Viñales — Cuba

Just a few hours from the hectic bustle of Havana, nestled amongst giant limestone cliffs we found the small agricultural town of Viñales.

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Left: Cuban belly palms dot the landscape

After scouting a few different Casa’s we made a serendipitous choice to stay at Hostal Don Manuel aka “The Don”. The next day we did a Horse Riding tour with our new Hostel friends Katie and Virgil.

Right: Emma looking terrified

On the tour we stopped at a Tobacco farm and got the low down on Cigars.

Left: Ploughing the field with beasts, free range chickens follow and clean up the bugs. Right: A Woman peels Cassava roots by the outdoor stove

We were given a free Cigar and taught the secrets to leaf selection, drying and rolling.

Katie and Virgil trying their Cigars

Cigar rolling from start to finish

The Jays give it a go

Vamos! We rode through some rough terrain, the horses handled muddy inclines with their amazing 4 x Hoof drive. Shooting on a horse is hard. I used Auto-focus and used the side of my other hand which had the reigns to move the zoom in and out gradually. Then careful not to get a black eye, I would try to frame up shots with the view finder.

We stopped for a beer and enjoyed the view of the strange limestone Mogotes (weird mountains).

Left: A strange brilliant flower. Right: Our guides trusty steed

We skipped the Coffee farm and headed back to our Casa for Beers and Mojitos.

Not bad while snapping and half-hand-zooming frantically on horse back

On the way home we saw a few interesting sights.

Left: Waiting to sell todays produce, mmm. Right: The yellow pods of a cocoa (chocolate) tree

Right: The view from our Casa “Hostal Don Manuel”

We decided to catch the sunset at this great agricultural restaurant which grows its own fresh vegetables. They have a signature drink on the menu called “Anti-stress” for 3 CUC (USD). It’s coconut milk, cinnamon and mint; and they leave the bottle of white rum on the table for you to pour as much as you like… 🤔

Right: Cuba is the definition of free range Chicken

Left: All kinds of fresh vegetables growing in the garden Right: Cuban Turkey Vulture

Sunset view over Viñales

On the way home I saw this kid having a great time just sliding down a hill on a dried banana tree stem. The simple things eh.

I love the soft round lights of these old cars and motorcycles

The next day Emma and I walked to the archaeological site out of town.

I suspect the shapes were coloured recently to make the original drawings more obvious…

Right: Who can resist little lambs

Extras

Hard at work, dual wielding Sony and GoPro

Middle: Katie not impressed by the “Commie cheese balls”

Virgil and I starting the “Dance floor” at the local Samba night. Sweet crab moves 🦀

Next Up

Trinidad — Cuba
Cobbled stone streets, vibrant music, great food, nice beaches and waterfall hikes; Trinidad has it all.