19/04/2019 – Journey to Varadero, Cuba

We got up in time for a quick 06:00 coffee and said goodbye to Leo, then walked to the Viazul bus station, about a 15/20 minute stroll through the sleepy town. It’s a much more serene atmosphere than Havana is at that time, although there was still the occasional taxi heckle as we walked past. We got to the station and had our tickets approved, luggage loaded and hopped on the yet again freezilngly air conned bus! fleeces and leggings etc on. We left at 07:00 and had a sleepy ride until a brief 30 minute stop halfway along the way (very tourist orientated service station, yet again overpriced food/drinks, but a much needed stop nonetheless!) We had naps, listened to music and podcasts, and got to the Varadero bus station at around 13:30. We collected our luggage and bought our bus tickets to Havana for in a few days time then hopped in a taxi for a 10 minute journey to our casa in nearby little town, Santa Marta. We got settled in and freshened up and then wandered into the local town for some late lunch (Fried plantain, chicken, rice, cucumber).

The walk down our street En route to lunch.

We then walked over the bridge to the beach peninsula and went for a swim. It was overcast and a storm was due but it was still 30°C. It is absolutely beautiful, exactly what I picture when I close my eyes and think Caribbean - the sand is white and fine, and the sea is turquoise, Josh says he has never seen anything like it, so I am really excited for him to see it when the sun is shining! We dried off in the wind and then walked through some drizzle rain to get a coffee and then use the wifi park. We headed back to the casa and there had been a powercut because of the storm so I had a shower by torchlight! The power came back shortly and we chilled in the room for a little while. We shared a brownie we had bought earlier and then got an early night.