Vinales

 

 

Having started our tour in the Eastern most Province of Guantanamo, almost 2 weeks later, and some 1500km to the West we reached the Westernmost Province of Pinar del Rio and the town of Vinales.  The West feels considerably more humid than the East, everything is damp, tropical downpours are frequent and the roads never completely dry.  This is perfect tobacco growing country.

Vinales is a popular resort, particularly with backpackers, and casas particulares (private guest houses) have sprung up everywhere to cater for the demand.  We stayed in one, although with the constant smell of freshly drying concrete, and the spartan furnishings, it felt more like we had been provided with a bed in someone's garage. Still, the landlady did make the best Pina Colades we had tasted in Cuba for a mere 2 CUC a time!

Vinales is situated in a dramatic valley with steep-sided limestone mottoes rising from fertile flat-floored valleys where farmers cultivate the soil for tobacco, fruit and vegetables.  We enjoyed a two hour walking tour across the fields and received an informative demonstration of the process of hand rolling Cuban cigars, unfortunately not on the thigh of a beautiful woman, but nevertheless several members of our party enjoyed the finished product!

Tobacco drying