since but walked out each time) Thanks for the kind comments and please stick around as I have a beautiful cruise ship to show you once Havana loosens its grip on me. Cheers! Norris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Bimmer09 Posted February 6, 2019 Author #325 Share Posted February 6, 2019 The Russian Embassy. Architecture that just screams "welcome'! LOL Some odd tree flower Another HoHo passes More... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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