Based in Havana, Cuba, we were excited to be taking a day trip to explore Viñales in the countryside. Viñales is a town west of Havana. Its main street is lined with colorful colonial-era wooden houses, Viñales serves as a gateway to the Sierra de los Organos mountains and the Viñales Valley, which is a UNESCO world heritage site. A stunning valley with steep-sided limestone hills, known as mogotes and tobacco fields situated 3 hours drive from Havana.
We were collected by 2 drivers and 2 classic cars. Our tour guide named Gabriel spoke excellent English and was very personable. So much so, that our Kidsetter became his little shadow.
The drive was long and hot ! Classic cars do not have all the comforts of modern vehicles. No power steering or tinted windows, a little air conditioning and leather seats with no head rests. We felt for Gabriel our driver !
Interestingly we were stopped by a police officer on the highway. He wanted to check if all of Gabriel’s papers and licenses were valid. They were of course. Next, the police officer did something a little out of the ordinary. He held the driver’s side car door open and requested Gabriel to take off the hand brake, then the officer began pushing the car asking Gabriel to slam on the handbrake. Gabriel refused knowing this would ruin his brakes. The officer was persistent and attempted 3 more times. Eventually the officer advised we were ok to continue our journey. As it happens, if the brakes do fail, Gabriel would have had to pay the officer to continue to operate his business as a tour guide.
Although the drive was long, we experienced the magnificence of country Cuba. Watching ox’s pull carts with farmers on them, Cubans trying to hitch a ride, an old-fashioned milk cart delivering milk and many horse and carts on the freeway.
Arriving at Vinales Valley we admired the view, absorbing the intoxicating beauty. It was worth the effort.
I noticed a farmer offering a ride on his bull and knew our Kidsetter would love a ride. They rode a lap of the vicinity and our Kidsetter was in his element !
Next, our guide Gabriel drove us to a local tobacco farm. We were educated on the end to end process of the creation of the much-exported Cuban cigars. Naturally, the adults had to try one !
Our Kidsetter pretended he was in a cowboy film smoking his cigar.
We took the opportunity to do an easy horse ride through the neighbouring fields and absorb the natural surroundings.
I must say, I like the idea of horse riding but in reality, loathe horse riding (too scared), so the idea of having our 8 year old Kidsetter on the back of one, on his own really didn’t sit well with me. Why did I arrange this? What if he kicked the horse really hard and it galloped and he fell off? The ride went on for a lot longer than I anticipated and it was stunning however my stomach was doing butterflies the entire time. What do you know, no accidents ! Phew !
