Page 178 - slovenia

CUBAN COUNTRYSIDE

Valle de Vinales

Our journey from Havana to Vinales took about two and a half hours. We shared a taxi called
Collectivos, an eight seat truck which cost us 20 dollars each. We had to wait about 20 min-
utes for others going to the same destination to fill the truck. Don’t be surprised if your taxi
driver pulls to the side of the road to chat with friends and family. Our driver waived at pretty
much everyone and even stopped a few times pulled over for a quick conversation. It didn’t
bother us, as he delightfully entertained us, laughing and singing our way Vinales.

Vinales is a beautiful, lush valley about 26 kilometres north of the city of Pinar del Río. It is said
to be Fidel Castro’s favorite place in Cuba. No wonder, with its dramatic limestone, mountains
called mogotes “haystacks”. It was ideal for photographing in the morning when a soft mist
looms over the rounded peaks, or late afternoon when the sun bathes farm fields and orchards
in golden light. Van Gogh would have been right at home here.

178 WDT MAGAZINE SPRING 2017