I get up very early. I'm going to observe the streets of Havana one last time. Next time you go to Cuba, try to take a little tour there. This city is truly incredible.
I say goodbye to Pépé my host and head towards the ferry located 500 meters from my accommodation.
I head to Regla, the ferry costs only 1 Cup (5 cents). The crossing takes five minutes and it saved me several kilometers on my bike.
The ferry is almost empty.
It's a very cold day. It's raining and it's about 16 degrees. The kind of day I wouldn't usually cycle on in the summer in Quebec. Yes, I know, it was minus thirty in Quebec! I won't complain! It's the worst day of the whole trip. People are wearing gloves and hats. Nevertheless, it's inexplicable, I feel very happy on my bike. The first minutes of each day are wonderful. It's a feeling of freedom that invades me... Around eleven o'clock, I arrive in Guanabo. It's cold, but the sun is showing a little.
I meet three very friendly Quebecers.
I'm going to buy some olives and 7 up.
I love olives. I ate the entire jar in a few kilometers. I see Elisabeth again, the woman from New Zealand. I learned that she is a primary school teacher and that it is currently the summer holidays. She is very impressive. I am in awe of her perseverance.
I eat a ham roll and have a wheat milkshake. It's delicious!!! The taste reminds me of the bottom of a bowl of cereal.
This drink is called "Batido de trigo"
The weather is so gloomy. I pass the number of kilometers representing my year of birth.
Today I am on the road called Via Blanca. The construction of this road began in 1945 and was completed in 1959. It connects Havana to Varadero. In doing so, I crossed the highest bridge in Cuba, the Bacunayagua Bridge. The latter culminates at a height of 112 meters above the Yumuri Valley.
Here are some landscapes with the sad temperature.
I finally arrive in Matanzas. Hooray! I'm approaching my final destination. I have about 50 kilometers left before reaching Varadero. I buy the best chocolate donuts in the world.
I rent a beautiful room in a colonial house built in 1852. The ceiling is 6 meters high.
It's so beautiful! My room is new. I'm the third to use it. My hostess is called Aïda and she's very friendly. I give her a Quebec flag, she's so happy.
I find many things at the local grocery store. I see 123, the only thing missing is Fast.
I buy chocolate from Cuba, cereal from Mexico, milk and Pringles made in the USA. A real feast for tonight. It's the first time in 30 days that I've seen a grocery store with so many products.
I will soon arrive in the country and I will find the excessive abundance of products in the grocery stores of Quebec. I can't wait to eat! I meet two friendly Belgians.
Here is my bike summary for the day.
Here in Cuba during the holidays...
I have experienced many deficiencies...
Over there in Canada...
I know there won't be any...
David Beauchesne