Day 23: Guanabo

December 26, 2017

I had a wonderful night. I slept for eleven hours without going to the bathroom. Is that the definition of happiness? Wow! I guess I was tired or my bladder is cured... Okay, doctor, I'll stop talking about my bladder. I discovered the morning life of Matanzas. It was chilly. The temperature is much cooler than during my last trip this summer. A nice little 5-cent coffee to start the day, what could be better? I revisit the central park and take another picture of Martí and the Liberation.

I wander the streets looking for something to eat. You have to be observant. I see people eating sandwiches, but I can't find the vendor. I ask around, and they tell me it's the guy on the motorcycle who sells them from his white tub.

I visit a pretty church a little further on.

The interior is magnificent.

The nativity scene is truly beautiful.

I walk and walk. I eat the best churros in Cuba...yum.

Around 10:00 I set off. The weather is very nice.

It's a very safe road. It's the Via Blanca. There are four lanes. The scenery is beautiful.

I met a little old lady walking alone on the road and decided to give her a Fast123 t-shirt and a Canadian flag. She was so happy. It was a lovely encounter. We said goodbye...

I'm passing by Playa Jibacoa, a place suggested by my friends from Montreal, Pat and Jo. It's very beautiful. I check the price of rooms for a night in a superb 4-star hotel, but it's so expensive. It costs $200 USD for one night. I'll pass! I talk to the hotel attendant, and he suggests a much cheaper place, but I decide to keep cycling to another town. Here's a little gift for this friendly man: a Quebec flag.

A few kilometers further on, I met a German man who was going to spend two months cycling. He was friendly and gave me some recommendations for places to visit.

I make a quick stop at the beach, but I only dip my toes in. The wind is enough to cool me down.

I'm approaching Havana and this sign is reminding me of my age.

I finally arrive in Guanabo, after cycling for 4 hours and 54 minutes over a distance of 88 km.

Luckily, the wind is at my back. I find a little place to sleep on 472nd Street. It was a suggestion from my host the night before. I try to negotiate the price, but it's impossible because she has to pay a commission for the referral. She does, however, treat me to a really good lobster and rice dinner. She's also going to make me breakfast tomorrow morning. Breakfast, a room, and lobster for 30 CUC is still a pretty good deal.