Day 32: Matanzas 2.0

January 4, 2019

I'm getting up very early. I'm going to take one last look at the streets of Havana. Next time you go to Cuba, try to visit. This city is truly incredible.

I say goodbye to Pepe, my host, and head towards the ferry located 500 meters from my accommodation.

I'm heading to Regla; the ferry costs only 1 Cup (5 cents). The crossing takes five minutes and saved me several kilometers on my bike.

The ferry is almost empty.

It's a very cold day. It's raining and about 16 degrees Celsius. The kind of day I wouldn't normally go cycling in the Quebec summer. Yes, yes, I know, it's been minus thirty in Quebec! I'm not complaining! It's the least pleasant day of the entire trip. People are wearing gloves and toques. Nevertheless, it's inexplicable, I feel very happy on my bike. The first few minutes of each day are wonderful. A feeling of freedom washes over me... Around eleven o'clock, I arrive in Guanabo. It's cold, but the sun is starting to peek through.

I met three very friendly Quebecers.

I'm going to buy some olives and 7 Up.

I love olives. I ate the whole jar in just a few kilometers. I saw Elisabeth again, the woman from New Zealand. I learned that she's a primary school teacher and that it's currently the summer holidays. She's very impressive. I admire her perseverance.

I'm eating a ham roll and having a wheat milkshake. It's delicious!!! The taste reminds me of the bottom of a bowl of cereal.

This beverage is called "Batido de trigo"

The weather is so gloomy. I've covered the number of kilometers that represents my birth year.

Today I'm on the road called Via Blanca. Construction of this road began in 1945 and was completed in 1959. It connects Havana to Varadero. I also crossed the highest bridge in Cuba, the Bacunayagua Bridge. It soars 112 meters above the Yumuri Valley.

Here are some landscapes with rather gloomy temperatures.

I've finally arrived in Matanzas. Hooray! I'm getting close to my final destination. I have about 50 kilometers left before reaching Varadero. I buy the best chocolate donuts in the world.

I am renting a beautiful room in a colonial house built in 1852. The ceiling is 6 meters high.

It's so beautiful! My room is brand new. I'm the third person to use it. My hostess's name is Aïda, and she's very friendly. I gave her a Quebec flag, and she was so happy.

I find lots of things at the corner grocery store. I see 123, the only thing missing is Fast

I'm buying Cuban chocolate, Mexican cereal, milk, and Pringles made in the USA. A real feast for tonight. It's the first time in 30 days I've seen a grocery store with so many products.

I'll be arriving in the country soon and I'll find the overwhelming abundance of products in Quebec grocery stores. I can't wait to eat! I'm meeting two friendly Belgians.