I have dreamt Cuba for years and finally I managed to go there! It was like be carried 50 years ago….see things and a way of life I just heard about from my granmother’s tales. A big shock considering our way of life but simpler and more genuine.
We stayed few days in La Habana where we stayed and eat in a lovely Casa particular in Old Havana (simple place but really really nice as well as the host family!)
We had ever enough of city walks discovering every corner, particularly less touristic areas, where it’s easier to be in contact with the real Cuban life.
Willing to see a bit of nature and we moved to Vi?ales (west of La Habana) using a local bus.
The first day we went on horseback ride through the valley.
The Vi?ales valley is lovely! Surrounded by Rocky Mountains, its landscape is enhanced by traditional farms and villages where we stopped trying to understand the culture and know better the traditional techniques for agricultural production, particularly tobacco.
During one of our stops a farmer showed us his farm, the tobacco drying kiln (not sure about English name, anyway. the place where he puts the tobacco to dry up) and he explained us all the process to make cigars (including buying hand mades once!!)
Our goal for the next day was to reach the opposite part of the valley using the open truck the locals get on but they don’t let the tourists on easily so we had to find a bicycle and ride…ride…ride….I am still tired if I think about it!!Anyway..It was worth it. Unspoilt landscape and nice caves gave me energy to go back under the sun!!!
We moved to the centre of the island to Cienfuegos (where except for the amazing sunset on the bay…there is nothing to see) and we proceeded to Trinidad, the little city I was bewitched by.
Although there were many tourist Trinidad kept all its charm and tradition, and it reflected the way how I imagined Cuba.
We extended our stay there …The lady of the casa particular used to cook so well! How could I leave?!!
Even going to the beach, that I usually find boring, was lovely….no people around, mango trees to protect by the sun and the only noise was the birds’ twitter!!