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Cuba - Day 6 - Trinidad To Camaguey
The bus leaves at 8.00am ... we had to be up early as we have to be there at 7.30am and our clock does not normally start that early.
Leaving bang on 8.10 am (Cuba time which was pretty good) the trip was good going through the Cuban countryside, wet met an Ozzie traveler Barry from Ozzie (obviously), real nice guy (for an Ozzie) and having a great trip through the islands, best for your trip too mate, arriving at Camaquey at 1.30 pm we were stood up!! ... no Casa people??? All dressed up and no place to go, on exiting the bus station we got SWAMPED ... Taxi, Taxi sir .... come with me ...Taxi, seems our host from Trinidad who had organised our next stay had not quite filled in everything so we had to start again .... no worries, plenty of Casas and we were sorted in 5 minutes arriving at our new Casa Particular. Starting with a coffee with a BOOT we left for centro and had a good look around. Camaquey is more of an industrial town and had art shops and the usual touristy part, we did have a very nice coffee which has become the norm here in Cuba, prices ranging from the local single shot at $.04 cents to the cafe today which was $1.20 for a cappuccino with a lump of chocolate which was very nice indeed. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ey/file-20.jpg http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ey/file-13.jpg We tried to get a photo of the bike but this hot young Cuban girl was getting in the way :evil http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ey/file-21.jpg All over Cuba it was very common and very popular to have the latest 1980's Boby Brown hairdo http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ey/file-14.jpg What a surprise to see this ..... :puke1 ... it is absolutely rubbed into them everywhere and right from early school drummed in them. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...uey/file-1.jpg A very common sight in Cuba is lineups, these people cueing for bread http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...uey/file-4.jpg This guy was chasing me round asking for money, this is another in your face happening on a daily basis ... this is my understanding look. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...uey/file-7.jpg Captain Koul, Bobby Browns bro http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ey/file-10.jpg Another local Ural sidie, these are everywhere from the west to the east http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ey/file-19.jpg These chairs kinda stood out in a street where nothing was happening and they just looked ... well...odd! http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ey/file-23.jpg This is very much a typical cattle class local bus, as whiteyfoos we are not allowed to ride on these again very much reinforcing the "Them and the Us's" in Cuba, in reality we were not too worried as they were alway severely overcrowded but it would have been neat to have gone on one just for the experience. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ey/file-27.jpg A groovy wee man made cave which was very well done in a local park. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ey/file-29.jpg A very common scene on the local streets a Lada and older two strokes, in this case all three were blue so we shot it with a different approach. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ey/file-31.jpg Local paintings on wall with a big cat in a park that you could walk through the middle of http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ey/file-32.jpg The other fashion in Cuba for woman is to wear fishnet stockings of all descripts which was kinda unusual to see, even the elderly ladies did the same so it wasn't just a young persons thing.... most stockings we almost lady of the night kinda look (not that there is anything wrong with that) :D http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ey/file-35.jpg To finish, our wine tonight was Cuban Soroa Vino Tinto at $2.08 was a real splash-out, not entirely top shelf but good enough to sit and write a report with, that is not to say you guys are not worth it but just saying it was still ok :rofl. |
Day 7 - Camaguey To Santiago De Cuba ...Almost
Waking early from traffic noise we decided to use our time for other things, the day was bright and shiny luring us to have more of a look before hitting the bus to Santiago De Cuba so back to the coffee shop for a another boot.
Having finished our look around we took a bici taxi (Trike taxi) to the bus station, we couldn’t buy tickets until the bus arrives cos then they know how many people are on the bus and if they can sell you a seat....kinda potluck. In between times we had organised another ride via collectivo who was going to drop us off door to door to our next Casa Particular which saves on time and more taxis. Peter and Miriam a Dutch couple we meet and an English girl were also at the station and were heading to Holguin which is a little over half way to Santiago De Cuba then renting a car from there and do a round the island trip Our collectivo man came back and said our car had shit itself and couldn’t go so we were back to the bus again, we chatted with Peter and Miriam about their travels and they asked if we wanted to join them, hell yeah, it is what we wanted to do and it halves their cost too .... being dutchies all round this was a win win. After bus to Santiago, then collectivo to Santiago, then back to bus to Santiago, we finally did the bus to Holguin then do the rental car thing from there .... 4 mind changes in ten minutes.... not bad.... I am starting to understand how woman work (runs for cover) :D The bus trip to Holguin was uneventful (liking that), arriving at Holguin we were MOBBED by Taxi, Taxi sir .... come with me ...Taxi, seems to be the norm here and I kid you not you do not even get out the door of the bus and they are in your face so it is total mayhem. One guy talked English so he won, they took us to a local Casa Particular and organised us which was great, on the way into town we were unfortunate enough to see a car not stop at an intersection and take out two guys on a Russian MZ 250 motorbike, both hoped up but both went back down again so it wasn’t ideal, they were rolling around and holding the heads as they hit the corner of a stone building after smashing over the front of the car, hope they are ok. Getting settled at our Casa we established that Ellen had not taken a bag of our stuff off the bus and it would have been half way to Santiago De Cuba, it had our big knife, ti spoons, chopping board and some fruit and some wine in it, we came to blows over this as I am always against having our good gear in loose plastic bags so that will not happen anymore. Not only does it dent the budget having to buy replacement stuff but good quality replacement stuff in Cuba is a non event so we spent the rest of our night chasing the bus company trying to organise to get everything back, luckily we have great host here who are going to help us out with picking them up from the bus company. No pictures today lads and ladesses .... just bus stuff and taxis so kinda unexciting. |
Cuba - Day 8 - Holguin To Baracoa
Argh Cuban weather, mostly reliable to wake up to a pretty nice day... which we did.
Breakfast was organised at our Casa so was taken care of, the standard of food was good with Cuban coffee to boot our day into gear. Peter and Miriam arrived after breakfast so we all set off into town to find a rental car, arriving at Cubatur car rental we said we wanted an economic car, she said we have a medium car, we said we wanted something economical and compact, she said we have a medium car ..., ok, we said how many cars do you have? she said well ...one. Turns out it was a medium car in white, perfect my favourite colour, size and make :D .... I think it was a Citroen so we said if that is it we will take it. Pure luxury :rofl http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...oa/file-87.jpg We were splitting the cost down the middle with Peter and Miriam which made it economical to do so we took it for 5 days and now we are off the bus beaten track and actually seeing Cuba. Stopping at a small place for lunch we were very much in the Cuba back yard, we managed to buy pizza for lunch which was $5 pesos so 20 cents each. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...oa/file-86.jpg We chose the worst road in Cuba because we could ... the pavement ran out and the 3rd world road/track begun and the scenery got better and better. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...oa/file-47.jpg This is a common scene in Cuba http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...oa/file-51.jpg Passing the old copper factory where we were not allowed to take the photos of clean green Cuba we continued along the coastline, 4wd standard in places but rental car capable. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...oa/file-85.jpg Stopping at a road side stall selling coconut juice the lady was slightly standoffish, we all bought one drink to try and had another because it was excellent and we gave her a tip as well, her eyes lite up nicely when we wanted more so it was good times all round. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...oa/file-44.jpg http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...oa/file-83.jpg There were some groovy coral cliffs which looked quite daunting really and something from a jungle style horror movie. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...oa/file-38.jpg http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...oa/file-36.jpg Our destination was Baracoa and we arrived around 5.15pm, just in time to find a new Casa with two rooms and space to park the car off the road, done within 15 minutes sorted and settled. Showers all round we went out for tea to a local restaurant. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...oa/file-62.jpg Ellen was attacked by her Mojitto and was feeling the effects of alcohlove http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...oa/file-63.jpg |
Cuba - Day 9 - Baracoa
Starting with a Casa breaky which set us up for the day our setting was fit for a king and queen ... so we will take that!!:clap
http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...oa/file-28.jpg After our breaky we headed out to a waterfall which was $8 CUC each for a 40 minute walk :eek1 :huh .... you have to be kidding us ... no way, unfortunately we are just viewed as a treasure chest full of money rather than people. Price came down to $5 CUC each which was still way over the top so due to their greed they lost everything and we decided to go 1 km down the river to a free place we could fluff around in the water which was very nice. Mirium contemplating life on a rock in the river ... probably wondering how the hell she got tangled up with the two dodgy kiwis :rofl http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...oa/file-20.jpg Two girls sitting on the two rocks keeping an eye on the getaway car http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...oa/file-21.jpg On the way down there was bridge that was a little worse for wear ... coat of paint should fix it :rofl http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...oa/file-19.jpg http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...oa/file-17.jpg No worries the locals had blazed a track around it http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...oa/file-16.jpg Continuing back down the road we stopped at the chocolate trees to see how they grow, amazing plants with amazing colours http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...oa/file-24.jpg http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...oa/file-26.jpg It was getting toward lunchtime so we headed to a Rio (River) restaurant where we had lunch and it was outstanding and cost $5.80 CUC so much better value. My coconut drink with real bambo straws ... awesome!!!:clap http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...oa/file-11.jpg This was Ellens drink, everything in a natures own bowls ... perfecto http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...coa/file-9.jpg There was a tour group coming in for lunch and they had a pig on a spit which unfortunately we could not get our hands on http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...oa/file-12.jpg The smell .... ouwh the smell :tb:tb:tb:tb:tb http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...oa/file-68.jpg Finishing lunch we headed for the Playa (Beach) to sit in the sun on the beach, we pretty much had the place to ourselves other than an older woman who decided we looked like very rich tourists.... no boobie shots today sorry :evil http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...oa/file-64.jpg After that Playa we went to another very off the beaten track Playa and met some locals who were super friendly and vey nice people. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...oa/file-60.jpg These guys were really cool and very welcoming ..... cool.......whiteyfoos :eek1 :D http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...oa/file-61.jpg On a complete turn on the above this is Wifi in Cuba and pretty much somes it up http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...oa/file-30.jpg |
Cuba - Day 10 - Baracoa To Caleton
Leaving Baracoa with good memories we took the scenic highway, along the route there were people selling chocolate, bananas, oranges and a coconut and jam mix.
This is the "gift" highway scenic route that Fidal gave to this area in 1960 as access previously was only by boat. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ton/file-1.jpg Stopping at one guy to buy some sweet bananas he said wait a minute and all his other friends came over and mobbed the car trying to sell anything and everything and they were yelling so it was not very nice, the guy tried to charge us about 20 x what they were worth so no-one there made a sale. (Photo courtesy of Miriam) http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...on/file-35.jpg Next guy we saw was sensible and asked a reasonable price so we bought a lot from him. Arriving in a small town called Imias the road was closed, accidente the policeman said, so we had to go around through the back streets before getting back out onto the man road. We came across scenes of despair with people crying, hugging each other, holding hands and some just staring into space like they were owed something so it was not a good look at all. Getting back up onto the main street we looked left towards town and could see and oddly parked bus and emergency services galore. It wasn’t until a few minutes later driving down the road an ambulance caught us up, we pull over to let it go or I should probably say let all SIX of them go .... all lights and all sirens they were not mucking about even with the very uneven surface on the road...very sobering :cry http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ton/file-3.jpg It is just something you don't see every day .. actually ... I have never seen this before! http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ton/file-2.jpg We don’t know what happened or the outcome but by judging the mood on the street we suspect at least one (or more) may have died as it was pretty somber to say the least. No photos out of respect to the families for the injured and or deceased, best to the families involved from us. The cheerful mood in the car changed to that of wonder and respect given the size of the event for a small town however dooms day had not finished yet. 20 km along the road, people everywhere, buses, police etc and people examining the road a local truck had lost a wheel and gone off the road and rolled down a 10 meter high bank, again no photos out of respect. We were stopped by the police as they examined the road looking for something which were don’t know. On our way again we settled in to get to the bank and tank the car, arriving at Guantananmo Ellen and I went into the bank, it was a hell of a mission just to get money but we got it in the end, NOTHING is easy in Cuba other than getting a Casa Particular, getting a Taxi or spending money IF you can get it. We had a quick lunch stop or pizza the standard lunchtime affair in Cuba, Miriam returning with the fud :clap http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...on/file-39.jpg Carrying on our journey we went through Santiago De Cuba but with more interesting things to see we skipped through and out the other side to take the coastline road. We stopped to sort out which way we were going and saw this a BIG city bus http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...on/file-40.jpg We did get navigationally challenged at this point, a local stopped to "help", he was there maybe a minute or max 2 then wanted $5 CUC .... :eek1 ($5 bucks ... I don't think so) Peter and I talking with Mr.5CUC http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ton/file-9.jpg We had stopped right beside a big square with art so that was cool http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ton/file-8.jpg Heading out from the city our trip started again, neat coastline road with who knows what in stall for us and based on the earlier part of the day nothing would surprise us ... or so we thought :evil The road was badly damaged so we were in first gear at times, this was a ship gun turret poking out of the water http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...on/file-12.jpg Did I mention the road was rough http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...on/file-14.jpg Nearing the end of the day we started to look for accommodation, spotting a campismo we pulled in to find it was full, one of the guys siad he had a Casa Particular 2 km up the road, 2 rooms and yard to park the car .... perfecto. Arriving we looked at the place .... right on the waterfront ..... s e r i o u s l y basic with no hot water .... that is us!!! :clap Getting sorted we all relaxed and organised tea with our Casa. A few photos of the place and surroundings .... The Casa http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...on/file-17.jpg The local fishing boats and view http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...on/file-27.jpg USS Montana (see youtube:evil).... Cuban style:rofl http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...on/file-24.jpg Kids in for a swim http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...on/file-16.jpg After a good day ... sunset http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...on/file-50.jpg Casa fud ... WOH HOH .. it tasted as good as it looks :clap http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...on/file-51.jpg |
Wow not bad reporting for Kiwi's.
I refer to your earlier comment's about Aussies:DI some times wonder about what the world thinks about the brother hood that is Aussie/Kiwi ,asked if the relationship with English/french was the same(you know a couple of brothers bickering )No! was the reply from my English friend we just don't like the french.and visa/versa.I wish people would not make generalizations ,take people how you find them .Anyhoo lovely photo's,great to have you guy's back.Noel:scooter::D
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Quote:
Anyway we are slowly educating the world bit by bit abut our brotherhood. :clap: |
Cuba - Day 11 - Coastline Road.
Breakfast was organised for 8.00 am ... at 7.00 am Miriam knocked on our door and said breaky is ready!!!, Ellen had already gone out for a walk so we almost waited for her before we tucked in.:evil
Again we were given a stunning day to play with, Ellen took some early morning shots. My fav!!:clap http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ine/file-1.jpg http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ine/file-5.jpg Given the hour earlier we were accidentally given we made good use getting on the road at 8.15 am for our long and slow portion of the trip on the southern coastline road which was literally WW3 for 180 km. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ine/file-8.jpg In places the road was washed out and some bridges were destroyed but still being used ... this was something new for us. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ne/file-10.jpg http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ne/file-11.jpg The watermain pipe had kinked and split so they just made new joining sleeves at bizarre angles and welded it back together stick squirting water out .... fixed :D http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ne/file-13.jpg There were no warning signs, no nothing to say you will be decapitated if you drive on that side .... imagine driving into that at night .... you would not stand a chance!! :eek1 The coastline offered stunning scenery and exciting views, the road did however come to an abrupt stop were the tunnel had collapsed and the road beyond repair, they had cut a new road/track up and over the top. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ine/file-7.jpg This was more of a 4x4 track than a main road so with some effort from some local Cubans we pushed the car over the first steep bit. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ne/file-26.jpg http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ne/file-27.jpg http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ne/file-25.jpg They showed us the next bit which was steeper but not as stoney, using my 28 years of 4x4 experience from New Zealand I put the car into first (it was an auto) so it would not kick down I used momentum to get over the stoney loose parts and gunned it on the bedrock parts to keep my momentum up and reached the top in one hit while the Cubans were standing there waiting to push me ... no way man I am a Kiwi!!!! :clap View from the top http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ne/file-28.jpg Next mission ... the road narrowed to a single lane so the tar road completely destroyed. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ne/file-29.jpg As Murhy would have it we meet the only car in a long while on the one lane stretch ....and it was a white rental car as well. / 4wd http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ne/file-31.jpg http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ne/file-30.jpg Upon successful completion of our off road excursion we continued to Pilon however our offroading had not finished, this bridge middle span had sunk, this time there was a sign in the middle of the road. Look closely you can see a Ural sidie coming across http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ne/file-34.jpg http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ne/file-35.jpg http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ne/file-37.jpg So with the offroad section then c o m p l e t e ...... well not quite http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ne/file-17.jpg http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ne/file-22.jpg On the guard rail all the concrete had spalled off where the reo steel was corroding and expanding blowing the concrete off, this is a very common scene on coastal Cuba http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ne/file-20.jpg http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ne/file-16.jpg We spotted a resort on the way to Pilon, it was very hot and we were hungry so we drove in, we walked in like we owned the place and Peter and Miriam went for a swim then we drove down to the beach hut.bar/lunch spot. We ordered 4 burgers and asked Cuanto Questos (how much) and he replied it is all included (but we were not staying at the hotel) so again we asked how much and the same reply was given so OK we will have 4 burgers, we had intentions of paying at the hotel but he was adamant we didn’t have to pay ... he won ... but we did try. Continuing on after our gratis lunch thanks to Che we went to Manzanillo to the money exchange for Peter and Miriam. We parked the car in the town square and some guy came up and started washing part of the car then walked off??? He returned so I went out and said “No” we did not ask you to do that, he glared at me then walked off, I said to the other guys time to leave so we went back to the car to find it smeared in mud, the arsehole had come back and smeared mud over the windscreen and down the left hand side.... great guy. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ne/file-47.jpg We left and I saw him on the street, we stopped and I yelled out in my most abusive spenglish but he didn’t seem to give a shit, narrow minded little man he was. Check this out, 5 on a Ural sidie, they still had space for a few more :D http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ne/file-65.jpg Our journey today at ended in Bayamo, we had a nice drink at a local bar and got eaten by mozzies, Lonely Planet recommended this nice garden bar overlooking the river ..... it was more like overlooking the sewer and stagnent mozzi pond so don't believe everything you read in Lonely Planet, we don't but we read Peters book. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ne/file-67.jpg Choosing somewhere else to eat so we weren't on the menu our somewhere else the food was excellent as was the service until we went to pay then they tried to rip us off .... again, we paid the bill in full, it was only $1.50 CUC but it is the principle so we left no tip which would have been worth $5 CUC to them, yet again greed sets them back. |
Cuba - Day 12 - Bayoma To Holguin
An early start with breaky at 8.00am ....8.50am Cuba time, then our all inclusive night we had to pay $2 CUC extra to get our car back ... there is ALWAYS an addon with Cubans pretty much no matter what even if it is in writing, sorting that out (paying) we hit the road heading toward Holguin.
Arriving at Holguin we went back to our Casa from 5 days ago as they had our knife and spoons etc and they were great people with a nice place to stay, we were very appreciative of there help in getting our good kit back we gave them a good tip/extra for helping. From there we went out to the beach at Guardalavaca, nice place it was too but very touristy. I don't know what lengths you have to go to a photo of a winder surfer when people just get in the way :wink: http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...amo/file-1.jpg I was trying to work out if this was Coca Cola...... http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...amo/file-2.jpg The beach http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...amo/file-7.jpg Peter and Miriam just relaxing http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...amo/file-8.jpg Another beautiful old car immaculate ... would love to take that home http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...mo/file-10.jpg Returning we followed this, again a very common sight to see. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ayamo/file.jpg Peter and Miriam had tea with us at the Casa then we walked around town, very clean streets with terrazzite ... lavish finish for a street!!!!. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...mo/file-18.jpg On returning back to the Casa Peter and Miriam were leaving to Vinales so we walked with them up to the bus to say goodbyes. Ellen and I walked back through town and there was heaps happening, Ellen bought me some candyfloss which was real treat but it was not pink like it is in New Zealand. It cost 2 pesos which was 8cents. There was an orchestra playing awesome music with a conductor that was so into it you could feel the soul through the music, nearing the end a few of them stood up and did their solos showing off their talent while letting loose again this was very cool and they were loving it playing passionately to the audience. They use washing pegs to hold their paper, very cuban style. Unfortunately, we didn’t have our camera with us. We did return with our camera but they had finished, we did however get to see an open air movie which was war based and about how they had succeeded with their idea ... what a surprise. The more interesting thing for us was the DVD player strapped onto the back of a bike http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...in/file-18.jpg ... and the projector taped onto a stand http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...in/file-19.jpg Back to home base at 9.40pm it was bedtime ready for the morning hike before jumping on the bus to Giego de Avila. It was quiet as Peter and Miriam had left, we really enjoyed our chance meeting and 5 days cruising around doing some very interesting stuff, onya guys you made the middle part of our trip special and fun. |
Cuba - Day 13 - Holguin to Ciego De Avila - Disaster Happened
Andi started to have some stomach pains the on the way back to Holguin. He took some Chinese poo pills which helped a bit, but still not one hundred percent. We got up at 8:00 am and walked up the three hundred steps to the hill, which was great.
http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...uin/file-2.jpg Fron the top http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...uin/file-5.jpg http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...uin/file-4.jpg On the way back, Andi’s stomach felt uneasy again. We got back to the casa, had shower, breakfast at 10:30am, bread, ham, eggs, juice and coffee as you do in Cuba. Our hosts were very nice to us we must say, so we paid some extra for their outstanding services they provided for us. Everybody was happy. We walked to the bus station, the guy in the ticket booth sold us the bus tickets, but he said the bus is 11:30am, which we were told the night before was 12:15pm. WTF? In cuba, you just don’t know who is right who is wrong. 11:30 passed, no bus, 11:45am passed, still no bus. If we had not been here before 11:30am, we would shit ourselves if the bus was not here. Finally, 5 to midday, the bus arrived. Then the driver told us they will stop for lunch, the bus will leave at 12:30pm. At this time, Andi had done two toilet visiting, he was not happy. Back to the waiting room again (because when the driver went out for lunch, they locked the bus, everybody had to come out.) 15mins later, I went out to see if the bus started to load, and saw Tony, any Irish cyclist we meet a couple of days ago near Santiago De Cuba. He has been cycling around cuba for 8 weeks. It’s his last week in cuba. He was going to Ciego as well. I told him Andi was not well, he said he had some good pills to stop guts ache etc. The bus was loading again, we were all on the bus. I asked Tony if Andi can have some of his good pills. Andi took some of the good stuff, it didn’t work. He had two vomit and things getting worse. I could see he was in severe pain, but can’t do anything to help. The last time I saw him like that when he had a kidney stone. I asked him if it felt like that? No he said. By 5pm, he was almost passed out. He asked me to ask the coach driver when we will be in Ciego, he needed to get to hospital. That was what I thought too. The bus driver said 20 mins, and I just saw a road sign said 40kms to Ciego, I knew it will take longer than 20min, but we were in the middle of nowhere, it won’t be quicker if we got off the bus and get an ambulance either. So I had to go back and lie to Andi we will be in town in 20min, please hold on. We passed some horror crash and burned car and a tractor on the road, I had all my mind on Andi, even didn’t think to take a picture of that. When we got to the bus station in Ciego, Tony asked if he could help. By then, Andi couldn’t even stand up. Tony and the other guy help Andi get off the bus, I took our two bags and I was going to get a taxi. The coach drive came and told me they will drive Andi to the hospital, so we went back on the bus, they drove directly to the E&A gate, we put Andi on the wheel bed, I felt a little bit relief - some one can help Andi now. The doctor in the hospital spoke very little English, but the students there who can really speak good English. One male doctor came checked on Andi. About 10 min later, we went to see a female doctor, she then sent Andi to test blood, then X-ray, then ultra sound. They were very helpful, especially the student who has been pointed as our interpreter called Carlos. Later on (one hour maybe two, I had no ideas) we finally finished all the waiting and checking, Andi was given a bed and was about to have some drip to put on him. He told me to tell them give him some thing to stop the pain. I did ask the doctor, but I don’t know if they give much pain killer or not. A young black female doctor came to discuss with me about Andi’s medical history. She spoke perfect English. Later I found out she was from Namibia, has been studying medical for 6 years in cuba. She then translated all to the doctor in charge. With all the students and doctors help, Andi finally settled down. The pain was still there, but he could have some rest. Tony, after settled in a Casa, came to the hospital found us and offered more help. Thanks Tony. It was 10:00pm, and an other doctor come to checked Andi again. He explained to us that Andi didn’t have anything severe needing operation - that is good news. I am impressed that for one patient, they have gone through many special doctors to make sure their diagnose was correct. Andi’s Version Whoa .... what a day .... one I don’t want to repeat, not sure of the cause and the irony of this is the incubation time we don’t know. Ellen pretty much summed it up, for me while sitting/laying in the bus I started to lose feeling in my hands and feet then arms and legs as well, I lost all my motor function and was shivering badly to the point I felt my body was shutting down. :eek1 to be honest I was very scared.:cry I don’t remember the last part of our ride I am guessing maybe the last 1/2 hour or so, I don’t recall getting off the bus but we were very lucky to have a concerned driver that took us to the hospital which is well above their duties especially negotiating a 12 metre bus around the narrow streets to get us there. This is me looking totally stunning (per cool runnings)... you dead .... ya mun :rofl http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...go/file-13.jpg To the driver I will probably never see again thank you so much. I couldn't do much to help but to them I am very greatful, their diagnosis was Severe Gastro Enteritis so a pile of antibiotics. On the better side of this report Ellen snapped a couple of pics of the town that I missed out on. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...go/file-11.jpg Groovy coloured buildings http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ego/file-9.jpg A cool old Harley too ... I could easily take that home. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ego/file-7.jpg |
Cuba - Day 14 - Ciego De Avila To Santa Clara
We managed to get into a hotel at 12.15 am after getting out of the hospital, they were not going to let me go unless I could walk by myself, Ellen got me a Lemonade fresco loaded with sugar so I downed that 1/2 hour before and that was my saving grace. Also thanks Tony gave us the Hotel Santiago Habana in town which we know we can stay there.
They (the doctors) said I need rest and sleep and that was NOT going to happen in the hospital with people coughing, weazing and yelling in Spanish as well and coming up to me every half hour and prodding me to see if I was sleeping!!!! :huh So I bluffed my way out of hospital and got to the hotel knowing it would be 10 - 15 minutes of torment before being able to rest peacefully and sleep in which I desperately needed. Check out was 12 noon and we got ours extended till 1.30 pm so I stayed in bed till 1.00pm .... man I was knackered. Down to the bus station to catch the next bus we used my sick day (don't want to use annual leave :evil) ((forgot we don't have any :D)) to keep our timing, very uncomfortable to say the least but you can’t halt progress. The funny thing at the hospital they gave me nothing for pain ... WTF, they either thought I was tuff or thick :D Not many photos in this report ... you have seen enough dead Andi photos and herd enough whining ..... onwards to the next day :clap We did however go out for tea in Santa Clara or at least Ellen did and I tagged along ... mine was the bowl or rice, Ellens was the lobster salad and Mojitto :cry. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ego/file-2.jpg |
Cuba - Day 15 - Sanata Clara To Varadero
An early start of 6.30am for breaky ... I was not very hungry but ate a small amount to get some energy.
As usual the bus was somewhere in the middle for timing, we got our tickets which you can only buy the hour before and we were off, me holding my guts over the cuban potholed road. Varadero was meant to be our sunshine, relax, lobster and Pina Colada drinking two day tourist stop .... FAIL. We arrived and it was raining :eek1 ... sometimes shit just does not work out despite your best efforts but you know what we were there and almost in one piece. http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ro/file-16.jpg Still time to forge a grin http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ro/file-15.jpg Walking down to the beach it was deserted with winds and rain, the surf was up but not very inviting http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ro/file-14.jpg Ellen bought some new bikinis cos her old ones were shagged and fell off quite a bit exposing asian boobies to unsuspecting onlookers, these are genuine made in Cuba so we did our best to support their economy :D She had to try them out but wasn't totally enthused http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ero/file-5.jpg It was cold :evil http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ero/file-8.jpg Walking back through town we stopped at some craft shops, there are some real talented people out there making cool stuff our of waste http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ero/file-9.jpg http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ero/file-6.jpg The cigar shop had a dude making them in front of us, he was very good at it http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ro/file-12.jpg With my exit bodily functions still havin a go we went to the diving school to see if Ellen could do a dive (while I am crook) but the sea was too rough and all diving was cancelled for 3 days ... walking back through to the main street I spotted this .. I wasn't sure if this was a sign or a "sign" :rofl http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ro/file-13.jpg Finishing up that evening we went to a small restaurant with a two for one lobster deal, I had a Pina Colada sans rum :cry, Ellen had a Mojitto and a feed, again I ordered simple rice with some veges with the smaller tail of lobster so I didn't dip out but to be fair I chewed on it not really enjoying it from feeling uneasy (note sign above) :huh http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...adero/file.jpg My drink ... kinda cool eh http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ero/file-1.jpg Back to the casa it was time to turn the lights on... http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ero/file-3.jpg An early night was had to try and recharge. |
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