Part 3 – Cuba Harley Tour to Las Terrazas – Havana
After spending a lovely evening at the hotel bar in Vinales, we set off the next morning to drive to the next UNESCO nature reserve.
On the agenda is Las Terrazas, which has been declared a biosphere reserve by UNESCO and is located between Vinales and Havana. Our Harleys park in front of the mangrove forest and are already waiting for us.
It goes along the country road to Las Terrazas.
We have a good two hours to drive to our first destination today. It's only 120 kilometers to Las Terrazas, but the route goes up and down, through small mountains, forests, and lots of country roads.
We have the full Straßen Natur program ahead of us, and we are excited to see what's in store.
A surprise may be waiting around every corner
On Cuba you always have to be prepared for a tractor or bullock cart to appear around the next bend, which is what makes it so unusual, everything is used here until it has literally disintegrated. From this point of view, they are ecologically very far ahead, even if some vehicles cannot even be seen in front of you because of the exhaust fumes.
Cubans have come to terms with the sanctions
Cubans don't throw much away; there is a certain cycle on the island. What they eat here, they produce themselves or catch in the sea. So it can happen that sugar becomes scarce. They have no choice; it is the people who feel the sanctions most acutely.
We are traveling through the mountains, and Ernesto knows of a gas station somewhere here in the jungle. The route is a bit adventurous, but so far, no problem. These urban forests are densely grown, and it is a beautiful environment for driving.
At the beginning of March, we have perfect biking weather!
The weather is great for us, we're on the road at the beginning of March, no rain so far and temperatures of over 20 degrees, which can be enjoyed on the Harley endure well.
We have reached the gas station, we always fill up for 10 CUC (Cuban tourist currency | 1 CUC = approx. 1 euro), the timing is perfect and fuel consumption is low anyway.
A restaurant hidden in the forest
Our next destination is a restaurant somewhere in the forests of Las Terrazas. We are traveling on the Central de Montana and after a few bends through the forest, we reach the restaurant. You would never find this place without a local.
I'm always skeptical when I'm supposed to eat somewhere in the woods, but so far I've only had good food everywhere on the island, very fresh salads, and everything related to meat and fish was fresh.
Charcoal tablets are included as a precaution, but they won't be needed, just to get that out of the way. Before we get tired, we continue on to a former coffee plantation in Las Terrazas. It's located quite high up in the mountains,
We stop for coffee in the jungle
While you can find coffee on every corner here, our next stop on the way to the plantation is at a café on the edge of the jungle. Cubans like to drink espresso, which you can get in a wide variety of places, but an Americano is also no problem.
On the other hand, the café is also a small coffee museum, with old photos and equipment related to coffee hanging on the walls. It's really cozy, and we really liked the atmosphere.
Cuba totally slows us down
Now it's time to move on. The cool thing about Cuba is that the Cubans really slow us down, which is pure stress relief. They simply stop for a coffee and take a break with a nice cigar and espresso, talking, laughing, and enjoying life.
We arrive at the Las Terrazas coffee plantation.
After a few kilometers further up the mountain, we arrive at the coffee plantation. There is even a coffee shop with a restaurant here, but that doesn't concern us right now.
It is one of the oldest coffee plantations in Cuba, but is no longer active. The former manor house is now a beautiful restaurant with a fantastic view over the nature reserve.
It should be noted that the view of the valley was not always so beautiful, as the biosphere reserve is part of a reforestation project. During the colonial era, the forest was radically cleared to generate wood for shipbuilding and space for coffee plantations and sugar cane.
The French have left their mark
In the 18th century, the French invaded with their coffee plants and had slaves work the plantations. However, this had an impact on Cuba not be implemented as extremely as we have seen in other countries where Europeans have invaded.
Today, the former plantation can still be visited and once again offers a magnificent view of the natural forests in the low mountain range of Rosario Mountain Range.
We continue on to Havana
Cubans know how to take a siesta too. We didn't actually take a nap, but it was very relaxing nonetheless. I could imagine that Cuba would be a very special experience for stressed-out managers who are driven by the DAX every day.
They are welcome to contact me if they want to experience Cuba.
Our next destination is Havana, where we will spend the night in a hotel on the Malecon, where we will be at the arrival of the Cuba Tour already been.
Now let's explore the area around Rosario Mountain Range We leave and drive along the country road towards the Cuban highway to take the direct route to Havana.
The Street Bob is fun
It's been a long time since I've been so relaxed on the road. The Street Bob does a really good job, it's not exactly the latest Harley, but it has character and a good sound, which I like and somehow fits in with this whole scenario.
On the long straight stretch of highway, we leave the trail of our journey behind us, driving straight ahead, completely relaxed. To the left and right are sugar cane fields and whatever else is planted here—it's a real colorful garden of vegetables, tobacco, and fruit trees.
We drive into the capital from the west, and I am always surprised at how well horse-drawn carriages, trucks, old cars, and motorcycles all coexist.
Everyone here is considerate of each other, but you still have to be very careful, because a situation that is rather unusual for us can quickly arise if an ox suddenly runs across the road, and in the countryside you have to be especially careful of free-range chickens and horses.
We are back at the Malecon in Havana
We have arrived at our hotel after a day's journey of around 230 kilometers, and we are in good spirits after everything we have experienced. In the evening, we will go out for dinner together and round off the evening with a few Cristal beers.
The cars are just too cool. We've reserved this convertible for later, when we're back in Havana next time.
