A NEW DAY, AND A NEW TOWN
My favorite misfiring rooster was back up and hard at his job at 5 a.m. this morning. I got up, put in some earplugs to block out the racket, and then fell fast back to sleep.
I woke up at 6:30 - far later than I wanted to - and had just a few minutes to finish up before breakfast. I was glad I packed the night before.
We had the same breakfast as the previous day, and then bid adieu to the Don Florencia hotel and the beautiful town of Sancti Spiritus, Cuba.
Several of our group were sore from the previous day, and I could tell that some of them were wondering if here, on only the second day of riding, had gotten themselves in too deep. No worries though as you always were just a head pat away from enjoying the scenery in air-conditioned comfort.
Today’s ride was set to be a little longer at 65k, and would take us to the outskirts of the lovely town of Trinidad. We were expected to have a tailwind, but this would be negated by a couple of steep hills about 12k out of town. Oh well, I was here to ride, not to worry about riding.
I woke up at 6:30 - far later than I wanted to - and had just a few minutes to finish up before breakfast. I was glad I packed the night before.
We had the same breakfast as the previous day, and then bid adieu to the Don Florencia hotel and the beautiful town of Sancti Spiritus, Cuba.
Several of our group were sore from the previous day, and I could tell that some of them were wondering if here, on only the second day of riding, had gotten themselves in too deep. No worries though as you always were just a head pat away from enjoying the scenery in air-conditioned comfort.
Today’s ride was set to be a little longer at 65k, and would take us to the outskirts of the lovely town of Trinidad. We were expected to have a tailwind, but this would be negated by a couple of steep hills about 12k out of town. Oh well, I was here to ride, not to worry about riding.
In fact, the ride wasn’t that bad at all. The palms were blowing in the right direction, and you just can’t beat a bucolic scene to buoy the spirit and keep you pedaling. In fact, why don’t you see what I’m talking about for yourself and come along on the ride with me here.
After cresting the hills, we stopped for a break and a snack at about 15k in a small town that was quite busy. The fare today was crackers with a slice of Cuban white cheese, and some Timba, or Guava paste. It was delicious and I resolved to locate it at home and make it for myself. In fact, here’s the link if you’re interested: http://www.cubanfoodmarket.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=TFM_PROD&Product_Code=GUA00003&Category_Code=10303
Back on the road I was struck by all the forms of transportation that the Cubans use: horse drawn carts, buses, trucks, antique American cars, and the ever-present Russian VAZ 2105. Some people of course had no form of transportation, and it wasn’t uncommon to see them standing out on the road and holding out a wad of pesos in their hand trying to procure a ride. I guess in Cuba, your thumb just didn’t cut it when it came to getting a lift.
We took another break at a small rancho another 15k up the road and met a group of young women from Nova Scotia who were touring Cuba on their own. They had all recently graduated from nursing college, and it was their reward to themselves. They seemed to be quite capable cycle tourists and hit it off swimmingly with our group, especially with the fellow Canucks.
Back on the road I was struck by all the forms of transportation that the Cubans use: horse drawn carts, buses, trucks, antique American cars, and the ever-present Russian VAZ 2105. Some people of course had no form of transportation, and it wasn’t uncommon to see them standing out on the road and holding out a wad of pesos in their hand trying to procure a ride. I guess in Cuba, your thumb just didn’t cut it when it came to getting a lift.
We took another break at a small rancho another 15k up the road and met a group of young women from Nova Scotia who were touring Cuba on their own. They had all recently graduated from nursing college, and it was their reward to themselves. They seemed to be quite capable cycle tourists and hit it off swimmingly with our group, especially with the fellow Canucks.
We hit the road for the final push of the day, trying our best to avoid the ever-present road apples. If you don’t believe me, take a look here.
Before long, the landmark tower of Trinidad, Cuba came into view. Trinidad is one of the best-preserved cities in the Caribbean from the time when the sugar trade was the main industry in the region and is a popular tourist attraction. The tower was used to keep an eye on the slaves that worked the sugar cane fields in days gone by.
At the base of the tower an open-air market had sprung up, and we were offered a chance to do a little shopping before getting on the bus to head into Trinidad proper. I bought a nice tablecloth for Char, but passed on the Coke can cameras. LOL
Before long, the landmark tower of Trinidad, Cuba came into view. Trinidad is one of the best-preserved cities in the Caribbean from the time when the sugar trade was the main industry in the region and is a popular tourist attraction. The tower was used to keep an eye on the slaves that worked the sugar cane fields in days gone by.
At the base of the tower an open-air market had sprung up, and we were offered a chance to do a little shopping before getting on the bus to head into Trinidad proper. I bought a nice tablecloth for Char, but passed on the Coke can cameras. LOL
In Trinidad, we had lunch – yes, we were eating again. The food was good but the service was slow, and by now, several of us were beginning to feel bloated, as well as realizing that the time to continually stop to eat was cutting into our sightseeing and down-time.
After lunch, we finally got to go on our walking tour of Trinidad, albeit, an hour or so late. There were more shops to buy trinkets, some historical buildings, as well as some street performers.
By late afternoon, we climbed onto the bus for the final time to head to our digs for the evening, the all inclusive Brisas Trinidad del Mar Resort. It was the fanciest place we had seen on our trip so far and was fancier than most places I had ever stayed in.
The best part of the resort though was it’s access to the water and the Caribbean. Most of us simply dropped our bags in our room and, as they say, hit the beach! The water was great and it felt so good after a day’s ride. Still, we couldn’t stay in too long because, you guessed it, it was time to eat again and we had to get cleaned up for dinner.
Dinner was a buffet in a large outdoor dining room with a stuffed oxen drawn cart as its centerpiece. The food was just okay, and the service was less than stellar. Despite the luxuriousness of the resort, most of would say by the end of the trip that this was probably the least favorite of all of our stays.
Still, it gave Randy (Mr. 77 countries toured by bike) and I a chance to catch up. Although I don’t think I could ever catch up and hear about all of his incredible adventures.
The best part of the resort though was it’s access to the water and the Caribbean. Most of us simply dropped our bags in our room and, as they say, hit the beach! The water was great and it felt so good after a day’s ride. Still, we couldn’t stay in too long because, you guessed it, it was time to eat again and we had to get cleaned up for dinner.
Dinner was a buffet in a large outdoor dining room with a stuffed oxen drawn cart as its centerpiece. The food was just okay, and the service was less than stellar. Despite the luxuriousness of the resort, most of would say by the end of the trip that this was probably the least favorite of all of our stays.
Still, it gave Randy (Mr. 77 countries toured by bike) and I a chance to catch up. Although I don’t think I could ever catch up and hear about all of his incredible adventures.
I got to bed later than I wanted, but fell fast asleep. Come with me tomorrow as we ride along the coast to our next destination, Cienfuegos.
Hasta manana!!
Hasta manana!!
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