I get up just in time to say goodbye to Denise and Daniel, my two German friends I met yesterday at the Casa Particular.
This is the view from my room this morning.
Daniel and Denise take the Guagua (pronounced la wawa). For a distance of 4 kilometers I manage to drive at the same speed as this bus for Cubans because the road is full of holes. The earth in this region of Cuba is red.
There is a little rain this morning, but the sun will soon appear. The landscapes are even more beautiful than the day before, it's superb!
On the road I meet a couple from Quebec coming from Sherbrooke who are also on bikes! It feels good to speak French. I hope to meet them in Sherbrooke when I return. The old year's snowmen are starting to appear in front of the houses. These characters filled with straw and firecrackers will be burned at midnight on December 31. I can't wait to attend this show. These snowmen symbolize the year that has just passed and it will be time to move on to the new year.
I would like to take this moment to wish you a very happy new year 2018. I wish you happiness in abundance. Happiness is in every moment, in each of the people who will be on your path. Be good and life will give it back to you! Happy New Year! I eat the best pan con tortilla de cuba in a small kiosk lost on the side of the road. It is simply a bread with an egg, but believe me, it was very tasty!!!
I continue on my way. The mountains are beautiful.
I see for the first time what are called Mogotes here. It's fabulous! In addition, a coachman passes by at just the right moment to immortalize this moment in a unique way.
I arrive at the Viñales National Park, I cover 6 km with intense climbs.
I meet a family of pigs who are free-range. They have no idea at the moment that they will be serving as a meal for hundreds of people in a few days. They are simply enjoying the moment.
I see an abandoned school.
I meet a man who tells me he can show me a waterfall and a viewpoint for 6 CUC. I decide to do this little improvised 30-minute trek with a 14-year-old guide.
After leaving my bike and luggage in a house, we begin the ascent of the mogote towards the viewpoint. My calves are burning, this little Cuban is fast!
This is the view from the lookout.
Finally, here is the waterfall!!! I imagined a more beautiful and high waterfall...ahah. Let's say I got fooled!!!
And here is the perfect place to swim according to the man...I'll pass!
We're back to square one. It was very Rapido. Now here's a 1979 Lada. Do you know how much it's worth? Make an offer!!!
This Lada is worth $20,000 USD. It's incredible!!! I learned that beautiful vintage American cars from the 50s can be worth up to $60,000 USD. It's crazy! It's almost impossible to buy a new car in Cuba. When the cars are new they are rented to tourists and when they are worn out they are sold to Cubans for a lot of money. It's really frustrating! Then I'm going to visit a cueva, which is a cave.
Finally I find myself a small room.
On the bike side today I did 67 kilometers including a little trekking on foot. That's why my average speed is so low.
David Beauchesne