Two ports in Cuba visited

[hofrvama]

Two of the ports of call on our cruise were in Cuba.  We visited Cienfuegos for one day.  Getting off the ship was fine and customs was not a hassle.  There was quite a wait for the currency exchange into Cuban CUC's from U. S. D.   And the exchange fee at 13 to 14% was high but we were told that we had no choice.  It turns out that several of the transportation drivers told us that they would accept U. S. D.!  A block or so outside the gate In Cienfuegos we were able to flag down a motorcycle taxi that would accommodate our party of four, negotiate a rate for a one hour tour of nearby sites, etc.  He would stop for photos or some shopping at our request.

In Havana, we were able to book one of the vintage cars from home online through VC Tours Havana.  The meeting place was off the pier near the Rum museum.  Everything went as planned and we had an excellent tour around Havana with Ariel as our guide.  We started with both a guide and a driver, but found that too crowded with our group of four so we left the driver downtown and Ariel drove and talked for the balance of the tour.  So, a group of four is too much for the vintage cars.  At the end of the tour, our guide recommended  the Victrola restaurant on the Plaza Vieja, a three block walk from the pier.  We paid the modest lunch price in CUS's.  On the way back, still having some Cuban CUC's to spend, we asked two horse carriage drivers to take us on a one hour ride for CUC 20 and one agreed.  That worked well and as we traveled the narrow side streets we were able to buy some local Cuban cigars, 25 for 20 CUC's and a bottle of Cuban rum for CUC's 10.  It turns out the same bottle sold for $5 at the duty free shop.  Oh, well, a tip for the driver.  All in all a great two days of  visits in Cuba.