You can’t get much better back roads bicycling. Wind roads through green hills. Occasional climbs with great views to rewards the efforts and then long descents as like extra whip cream on a hot fudge sundae (the sundae was not included). The points of interest along the way each had their own unique touch:

Cabana de los Pinos: Guest cabins suspended in the pines, built on stilts with wooden catwalks in between for access. Currently they are under renovation, but they should be ready for tourist again in a couple of years.

La Guira luxury hotel and forest: Set in a national park with the same name, the hotel had all of the four star amenities to make one feel like they were on vacation. Haciendas Cortina: Clearly the Cortinas had been wealthy. There are acres formal gardens, fountains, pools with statures and the stone work of what once was a large multi-story residence. It had been torched some years ago – maybe 30. The hacienda is currently being restored. San Diego de los Banos: Medicinal sulfur baths for people with skin conditions. If you are a Cuban, referred by a physician the stay and treatment are free. Part of the medical benefits of being Cuban. Others can also be treated as paying customers. People have come from a number of foreign countries.

From San Diego de los Banos we boarded the truck again and headed for Havana. But we weren’t finished with stops:

San Cristobal Hospital: One of the members of our group had collected a cubic yard of medical supplies which were donated to the hospital. Included in the box were sterile gloves. The medical director told us they had finished their supply of gloves that morning so had to stop doing surgeries. Among other things the donation would allow them to continue doing surgeries.

Soroa waterfall: As might be expected this is a tropical setting. The water is fairly warm and suitable for a shower.

Orchid Garden: Building after building of hanging orchid baskets. This is supposed to be one of the largest orchid gardens in the hemisphere.