Cuba - Bayamo to Camaguey

Our Road Scholar group travelled about 250 km from Santiago de Cuba, through the town of Bayamo and on to Camaguey, the third largest city in Cuba. These photos try to capture different elements of Eastern Cuban culture and activity.

On the way to Bayamo, we stopped briefly at the El Cobre Sanctuary. Built in 1928, the Basilica de Nuestra Señora de la Caridad del Cobre is regarded as Cuba's most important church. According to legend, three fishermen were caught in a storm in 1608 and survived because a statue of the Virgin appeared, calming the seas for them.

I like the way the sunlight caught this figure outside the Basilica.

I also liked the lines and shadows of the fence on the steps to the church.

In 1998, Pope John Paul II visited the Basilica giving great encouragement to Cuban Catholics.

After leaving El Cobre we drove to Bayamo, founded by the Spanish in 1513! I have included some street scenes from Bayamo.

In the centre of town is a statue dedicated to the man who wrote the Cuban national anthem.

At every lunch throughout our adventures across Cuba, there were singers and instrumentalists like this one in Bayamo.

We visited a carriage manufacturing factory in Bayamo. This seemed highly appropriate as many tourist activities used carriages. Doug and John look like they are intrigued.

From Bayamo, we travelled to Camaguey - a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The central area of Camaguey has been restored. The winding streets reminded us of medieval villages. 

As in most cities, rooftop views revealed the age of the buildings behind the restored building fronts.

At breakfast, on the hotel's top floor, I noticed the lighting stands at the nearby baseball stadium emerging from the morning fog. Baseball is a passion in Cuba.

We attended a rehearsal at one of the outstanding ballet schools in Camaguey. These professionals were working very hard. Support for the arts in Cuba is very strong.

Discussions with the dance company director captivated Merle, Patty, Jo, David and Natalie.

The dance company resides in a beautiful old villa.

We visited the ballet company's costume department.

Later, we walked through an open air market operated by private vendors. Pork is the most common meat in Cuba.

We also visited the open air studio of renowned sculptor and painter Martha Jimenez.

Natalie and David kissed on their wedding anniversary here.

This is my favourite photo in this posting.

Again, live music at lunch.

These boys were probably children of the family that operated the restaurant. They were very happy to pose for the camera.

Later we travelled through town by bicycle rickshaws.

This woman's face tells many stories of her life, I think.

Che Guevara is a romantic hero to Cubans.

The restoration of Camaguey resulted in many beautiful buildings.

We enjoyed the Gran Hotel in Camaguey. It provided a variety of scenes to photograph..