Finally .. some wifi

Thursday 7th Virgin flight from Gatwick was on a jumbo....yikes! Pat recalled aloud taking a flight on a jumbo in 1987. Thanks Pat. Anyway 9.5 hour flight, plane full, food and service better than Emirates....who would have thought? Two hours to clear Havana airport so did not see much on trip into town as dark at 6.30 pm. First impressions.. no speed limit, heaps of traffic and petrol fumes, taxi driver with "audi blue dark" - his description "clapped out" my description, was grumpy and morose....perhaps he had to wait for us...as we waited damned long time for the cases..we were standing at the carosel for over an hour. Finally got to Hotel Raquel in Old Havana and checked in. The place certainly has the Olde Worlde charm, magnificent 4 story central atrium topped by what looks like a glass roof...all marble floors etc on ground floor reception etc. Rooms are large high ceilings...general maintenence a bit dicey. We changed a bit of money only in hotel as rate not good..just enough for a bit of tea. Found a cafe one block down the road and chose it for the music....food was not that flash tho. Local cristal beer was ok. We paid 38 cucs for two fish meals two beers and two sparkling waters... seemed overpriced to me...cheapskate that I am.