Chicken Vinales 9-2-20
Vinales Area
We leave Havana and head west this morning to visit the UNESCO World Heritage area of Vinales which was designated in 1990 to ensure preservation of the typical Cuban housing and local arts and crafts, alongside the landscape. Looking at my photographs I seem to have spent a lot of time trying to get a decent chicken picture. I fear I failed completely. There were however chicken everywhere as I remember.
Village Washday 9-2-20
I am not sure if every day is wash day but we were certainly there on a day when there seemed to be a lot of washing being dried – but given the temperature that does not seem unreasonable – all the buildings seemed to be adorned at least partially with such items!
View Western Cuba 9-2-20
Lunch was taken above the village and was an uphill walk. The view certainly looked more impressive than my photograph, however this is down into the valley and protected scenic area.
Cafetal Buenvista Coffee Farm ruins 9-2-20
Cafetal Buenavista Coffee Farm
The coffee farm dates back to 1801 commenced by French refugees from Haiti. The production of coffee has much reduced in Cuba – with many of the plantations failing during the 2007/8 economic difficulties and then the imposition of US trade restrictions. At the time of our visit the site was supported by visitors but what might have happened since is unknown.
Cafetal Buenavista Coffee Grinding 9-2-20
Despite what Bing tried to tell me this is NOT a water pump – it has been restored and it was used to grind the coffee beans.
Vultures 9-2-20
Our presence also managed to disturb some of the local wildlife as we could see it circling above.
Turkey Vulture 9-2-20
Earlier in the day I did manage to capture some wildlife in a tree. According to Bing this is a Turkey Vulture from its distinctive red cap to its head.
A slight disclaimer, this has been written over 6 years after the journey concerned so is very much based around the photographs taken on the day.