Leaving the Bay of Pigs Museum our group continued on to Cienfuegos where we were supposed to have a city tour and visit to the Palacio de Valle. We were well behind schedule and doubtful if we would do either as it would soon be dark and we hadnt even arrived.

As part of our welcome we were each given rum shots in souvenir Cuba glasses. As we made our way into Cienfuegos the sun was beginning to set as we admired the architecture and some of the grand homes.

We made it Palacio de Valle at the southernmost tip of land. This was now owned by an adjacent bland looking hotel and operated as a restaurant.

The home was built as a wedding present and the brides head is immortalized in the two lion statues at the entrance. It is built in elaborate Moorish style similar to the Alhambra or Alcazar in Andalucia Spain but as a home it was found to be very impractical.

We made our way first to the roof terrace. Here is a short youtube video I made of the whole interior only half if which is open to the public.

Cienfuegos - Palacio de Valle
https://youtu.be/pmKTnlCjpRM

On the roof we had just missed the sunset by a few minutes. The roof terrace was busy with musicians and other guests admiring the ocean view and sunset.

We were given complimentary drinks as part of our group tour. As we made our way down the evening lights had come on so we were able to see the interior all lit up.

Next stop was to our Casa for the night. We were divided between several homes and the owners were all waiting together at a street corner for us. As was to become the norm I was placed in a home by myself separate from the group. It was quite a nice room with an ensuite bathroom. The family living quarters were also equally nice.

En route we had stopped to buy internet cards. I was debating if I should or could I manage off grid for one week. I decided to go ahead for $3P providing one hour access. I then used the Casa's wifi to sign into the network for 10 minutes. There is only one state internet company and wifi access is very restricted.

For breakfast I was seated in the rear courtyard out of the sun. They brought a plate of fruits, breads, and some sweet tiny pancakes. They also had mini bananas which were very sweet. The owner said goodbye and that she had to goto work.

They didnt speak English but were a very welcoming couple. They gestured Canada was very cold when they took down my passport details. I told them it was minus 5 which they couldnt comprehend living in a tropical island.

As we waited for our group to assemble on the street for our 9am departure I wandered around a few streets. We were right next door to an elementary school which you would never have known from the building exterior. I also found a gas station nearby selling 1 liter water for $0.75P.

As we drove to the town centre I also made a short video of the French style architecture.

Driving thru Cienfuegos
https://youtu.be/h_LjzEYCFoM

They city was modelled after the architectural designs of France with wide boulevards as it was a French colony at the time. The pedestrian area was like New Orleans with upper terraces looking down on the street.

We made our way to the main square which had the town hall, cathedral, and opera house.

Slaves would pretend to be Christian to continue their own traditions so there was a sort of dual religion in terms of customs.

We then made our way to the opera house which I was eager to see and get out of the heat. Entrance was $2P. It was a grand European design but showing the neglect of the years.

It was built in 1889 and had a ceiling mural and private enclosures for seating around the sides.

There were portraits of many of the performers. One is a famous blind 93 year old ballerina who still performs and is quite a diva from her accounts. Another was European looking of mixed African parentage. As Blacks were not allowed in theatres but she was allowed due to her half European parentage, she vandalized a theatre in protest.

It was an interesting few hours in Cienfuegos, a town which is often overlooked by tourists.