SubscribeBeaches, history and shopping. There is lots to do in Cartagena and plenty of people around to help enjoy the time. The weather was sunny but unbearably hot and I fell into the routine of the mid day siesta to avoid the humidity. I would be busy in the coming days in preparation for my journey to Cuba so the quiet afternoons gave me time to catch up on my homework.
Archive for April, 2012
Apr
16
Cartagena, CO (5 kms)
On the way south I didn’t plan ahead and was left with one choice to cross the Darien Gap… flying. I would have done the same going north but another rider who had ridden the whole enchilada a year before called me out. It was subtle, but effective and this morning I joined a long list of bikers who handed over there bike to “Lulu” for a Caribbean cruise.
Apr
8
N 20*24,59 W079*55,76 (off Jamaica’s west coast)
The final turn to the port side leaving the shelter of Cartagena harbor brought apprehension about the journey ahead. I had worked several years offshore and was most often seasick so when the first wave hit the bow I put into practice a theory from a fellow traveler about how to stay healthy. But I hedged my bets with a pocket full of medication just in case.
Apr
4
Cienfuegos, CU (- kms)
Entering Cienfuegos Harbor in the early morning I could have been forgiven for mistaking it was just another Latin American country. The terrain, trees and weather all looked overwhelmingly similar. The ship slowly cut through the water and turned east to enter the narrow channel when a sign appeared on the over the port side. No mistake, we were in Cuba.
Apr
5
Cayo Santa Maria, CU (202 kms)
It had been well over two weeks since I rode anything other then a city street. I fell into a trance as I flicked the bike though the tree lined curves north of Santa Clara when suddenly something caught my eye. I turned back, took a photo and rode away thinking… only two more months till bike week in Laconia, New Hampshire.
Apr
Apr
5
Holguin, CU (-kms)
Roberto explained to me that there was just one Harley Davidson club in Cuba with bikes scattered around the country. It seemed that if you owned one of these prized possessions you were in. He rode a 1951 purchased new by his grandfather and passed on through the family and from what he said his son was a future member as well.
Apr
9
Playa Maglito, CU (410 kms)
To this point I had been very lucky and had little in the way of water crossings to deal with. This wasn’t a tough one and fortunately the river had come down in recent days. That in mind, I was 15 kms in the jungle and riding alone so I took a little time to look things over.
Apr
3
Playa Carleton Blanco, CU (452 kms)
Sometimes when I visit places I leave with a memory that I didn’t expect. I guess it is why we have to see things for ourselves. Punta de Masi on Cuba’s east coast was as beautiful but I will always remember it as the place where coconut shells and flip flops go to die.
Apr
8
Manzanillo, CU (478 kms)
It was one of the best days of riding I have had in a while but now I sat in a seedy hotel, the only hotel in Manzanillo. I was ordered there by immigration a couple hours earlier for a meeting the next day. My day ended just as bittersweet as the Cuban coffee with which it started.