Good to be home

Nice to be home...... to breath cold, clean fresh air..... and to not be constantly in a state of perspiration. I welcomed my cold crisp ride down to the coffee shop this morning to catch up with my friends. 

Home ........

The lake was iced over and my water bottle froze 

But with no snow and dry clear roads there is nowhere else I would rather ride. 

And a mans 2 best friends seemed relaxed and happy if not excited for me to be home 

In closing ......

I wrote this blog and posted the pictures mostly for myself so I could remember some of what the trip meant as it happened. Also to keep updated family and friends who worried and advised if not begged me not to go. That’s you Shirley and Pru. 

I want to thank Kasha without whose help in early planning I never would have made the trip and to Hannah for helping sort out the details on the blog and much more....

..... and to Bob who gave me everything I need to read and got me to the airport on time. 

And thanks to Sarah for understanding my need for adventure and for motivating me by you following your own dreams in Costa Rica. I can’t wait to see you soon and see what the beaches of the Pacific have inspired you to create. 

Last Day in Cuba

LFor the last day in Cuba I had a relaxing day touring the city seeing the people moving about checking out the people and the infrastructure 

Entrance to mi casa in Habana. ..... with the communication network being fixed. 

The American embassy with the only American flag I saw in my 3 1/2 weeks in Cuba. 

 

Hemingway’s favorite bar for my friend Bob

The entrance to Habana Harbor 

Fancy hotel where I hung out with really good live music. 

A dance studio. One of several I saw. 

House of a colonial aristocratic who collected pre revolutionary  Cuban art. 

Park where I could get internet 

National museum of art with my friend Abbey



My and the Cuban hero Che Guevara 

Havana getting ready for Home

My room 4th from the left I overlooking the Plaza. 

 Tuesday leaving Matanzas was a great day but very long and as often happens when bicycle touring in Cuba There was a curveball and some peligroso por la tarde. 

I didn’t leave Matanzas until 8 after a nice breakfast at the fancy hotel and made the long ride to Havana easily with a nice tailwind and a siesta and a swim at a beautiful beach just east of the city.

Thatched hut ...... perfect for a nap. 

After the nap and swim I followed a recommended route via a ferry boat to cross over Habana Harbor into the city. It was me and the locals and hectic taking longer than expected. 

I landed in the busiest part of downtown and the directions a mi Casa were sketchy and now getting dark I got lost. I didn’t want to be late or a no-show for Abbey and Laura. So I went directly to Abbey’s casa which was easy to find. We had a FABULOUS dinner and it was great to see her and Laura.

But now in the dark in a big city after 2 recovery beverages at 9:30 I had to find mi casa.??!! 

Fortunately my google maps was working and I found mi casa and collapsed into bed with as usual very friendly hosts who had been worried about me. 

Sadly winding down to come home

  

   I am enjoying my last few days and looking forward to getting home. The past 3 days since Cienfuegos I covered some ground getting up early and leaving at or before dawn. Riding in the morning is comfortable and very pleasant. But I’m usually finished of riding by noon. 

But yesterday as I approached the north side of the Island for the first time along the Atlantic. It became slightly cooler and there were some clouds then more.......

Then a lot more clouds ....... and then the wind picked up as I headed into Matanza ..... a pretty big town

Fortunately I was into town but with no reservation for the first time I simply headed for shelter in the big fancy hotel on the Main Plaza. 

Lucky because then suddenly a real tropical downpour. Off and on from about 2:00 Pm though into the night. With rain the pavement can get very slippery from oil and no rain for 2 weeks and with wet horse and animal poop not very nice wet slurry to ride in 

You know me .... safety first. 

Fortunately I have a day to spare and I’ll stay in this nice hotel and do some overdue reading and writing 

The Hotel Louvre in Matanzas on  a rest day. 

All day long not a single mile and I never left the plaza. 

My room..... 

A great nap in a fabulous room with 20 foot rooms .... a renovated Colonial era gem. 

The view from my room overlooking the Main Plaza 

Tomorrow a long ride back to Havana to meet some friends and pack up to go home. 

The end sometimes gets hectic and I might not post again until home. 

Alan on the road 

2 days riding to Matanzas

Due to my dislike of the hot afternoons on the next 2 days I started out before sunrise. My goal is to make it to Havana by Sunday to meet with my Berkshire friends.

Mostly a rural agricultural area in central Cuba

Many open fields tended by hand. And what Matty B would appreciate were some raised beds with what looked like “no till” farming. 

Mi small little private Casa in Jaguay Grande 

And a traffic jam leaving the small town

Especially in smaller towns I always attract a crowd of curious and friendly children who are always helpful to find what I need.... be it internet, a place to stay, water or something to eat. 

A small beach at aCampisimo along the Bay of Pigs mostly for local Cubans

And a swim at a cool fresh water lagoon filled with fish

Just like at home..... the old men hanging out at the coffee shop but here playing some sort of game with tiles and lots of shouting. 

I love how they park their bicycles against the curb.