Cuba Cross Over 2014 - Trinidad - Santa Clara | Tuesday, March 4 - 38km

Today’s final destination is Santa Clara. But first, our tour (ca. 30km) takes us through a charming mountain landscape with woods of pines, eucalyptus and broad leafed trees. The cycling paths are a bit stony and steep at times but are manageable by everyone. We take a break in the town of Topes de Collantes - 800 m above sea level - which is renowned for its extra clean air and its sanatorium. In the afternoon the tour continues to Santa Clara through a fascinating landscape. Accommodation at Hotel Los Caneyes with dinner included. (breakfast, dinner) - Trip Notes

After the same breakfast as yesterday, I was not unhappy to check out of Dolores – reminds me of a Seinfeld episode...

We bussed up to about 800m to the lookout point and then cycled rolling hills with some good downhills to our lunch spot which was a local farm with nearby waterfall. There was another German cycling group there so the farmers had quite a day at 10 CUC per head! The lunch was quite good, if you like suckling pig, but I was disappointed there was no baked apple. Come to think of it, I don’t recall seeing an apple in Cuba yet....

 

 

 

 

After lunch we cycled another 12km to Manicuragua where we debiked, got on the bus and drove to the next hotel – cottages again – on the outskirts of Santa Clara. After drinks in the cottage entrance, buffet dinner had quite a lot on offer but I went for soup, spaghetti and sorbet. Entertainment tonight was a trio of flute clarinet and double bass – very nice – and there is a fashion show by the pool with doof doof music as I type..