Heaven

When we saw the countryside in Havana on TV on the Friday night before we left, I knew… 

I'm in heaven!

We were expecting a taxi to take us straight to Viñales but instead, have had driver, Leo, who has given us a wonderful guided tour. He's a font of fascinating knowledge about the systems here, how people cope with daily life and he has shared many of his own snippets of life that bring the country alive, give you a much better understanding of it and generate more of a connection with it. 

We've stopped off a few times including at a beautiful orchid park in tropical woodland. That's where we both became animated with the bird life. Beautiful emerald hummingbirds and Leo also found us this Cuban Trogon, the country's national bird. 

We knew to expect very simple accommodation here but, honestly, it's wonderful! The town is like a film set; set to a backdrop of limestone mountains, the single storey houses are colourful, often matching their cars, and their gardens are full of vibrant flowers - including huge orchids. There's cowboys on horseback with pink trousers, vultures awaiting tasty leftovers and rooftops of water containers and drying clothes.

Our hosts are so friendly and also staying here is a very pleasant English couple who love their nature and photography too - they had spotted my Blipfoto t-shirt on its maiden voyage! I'm feeling OK and hopeful that our four-hour birding tomorrow will go well.

We've just eaten a delicious chicken meal made by 72 year old Tomasa and served by her daughter on the roof terrace. We've asked if we can eat here again tomorrow.