There was a dance show and disco after dinner as well as lots more Pina Coladas, after which while wandering back to my room I couldn’t help but thank my lucky stars that here I was in Cuba, on a cool starry evening with 5 more days riding a Harley still to go!
Another late start this morning and breakfast after a quick dip in the pool was followed by a lazy morning and then another HUGE buffet lunch. We recovered at 1pm loaded up the steeds and set off back across the causeway to the mainland.
Half an hours ride saw us entering Remedios were we stopped for a short walk around. It is recognised as the eighth oldest city in Cuba, but its real date of foundation has been obscured over time, and it may be the second Spanish settlement on the island. The main attraction in the Plaza Isabel II is the “Iglesia Mayor” of San Juan Bautista containing 13 beautifully decorated gold altars.
Ina was a great guide as ever pointing out lots of little things as we ambled the streets before hopping back onto the bikes to visit the armoured train exhibit. The Tren Blindado is a national monument, memorial park, and museum of the Cuban Revolution. It was created in memory of the Battle of Santa Clara of the 29 December 1958, and created by the Cuban sculptor Jose Delarra.
From the train it was only a short ride to the hotel that night and although we stopped off at the Che mausoleum we found it was closing soon and decided to come back in the morning. The next few minutes gave us our first introduction to rain on Cuban roads. Slipping and sliding a round in stop start traffic our Harleys looked more like the elephants in Fantasia than American hogs, but we all just about stayed upright, and the clouds soon parted as we all pulled into our classic Hotel.