Havana Noche

Thursday, March 22nd
Havana, Cuba
ms Veendam
Cuban Explorer
Night 5
Dark and Humid - 65 Degrees

With one night in Havana, it has to be a night at the Tropicana.

Heeding the advice of Liza Minnelli, old chum, we came to the Cabaret.  "An evening under the beautiful Cuban sky with a performance at the Tropicana Cabaret -- Cuba's largest nightclub.  Elaborate costumes, entertaining performers and a live orchestra -- you'll enjoy it all and much more in this Vegas-style extravaganza.  Your cabaret package includes admission, assigned seating in a premium section located nearer to the stage, a cigar, a welcome drink, plus ¼ bottle of rum with mixers."

Rum & Coke is the classic Cuban cocktail, but Coca-Cola Classic has not been available in Cuba since 1962.  So, the mixer of choice is Ciego Montero.  It's the Craigmont Cola of Cuba,  But, the Havana Club is authentic as it comes, the Cuban original from 1934, not the Bacardi knockoff made in Puerto Rico.  The combo goes down sweet and smooth.  Refresco, indeed.

Cigars lit, and glasses full, we were ready for the show.  As Lonely Planet wrote of a similar show, "It is the usual mix of frills, feathers, and semi-naked women," and it was spectacular.  Live music, spinning dancers, flamboyant design, headdresses a mile high, all  on a stage open to the night sky.  Life is cabaret!!!

On the ride back to the ship, tired from the day, and a little drunk on rum, we listened to some music courtesy of our guide, DJ, and ambassador.  This one by Alicia Keys was particularly poignant and apt, even if a pequeno queso:  "We are Here"

Exactly.

Next Stop:  Cienfuegos, Cuba