January 26, out of Trinidad

Today was meant to be a gentle ride along the south coast from our hotel to Cienfuegos. After a quick breakfast, we left the hotel at 8:15, and proceeded along an old road along the coast. Many vistas of the ocean, some sandy amd some rocky beaches, past a few small towns, and over several rivers, to an area just to the east of Cienfuegos. The road ws paved and smooth, and fairly flat. The day was sunny, hot but not dreadful. And the wind was light and behind us. It was glorious, and we did overall 72 km.

When we got into Cienfuegos, our first stop was at an old Yacht club for a lunch. This was delightful as well, and the Club was in a grandiose pre-Revolutionary building.

We then went into the town itself, and toured on foot the wonderful architecture of the town. Including the magnificent old Teatro.

Then back to where lunch had been, to check into the hotel next door. this was also built pre-Revolution, by Batista's brother, and is quite grand. A decided improvement over the previous one.

We just got back from a cruise of the large, calm Cienfuegos Harbour, at sunset. This was pretty special as well.But after supper tonight, we are promised as well to go to a lopcal baseball game between the two best teams in Cuba. Even I can get excited about that.

(after the game) Supper had been planned to be at an old castle in the area, but they (the authroities) put off our reservation by an hour without telling us, so we ate at the hotel. And, as we said, we went to a ball game. What a treat, and I'm not a baseball fan. After we paid our $1 (!) fee to get in, we went to our seats right behind home plate, and settled in.

The energy and the noise reminded me of what I imagine the World Cup games were like. There was always noise going on, and when the home team got a run, the place went wild. Teams seemed to be uneven at first, with at 2-0 score after two innings, but the other team caught up by the end of the fifth.

Around the time of the 8th inning, fog rolled in from the sea nearby, and the game was called. Just as well for José, our guide, since he had bet a bottle of rum with the bus-drivers over the outcome, and it looked like he might lose.

It was a late night, but we were happy.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad.