Here is some more news from Andre and Mark's Cuba adventure
Hola to all my frozen friends.
We are truly in Paradise here. Our last few days have been eventful to say the least and before I get into the details I can assure you that we are still alive and well.
As we move our way to the eastern and most remote area of Cuba we are entering a true tropical paradise. The roads are quite rough in this part of the country but the spectacular scenery makes up for it. Two days ago we were in a small town that had very limited accomodations. We ended up sharing a very ¨rustic¨ casa with two retired ductch men. We are talking about the composter consisting of 3 pigs in the enclosed in a small enclosure next to the outside kitchen counter. The pigs would squeal in delight whenever the cook came by to prepare our meals. You have heard of the 100 mile diet well here they have the 100 feet diet. If you want to know what´s for supper, you typically just look around the yard. Chicken, porc, fried bananas, tomatoes, cucumbers etc... All very fresh, very tasty and quite filling. We also picked up a local power bar that is the best I have ever had, consisting of a mixture of coconute and a few other things I´m not too sure of. One thing though is that it sustained us for a good 2 hours in some of the most challenging terrain and riding you can expect. The hills are VERY steep and the potholes VERY big. ´My rear rack is starting to bend and I´m working on my good favours with Mark so that when it breaks, he will have to carry my load. I swear that I did not plan this.
Anyways, we are sitting around the rustic casa sharing a few stories and a few bottles of rum with our new friends from Denmark. And good story tellers they were. After too much rum and a good meal the floor of the casa was getting more and more uneven and with the first rain and rustic Cuban construction method, wet and slippery. I know why they don´t have lawyers in Cuba.
Next morning it´s pouring rain outside, we are talking a tropical downpour. Our gracious host offers to take us to our next step, about 70 km down the road, and we gladly accept before taking a good look at his cuban car, a very beat up Lada, the driver´s side window a plastic bag hanging, the wiper consisting of his son in the front seat reaching out the window to wipe the rain so he could see. Our bikes precariously tied down in the truck which also happen to be quite open to the inside of the car through very big holes where speakers used to be. As you can imagine, the exhaust fumes came up and it was a very special ride indeed. The steering wheel was quite loose and our driver turned the wheel about 1-4 turn before the car responded. Add the big rain, the big water filled potholes, streets full of horses, pedestrians, bikes and so on, you can imagine that we were quite happy when we reached our destination. Needless to say it was a low point in our trip.
As things go however, we were rewarded with some of the best, remote car free tropical riding of the whole trip with the absolute tropical paradise villa at the end of our trip. This was a first class, small villa on a beautiful tropical beach serving the best of food. We did sleep very well that night and after a harduous 20 km ride this morning we are taking it easy to prepare for the next leg of our journey.
Keep well and happy shovelling to all of you.
Hello everyone:
We are now half way through our little Cuban adventure. I"m almost recovered from my road rash wounds and looking forward to more adventure. We are currently on the eastern edge of Cuba and we are going towards Guantanamo Bay to release all the prisoners. It's been quite hot I''m not complaining as I see you still have to shovel it.
We are staying mostly in bed and breaskfast places, very cheap $25/night for both of us and we get to meet cubans as opposed to other canadians in the big hotels. The towns are quite bustling but very colorful. It's very much like going back 50 years in time before internet, cars and cell phones. Lots of bikes, horses, pedestrians and very old cars.
Other than the heat, the riding is great. We are taking LOTS of pictures so we can bore you all when we come back. We are riding on quiet roads, often rough and typical coutryside and some VERY big hills. I might even start to get in shape if I could only keep my cervesas intake reasonable.
I''ll try to send another update next week.
Ciao
Andre
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