Another decent night’s sleep in our comfortable king-sized bed at the Hotel Melia Cohiba.

After another spectacular breakfast at the hotel we boarded our Havantur bus to begin our last day of adventure in the mysterious island of Cuba.

First stop was the Plaza de la Revolucion.  When Pope John Paul visited here in 1998 there were over a million people in the square.

Next stop was the government-run Romeo y Julieta cigar store where I purchased several Cohiba cigars for myself and for friends.

After spending time (and many CUCs) in the cigar store, Hermes drove us to central Havana where we perused the Capital building, the grand art-deco Bacardi building, and the dozens of gorgeous classic American cars lined up there.

Next, characteristic of Bob’s generosity, Hermes drove us to the Havana synagogue where a shabbat service was underway.

After spending a few minutes in the synagogue, we stopped to tour the massive Havana cemetery where a very animated and enthusiastic guide pointed out highlights.

Back on the bus, our next stop was the Fusterlandia area, where the artist Jose Fuster has created a Gaudi-like wonderland.  (En route we drove through the Miramar area and passed by one of Fidel Castro’s many homes – actually a sprawling multi-acre compound.  Although the average Cuban lives very modestly in small houses and earns twenty pesos a month, Fidel seems to be in an economic class all his own.)  At many sites of interest during our visit to Cuba we have been presented with Cuba Libra drinks as a welcome, and Fusterlandia was no exception.

Around 1PM we drove to Mediterraneo Havana restaurant where we were treated to a question-and-answer session with Rolando Macia Rodriguez, a well-known and highly-respected retired professional Cuban baseball star while we enjoyed a delicious lunch of spaghetti, pizza, bread, sweet deserts and drinks.  After lunch the chef, from Italy, met with us and held his own question-and-answer session.

At 2:30 we were back on the Havanatur bus for the short ride back to the hotel, where we showered, packed for tomorrow’s return flight to Miami, and rested. Sadly, this is our last few hours in the beautiful enigma called Havana.

At 6PM our group met in the lobby.  Bob informed us that a water pipe had broken in the wall of his bathroom and there was now a foot of water in his room.  He told us he watched a pair of his shoes float by.  Carol and I had our own share of problems – our air conditioner failed to cool the room and due to the tremendous humidity, our clothes and even our bedsheets were damp.  Such are the challenges of travel.  It helps to maintain a sense of humor and go with the flow.  In Bob’s case the flow was literal.

We boarded Herme’s Havanatur bus for our last supper in Cuba.  After a short drive west to La Fontana restaurant, we were seated and treated to a serenade by an all-female chorale group, followed by a tasty dinner of lobster, rice, vegetables and drinks.

After dinner Bob gave a farewell talk and then we each took turns sharing our experiences and impressions during the past week.  Many of us were quite emotional.

Back at the hotel by 10PM, we finished packing and fell into bed, sad to bid adios to a country and a people we have come to greatly admire.