Spraggtrips: April 2015

Cuba notes (3)

Cuba January 5-26, 2015 with Susan Spragg

Flights Westjet to and from Cuba 835.00 all in. Into Holguin and out of Veradero.

Before leaving connected with Sara and David online. She was full so we stayed at friend’s place, Mercedes and Francisco, a paediatrician.

Nephew, Raul, helped us fix the bike and arrange tax to get them the day after we arrived.

Dr. Francisco Gonzalez Celaa

possibly….Igonzalez@hpuh.hlg.sld.cu….not sure about the capital I (i) at the beginning?

Phone: 53-24-463665, Calle Peralta #28, Holguin.

Holguin

Halogen is the city of parks with 600 casas. Busy months for casas are Dec. through March.Immigration lawyer, (Weice) from Montreal living there with Cuban pregnant g/friend while their house is slowly being built.He says 95% of Cuban marriages to foreigners fail as the Cuban half takes off after the effort and paperwork has been made. Many leave the plane in TO never intending to board the second flight. He represents those that try to gauge the Canadians as social security costs alone can be up to 5,000.00 per year. Last client never saw his Cuban wife in Canada but she applied for 2,500.00 a month support on top of all that had already been paid out. The judge threw out the case and forced her to repay her husband the costs but did allow her to remain in Canada.

Santiago de Cuba

Hit by earthquake in 2012. A bit grungy but the Trova’s music was good. All Trova’s seem to start their music at 9:30pm but afternoon rehearsals etc are good to catch.

The accommodation lousy, M/F had recommended it. City OK but no water to be found after roaming all afternoon, evening. Case owner found some at Hotel for us. Left next am as we didn’t like the case but I was already likely dehydrated so the ride didn’t go so well at the end.

Near Chivirico

About 55 km. to Oceana Casa across from the Brisas del Mar all inclusive. We could use their internet and beach.

Caribbean Lobster dinner 12.00 amazing at Oceana. Food better there than the Hotel across the street.

We stayed two nights.

Adolpho and Deylis owners of Casa. 9? km east of Civirico….( 01153. 52264717, or 52468048, 53485579) He in not to keen on Cuba’s gov. etc. He left university in 1991 when the Special Period started. He needed to help the family survive by growing food.. People were very hungry then and lost a lot of weight. The gov. took control then of all the land and all grown on it, then sold most of the produce to other Communist countries especially Russia. All Comm. countries were supposed to support one another according to the agreement but in Cuba not nearly enough food left behind so he would get 1/2 a bun, 1/2 cup of milk for a meal only.

The hotel Brisas del Mar across the street first owned by Canadian Delta company but US warned them that they would close US Delta properties if they didn’t get out of Cuba so they did. The Jamaica bought it and they too were threatened by the US to get out so they did. Adopho was a bartender there for many years. Bosses make less than waitresses and bartenders because of tips….10 times as much.

Now Cuban owned but many rooms have been vandalized by Cubans themselves who now have the right to go and use such hotels.

Oceano case was burned by a jealous local or someone at the Brisas, not sure. rebuilt with the help of Calgarian, Thomas A, Danish, daughter Natalie and 2 sons….Jennie Elliott parent.

A has 5 kids, a son that just surfaced at 15 years old…..3 relationships.

Also met James, lawyer from Colorado area who also lost his business and home to a fire. Real drinker.

Also met Barb and Dave from Meford, Ontario who have been coming to the Brisas for years and supporting locals in Civirichi and other villages. They have built 3 homes, slowly as cement then rebar sometimes not even available and bring supplies (wheelchairs by faking a cast) etc to locals who set up their own plan for fait distribution. One house costs 3000.00. They raise money in their church through a fish fry, etc. They bring bikes each time too. Dave fixes them up.He was an accountant but now is more an engineer installing optic lines, etc.

Alphonso says there is basically no violence in Cuba.

Jim comes from US via Cancun. Guys dollars on the Black Market in Havana at a good rate.

La Mula (along the south coast)

50-55 km ride. Road rough in parts for sure especially as we approached La Mula.

Stayed in a Campismo that Alphonso has reserved for us. Not all will take foreigners but this one did. Basic room but not great. Music loud at night as the teens piled in fr a Saturday night event. Rained late afternoon. James also there, his room was grungy and full of bugs. Food (chicken) edible.

Left early next morning.

Pillon (near it actually)

Saw less than 10 cars that day. No wonder ….road rough. 4 hills that day but had to use brakes coming down as the roads were so bad.

We planned to stay there at a cast Adolpho has reserved but met another couple of cyclists from Switzerland who told us about Mark and Dania’s place 9 km. east of Pillon. it is 5 km west of Marea de Portilla. Said it was great. Look for orange hotel likely no open as it is used for prostitution only, turn up dirt road opposite the hotel about 1/3 km up the dirt road is a blue house. They are not legal. He is Canadian (69) from Quebec pilot, owns Bissell A Vitec Ltd. Met Dania and fathered Sabrina. Is setting her up to run the Casa.

Phone 52-21-75-43 or 53-35-85-16.

Mark still owns a company in Que. that sells boats and motorcycles.

Great dinner of fresh fish, neighbour delivered and shrimp appetizer ( Mayo, ketchup, lime garlic and tabasco).

Mark is very anti Cuban gov. cost of things like washing machine ridiculous and since made in China you need to buy 2, one for parts. Chainsaw was going to cost him 2300.00 but eventually he bought 2 for about 350.00 one for parts.

He had great mountain water!

Next stop was Niquero.

It was 49 km from Pillon but we had the extra 9 from Mark’s. Mountain starts 3 km. after Pillon. Steady 2 km. up then a good down as the road is in better condition. Saw lots of plaques and signs for military campaigns that had happened here. After the mountain tons of sugar cane fields. Easy riding day. At T intersection we met Black Market Miguel who goes 3 times a year to Belize or Panam or Miami to buy clothes etc. to sell back in Cuba. Locals can now leave the country (since Raul took charge) but only if they can afford it. He is allowed 125 kg.of clothing a trip but admitted to slipping some money to customs guys in Holguin.

Niguero is a sugar plantation town, smokey and noisy. Not many still functioning. went to main hotel for a room but gal at desk told us of her case so stayed there for one night. It is also used as a brohel by day. Terrace nice Roosters right under the window in the am though.

Finding water again a problem. Only hotel had some.

Las Colorados ( small town) was the next night.

Headed south towards the National Park knowing there were 2 cases in LC but both were occupied by men not wanting to share the other room(s). James from US was one of them. Locals tried to send us to Campismo but they wouldn’t let us stay They also whispered to us about an illegal one but we didn’t see it. Went to the park and gal at gate gave us the name of a guide further down the road that had a house, again illegal.

We met him at the boat Museum where Fidel and 81 come ashore in ‘56. Seemed like a very nice guy. Leonel.

Went to Cayo Cuba? now 27 km from Niquero, fishing village at the end of the peninsula. Flat tire.

Susan snorkelled and we had a great fresh fish lunch for about 1.00 CAD total. Soup was 3 cents, fish 27 cents each.

Met Leonel at 4:00pm and road to his place. He is a carpenter also. Nice family. Sure hope they didn’t get in trouble for having us. Heard later there can be fines ir even jail time if caught?

He wanted 22 CUC for everything, dinner of fish, rice etc but we left 34 and some gifts of soap and toothbrushes etc.

Leonel said 70 km. to Manzanillo but it was 89-90.

Left early fortunately.

Bought water at Hotel in Niquero.

Along the way stopped in Media Luna where Celia Sanchez was born. Pretty town. other 47km. to Manzanillo.

Manzanillo

Long day. I was in rough shape as we arrived as the sun was hot that day. Road good but dodged lots of sugar cane stalks and a bit more traffic than before.

Man waiting for us at the edge of Manzanillo with our names on his hand. How long had he been there? Gal in Niquero had suggested a place in Man. but obviously called ahead to have us met. We didn’t even want to go with him so on the ride down into town we turned off and went to the places in Lonely Planet. Main one full but across the street was another great one.

Mercedes is her name.

Quite a character. Did laundry (2CUC) for us and scoured the neighbourhood for all the water she could find but not much to be had.

I am drinking about 6 litres a day, Susan about 2.

Dinner at her ex husband’s restaurant. Great fish. Met Deanna from Montreal and Alli from Australia a med intern in Santiago who was not too impressed with the medical system. She was also on a bike and soon to meet a friend.

Breakfast on the terrace was lovely and the room was excellent. Stayed 2 nights as I was a bit sick. Found internet there too. Last internet for about a week. Changed money too. 1.23 was the rate. Good thing as banks in Trinidad were very led up.

Tried to buy cigars but they were all out. Met a neat family though. Son (Caesar junior) also dealt in the black market, clothes, etc.from Miami. He has a Spanish passport as his grandfather was Spanish so travel easy for him. Also he speaks good english. His wife works for the TV station so has internet (maylin@golfovision.ICRT.CU). They suggested the best route to Bayamo for next early am. (south road)

Bayamo was the next city.

Easy 57 km ride, flat, started early. 4 hours. Traffic a bit close at times though. Got into the bus station at 10:20 and Deanna was sitting there after her taxi ride. She was going to Santiago then onto Baracoa.

The bus info in her book had been wrong so we had to stay the night orate a night bus. Most busses are night busses.

“Jintero” there wanted us to take a friend’s casa so sent us in the wrong direction.

Eventually we found the historic centre and the cases but most were full already. Only really 2 to choose from. It (Oscar’s) was OK. Dinner (chicken) OK too but ate alone.

Pizza for lunch good in downtown. 1.00!

Streets were cobblestone.

Guy at Cultural centre told us of Music that evening, the Beatles Cuban style then the Trova but neither really happened.

Again water an issue, restaurants only.

Saw a sign in Bayamo saying 129 to Santiago. I had seen 127 on the internet. Also 81 to Holguin. Another sign said 72 to Holguin?

Santi Spiritus was next

We took the Viazul bus from Bayamo. Was supposed to be 7.5 hours. Turned out to be about 10. It took 2 hours to loft the truck out of the ditch then they still stopped for 45 min. lunch.Met Craig from Australia and Flor form Germany and lady from Italy. Played cards. We couldn’t buy our ticket the day before but the Canadian from Mexico did two days prior?

We are pretty sure they pocketed our ticket money as we had no luggage tags, tickets, took scary passport info this time, etc.

SS was great. Got in latish at 9:00 so road into town from the bus station to the old central park. Looked at a few but found the most amazing place with 20’ ceilings view of Central Square, marble stairs, great family, incredible breakfast. ….Los Richards. In LP book.

Ate late dinner at restaurant called 19, then as it was Saturday went to the local Trova to watch the locals dance.

Trinidad

Left at 8:30 as the view from the room, breakfast was so great. Thought we might stay at a place mentioned in LP near Bacao but no signs for it and it was so close (10 km) to Trinidad we decided to ride on. The road was in good shape but there were a few hills on this one. I had multiple flat tires that day. We were 15 km. from Trinidad and on the last of 5 tubes. The locals always tried to help.

Left our last gifts with one family in a small village called Placherera. A guy at the next town tried to fix a tubs and melted it. Had a bit of rain, some wind at the end and a hill in the last 5 km but made it to Trinidad w/o another flat!

Recommended Casa (Hostal Lucer) full but he took us down the street to a friend’s. It was good too. Had dinner of fish at the first one as the Czech guy said they were such good cooks. It was OK. The Mojito was great though.

Met the Columbian man with his young son on bikes, then Sven and Brit who next day tried to give us help with the flats. Their patches were no good. We had another 2 flats in a matter of hours so went to a local Ponchero who turned out to be great. he lined the wheel with an old tube so we wouldn’t have anymore issues. It was the end of the flats.

Headed just out of town to the snorkelling places to test the tubes/tire. Susan did some snorkelling.

Trinidad the most touristy place we have seen. Lots of shops for buying souvenirs but again water was an issue. Grungy town if you got away from the central park, touristy area. Saw a dead dog and rat.

It was the end of a Cultural Festival so lots of music happening and lots of glass on the cobblestone streets.

Had dinner at a great place (pizza) near the church that you can pay to go up and watch the sunset.

Susan bought black market cigars for 1.00 each (50 total). They were 15 times that at the airport.

Rancho Luna (near Cienfuegos)

Headed out intending to go to Cienfuegos (supposedly and likely 82 km according to Brit and Sven’s odometer) but but met cyclists from Argentina on the way that insisted Rancho Luna ( 13 km south of the city) was better and they were right.

Had a great coffee exactly halfway(42 km.) and a roadside restaurant that caters to tourists. Sierra Maestra mountains nearby are where it is grown. Best is called Serrano.

Nice road, great ride. Left at 6:20 am and exactly 6 hours to RL.

There are 3 hotels in RL and about 6 cases in a town of about 25 houses only.

We tried to find a cast in LP ( Casa La Sol) but it was full. Best one was in behind the one in LP right on the beach but harder to find. Our host was Martha Soto at Villa Salmar Ave. del Golfo, #5, Rancho Luna Beach. (53 43 548148). She has two rooms. The young German couple (Heike and Matteus from Baden Baden) got the other room. We were right on the beach. Amazing view. Had a kitchen but we ate at Martha’s great crab, fish etc.

Stayed two nights. I was bagged and Susan could snorkel. Lighthouse down the way, Only water to be found at the big hotel don the beach. Dolphin Show in town an attraction.

Hotel Rancho Luna is supposed to be good, Later met Patrick who stays there. Says the food is good. They also supposedly have internet.

Playa Giron

Up early before sunrise and had to walk our bikes in the dark. There is a coastal road (dotted) on the map and Martha was thinking we could ride it but her friend said the opposite so we headed into Cienfuegos and out the other side following signs for Havana. It was good we went that way because the roads were excellent and we made great time. Beyond Cienfuegos was the straightest flattest, patch of road so far. Defunct nuclear plant on the left was likely the reason it was so good. Hardly any traffic and a wind behind us but a bit boring until we got into farm country. in 10th most of the way. Did the 81 km. in 5.5 hours.

Looked at a few casas in PG but they wanted 55 CUC with dinner and breakfast included. Decided to check out the all-inclusive on the beach and glad we did. It was 66 CUC and we could have 3 meals, plus drinks. Room very basic (2 star only) but the food was reasonable (salad with lettuce even) Wouldn’t want to stay more than one day though. Beach, swimming not great there (breakwall) but nearby there are excellent beaches for snorkelling.

Hotel Playa Giron was it’s name. No rooms available on the weekends as the Cubans come in large numbers.Years ago they weren’t even allowed to use such hotels but Raul changed that rule.

Met Patrick from Frankfurt there. He has cycled Cuba for 9 years. Seen a definite increase in cars as Venezuela is sending oil now (2 tankers per month) and putting old vehicles on the road. New ones too. He suggested bringing bikes and selling them at the end. He has done that several times. He tried storing with a trusted girlfriend and lost the bike. He worked in Dubai fr 10 years so has lots of money. He comes for 2 months a year. Has cycled EU a lot too.

He suggested going to travel agents in Cuba (like Cubanacan or Habana Tours) to book your all inclusive stays as the price will be much cheaper than just landing it at the front desk. Usually 1/2.

patrickneddermeyer@gmail.com

He suggested Cuban Life by Pedro Guitierez

Also suggested in EU:

Ian River, Germany to Switzerland. It climbs steadily but never steep. Go north to south on horse tracks. Use 35-38 mm tires

OR Switzerland to Italy following Roman routes. (Via Roman is the name of the route.) Verona and Venice have Signs as you enter showing accommodation. R-g is the name of the tour/route.

Playa Larga

Started late the next day as we only had 30 km. to go. Ate a big breakfast with Patrick. Play Larga is the other site that the US landed in in 1961 Bay of Pigs rad that failed so desperately. 114 killed and 1100 captured and return for 53 million dollars. Castro had been tipped off to the attack so was waiting for them.

Snorkelled along the way a must. Many sites to choose from . Beautiful road, hardly any traffic, turquoise sea on our left, wind and sun behind us as we headed northwest.

PL has tons of Casas. Enrique’s was recommended but he was ful. Ended up at Kiki’s (a son or son-in-law). ( 45 987404) He spoke English. Right on the beach. Rough water that day so no swimming. Lobster dinner on the terrace was the best meal of the trip.

Australia (30 km. to catch the Viazul bus)

Headed north to catch the bus to Veradero and/or Matanzas, or airport even …1 km. out of Australia. 13 CUC for the bus. Took 2 hours only. Used one gear only for the whole 30 km.

Went past a ton of swampland Guama National Park , croc farm tree rats, etc.

If ever we want to go from the airport to Habana note that the bus we were on stopped by the airport at 2:30 pm. then though we got off in Matanzas it con’t on to Habana.

Try to get direct flights with the bikes!

There is no schedule published for Viazul but the locals can call for you to get the info nearby. Hotels are good at calling for you also. The routes and times seem to change frequently. Used to stop in PL but all of a sudden that service stopped. Di arrive t Viazul’s an hour early to get in the queue or in the case of Australia, to have the agent call the driver so he stops and gets you.

“Matanzas” was the next stop.

Gungy city. Try not to come again. Garbage everywhere. Pathetic wee zoo. A few case only near Plaza Liberated. We stayed at Hostal Rio (calle 91) . German couple there also. No English but they were a nice couple. Served breakfast only. Their son’s Casa (Hostal Azul) cooks you dinner. OK only so only ate there one night. Met 2 Canadian teachers. Second night Pizza with Heikl and Marius. Sunday morning market near stadium interesting.

Last day only 20 km. to airport so took our time. There is a road less travelled than the Autopista 6 km east of town. Lighthouse and a couple of snorkelling venues along it. No traffic but you overshoot the airport by 2 km.

Cooler weather for sure on this side of the island. Is that typical?

Airport:

Be careful that you are heading to the Juan Gomez International Airport as there are other airplane symbols for smaller airport in the vicinity.

Be sure to have 25 CUC for each person airport tax.

Don’t lose your wee entry card as you need it to exit.

Bikes were no problem in Cuba, didn’t even have to remove the front wheel. No debate about it being oversize. BUT did have to retrieve them in TO and take them through customs which was a pain and time consuming.

Duty free was great and rum was very cheap at th airport. be sure to go through security first as the stores outside tell you they’re duty free but they aren’t. Serrano coffee was even available for 8CUC.

FACTS

2 Years military college a must for young men but they learn a lot of good skills, welding, electrical, painting, etc.

You cannot buy land in Cuba. the gov’t owns it all but you can trade the value of it for a different property.

You need to sometimes pay off the guy who does the official trade for you. Mark took him a new briefcase to get the job done. The vale has to be about the same as the taxes are the issue. The actual transaction only cost him 27CUC but he did have to offer a bribe in addition.

The case are taxed because hey are a business. The cost is about 25 CUC per month so the first guest per month goes towards the taxes only..

You can buy a car but you must buy it from the gov’t. at a cost of about 80,000 for a car we would pay about 16,000 for.

Lots of small Russian cars here from the 80’s.

Shoes and jeans if you can find them cost 4 times what they are worth by our standards.

You can bring things into the country but only up to 1000.00 value, then things are taken away from you. Like tht’s what we were watching in the Holguin airport. He was trying to bring in things in the bike box beyond what was allowable. Memory sticks are oftentimes hidden in other things?

The cubans can go to the countries now as Raul has given permission but you need to apply for a visa and it can be expensive.

Pediatrician does get a decent salary compared to others and gets four weeks off a year. Still he likely makes more on the case.

Internet is allowed to foreigners/tourists. Sara has a Canadian living in her Casa so she has internet at home. Internet is filtered….no porn etc.

TV is filtered always showing the most of the countries and never bad accidents etc in Cuba.

Castro lives in a palace 30km. from Campechuela (in the mountains). he entertains the Mex. president there. He flies into Pillon.. That’s why the road is good in that part of the country.

There are about 100 Tainos indigenous folks still in existence. They live together mostly in a village between Santiago and Oceano case. We past their village w/o knowing it. The gov’t says they were eradicated by Spaniards so as not to draw attention to that story. Said was an important source of money for Cuab until they hit their financial demise.

The Tainos say they want to preserve their people but inbredding is a slippery slope.

There are tons (150) of gravesite west of Santiago along the coast from the battles fought years ago with the Spaniards. They bury above ground, lift the lid and add new family members. They plant flowers around as there is often an odor.

Largest oil refinery west of Santiago provides 80% of Cuban energy.

Castro had a 20 year contract with a Can. oil company to drill for oil. It would be an incredible jolt to the economy if it was untapped. But overbite they get close to untappng it, Castro fires them so that he can benefit 100% and not share the profits. But his people can’t seem to uncap the last bit required so it sits idle.

Raul’s seed program was a flop until he gave permission for them to trade for seed that would work in their area. There still are people going hungry in Cuba. They still use ration books.

Average salary about 20 CUC per month.

James from the US (via Cancun) says you can’t buy condoms but they give them away at Medical clinics.

Girls approach him all the time for sex. He pays 30CUC that they supposedly give to the family.

They are short 12,000 teachers in Cuba as the salary is only 16CUC per month. They use last year university students in the classroom to fill the jobs.

Thomas’ girlfriend is likely stealing from him. he lost 1,200 CAD one night.

mark says 80% of the food comes from the US. The embargo is on everything but food. We certainly saw frozen chicken legs getting sold at the market in Matanzas. Box said it came from the US.

He gets his good food from the hotels. Hotels always get the best. Tourism is so important.

Mark built a house for Dania in the mountains but she had to leave the area as her family harassed her so much for money from Mark. He will not take Dania to Canada as he fears she will sit on her butt and never work. He has told her he will take her when she learns French and is employable but so far she is not making any gains in that direction. he plans to take young Sabrina to Canada for schooling. Perhaps then Dania will change her mind.

The cost of bringing a Cuban wife to canada he says is about 18,000CAD.

He warned us that all Cubans lie and we certainly have seen that they tell us what they think we want to hear.

“Jinteros” claim it is their house etc., send us in the wrong direction, etc. They get about 5.00 for a referral.

Cubans can get a passport but the money to travel is out of reach for most. Visas for China, Russia, Mexico are doable, rest really hard to get.

Glad we missed Pillon as James said the case, town was not great. Mark and Dania’s was great for us.

Internet can take a while to get on.

The@ sign was hard to figure out. Try ALT2 in some places or ALT 64 in other places to get the symbol to come up. Be sure you know your gmail. address and PW

USARIO is the first number on the ETECSA card, top left hand corner. To the right of this is another square with possibilities that you just ignore/leave alone or you will mess it up. Leave it blank as you find it.

Scratch off the grey part with a coin to find the other number required. It goes in the “contrasena” blank. 12 numbers.

Then press enter and your time should begin.

Card costs 6CUC for an hour.

All said doctors now make 60CUC a month. but until recently only made 30CUC. many are sent to Africa etc. The gov’t pays them a bit more but pockets the lion’s share of the money paid by NGO’s for them to be there.

Diver in Trinidad lost his business license because he was likely making too much money. The gov’t has their own diving company that they prefer the tourists to use as they can make money of it. He was told he was losing the license for safety reasons but that’s a crock.

Gov’t divers get the usual 20CUC salary per month so gov’e gets to keep the rest.

He was O to pack it in anyways, refers to try the case idea instead.

Shared taxis are called “Collectivos”. Usually it’s the cars from the 50’s. Ask one driver and he can make the arrangements to find others to share in the fare. Lots travel exclusively this way. Sometimes they show up at bus stations offering a ride in a “collectivo" versus the bus.

Foreigners cannot take local busses typically. Viable is for foreigners and rich locals. They may not give you a ticket if they are trying to pocket your fare. That happened to us but we got there anyways.

Stay in an unlicensed case and you could be putting the family at risk. Even jail time. Others disagreed with this though?

Cubans cannot eat beef or lobster as it is for the tourists but some also disagreed with this.

Case owner in Trinidad said….Can’t spear for lobster though. If caught you lose all your equipment and get a 1500.00CUC fine. One man committed suicide for such a fine.

Jail time is 3 years for killing a cow but mush less if you kill a person.

he made good money in Australia as someone sponsored him and took him there to do telework. His brother left for Miami when 1000’s did and has never returned.

Spending Money

Spent about 950.00 total for the 3 weeks. That paid for room, board, extra food, water, duty free, etc.

Rate for us was 1.22 the first time we changed money in Holguin (8ooCAD gave us 660CUC).

Get 20.00 in Cuban nationals for small food items.

Bank in Holguin took an hour to get into and out of. In Manzanillo it was fats though.

Rum was 1.95 for 12 ounces. Water was .70-.95 for 1.5 litres if you could find it. Went through lots. me 6, Susan 2 on riding days.

Take tablets!

Recommendations from others

from Deanna:

Santiago: Casa Colonial de Italia, Tanya, a doctor, near Veracruz balcony.101 Santa Lucia Street. good food too.

Brace: Marie and Luis 108 Flor Crumbet. but the Malecon, has terrace overlooking the ocean. Try rest. called Ochoa.

Canadian teachers brought 50 lbs. in a Humanitarian bag with both WJ and AC they said.

Pack things in bundles and write a list to show them.

Try downloading streetmaps.com. Couple from Germany said it worked for them as did a translation app. Even the GPS was usable they said.

For me….Next time take

2 cycle tops only, long sleeve, green rain jacket, not yellow or pink ones, no cotton tops, 2 prs. socks, 3 undies, 1 cycle shorts, i plain shorts, i capri, blueish top, sleeveless pjs, 1 sweater, flip flops and i pr. canvas shoes, no pants!, stronger flashlight for early am starts.

forget the gifts.

12 trail bars, 12 protein bars, dictionary a must.

Water tablets.

Rear mirror and an odometer.

2 water bottles (Costco)

Benadryl, (bug bites at sunset)

sleeping bag, pillow case, 2 facecloths, Lee Valley scarf, gmail address, ATM card in case, 1200.00CAD plenty, ziplock for food from Breakfast.

Spraggtrips

Monday, April 20, 2015

Japan March 19-30, 2015 and Bali March 30- April 15, 2015

Cuba Biking January 5-26, 2015

Cuba notes (3)

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