Varadero
 
The long drive into Varadero from Santa Clara is again a vision of small villages of tiny smallholdings, poor farmers and an array of cattle, horses and varying degrees of agriculture.

Slowly as we drive into Cardenas and through to ajoining Varadero the surroundings change and it becomes a long finger of resort hotels and eventually towards the tip of the peninsula we arrive at Paradisus del Mar our home for the next 7 days. Our Adults only, all inclusive 5 star touch of luxury, so that we can chill, relax and revive ourselves after a hectic week of the real Cuba. Now we need to recharge the batteries, eat, drink, enjoy the pools and swim in the Atlantic Ocean. Its a beautiful resort with 5 different restaurants as well as various snack bars. This will be fun.

 
24th December 2014

 Its Christmas Eve! We've spent 3 days having a fabulous time, our 3rd floor room has a side view of the Ocean, just spoilt by the dozens of palm trees that surround this corner of Cuban paradise. Its a 2 minute walk to the powder soft sandy beach. Oh God its a hard life, but we're coping pretty well! We meander to the huge breakfast buffet around 9 every morning, enjoy freshly squeezed juices, pastries of every type, eggs done however you like. The choices are mind boggling and the staff are truly wonderful, always happy no matter what. There are an absolute array of different nationalities here. We've enjoyed many great conversations with fellow Brits, Argentinians, Canadians.

The Canadians are definitely the majority, they come to escape their cold winters and mainly enjoy the all-inclusive lifestyle without venturing into the 'Real Cuba' like we have. Today the Ocean was as warm as ever but we have a few dark clouds around and believe it or not an odd shower of rain! It doesn't cause us a problem because its still warm and wonderful, nothing like the December cold rain we are used to back home. I manage to get an hours Wifi to send Christmas wishes to my gorgeous daughter Laura and daughter-in-law Tara as my son Adam is still working. So after our usual 'Coffee stop' at Ignacios Racquet club bar, its back to our room to get ready for the special Christmas Eve Gala dinner.  

Wow, what a Gala it is. I can honestly say I've never seen such elaborate vegetable and fruit sculptures. The array of dishes for us is mind blowing, the smell of chocolate around the desert area is unreal. There are dishes of Lobster, shrimp, king prawns, asparagus wrapped in bacon, charcuterie, salads, vegetables of every kind, chefs ready to cook meats and shellfish as you wait, whilst the waiting staff, drive us dizzy filling our glasses with sparkling wine every-time we take a mouthful. Merry Christmas is the sound on every ones lips. Such fun, such joy, its beautiful, just an amazing night. Then we head to the lobby bar to watch the entertainment. This is a night to remember. 

I hope you all had as amazing Christmas Eve as us xxx