(Cuban beach paradise - Cayo Jutias)
Hungover, after far too many mojitos the night before, I collected my rental scooter! After having been on the back of Ivan's in Medellin, I fancied driving one myself - to the beach at Cayo Juvista.
The rental man made it look so easy, but I couldn't get the thing to start! Sus freinos! He shouted. It's automatic, so you have to pull on the brakes to start. You don't think I'd try one with gears first time did you?!
Oh the joy of the open road! I am sure this is not they way...supposed to head towwards the caves and carry straight on. Of course, I meant to drive up to this viewpoint of the valley to take photies of the magotes!
Back on track, I soon discovered that it helps to lean with the bike as you turn or go round corners. The throttle was now fully open. Wow! The cooling air as it rushes past you. I have no idea how fast the scooter went, as the speedo was broken, but it felt pretty fast for all its 50 cc!
The guidebook did say the road deteriorates, but these potholes are like craters! I managed to do an emergency stop pulling hard on both brake handles and using my feet to steady the scooter. Wow, that was an adrenaline rush! Going a little more slowly, the road eventually came to a fork. Like Dorothy on her yellow brick road, I asked the way. 40km back the way I had just come! Shit. I then found out just how rugged the scooter was as I bumped my way back over potholes.
I eventually reached the remote Cayo Juvista at around 12.30...three hours on the road! Oh well, I never have liked beaches. All that sand to reflect the sun so burning you even quicker, and then more sand scouring your skin as you apply more sunscreen. Still, an idyllic spot, and umbrellas to rent! Later I took the scooter for a spin along the beach - and few other people about...
The journey back was quicker - just 80 minutes to do 60kms. All these people waiting for non existent buses thumbing a lift. Are they crazy? Don't they know my driving?!
I like driving a scooter. Perhaps I'll get one when I am back in London, and of course with job...or perhaps a motorbike!
Chris 