Woke early so after breakfast put on some information about
our restaurant last night into both Facebook and Tripadvisor.
Jose was 5 mins late coming to the hotel. It was another
long day of driving. Not as much traffic as previously, although there were
always people waiting for buses and a few carts along the way.We drove through
mile after mile of either bananas or cane fields, some cattle, some goats.
Stopping for “roadworks” done by pouring the tar onto the hole from a bucket,
then shovelling the stones on top!
We stopped at the small town of La Maya to see, and
participate in, some traditional dancing and music. First on one side of the
road, then on the other. Much more of an African beat. The saddest thing was
seeing the condition of the double bass being used by one very enthusiastic
young man.
Our next stop was a viewing point to see the U.S. Guantanamo
military base, way in the distance. The young local guide’s talk was
interesting. Given to America in 1902 and they pay $1400 per year lease on the
land, but the Cuban government refuses to cash the cheque. It was a bit hazy to
get a clear photo, but another 15 year old was having her photos taken. The
toilet was awful.
 |
| Guantanamo Bay |
On the bus for the long haul over the mountains to Baracoa.
First you drive though very poor soil with a low rainfall- not quite as bad as
our desert, but marginal compared to the rest of the island. The only
significant plants grow along the dry river banks. The road passes very close
to the sea and in places the water just looked magical – crystal clear,
occasionally marred by litter. The hills come right down to the sea and
sometimes the cactus went right beside the sea. NO sand.
The distant mountains were spectacular, and eventually we
had to climb slowly up and over them. It was very disconcerting seeing broken
railings along the way and all the landslips. When you looked closely at the
cuttings, many more rocks were about to go with huge fissures everywhere! We
stopped at the top, 545 M, then paid 1cuk to climb to the top of the viewing
tower. Worth EVERY cent. The view was phenomenal and almost made up for my lack
of breath. If the road up was scary, the way down was about the same, but it
didn’t seem to be as steep and we often found villages perched up along the
crest of hills. Lots of bananas and coffee.
Thankfully we got down safely and drove through the town of
Baracoa, right on the beach, to our resort. Reportedly the exact spot that
Christopher Columbus landed and planted his cross! It is a delightful cove. The
LONG haul down to our cabins was an issue, the porter dragging / carrying the
bags down step after step. We still had no change, so Heather had to give the
ported 3cuk. I sat out on the balcony typing while Heather opted inside for the
air-con. It was very hot but the breeze was blowing.
Shower, then dinner with the others, lots of sharing and
laughing at Liam’s jokes and stories. Heather and I sat in the foyer to access
the internet. The others had issues in their rooms. No power/ shower/ lack of
fridge. Welcome to our standard of hotels. Another late night, because despite
the air- con it was too hot and humid to get to sleep.
No comments:
Post a Comment