Miami

March 16, 2016

All arrived in Miami for an overnight at the Clarion Airport Hotel. A tour of Little Havana, a small area within city limits of Miami, included free time to explore stores and bars. Nan and I went back later as we had our car and walked the side streets in addition to the main street. We came upon a memorial to the Bay of Pigs that was placed on a boulevard street that fronted the main street. See pictures.

We all went to Sergios for a Cuban styled dinner.

Bay of Pigs Memorial in Little Havana

March 17, 2016

Though we had been warned that we may have an early departure from Miami, which would require an even earlier arrival at the airport, our charter flight wasn't scheduled until 2:00 p.m. The downside was that we had less time in Havana on the front side of our tour, but due to delays created by Obama's visit, we also had a rescheduled flight on our return, so we were able to make up lost time.

Many of the passengers on the charter were Cubans returning to the island with lots of goods. One individual in particular had a TV that he was able to get in the overhead compartment.

We were at the airport with much time to spare, so we were able to people watch for some time. Flights to South American countries were departing from our terminal. We observed a wrapping service that is provided to passengers on these flights, for a cost, to wrap their soft bags in shrink type wrap. We were told the idea was to protect the contents from theft.

We had our first exposure to differing procedures. Nan and I had both read books on Cuba and had thought we understood some of the "rules" for traveling to Cuba. We learned in Miami that these "rules" either fluctuate, are non existent, or whatever. Though we were expecting to have weight issues with our luggage, no weighing appeared to happen on our checked or carry on luggage. Good thing as from Traverse City to Miami, our luggage seemed to gain weight.

Once aboard, the flight took all of 40 minutes from Miami to Havana.