Fri, Dec 15, Norwegian Sky Cruise Ship, Miami, FL:  Set my phone alarm for 6:00, but it went off at 5:30 for some reason.  Mike stumbled down for coffee and something to eat and I got the rest of my stuff packed.  Mike packed his when he got back and we were out the door by 7:30.  Off the ship and through customs in no time.  Another $100+ cab ride and we were back by 9:00 and had everything unpacked and put away by 9:30.  Mike hurt his shoulder somehow, so he now has a new pain to deal with.  I laid down on our wonderful bed to read and nodded off.  Woke up in much less pain.  It’s amazing what a difference a good mattress makes. It was cold here this morning but warmed up nicely.  Probably mid-80s.

We never did go over to Great Stirrup Cay.  The people that did go over said it wasn't much anyway.  There were no trees on the island.  Mike says there are no trees in the Bahamas.  Okay then.

We were very surprised at all the high rise buildings in Havana.

Pictures were taken through the dirty glass of the cruise ship, so didn't come out very clear.

Thu, Dec 14, Norwegian Sky Cruise Ship, Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas:  The mattress on our bed is killing us.  I think Mike is in better shape than I am.  Went down for some breakfast.  They’re taking people out to Great Stirrup Cay by tenders.  The island doesn’t look like much.  Just a strip of sand and scruffy vegetation.  Not sure I’m going to go.  They are having a buffet lunch out there and Mike would like to go over for that.  Maybe I’ll feel better later.  We leave here at 5:00 p.m.  74 today.

Parisien Review at the Hotel Nacional

Wed, Dec 13, Norwegian Sky Cruise Ship, Havana, Cuba:  Set up a wake-up call on our ship phone when we went to bed last night, and I set one up on my cell phone for 5;30 a.m.  We didn’t get to bed until around 1:00 am.  Even though we had two wake-up calls set up, we didn’t wake up until 7:10.  We were supposed to meet for our final excursion at 7:20.  I wanted to try for it anyway, but Mike didn’t.  So, we went back to bed.  The Parisien Review at the Hotel Nacional last night was really great.  A huge and talented company.  We lost count of all the costume changes.  The Hotel Nacional is very historic.  The gangster, Myer Lansky (SP?) lived in the hotel for years. On our drive back to the ship, which is now around midnight, we noticed a lot of people out and about on the Malecon.    So, today we slept in, then showered and headed up to the 11 deck for breakfast.  Then Mike went to get his Cuban pesos exchanged for US dollars and I went to guest services to check on their wi-fi.  Back to our room and decided to go see the   movie, “Wonder Woman”. I had a hard time staying awake.    After the movie we headed up to deck 11 for some cocktails and join the revelers as the ship departed.  For dinner we’re going to try a new restaurant—The Palace.  78 today I think and some clouds.

MORE HAVANA PICTURES

El Floridita, the bar frequented by Hemingway.

The first Christmas decorations we've seen.

The main bar.

Sculpture of Hemingway in his favorite bar stool with his favorite drink.

A little side street.  We haven't seen any hurricane damage. But some of the buildings are crumbling anyway.

The hotel where Hemingway lived for 5 years before he bought Finca Vigia.

Hotel lobby.

Havana

Tue, Dec 12, Norwegian Sky Cruise Ship, Havana, Cuba:  A long day today, which started out badly because the mattress on our bed made our backs hurt even more than usual.  Our first excursion was to Finca Vigia, Hemingway’s home of 20 years or so.  The home is located in the small, working class town of San Francisco de Paula.  It sits on several acres of a lush tropical forest.  The house itself is quite large, but I like the house in Key West better.  We also stopped in the city center and enjoyed all the beautiful architecture in this city.  From there we walked to El Floridita, a bar Hemingway frequented.  It is supposedly the bar where the daiquiri was invented.  We all enjoyed a delicious daiquiri there.  From there we walked over to the hotel where Hemingway lived for 5 years  before he bought Finca Vigia.  Walked back to our ship and had a drink or two at the deck 11 bar.  Back to our room and relaxed.  I hurt everywhere.  Tonight we’re going back out to the Parisien Review at the Hotel Nacional de Cuba.  We are exhausted.  And tomorrow we’re out bright and early for a tour of old and new Havana.  Wanted to see as much as we could in our short stay.  But it’s killing us.

Early morning arrival in Havana.  A Celebrity ship already in port.

Early morning sunrise and the lights of Havana.

An old fort as we enter Havana harbor.

Not sure--a religious statue I guess.

A home or commercial building of some kind up on a hill as we entered the harbor.

An abandoned warehouse I guess.

Maybe a Coast Guard boat?

Some buildings off in the distance.

Don't think they're worried about air pollution.

CARS

Nash Rambler, I think.

Ah, yes.  The iconic l957 Chevy convertible.

CITY CENTER AND ITS ARCHITECTURE

The newest hotel in Havana.

Another hotel.

Capital building.

Theater of the arts.  They have their own ballet company.

OTHER BUILDINGS

On wash day people hang their clothes anywhere they can.

A school.

Neatly hung wash.

Another wash day photo.

FINCA VIGIA

Hemingway's Havana home for about 20 years.

Guest house.

The grounds.

His four dogs buried here.

His boat, the Pilar.

The fishing chair.

During WWII he would go out in the Pilar in search of German subs.

This boat is beautifully maintained.

Hemingway's study and library. Also some of his trophies from trips to Africa.

Living room.

Entrance hall.

Front of the home.

Living room.

Entrance hall.