Cuba > Forgot the passport...

The last day of the holiday already. We can stay in the room until noon, so there’s no need to rush with check-out. First, we sleep in and have breakfast before half past nine. Then we go into Varadero to buy a bottle of Havana Rum as a souvenir.

Cuba - The main road of Varadero

After that, it’s time to leave the room and spend the final hours on the beach. After lunch in the restaurant, I change into my travel clothes in the lobby. At half past two, the bus is ready for the first leg of the journey home. Tomorrow around this time (Dutch time), I’ll be back home — 18 hours later. By bus, we leave Varadero and drive along the coastal highway toward Havana. Along the way, we make a photo stop at the highest bridge in Cuba spanning a ravine. A little further, we stop for a delicious Piña Colada. At the roadside restaurant, the drinks are served, and we can add rum ourselves. At the airport, it’s time to say goodbye to Abel. Abel has already mentioned on the bus that he found our travel group very enjoyable (of course). We thank him for guiding the trip and hand him an envelope with a tip. Then Abel leaves with the bus driver. Upon entering the departure hall, Marijke realizes she doesn’t have her passport with her. It is still at the hotel reception, where she had left it on arrival. Abel is quickly called and returns immediately. He contacts the hotel and arranges for a taxi driver to bring the passport. Check-in for the Air France flight is not possible without a passport; a copy is insufficient. Since check-in closes at half past seven, it seems unlikely that Marijke will make the flight. Luckily, a direct flight to the Netherlands is scheduled later that evening, and with a new ticket, she can join that one.

Cuba - The hotel pool in Varadero

To keep Marijke company, we stay at the check-in desk until after seven, having a drink. Meanwhile, the line at customs grows, and processing moves slowly. Our time for check-in starts to become tight as well. At exactly half past seven, a shift change occurs, further delaying processing and causing frustration for some. When we reach the plane, check-in has already begun. I have a seat in the very last row. Against all expectations, Marijke boards as the last passenger. The taxi arrived at 7:40 p.m. Abel collected her bag and passport and placed them at the check-in desk, where she is finally allowed to check in. At customs, she is allowed to move to the front of the line since other passengers have later flights around eleven o’clock. To everyone’s relief, Marijke takes her seat on the plane. With a slight delay due to congestion on the runway, the plane takes off shortly after nine, heading for Paris. Once airborne, a meal is served with a glass of wine. To mark the end of the holiday, we order a small bottle of wine as well. Every seat is equipped with a personal screen so passengers can watch a movie or play games. With Ocean’s Twelve, a chess game, and a short nap, we arrive in Paris around half past twelve.