Last day and after a quick breakfast we hit the pool! We sourced a great spot with cots under a hut to give some reprieve from the sun... still a nice breeze though. Kids were swimming away by 9:00 am and after several trips for piña coladas all was in step! We hung out in shifts there for much of the day, save dinner and supper.

Our logistics were a bit tricky for Saturday, check-out was at 12:00, but the transfer to our flight at 6:00 pm for a 9:30 pm departure from Varadero. So we checked out, lounged pool side until supper, then settled in and waited for our bus to Varadero International. All hands had the chance for a final swim, some pictures and to snooze by the pool (which we basically had to ourselves for the entire day) before departing.

The Barcelo Marina Palace was a great stay for us, with little or no difficulty for our duration there. Comfortable sleeping quarters, plenty of food and drink, and obliging staff which took care of the few requests we had. We really liked the pace the week we stayed... it was slower and most of the visitors older, or younger couples with families. It was, all and all, worth every cent!

We had supper in the lighthouse that overlooks much of the complex. I actually went to the top and took a few shots. Great view with a very obliging waitress. All hands enjoyed a light sandwich and fries for supper... with the adults sampling the vintage.

When we got to the airport we secured boarding passes from the Sunwing desk, then did our security check for entry! Varadero airport isn't all that large, but was packed with touristas heading home from their week in the sunshine. Our flight departed about half an hour late, at 10:00 pm, and we landed four hours later in Halifax. This was perhaps the greatest drawback of the trip... arriving home overnight. We didn't get into Antigonish until 8:00 am, a little weary but with a great new experience under our belts.