Good morning from Varadero, Cuba. I have come to show you a little bit the place where I am, the Starfish Cuatro Palmas Hotel. If I remember correctly, this is the third time we have visited this Hotel and the last one was two years ago.
We had said that we would try to come every year but due to life's circumstances it was not possible for us to fulfil this wish. We like it here. The facilities are nice but simple and the staff are super friendly, and also very efficient, which makes us feel at home.
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From the room balcony
Perhaps for many people and mainly for international tourism this is a cheap hotel. It comes out at about 30 or 31 USD per night, according to the informal exchange rate we have right now in Cuba and the only one that exists because the state does not sell dollars.
However, for the average Cuban, whose monthly salary is less than 4000 CUP, it is not cheap. We are talking about 9999 CUP per night per person and we have booked 3 nights.
We spent the whole year saving for this moment when we can be here together, enjoying some... very idle time. Oh, hallelujah, we don't have to cook or do any chores at home. We have breakfast, lunch and dinner on an all-inclusive basis and can indulge in leisure and pleasure. There is nothing like this sea and the breathtaking views of sunrises and sunsets here.
One is left naked in front of so much beauty ... LOL
This is a hotel that is visited by many Canadian tourists. They are very sociable. In fact two years ago I met an older gentleman with whom I talked a lot and laughed too. Guess what... just yesterday we were talking about him and today we met him in the lobby bar. We couldn't believe it. He says he thought of me last week. He just arrived last night at 10 o'clock.
And I wonder... what are the chances of us meeting here again if we never had any communication after we met here two years ago and chatted a bit?
This cat says it's all very strange.
But let's see that here in the Hotel there is a small stall selling handicrafts.
There are no dogs here, only cats. Unless there are any wearing a costume.
Lots of hats because the sun is so strong... I don't want anything to do with the beach right now. I prefer early in the morning or close to sunset.
Here I am having a beer to refresh myself. I forgot to tell you that all drinks are included, you can drink all day long, and get drunk as you please... I hardly drink at all.
However, I have noticed that the customers are very respectful and handle this accessibility to drinks of all kinds very well.
They agree with me. š
Am I seeing correctly or do cats and owls look alike? I see a lot of cats wearing costumes here too.
If you have a secret you can keep it in one of these little boxes. They seem to be difficult to open. Or maybe we can put our Hive keys in here.
They sell a lot of things for decoration like rattles, souvenirs, handmade clothing and also these nice wooden spoons for those who like to have their kitchen well stocked with utensils and useful things.
I wonder what this lady is doing? LOL. She says she has a lot of friends in Hive that she can't neglect.
She has a friend.
Just now the Canadian gentleman passed by.... I had a bit of a chat with him, telling him about Hive and I hear there's some action in the pool.
Aqua gym.
Maybe my mother and aunt are around. Maybe there are even cats dancing, who knows.
š
Extra snapshot of yesterday's sunset.