Pulled Pork

Now experienced with Collectivos, when our taxi arrived in Vinales, we were surprised to see it was a small Russian Lada with enough space for only four passengers. Sure enough we climbed in and met two Italians, also on their way to Havana.

In the Lada our return trip was even quicker, the speedometer worked and we sat on 110 km/h for most of the way.
Returning to Vincente in Havana felt like a small homecoming and we received hugs as we walked in.
We chose to walk the city again that afternoon, visiting a few places we had missed on our first trip. Particularly the City Museum.

This time it was open and we ventured inside. A wonderful old building with rooms filled with various pieces from the history of the city going back 300 years. A mixture of French, Spanish, Chinese, German and African artefacts. Extraordinary, it truly showed the good and bad of a long history with slave trading, pirates, sugar, then tobacco.
We declined a guide upon entry, but were pleasantly surprised as guides were situated in each room, at first we thought it was to ensure items were not touched or taken. A few rooms were closed off by a small rope. A guide offered us to take the camera inside, which we gave her, she took a few photos close up of various items then handed the phone back. We thanked her, she then showed us an American one dollar note and asked for change. We declined the American note and gave her a tip of $1CUC.
As we stepped into each room we then received the same, an offer of photos from a special area we werent allowed to step. We declined, it could have been a costly museum if we wanted pictures of everything.

We strolled further this time towards the wharf. Walked through an artesans market. Some paintwork was wonderful and we were a little surprised they wanted to sell pieces for $1 CUC, which made us think they were all just prints and copies, much like a lot of the other small handiwork you could buy. Each stall exactly the same, a variety of jewellery or Cuban merchandise.
As we exit the market, we have become well accustomed to the offer of a taxi. we politely decline and they dont hassle you further. At times it becomes tedious as you get asked 'Taxi amigo?' on each corner, but really it is just another driver that hasnt met you asking if you need assistance. Another, 'No Gracias.' and they wish you well.

Ronaldo was just a nice stranger who striked up a conversation on the street as we were waiting for the rain to pass. He told us of a local bar which was past his children's school a few blocks down and after we showed mild interest promptly began leading the way. We shrugged and followed. We knew the area fairly well by then and the streets were busy. We couldn't imagine there would be anything too dodgy going on. After showing us the school and ushering us into a bar, Ronaldo sat us down and flagged the waiter 'three drinks for us!' to which Ian and Jamie looked at each other and said to Ronaldo 'we no pay for you'. At the time this felt a bit harsh, but in hindsight we had made the right choice. Ronaldo looked upset and very quickly said fairwell before exiting, collecting a tip from the barman for his assistance in depositing the clientele to the bar. We were served two drinks 'House Special!' which were OK. The bill when it came totalled $12 CUC, more than twice the normal amount. We made our sentiments known to the bartender but we knew we had been thoroughly duped by Ronaldo and the bar. No harm done we vowed never to return to that bar.

Despite visiting the city a second time, we thoroughly enjoyed exploring new areas. At times we were questioning why we returned here as in places it feels a wreck of a city. But then we take pause and look through the rubble and disintegration of buildings at the habitants and familes living amongst it. Breathtakingly friendly with so many tourists about, they stand at their door, smile and say, 'Hola'.
Predominantly, they are interested in where we are from, as soon as they learn, they know of kangaroos. We laugh and offer a short exchange of charades, then a friendly farewell.

In the Morning, our collectivo to Cienfuegos arrives, five passengers, two italians in the front, and a lady from vermont beside us in the back seat. Off we rumbled.
A two hour journey allowed for a cafe stop halfway. At times the landscape was flat with sugar cane or another crop. Other times it was rolling hills with National forest.

Cienfuegos is a coastal town on the South side of the mainland. With some Benny More history and well organised streets, we enjoyed walking a mall and down along a pier. The bicitaxis follow you and ask if you would like a lift. It was a lovely afternoon and we were happy to stretch our legs. One particular cyclist, Ernesto, was happy to let us walk, though he chatted with us for most of the 4 kilometres along the water. As we entered into a park, he reminded us he would wait and be here if we wanted a lift on the return journey. We relaxed for an hour and dipped our feet in the water in a lovely setting. Then wondered if he would still be at the entrance. We were happy to stroll back, but then we saw him waving at us. So a little discussion and for $3CUC we climbed aboard his tricycle and he took us back into the central city, music blaring out the back of the bike the whole way.

Our Casa had a lovely rooftop view and we decided to enjoy some drinks on the roof. Our Host asked what we would like for dinner. She ran through the items, Fish, Pork, Chicken, Beef, Pull Pork. Ian thought pulled pork sounded lovely and chose that for the nights cuisine. After drinks and freshening up, we made our way downstairs. The meal commenced with a lovely vegetable and chicken soup, enough to serve as a main course. Then a bowl of rice and a plate of octopus. My goodness, we were never going to fit the pulled pork in after this, we thought. The octopus was delicious and we couldn't eat the rice, we had to leave room for the pulled pork. After clearing the plates we were then given some chocolate icecream. Jamie and I stared at each other, this is the end? We jump onto our phone for google translator, and type in Octopus. Oh! 'Pulpo', is octopus, that is what we ordered. Not pulled pork. But we were just as happy and extremely full.

That evening at the casa we also met a lovely Spanish couple that were on their honeymoon. We spoke a lot of Spain and further recommendations for where to travel later on in our journey.
It was time to say farewell to Cienfuegos, brief, but lovely. Now off to Trinidad.