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0700 – Breakfast. Huge buffet. Today we could eat.
0830 – Depart by bus for Fusterlandia
Jaimanitas is a small fishing village south of Havana better known as Fusterlandia after its most famous son, Cuban artist José Fuster. Inspired by Picasso and the modernistic images of Antoni Gaudi, Fuster transformed his home and neighborhood with a whimsical array of colorful tiles.
1130 – Arrive Soroa Orchid Garden
Our short stop in Fusterlandia prepares us for color of a more natural sort at the Soroa Orchid Garden. Created by Spaniard Tomás Felipe Camacho in the 1940s to honor his deceased daughter, this Eden-like hillside is covered with over 20,000 plants, including 700 species of orchids (of the more than 35,000 worldwide!).
1330 – Depart for Viñales after lunch
Our day continues with more scenic driving into the very different landscapes of Viñales Valley and Viñales National Park.
1530 – Begin our walk of the day into Viñales Valley
From the viewpoint overlooking the valley, our walk of the day descends through forest and field, passing tobacco farms and other agricultural pursuits, and winding our way around the signature geological wonders of the valley – mogotes. These unique limestone mounds pop up from the valley floor reaching heights of over 1000 feet.
[As we were driving to Viñales, it started to rain. It was very heavy at times. When we arrived at the overlook, it was still raining. Our WAI leaders made an evaluation of the walk from that point and decided the amount of rain made it unsafe to proceed with the walk as planned. So, we went to our casa paticulares, and those who wished were able to do a substitute walk in the rain. Sherry and I chose to defer.]
1730 – Check into our casa particulares in Viñales
We spend the next two evenings in the town of Viñales in casa particulares, private guesthouses, enjoying the hospitality of the burgeoning private sector of tourism in Cuba. We’ll be spread out amongst several homes within a short distance of each other. Dinner is on your own this evening. The center of the village is about 10 minutes’ walk from our homes, with a lively collection of fun and well managed eateries.
Traveling on the bus, roads are rough, some pictures are blurry
At the Orquideario Soroa - thousands of orchids
Stop for lunch, then back on the bus
Arrival at the Overlook. It has been raining and the trail is considered to be too wet to descend safely into the valley
