Cuba: Viñales

Taking a break from the bustling city life to relax in this quaint, country village. It seems like the kind of place where everyone knows everyone and their front doors are literally open to each other.

I have never purchased a guide book before this trip, but my Cuba book has paid off incredibly. With this book, along with the Maps.Me app, Ray and I went on a hike through a few tobacco fields. The trail led us to a cave that had a pass-through to see the other side. The landscape along our adventure was stunning.

On the way to the cave

View of the Mogote (limestone monoliths).

Relieved this was the right trail... 

Tobacco field and drying house

A few blocks close down at night for people to eat and drink.

Pig marinating to be roasted for house owners birthday.

 

Cuba: Havana Take 2

After a good night’s rest, following the exhausting, somewhat comical at times day I had yesterday, I explored Old Havana. This section of the city was built by the Spanish when they first conquered the area.

 

I love this photo because it so incredibly symbolic. The classic American car, of course, is central. Top left, Hemingway’s influence on the city because of his writing and bringing other famous people to visit. The colors and important buildings are visible as well.

 

This is the first fruit market I’ve seen in the time I’ve been wandering around. In the background, you see the Cuban flag and Castro’s face. Cienfuegos and Guevara are painted on the other walls.

Spaghetti with beef (and cheese) for lunch. $4 plus $1.50 for imported coke. National cola is $1 in restaurants. The colas taste similar but I just needed the original today.

Chinatown - If it weren’t for the typical entrance, you wouldn’t know Chinatown existed. Not many Chinese people remain since Castro took power. 

 

 

After lots of worrying over logistics, I’m relieved that my plan worked out. Ray arrived to Havana safely yesterday afternoon. He got settled in, then I threw him into the thick of it all; the sights, the sounds, the smells. So glad he’s here to join in the adventure.

 

 

 

Walking down the Prado that was full of art work.

Granma Yacht mural that led the revolution.

Rooftop view while waiting for the 9pm cannon fire. This ceremony has occurred for centuries and used to signify to citizens that the city doors were closing for curfew (to protect them from pirates.)

 

View from rooftop of Central Park hotel.

 

 

 

Sunset on the Malecon

 

 

Cuba: Trinidad and Bus Breaking Down

Speeding down the country roads, hair blowing in the wind, and raggaeton blaring loudly was unforgettable as I moved on to Trinidad this morning.

  

What a night! Just spent the last few hours hanging out with a local guy that guided me around a few popular night spots, but more importantly, shared his perspective on life in Cuba. His tattoo says it all. He used to be a school psychologist and then became part of the tourism system.

 

 

Gentlemen playing dominoes. 

 

 

Ration store

 

Math classroom

 Handicraft market

 

I didn’t find any Hammerheads like Shark Week found in Cuba last week, but I did find Nemo.

 

Me and the fishies.

Playa Ancon - they say it’s the best beach on Cuba’s southern coast.

 

 

Went on a gorgeous, slightly challenging hike this morning. We started in town, passed through the lush countryside, into the jungle, over rocks, through creeks and then we reached our waterfall and swimming spot. Topes De Collantes

 

Hiking through the countryside, full of sugar cane, mango and banana trees.

 

Hiking group taking the taxi back after 6.5 miles hiking

 

 

Heading back to Havana, the bus broke down so many times. 

 

 

 

Cuba: Cienfuegos

Being open-minded while traveling is important. Last night, the slight change from reading a book in my room, to instead, reading it on the terrace, afforded me the opportunity to share drinks and stories with new people. As I laid in bed reflecting on the fortune of learning from others, I heard traditional Cuban music, faint Spanish conversations and horses trotting in the street below.

 

Handicraft art market in Cienfuegos.

  

Me in Central Park.

 

Breakfast on the terrace.

When I arrived in Cienfuegos late yesterday afternoon, I thought I landed upon a sleepy little town. But today? No, it was a bustling, lively town. I struck up a conversation with a pedi-taxi guy and found out he used to be a history teacher and then entered the tourism industry to make more money. After my interesting ferry ride to Jagua Fort, he showed me around town on his bicycle.

Old man and the sea.

The ferry...the very, very, very packed ferry. I sat on the edge, just in case we needed to evacuate.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Jagua Fort circa 1745. One of the three most important forts for Cuba.

  

 

“Unity of the workers, guarantees a revolution.”

A big storm barely passed us by last night but as I’m writing, another downpour took its place. It’s been a pretty peaceful day. First, hiking around El Nicho park admiring scenic waterfalls and then returning to my house to listen to and watch the rain fall.