Cienfuegos

March 20, 2016

Luckily today, we were able to drive back through Old Havana, passing by the Capitol, the National Theater, then traveled to Matanzas heading East from Havana. I say luckily, because preparations were under way for Obama's visit later that day and roads were to be blocked off. Obama was to speak at the National Theater.

Great Theater where Obama spoke

In Matanzas, we visited another farm with mangoes, bananas, mamey, avocados, etc. They, too, had a little zoo. The area had originally been a waste dump. In addition to the farm, of course they had a restaurant, hostel and pool, the latter set up for rehab uses. The owner's family of course was heavily involved. The musicians were sister, father and uncle of one of the managers. As usual, the food at private places fairs better than at hotels and the volume offered was unusually large. Was served buffet style and included large variety of meats and vegetables.

Another bus arrived before we were finished eating. Several of the people had U. of Illinois garb on, so I approached and discovered that they were sponsored by the U. of I. Alumni Assoc.

Entrance to hostel room

Coconut Milk

Next we drove to the Bay of Pigs Museum, which unfortunately was under renovation. It of course presents the history of the insurgents failed invasion in 1961.

An aside, we asked guide about Russia's involvement in Cuba before the Soviet collapse. She told us that it was only financial as they were the buyers of Cuban sugar cane. Also learned that our 27 year old guide is working on her Phd., has studied languages and her previous job was as an interpreter for a Cuban Government agency. 

List of those lost in invasion

We moved on to the city of Cienfuegos with an orientation tour of the city, which sits on the sea. Ferries take people to and from islands near by. We stayed the night at the Hotel Rancho Luna, an all inclusive hotel. We enjoyed all the free drinks, especially. Somewhere along the line and it might have been here, some room toilets did not have seats. Not ours. In addition to a nice pool, there was also a beach. We managed to chill out at the pool-Nan updating her journal and me dealing with the free beer. Nan did have couple of Cuban Libres while she wrote. Couldn't get her a Pina Colada as they didn't have a mixer at the pool bar. Downside, too, was that they served us in 6 oz cups. Made for too many trips to the bar. One solution was to get two at a time. One of the group was observed carrying 4 at a time.

Cuban Lawn Mowers

After dinner, the hotel sponsored a 30 minute show of singers and dancers in an open air auditorium and the air was breezy and a bit cool.