At 6:20 we wake up with loud 'bangs'. This turns out to be fireworks. Quite strange since it was already light. They continue and at 7:00 I go for a jog (and to see what is going on outside). The square already has quite a lot of activity going on with a mob of people making noise. I love seeing everyone come out on the street or just standing in the doorways looking at what's going on outside. The colours are beautiful and I fetch my camera to take some pics. T...

We decided to skip breakfast at the casa and get some in town. We strolled around in the one main street. The numerous souvenir stalls is a clear giveaway that this is a tourist mecca. Inge buys some nice paintings and I tick off my dad's order of a Che t-shirt and ship. A quick ice cream and I climbed behind the wheel for the 4 hour trip to Remedios. We arrive in Remedios - the only place other than Havana where we had accommodation booked (through the internet...

The plan is to start the day with a quick visit to the orchid farm and waterfall. When we stop at the parking area just down from the orchid farm, the parking attendant points out our flat tyre. The previous day's potholes 'het hulle tol geeis'. With Jeneen waiting at the car, the rest of us quickly go and have a look at the orchid farm. Not as many orchids as we had hoped, but a nice tranquil garden. Back at the car they had some difficulties with the tyre sinc...

We had a good evening at the music house. I definitely can't salsa but kept on trying. After the first try I did say 'thanks for trying' to the poor guy! It got a bit better and a good time was had by all. My right hand side of the road driving experience gets cemented with a 3.5 hour drive through definitely the worst roads I have ever driven on. Potholes galore and we push forward at a snail's pace! Las Terazzas is an interesting 'eco village' that has nice p...

The chickens started making a noise at 5:30 and an early jog through the tiny town of Vinales again makes realise how much I love seeing a town/city waking up. From backpackers crawling out of the casas to catch their taxis or buses to locals going about their daily routine. I'm actually surprised at the movement. A quick (cold) shower and after breakfast of a nice tortilla and fruit our guide arrives at 8:30 and we're off to explore some of the nature Vinales ha...