Cienfuegos

The taxi driver that was organised to be our driver for the next few days was not able to make the trip due to the death of his grandmother, and thus another had to be organised. (? Suspicious?) This was not too easy as the company requires modern, safer taxis to be used and those with papers. These papers cost 600 USD per month, excluding taxes on profits made that need to be paid and thus many taxi drivers are giving up their licenses.

As there were only 2 of us and a guide, taxis would be our mode of travel around the island, which is pretty luxurious considering the options!

We set off, albeit a bit later than planned, to Cienfuegos (“100 fires” directly translated; but named after a governor). After eventually leaving Havana we hit the main highway on the island- an impressive 3 lanes in both directions!! With hardly a car in sight!! The highway was built when the island seemed to have a much brighter future, and now with fuel shortages and cars priced as exorbitantly as they are- the highways are rather empty. 

Our first stop was a quick one for toilet break and sandwich for lunch, then a swimming stop. The waters of the Caribbean did not disappoint, were warm and pleasant to swim in. You could also snorkel. There was also a sinkhole that one could swim in- though is just went for the sea.

We had another 1.5 hours to Cienfuegos, where we arrived in the afternoon. We stopped at the end of the main street at Palacio de Valle. It was created by a sugar daddy… a new use of the term I have created… meaning a man who came into money in the sugar cane industry 🙂 . It is a Moorish/ Islamic style building that was a residence for a short time. The tiles and marble and glass used in the construction were all imported for Italy/ Germany. The roof top has a good view, including of the only nuclear reactor that Cuba started building and never finished due to the collapse of the relationship between Russia and Cuba in the 90s.

We then dropped off our bags at yet another great B&B, relaxed in the aircon for a while and hooked up to WIFI- one of few actual houses that has this facility. I then went out for a long walk to explore the streets, main square and down the malecon (or boardwalk) and ended up making it back to the palace again by foot. I had a good dinner close to our place- the best part being that I could have it with salad and NOT rice!

The style of the town is strongly French influenced as the governor (Cienfuegos) ordered it to be built as such. The main street is two dual lane streets with a large walkway down the center and is lined with a mixture of styles- including an art deco theatre.

The main square features some different styles, still. Many of the buildings here have been restored, as is the case around Cuba.