5 Dec 2014
Palma to Bayamo
7.30am to 3.30pm
Distance:82km
Started skating in the early morning on Carreterra Cuba (old highway), is way smoother than the autopista. I skated as if i was on ice. smooth and silky. Finally i was in skating heaven. The smoothest road ever i skated in all my skate travels. First part away from palma was a uphill climb. Met a group of cubans stopping over and chatted with them. Of course photos. Cubans are pretty friendly and curious brunch since they couldn't get to travel much due to embargo. First Guarapo stop at Aguacarte (freshly squeezed Sugarcane juice) at just 1 peso ($0.04). There are tons of guarapo stalls over Cuba. There is no need to worry about water supply cos the small towns are at most 20km apart.
The locals at guarapo stall told me after Aguacarta is more or less flat coupled with few rolling hills.
Palma to Bayamo
7.30am to 3.30pm
Distance:82km
Started skating in the early morning on Carreterra Cuba (old highway), is way smoother than the autopista. I skated as if i was on ice. smooth and silky. Finally i was in skating heaven. The smoothest road ever i skated in all my skate travels. First part away from palma was a uphill climb. Met a group of cubans stopping over and chatted with them. Of course photos. Cubans are pretty friendly and curious brunch since they couldn't get to travel much due to embargo. First Guarapo stop at Aguacarte (freshly squeezed Sugarcane juice) at just 1 peso ($0.04). There are tons of guarapo stalls over Cuba. There is no need to worry about water supply cos the small towns are at most 20km apart.
The locals at guarapo stall told me after Aguacarta is more or less flat coupled with few rolling hills.
Had lunch at Contramaestre. Arroz con cerdo (pork with rice) for just 15 pesos ($0.60). At Jiguani, last town before Bayamo, stopped over for more Guarapo and ice cream. This is becoming the Guarapo Diary, searching for the Best guarapo in Cuba, and ice cream at local cuban chain, Coopelia. They loves their ice cream and to keep the locals happy, they sell ice cream at 3 pesos. Last 25km was met with slight downhill and tailwind. Going very fast. Thanks to my Westssup Paddle, i am able to cut speed off without ever using my precious thin Vibram footwear to brake. The kong ball on the paddle makes a good braking system, just place the paddle in front of the board, massive speed is cut off. By the end of day, my paddle kong ball was reduced to a small diamond. I wonder if my paddle can survive by the end of Cuba Skate.
Finally reach my first big city, of this skate travel, Bayamo. Entering a provincal city in Cuba is like entering a small town in USA, though you get big wide roads, but traffic is pretty sparse and filled with slow moving horse carriages.
Found a casa, but they were filled. The owners would then called another casa to accommodate me. In Cuba, you don't have to worry about accommodation as long you can find a casa, even if it is filled, they would search their network of casa in town for you.
Stayed in Laz Paz for 20 CUC, the owner was a russian-cuban mixed. After learning a lesson that getting small change and national pesos is of a grave importance, as i need them for drinks and food along the roads. Went to expensive restaurant meant for foreigners for expensive meal so i can break up my 50 CUC notes. Order like 10 CUC worth of spaghetti. Carbo-loading to the max. When i paid the bill with 50 CUC, they panicked as they have never seen a 50 CUC before. They called their manager on the phone, and requested to check my passport before accepting my 50 CUC and giving me the change.
Found a casa, but they were filled. The owners would then called another casa to accommodate me. In Cuba, you don't have to worry about accommodation as long you can find a casa, even if it is filled, they would search their network of casa in town for you.
Stayed in Laz Paz for 20 CUC, the owner was a russian-cuban mixed. After learning a lesson that getting small change and national pesos is of a grave importance, as i need them for drinks and food along the roads. Went to expensive restaurant meant for foreigners for expensive meal so i can break up my 50 CUC notes. Order like 10 CUC worth of spaghetti. Carbo-loading to the max. When i paid the bill with 50 CUC, they panicked as they have never seen a 50 CUC before. They called their manager on the phone, and requested to check my passport before accepting my 50 CUC and giving me the change.
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