Finding time for Cuba

Isak and I are still savouring in the memories of our recent cruise and already, we are planning our next vacation. Normally, we wouldn't even think of going on our next holiday until months down the road except that this time, we have a deadline. Deadline for a holiday? Yup.

Last July, we went to Varadero, Cuba for our honeymoon. Excellent vacation except for 2 days of food poisoning-- ugh! Those 2 days were not pleasant to say the least. Anyways, the resort generously gave us a voucher for a free one week all-inclusive stay in the same resort. It's good for one year and all we have to do is pay for our flight. So, we have until July to make use of this free vacation.

However, we'd like to go to Cuba before May, the start of the hurricane season. And after the number of hurricanes we had last year, I'd rather not take any risks. Although we had great weather during our honeymoon, we had actually just missed a hurricane when we arrived. The resort was intact but power was just being restored when we got there.

I am looking forward to sunny, lazy and luxurious days on white sandy beaches. And I'm also excited about walking through the streets of Old Havana (cross my fingers we get to go this time). I've been reading up on Havana in general and there is so much culture and music to soak up -- definitely not doable in one day. So here's my short list of places to visit:

1. Catedral de San Cristóbal de la Habana - according to Lonely Planet, this church was described by novelist Alejo Carpentier as 'music set in stone'.
2. Capitolio Nacional - an architectural highlight, Cuba's equivalent of the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington
3. Coppelia Ice - a popular ice cream parlour in the Vedado district on 23 esquina L
4. Malecón - the world famous seaside avenue which is apparently "the soul of Havana"
5. Havana China town - China town in Havana, who knew? All I know is that it's on Dragones Street.