Cuba Day 15

Time to say good bye to this wonderful sunny place. It has been so much fun. Even though I missed some important things to do because I got sick, it was still pleasantly unforgeable. The pictures will bring back tones of memories, and many tales to tell over coffee. I took the morning bus back to Santa Clara (3 hr), and took a cab to the airport.

Cuba Day 14 - Varadero

Today I decided to do the alternative Varadero. I still didn't think I'm fit enough to go diving, so I went to the cave instead. First I did the eco walk at the Reserva Ecologica Varahicacos. It's like a typical walk in the woods, but with a few educational point of interest with descriptions. But the most interesting part is one of the caves. The entrance is so small I almost had to crawled in. But inside is quite big, circular, and the top is like a dome. It's almost like you can fit 50 people in in a circle for a meeting there! I was a little bit intimidated 'cause I forgot to bring my flash light, and there are bats inside. I wasn't sure if they attack human... Anyway, I was proved to be naive when I consulted the attendant at my next point at Cueva de Ambrosio that all the bats are safe. In any case I enjoyed it very much. I was all alone in an absolutely unknown place, and it gave me the Indiana Jones experience! Love it! The Ambrosio cave is extensive and has interesting prehistorical paintings. The attendant was very kind to lend me her flash light so I can go explore. Her English was very good, and she explained to me all about the cave, the painting, even the life of a bat! My plan for the day was to go to the caves, then go to the beach again. But just these proved to be taking too long. After the cave, the sun was setting and I had to go back. My transportation for the day was the tour bus that drives around all the tourist points, $5 for the whole day! However it is really slow. If I rented a scooter, or taken the taxi, it would have been much faster, but much more expensive of course.

Cuba Day 13 - Varadero

Today I feel much better, in the afternoon I was actually able to take a dip into the ocean. What a feeling! The beach is just across the street from my casa, more convenient than the convenient store. I just bring my goggle and off I went. At night, I was finally healthy enough to have my first lobster dinner. Price is double of what is in Vinales, but I can't resist anymore, after every restaurant lured me with their top dish.

Cuba Day 12 - Varadero

I decided to just rest up today. If I don't get well, going home would be such a drag. I just did a few planning, that was it.

Cuba Day 11 - Varadero

Today rode the morning bus back to Havana, and transfered to Varadero. I think Lonely Planet gave me the wrong impression that this place will be like Cancun, with many resorts side by side, and shopping malls. When I arrived, I do see some big hotels from far away, but from where I am, the main town area, it's just a normal Cuban city to me. Where I'm staying, I see chickens running around in the backyard. I don't think you can see that in Cancun. I originally decided to come here because Lonely Planet says the diving shops here offer day excursion to the Bay of Pigs from here, which would have worked out perfectly for my itinerary. However my health has not been very good on this trip. Let's just wait and see if I'll gain back my strength in time.

Cuba Day 10 - Vinales

Having spent a day looking at the valley, today I'm going into the valley, by horse. For just $20, this 4 hours deal I think is pretty fine. The guide spoke little English, so I again had to rely on single Spanish words and sign language. The tour begins just off the main road. We rode through farm lands and beautiful landscapes, Riding horse is not my usual activity, and it took a little more getting used to than I thought. First is the control. My horse wouldn't listen to me at first, 'cause I didn't know where to kick it, or how hard. I think I've confused the horse quite a bit. Then is the seating, how not to kill my butt. We made a stop to talk to a tobacco farmer, who showed us how to wrap a cigar, also had a coconut with rum to cool it down. Then we continued and reached the big cave. A guide was waiting with two lamps, but I got my own so my horse guide can use it. This one is much bigger than the Indio cave and gave more a raw experience 'cause there's no wall lamps, you have to rely on your own flash light. There are many pillars, and interesting looking rock formations. It's a 5-10 minutes walk, and we reached the end where there's a lake in long rectangular shape. I can't tell how long the lake is because the other end can only be reached by water and my lamp is not strong enough to see all the way through. The guide said it is save to swim in it. But my guts tells me not unless I have a waterproof lamp, which I don't. Anyway, we stopped for a couple minutes to just admire the wonders of nature, then we walked back out. We continued on with our horses on the circular route and rode back to town.

Cuba Day 9 - Vinales

Yesterday I asked around the tourist centers and found there is a bus tour. I got a brochure and it says it goes to places like the cave, the cigar factory, some horse back riding, some hiking, ...etc. Sounds like a fantastic deal. I got up early in the morning and arrived at the bus station. I hopped on the bus for $5 and the bus started to drive around different spots. We went to the rock painting, the Indio cave, one of the hotel look out points. They are all not bad. Very good for photo taking. However after that, the bus started to going back to the same spots. With my limited Spanish, I can only follow other Spanish speaking tourists, but they were also confused. At the end, we found out those were all the spots the bus will go. It just keep on looping until the end of the day. With heads scratching, we got off, it was only noon. I then decided to take the short hike up to the La Emila hotel. Was planning to swim there but the pool was too small for too many people. But the view is fantastic, overlooking the mountains and the small town. I bought a coffee and sat down. Such is life in Vinales, just relax, watching the curious-looking mountain shapes, the clouds and blue sky, watching the village lives go by, the chickens running around freely, the people walking by ever so slowly, just enjoy the calmness of village life.