Vinales, west of Havana, is where the best tobacco of the world is cultivated (so we are told!).
Layanas gets a call from the driver then informs us it’s a classic car. WOO HOO! We are like kids in a candy store, so exciting. Of course we have to have photos prior to getting in!
We depart the Casa at 8.11am; Manda struggles with no seat belts - I’m not surprised after all my traveling in Asia.
We drive for nearly two hours then have a bathroom break. Definitely lots to look at along the way.
Fran (our driver) decides he wants some bananas so we stop when we see a small market on the side of the road.
The small town reminds us, as we drive through, as a tiny New Zealand town that has expanded due to tourism. The small colourful columned houses, all next to each other, make for lots of head turning.
We continue through the town and back out to the countryside where we go to a tobacco farm. As I step out of the car the heat from the sun hits me - yes it’s a strong as everyone has told me. Heaven.
We are informed how they prepare the tobacco, including drying the leaves and soaking them before our guide shows us how to roll one. Wow. We are given a cigar to try while he sets himself up. One end is dipped in honey which is the family tradition. It’s certainly a lot nicer than I expected. Manda had said yesterday she wanted to roll one and got her chance. Sitting from the side lines it’s a lot easier that I though.
Post the cigar rolling we are given a taste of the local honey and rum. Both super tasty!
Back into the car we go to Cueva del Indo (The Indian caves). It’s nice and refreshing being in the cool.
Once on the boat the driver points out different shaped rocks. The rocks definitely are impressive.
Layanas had booked a restaurant for lunch, which means “the favour”. As we arrive we realise we definitely aren’t the only ones here! The restaurant is run by a woman and her daughter (who Layanas knows).
With the amount of food that comes to our table you would think we are feeding 10 people. Crazy! Especially when some local Cuban’s survive off the ration card.
Fran drops us off on the main road (back in the town on Vinales). It’s definitely a busy town with locals and tourists. After a failed mission for beer we wander the streets, locating a place that sells wifi cards. Yes thanks. Queueing is very orderly – you ask who is at the end of the line then find a spot to stand / sit nearby (remembering who is in front of you). When it’s our turn to go inside it’s like entering a freezer, actually quite nice and refreshing.
A few restaurants tried to entice us in for food, ummm no thanks. We have just eaten. As we continue our wandering we come across a local market selling local trinkets.
Before we start the journey back to La Habana we stop at Mural of Pre-History. The artist portrayed world history up until the age of humans on a rock wall. Driving up its impressive!
As we park and wander towards it its even bigger and better than from the road.
Leaving Vinales we get stuck behind two big trucks for a bit. The fumes get to us after a while so it’s windows up and a/c on. Thankfully we end up passing them so the windows go down. SO cool being in a classic car!
Along the journey I snap away with my big camera.
Along the journey I snap away with my big camera.
It’s been an amazing day in Vinales.
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