Adios Fidel!

The return taxi to Cienfeugos was fast and seamless and the driver pointed out the Mango plantations and old, incomplete nuclear power plant on the way. Returning to our casa, we met two new couples, two brothers from Ireland and a couple from Munich. They were on the start of their journey so it was fun to fill them in on our travels and offer recommendations. Talking to other tourists has made us realise everyone is seeking a different experience from Cuba. Some yearn for beaches and white sand and some for the history and authentic Cuban lifestyle.

For the afternoon we strolled the streets, Cienfuegos was a much quieter town and we enjoyed the solitude along some avenues. A brief rest at a bar allowed for some local conversation. At first we werent sure the mans intention, but we relaxed and together we talked about a variety of topics. After awhile he then offered to show us to his friends restaurant where if we wanted, we could choose to have dinner. We felt there was no harm in at least seeing the venue, it was on our way home. When we walked inside, we found it to be very lovely, however overly touristic and quite expensive. We gave our thanks and said, 'maybe'. We have grown accustomed to the friendly cubans, a few are genuine just to hear where we are from, a lot try to lead you down a conversation of assistance with money. Some we can help, most we can't.

That evening we ended up choosing a different restaurant, and to our pleasant surprise, spectacular vistas of the town awaited us after climbing a few staircases and finally a ladder, which led to a single table on top of a tower. We were quite worried for the waitress who climbed the ladder multiple times holding plates and glasses. No hands! We gave her a generous tip for her effort. So too the duet combo of guitar and percussion that climbed the ladder and played us four songs beneath the stars. A fitting way to depart the countryside of Cuba.

In the morning, another collectivo was arranged for us. This one the newest of all we had been in. A 1990s Puegot. Our driver sat comfortable on 140kmh weaving between pot holes and other traffic. Thankfully he slowed down to around 80kmh when he was texting on his mobile and often talking. Also thankfully, this was the first car we had been in that had seatbelts.

As we pulled into havana, we took the coastal route and were all surprised at the scale of a cruise ship coming into the wharf. We had to cut a few laps of the avenue making sure we got a good photo and video, the driver sticking his phone out the window as he drove. We dont think he had ever seen a boat that big. 'Grande' we all shouted, the only word we knew to describe the spectacle.

Eventually dropped off at our casa, for the third time with Vincente. Our final evening in Cuba, we ordered lobster for dinner, put a bottle of wine in the fridge and wandered more streets for the afternoon.

Cuba has been dramatic, confronting, colourful, smelly, sublime, picturesque, hassling, humble and creative.
We are grateful for the time here and the people for looking after us so well.
We do look forward to our next adventure though and a part of us is keen to leave. We wonder if we will ever return one day or what this country may look like in 30 years.
Only time will tell.

For us, we return to our Southern Hemisphere for more adventures!