We decided the plan for the evening would include: mojitos at one of the Nacional’s bars, dinner at the nicest restaurant in town, and then dancing at a salsa club. We left Marc to get freshened up and to check our e-mail. In case you want to get online while in Cuba head to the Nacional. It is one of the only places you can find a decent connection and you do not have to be a guest to use their computers.
After donning my little black dress for the occasion, Kristin and I went to meet Marc. We found him with a huge smile on his face and a bag of my vice (chocolate). He said, “Everyone deserves a present on their Birthday.” I was so touched! Chocolate is a luxury in Cuba and he had spent quite a while walking around trying to find some for me. The three of us then sat to watch the sun set on El Malecon and to drink our mojitos and eat my chocolate. El Malecon is an eight kilometer street in La Habana that runs along the water and offers stunning views. At night mostly lovers meet there for romantic rendezvous’ and to listen to make shift bands play until dawn.
Next, we went to La Guarida. This restaurant is famous for having the Cuban movie “Tresa y Chocolate” filmed inside it. If you choose to eat there, which you absolutely should, make sure to make a reservation in advance.
Unfortunately, Kristin started to feel bad towards the end of dinner, so we decided to nix the salsa club and take her back to the hotel. Marc and I did not want to end the evening just yet, thus we decided to have a few more drinks in another Nacional bar. We continued our intriguing conversation from earlier in the day. I was enchanted by his round-the-world trip, as I had always dreamed of doing one myself. He offered to show me his pictures and I agreed instantly. After looking at his pictures, Marc came up with the idea of going for a midnight dip in the hotel’s pool. Now I was going to be in a forbidden pool in a forbidden country. ¡Ay dios mio!
All in all, it was the perfect Birthday. Muchas, muchas gracias Kristin and Marc for a day I will never, ever forget.
There you are as a brunette! Until you said that, I had completely forgotten you weren’t blonde on that trip! That was also the only decent meal we had not at a casa particular that whole trip!
I love how all of your posts from your Cuba trip include pictures of the cars… you really did have a crush on the cars, didn’t you? 🙂
Love that old school cars they have in cuba! How did you get there was it through DR?
I had no clue you two knew each other! It’s kind of ironic that I LOVE reading both your blogs and come to find out you’re travel buddies! What a small world 🙂
I enjoyed your post on the Cuba Beaches.
love your cuba photos!
Sounds like a blast. So jealous you girls have traveled together!
What? Mojitos, chocolates, and no cigar? 🙂
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That pool looks fabulous for a midnight dip. I’m jealous!
Cuba is not a country I’ve been to but you make it sound a great travel destination. Have to add it to my list!
No cigar?
BTW, I do like you as a brunette!
That first old car shot is SUCH a perfect Cuba shot, it’s everything I think of when I think of the country. And the composition is great too!
It looks like you had a great time! Sorry you missed the salsa club it would have been and even better night.
that is how you celebrate a birthday, great post
Lisa has a point – WHERE are the cigars?! Love the videos. Want to see Cuba – at the top of my list. Will read the rest of the Cuba posts to see about the logistics of the trip.
I always love sunset, look that beautiful clouds you took. Amazing. Great birthday time!
Gorgeous post!
Hey, Andi, you went with Kristin? Looks like you had an awesome birthday!!
What a great birthday!
cool as!
Awesome post. I LOVE your style of writing.
Nice post!
You rock!
Viva Cuba!!!
Loved this post! 🙂
Que buena!
WOW, now this is a true travel writer we have here!!!
Quite a beautiful website!
You are the best blogger out there I’m convinced!!!
Love it!