Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-05-12
\ VISIT TO THE TROPICS.
PLEASURES OF A TRIP FROM
SAVANNAH TO CUBA.

through Havaua--HotY Thursday's
odd Observsnce-A Bun Fight De-
clared OF.
SAVANNAH, Ilay SIT is d weli-Anown
fact that all good Americans go to Paris
when they die. But there are many anon g
US more or less sanity, who, though I'M
able to get quito 50 far as France, are still
warming FOR a glimpse while still in the
flesh Of some place entirely foreign and
novel. For such good Savannahians the
present easy, expeditions route to Cuba
seems to have been specially designed.
One may take an early breakfast in this
city Sunday morning, and on Tuesday
evening late dinner in Havana, with
surroundings as new, picturesque and to-
tally un-American as heart could desire.
Heavy rains had very obligingly laid the
dust for our party before they started
from Savannah, which circumstance,
with agreeable company, made the trip to
Jacksonville on smoothly running car
al the savannah, Florida and Western
railway, a very short one. Arrived there.
there was much to note of improvement
in the CITY. even rs seen from the wharf,
and TO frivolous members the humors of
Sunday excursiouists, fastening down TO
take their places in a small steamer Tor u
trim around the harbor, were most en-
gazing. set, too, TO the music of
the ubiquitous, unwearying harper.
From min, however. we shortly tore
ourselves away, and were soon bestowing
our impedimenta in state rooms on one
of the line river steamers, City Of Jack
sonyille. The scenery OF the noble st.
johns has been so frequently described
that readers must be fairly familiar with
IT. Suffice it TO say that ate in the season
though il was, nothing could exceed the
beauty Of the tender green spring foliage,
the fragrance, waited across from oppO-
site banks, of orange trees, aud the refresh
inv GOODNESS of the breeze. At Sanford
another change for the train, and the pref
test view possible of river and forest
from rear of car. then on to Tampa,
through thedelightful lake regionO FlOri-
da. beautiful, and said to be quite fairly
cool through the warmest summer
months.
TAMPA HAS GROWN AND IMPROVED
wonderfully in the past two years, and
some time may be spent there very en-
jOyably. Again on steamer, the Mar
garet, which takes us all out on the bay
and transfers us bag and baggage to the
MascOtte, the steamer bound for Havana.
Travellers by sea do not often ENJOY q trip
on ulOE6 PHEASANT Vi pbIibCll9 dppOAutGu
boat than tots. Noted principally for
her speed, which is something re-
marksble, she is in other respects also
perfect. The state rooms are spacious
and airy, being lighted by two windows
or portfolios, and having, in addition to
the usual two berths, a cOmfoT table vel
vet lounge. The large dining room is
beautifully panelled in carved wood, which
also decOrates the handsome staircase
CEC .s.,lgy "a, b,II
everywhere summon waiter or steward
in a moment. Should one fancy reading
at night on deck, or in his state room com
fOrtably. 10! his slave of the lamp is at
hand, a brilliant Tncandescent electric
light. The stewardess is to the ladies a
treasure, active, civil and very Obliglng.
Best of all, to the fastidiOus who often
ieel certain ''gOneness," even before
the starting of a steamer, from mingled
OdOrs of tar, cookery, ETC., there is moth
ing Of the kind here. All is clean, fresh
and inOdOrOus.
Skirtmg down the coast OF Florida
during the night, the only delay on the
American shore is for an hour next fore
noon at Key West. just at present, after
its great recent devastation by fire, the
place wears a depressed, isolated look.
For the short time there, however. much
amusement was found in the divers.
1dAl-uuuB ufEiO Ut1 spur Abuub III
tue clear water, dove for coins thrown by
the passengers, catching them in their
mouths with amazing certainty. "Dey
des swims in my mOut dey sells, my mas
sa.' explained one who was nearly
stranged by the number caught.
From Key West, as readers know, the
course is short aud straight across the
channel to Cuba, and our little vessel
plOwed her way calamity and swiftly.
The water is truly blue IN color. deep,
dark, and very clear. Royal irigate birds
hew about TO remind us we were
in the tropics. A member who Ventured
to compare them to the familiar buzzard
was promptly suppressed. some slight
delay at Sanford, owing to the heavy
rains, eau 5ed us to reach Havana just
after dusk, instead of just befOre-the
usual time; and the health officer there
Will not examine vessels except by day
light. SO, after passing out OF deep wa
ter, through the narrow strait just under
the grim, frowning walls OF Moro castle,
We found ourselves resting peacefully for
the night in the lovely harbOr within. No
hardship certainly, for presently the
lights Of the city began to shine out and
became reflected in the water. First, the
. great beacon ligat of Moro. then the gas
A lamps on the long boulevard by the sea,
seeming from here to have but hand s.
"a uteduLu OF space between bnens Iueus al
the shining, tall, white houses were lllu-
minated. The noises from city streets
were sOftened By distance. Far away
the ferry boat from Regla sped along,
looking like glow worm with its cabin
windows all alight. and when some sail
ors IN bark broke into a song with tink-
ing guitar accompaniment, the most
romantic among us instantly called the
scene Venetian.
Next morning all was hurry and excite
inent. Passports were TO be inspected, and
baggage to be transferred TO the custom
mousse. Noisy fruit-sellers in innumera-
pie small boats, c adj in very scant attire
ana picturesque red caps, to be repressed
somebody's parrot bestOwing the reverse
OF oenedictOns on the crowd; the only
one oil our party TO whom was ath Xed the
nolice: "Aqui Sc habla Espanol," trying
W De ia dozen places a. once, as inces-
saht demands are made on him. IL may
De mentioned that this gentleman, atter a
week or two as our Interpreter, SILL
lNel-but that was all. Once IN the Gus
lm house-a huge white edlucc, former
church-the ordeal was not 50 severe
10 the female fancy usually anticipates.
THE OFFICIALS wEGe QUITE CIVIL
iho considerable, and the vast crowd ~
unemployed, who usually form - back
round 10 Cuban scenes, taking gentle.
ieully interest in the proceedings, II
.ley ala look like pirates. Noxt-a feat
oIe Oh inc c9untry-the ubiquitous VIC
IT, L