Friday 22 February 2008

I'm Back!

We arrived home this morning a little tired and weary from an overnight flight but having had the most amazing holiday. Havana was fantastic and unlike any other city I've visited - like stepping back in time. This was our hotel in Havana - The Nacional, which felt like something from a 1930s movie set. Very elegant and glamourous and set right on the waterfront promenade, The Malecon.



Not all the buildings are as well maintained as The Nacional, but even the crumbling old colonial style buildings that line so many of the streets have their own beauty and style.




The city is also full of the most amazing old American cars that pre-date the revolution in 1959. It really is incredible that so many of them are still running (although not very environmental friendly!)


Everywhere we went in the City, we were met with warmth, friendship and contant music and dancing! This band were in the Bodeguita del Medio, a tiny bustling restaurant serving traditional Creole food and fabulous Mojito cocktails - a favourite haunt of Ernest Hemingway. The walls are covered with graffiti and the signatures of many visitors, including people like Hemingway and Nat King Cole.



I'll post more pictures of Havana and the rest of our trip later this week when I finally get around to sorting them all out. I have to say it was a bit of a shock to the system walking the dog this afternoon... not quite the 82 deg F we've been used to over the past couple of weeks... but still good to be home! And luckily I didn't spend my entire holiday lazing in the sun and drinking cocktails but also managed to finish off some cosy socks which have been very welcome today!



These are thicker than I usually make, knitted from Debbie Bliss Cashmerino (very soft!) from a pattern in "Debbie Bliss Home". They were extremely quick to knit and have a simple cable up the sides to stop them being too plain... It's also an excuse to show off the fact that my legs are not their usual pearly white but are a pale shade of beige instead!!! (For me this constitutes a tan)



Now I'm off to catch up with all the blogs I've been missing while I was away. Thank you to everyone who has left comments while I was gone - it's been lovely to see some new visitors too and I will try to catch up with everyone soon. Have a good weekend wherever you are and whatever you may be doing!

13 comments:

  1. So glad to have you back - we've missed you! Looks like you had a great time.

    As for the swap - I had a text all written on my mobile to send to you to ask if you wanted to be in it but I managed to stop myself! I didn't think it was really important enough to interrupt your holiday - but the thought counts doesn't it????

    Lucy x

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  2. Impressive tan! I know how hard it is to get a tan. You did well in the time. Welcome back to Blighty! Good job you didn't come back to the frost! You'd have got on the next plane back to Havana! have a good weekend :)

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  3. Welcome back Gina!!!! It's great to have you back :)

    I love the photos you've posted so far and can't wait to see more.

    I love your holiday socks and I bet you were glad of them today- brrrrrr!

    Lesley xxxx

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  4. Hooray, you're back! I missed you. Wonderful photos ... wonderful socks too!

    Go on ... show us your white bits ;-) x

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  5. Welcome home Gina! Sounds like you had a graet time. Love the socks!

    Celia

    PS - now what did you say to Fidel?

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  6. Welcome home Gina. I'm glad you had a lovely holiday.

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  7. It's great to have you back. The photos are good it sounds like a really interesting and exciting place. I'm not very jealous.

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  8. Was it a coincidence that Fidel Castro resigned whilst you were in the country?

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  9. Your holiday sounds fab, and I look forward to seeing more pictures.

    Cute socks too!

    :)

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  10. Lovely photos, welcome back!

    I do like those socks - and having been in John Lewis this afternoon looking at that very wool, I can imagine how soft they are!

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  11. Glad you made it back safely, your socks look lovely too.look forward to seeing more of your pics, Cuba sounds a very interesting country. jane x

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