Holguin

Finding food is still an issue for both of us. However much I like peso pizzas I find it hard to eat standing up. As for John he nearly fainted with hunger as we trudged through to the Autobus Terminal in the rain to make a reservation on Viazul bus for Trinidad for tomorrow. We spent nearly an hour trying to work out the strategies to take so we don't get refused boarding the bus as we did from La Habana to Santiago... If we can't board the bus we will have to cycle all the way to Habana on the Autopista in order to get there for our flight on 6th bFeb. We don't really mind the distance, it's the squids (antiquated lorries and American cars that spew out black smelly fumes) we object to!

Although Holguin is pretty miserable in the rain at least we are staying put for a few days. Still trying to dry out our clothes and bags after cycling 50km in the rain back from Gibara and La Heradurra.

Gibara, Holguin's ancient port seduced us with its tranquil atmosphere, colonial houses and delightful people. Frank, a quiet, deep and friendly lecturer at the Casa de la Cultura, our casa hosts Beti and Angel and so many other people met in the street made us feel so welcome. We then cycled along the coast to reach a secluded little beach 50km on but because the path was so ravaged by the 2008 hurricane had to detour inland on dirt roads surrounded by fields of sugar cane which was being harvested. When we arrived at La Herradura, we found a quiet little village, buildings on one half of the street next to the ocean had been washed away. We stayed at the home of a nurse who cooked us delicious supper on a charcoal fire and were lulled to sleep with the sound of the wind and waves.