Santiago
08 June 2016 | Santiago de Cuba
Mark
So we have some extra time in Santiago due to the airline availability. Today we used some of that. After breakfast, we walked down to an artisan area. The sign said it opened at 8:30. it was 10:00. They said they might b open by 10:30 or 11:00. We ended up down at the port of Santiago where two bici-taxis offered us a tour of that part of the city - 1 hr. for $5.00cuc. By now we know the drill - it will really take 2 hrs and cost $10.00cuc, but that is OK so we go. We get to see the port and the Malecon ( a boardwalk along the water that it seems every Cuban city has), the cigar and rum factories, a beer factory, a huge cemetery - the Bacardi family is on the left, all others on the right. There is a memorial to the fallen war heroes of the Spanish Revolution that reminds me of the Vietnam memorial. Then we go to the plaza of the revolution and see that monument. Back at the waterfront, they offer to sell us Cohibas at a 'very good price' but we have been warned about that and besides, I prefer the Guantanimeras or Romeo & Juliets to Cohibas. We thank and pay the drivers and go in to the brew pub for beer. The music (canned) is way too loud and the place is very echoey, but the draft beer is actually pretty good. We try the oscura first - which is really more of an amber - and then the negro which is a decent porter. Best beer I've had in Cuba. Outside, we run into one of the drivers again and ask for a recommendation for lunch. He takes us to Sabor de Cuba, the same roof top paladar (private - not govt - restaurant) that others had recommended. The food was great. I had a pork "Santiaguera" which was pork stuffed with ham, cheese, and veggies that was then breaded and deep fried. Really good! After lunch we went back to the artisan shops and bought a few things and then back to our casa for siesta. By 4:00, I went out to use the internet. At 6:00 we all went to the Casa de la Trova for the early show - except there wasn't one tonight. Music from 11:30 - 6:00, but nothing from 6:00- 10:00. Bummer. We went to the Hotel Grande Casa and had drinks on their roof top terrace garden. Really a great place to watch the sun go down and await the cool of the evening. The location was fantastic. The drinks were mediocre. But we did find Cuban sandwiches on the menu, so maybe tomorrow for lunch... After drinks, we went separate ways. Deb & I ended up at the Casa de Paella for what was the worst meal we have had in Cuba. Both the spaghetti and the paella were terrible. Oh well, the guide book says that Santiago has the worst food in all of Cuba and we have done OK so far, but not tonight.