Las Terrazas

I really enjoyed this day – well, I enjoyed all my days in Cuba but this one was the first of our “accomplishment” days where we got to get out of Havana and explore/experience the other beauties of Cuba – outside of the capital.

The day we went to the Havana beach I bargained down a taxi driver to take us back to our place, and during our drive he told us about the inner nature reserve of Las Terrazas - where there were meant to be natural pools, waterfalls, etc. (Note: The waterfalls turned out to be wee little rapids, though beautiful nonetheless.) Needless to say we were interested, though a bit shocked at the cost of his taxi service for the day! (I guess they have to try!) We did manage to bargain him down to something a LOT more reasonable, amidst the traditional shock and stupor that they display at first (without fail), and off we went on day 4 – squeezing all 5 of us grown ups and Aidan in his car. – Snug and crammed. The car felt as if it was going to fall apart in places, or just simply have us all fall out from under it, but it made it – there and back! (I guess we had to experience the full Cuban experience – with their vehicles as well.)

This is also where they had a coffee plantation that is no longer in use, but the quaint restaurant and coffee mill (is that what they call them?), as well as the awesome view was great. We stopped for a nice little lunch (beans and rice is a basic staple, though they cook it in a delicious way) and of course good coffee! – It was meant to be Espresso, yet not quite as strong, which I was a tad bit disappointed with, but again, delicious. The musicians were very good too, and Jairo even snitched their guitar and sang some songs to them…that was cute actually, we heard a song we recognized and Nat goes running out as she’s shocked that the musicians knew it, only to find that Jairo was singing. Ha! (He was trying to get a witness in – GBH!)

Then we got to the pools – it was lovely! Quite cold, but lovely! (Oh, and I found a dead crab – what was a crab doing inner land I don’t know.) Yes, I jumped in first, and we all had a lovely time! – And I got good exercize too.

It was such a fun day… :)