We drive out of Trinidad and start climbing steeply to 800 m through the Topes de Collantes, a nature reserve park in the Escambray Mountains. We passed by some nice tropical forest and great views back over the Caribe Sea and Trinidad. A big hotel here specialises in rehabilitation and special therapies.
The best coffee in Cuba is grown here, the mountain conditions being ideal. And there are apparently waterfalls, pools and hiking trails here but we don't get to see or do any of these things.
We emptied out of the bus at the top: certainly glad we didn't ride that! We have a quick fuel stop at a local home near the road and then set off for a lovely undulating ride through small villages and farming communities with some very rewarding downhills (and no headwind!).
Another brief stop at a busy intersection and then we rode to Manicaragua for a lunch stop which was really a bus shelter.
After lunch we had another 18 kms to a turnoff. I rode hard (must have been the sugars from the fruit at lunch and that I ate only one of the 4 (!) chicken rolls in my lunch pack). We then had a tough 8 kms to our hotel at Hanabanilla - uphill; OK when the sun went behind the clouds but bakingly hot when it was out. It was a real grind but I think I have found my legs (on the last day of riding...).
Where we are staying is an old Soviet hotel situated next to a vast reservoir. It is very nice and we get a welcome drink of a Cuban Libre. The pool is also welcome. We are in by 2:00 p.m. so we have time to enjoy it. We enjoy our well-earned relaxation by the pool till about 5:00 p.m. then come in for a shower etc. before having a walk to watch the sunset and a briefing regarding the next day. We decline dinner. It looked more of the same buffet-type food we have been having and enjoyed another Cuban Libre at the bar where we chatted with a couple from Canada cycling independently around Cuba.
Total ride: 40 kms
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