Having decided to take the train one day later, we headed up the coast to Varadero (the most popular tourist destination on the island). We expected Benidorm, but found a relaxed place with low rise buildings, white sandy beaches and nobody hassling you. Stayed a short while paddling in the sea, then faced a head on wind for our return to Matanzas for the train. Stopped off to try some snorkelling at a coral reef on the way back, but the sea was really to choppy, so all that happened was Tadek swallowed plenty of sea water and lost the glass from the goggles that he had hired. After burning ourselves there for about an hour, we headed off to try to find a cheap rowing boat to see the Rio C???. Had to drag our bikes down a rough , rocky track to get to the campismo that hired their flaky fibreglass boat out for 2 CUC (1 CUC is just less than 1 euro). Mission accomplished, Tadek dragged the fully loaded bikes back up the hill. Discovered that the train to Santiago only goes twice a week, so rapidly changed our plans to take any train that was available to somewhere that we had not been. Santa Clara at midnight was available. The tickets could not be bought until 1 hour before the train, so we headed off back to the taverna to test some more Cuban alcohol. It was much needed as the trip on the train turned out to be a nightmare – nothing like the train service in India!!! Buying a ticket was bureaucratic, confusing and time consuming. The waiting room was freezing and noisy with two televisions blaring out different programmes. The train itself was more than decrepit – a dilapidated Soviet train that stank like a male urinal. The ride was scary with the train hurtling over badly joined tracks, round tight bends and up and down hills. We slept fitfully for about 3 hours before arriving in Santa Clara at about 5am.
Teresa and TadekInexperienced cycle tourists of Cuba, Costa Rica, Panama, Nicaragua, Thailand, Laos & Cambodia Categories
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