A Day at the Lake

After a later breakfast, we went on the bus a ways out of Cienfuegos to the Botanical Gardens, where we were given a tour by one of the workers there (a man with a degree in botany), of some of the plants among the thousands of different ones there. They have many kinds of bamboo (not native, but growing in Cuba), and banyan tree (again, not native),

a relative of the boabab tree, which is native, and some others as well. While I loved it, and found it interesting, I won't remember much beyond a few days from now.

We then got into the bus and travelled uphill to Habanavilla, a hotel built by Castro for the 20th anniversary of Moncado, and still used mostly by Cubans. This is on a large lake formed by damming the rio Negro (the dam is also a hydro project, one of the few in Cuba). We took a boat down the lake to a place where they have a Cuban-style lunch, which I enjoyed: pork, beans and rice, squash, and of course a cabbage-and-tomato salad. there was also lots of avocado—delicious! I spent a lot of time talking with John, who works in addictions in the US.

Then it was the ride back, on bike. Much was downhill, but a lot of the 58 km seemed to be uphill as well. And I got a piece of wire caught in my derailler, which slowed me for a while.

Supper soon, we hope at the Castle.We actually got to eat at the castle, having lobster served by the most bored waiters I have ever seen, and serenaded by a lady who sang off-key and played a piano which had not ben tuned for many years. She was awful, and then had the gall to come around and try to sell a CD of her songs.

After a tour of the building (and after dinner, of course), we went back to the hotel, and there was a a capella choir singing in the lobby. Thye were terrific. A thrill for me was when they sang one of the songs I sing with the Dofasco group. I bought their CD.

Then to bed.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad.

Location:Cienfuegos