Baracoa

Wednesday 8 June

 

Today was our last real day of the tour as we return to Havana tomorrow. Christopher Columbus came here in 1492 and planted a cross, the remains of which were on display in the church. We had a very interesting tour of the municipal museum with a most attractive and knowledgeable young guide.

 

From there we walked through the town to the main square and the church. We got a close up look at shops, visited the bank to change money and saw some colourful buildings. The paintwork is a constant joy - bright colours and unusual combinations that are so right in this setting.

 

Our wonderful driver, Vladimir, took us down more dodgy roads to Duaba Farm, a plantation with a huge variety of fruits. Here we tasted cacao seeds and saw the process of preparing the seeds for chocolate making. We also had a number of cups of delicious hot chocolate, definitely the real thing.

 

A few kilometres up the road was Rancho Toa where we had a little excursion on the river in a row boat. Pretty tough on the rower. Have I mentioned that it was HOT!!!!!? While we were on the river a head popped out of the water, a young man who had just speared a crayfish. This was followed by lunch in the open-air restaurant, and what a relief, no band to entertain us and expect a tip or sell a CD.

 

We returned to our hotel after lunch and headed to the pool to cool off. Bliss! This evening we will be going out to a seafood restaurant for our farewell dinner. We've been incredibly fortunate with our guide, driver and fellow travellers, all of whom have been punctual, helpful and great company.

 

 

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