With obstacles on the way to Soroa

In the morning, we said goodbye to Havana and headed west towards Soroa. As we were bringing down the suitcases, we had the pleasure of experiencing a typical Cuban invento (invention to solve a problem or a shortage). Since there are no door openers, the homeowner had created a contraption with a rope that allowed someone standing below to open the door from above.

However, before we could start our journey to the more rural area, we wanted to fill up the tank. If you think this is not a problem in the capital of Cuba, you are mistaken. Rental cars and newer models require Especial fuel, a higher quality gasoline compared to Regular. Especial is not available at all gas stations, but there are more stations with such pump in Havana. At the first gas station with Especial signage, we were told that they currently don't have any. They recommended another station around the corner that should still have Especial. However, when we asked there, they also denied having Especial and directed us to another station. After the third station also didn't have Especial, we started to worry if we would be able to refuel, especially since we noticed that other tourists and Cubans were desperately trying to get a few drops of Especial, and even Regular was often out. It wasn't until the fifth gas station that we finally found Especial, but here the search was also successful for many others: a large crowd of people and cars queuing up. It's a good thing we have a Cuban with us, as the refueling system is difficult for a European to understand. After waiting in line with your car at the corresponding gas station and finally reaching the corresponding pump, you have to get out and stand in line again to have your pump activated and to advance money so that you can start refueling. After refueling, you have to get in line again at this same queue to get the excess money back and then you can drive off. All of this causes congestion and takes forever to make progress, with only two out of ten pumps being used at the same time, while the others are blocked by waiting cars. Inefficiency is practiced to the highest degree at the gas station itself, as there are five employees there, but only one person at the counter. After waiting for half an hour at the gas station, we could finally set off to Soroa.

In the morning, Chris already felt a bit queasy and had a hard time getting off the toilet: it seemed that he had been hit with the classic traveler's diarrhea, but probably everyone has to go through that on a longer trip in Central or South America. He felt worse during the car ride, especially as we went further inland and the road conditions became bumpier. Luckily, the doctor is naturally traveling with an extensive travel pharmacy, so Chris was provided with all the necessary medication for nausea, diarrhea, and electrolyte loss.

When we arrived at the small town of Soroa at our accommodation, there was another surprise. After we said that the three of us would like to check into our two rooms, we were looked at very confused. They thought only one person would come because Chris' name was the only one listed in the booking (but we had printed out the booking confirmation, which clearly stated two rooms for three people) and there was only one available room, as the other room had already been occupied by other guests since the previous day. After a bit of back and forth and a phone call with the landlady, they quickly tried to find a solution to the problem. A room was arranged for my dad at the neighbor's, who also rents out rooms, and he was supposed to move into the originally booked room the next day when it becomes available again.

The accommodation with an art studio in the main house is surrounded by a beautiful garden with many orchids, a mamey tree (which is still on our must-eat list in Cuba), a bitter orange tree (Naranja Agria), pineapple plants, and much more. It's a great place to relax on the veranda.

Since our room was available as normal, we unloaded the suitcases and put Chris in bed for a restful nap. Meanwhile, my dad and I took a walk to explore the location and get something to eat in the beautiful weather.

In the afternoon, Chris was feeling better, so we decided to take a short walk to the waterfall and the viewpoint.

The path led through lush vegetation, but unfortunately also some stairs up to the viewpoint. Due to the current dry season, the small waterfall had very little water, but the pools at the bottom still attracted us and the locals for a swim. A refreshing dip! At the small kiosk on site, we finally found the sought-after mamey fruit and bought two, but they were not fully ripe yet, so we wanted to keep them for a few more days to ripen. However, we immediately enjoyed freshly sliced guanabana, a fruit that I had never eaten before and has a very sweet, slightly sour flesh with many black seeds. What a treat!

Back at the accommodation, the landlady prepared a comprehensive Cuban dinner for us, and Chris even got soup and tea prepared for him. My dad got to eat for free as compensation for the inconvenience during check-in. All's well that ends well.