Saturday, January 9, 2016 begins with our entry into Santiago de Cuba which is on the Eastern end of Cuba not far from Guantanamo Bay.
Our tour began with a stop at the Moncada Barracks where Fidel and Raul Castro commenced their 1953 assault on the Bastita regime. This building still has the multitude of bullet holes from the assault.
Across the street was this unusual looking tree.
Our next stop was at San Juan Hill where Teddy Roosevelt and his Rough Riders helped defeat the Spanish in 1898.
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| Me and Pat on San Juan Hill |
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| Memorial of the U.S. soldiers killed here |
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| Trenches made by Americans |
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| Lookout tower |
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| San Juan Hill plaque |
Our next stop was at the African Cultural Center for a historical presentation and dance performances by some very talented Afro-Cuban singers and dancers.
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| Singing Cuban songs |
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| Corky, Shirley, Darlene and Pat |
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| Tom, Carole, Ken and Joanne |
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| Fancy dancers |
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| One of several costumed dancers |
Our next stop was at an art museum with some interesting revolution style art.
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| U.S. Flag |
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| Cuban flag |
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| Bullet art |
On our way to back to the ship, we enjoyed the local sights.
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| Local transportation |
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| Typical neighborhoods - rundown but clean |
Some views as we left Santiago de Cuba
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| Santiago de Cuba |
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| Guarding the bay is the 17th century El Morro castle |
Back on board the Celesyal Crystal, we attended an afternoon presentation on Cuban history: The Birth of a Nation 1492-1898. It was very interesting but, after a day of touring, our attention span was a little short...
And so ends day 2...
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