Our last full day in Cuba, we ventured out to Las Terraza, a village and UNESCO biosphere area. In the 1820s and 30s, this area was devoted to growing coffee. After the coffee plantations were abandoned, the deforested land suffered from erosion. Around 1968, the government decided to restore the area by building terraces and replanting native trees. Today the community of 1200 is the center of a busy ecotourism busy. And being close to Havana, it is a popular spot for hiking, birding, swimming and trying Cuba’s only zip line canopy tour. There is also a wonderful little coffee shop, Maria’s where the espresso packs an extra punch with a dash of liqueur.
We have had an interesting week, meeting the people, enjoying the food and drink, wandering around old town Havana and Trinidad. Havana harbor was an odd sight as there are no boats in the harbor. Pleasure craft are not on the list of approved purchases. The old cars were fun to ride in. Seeing where Hemingway spent his time. Learning about the life of Che. Speculating about what is next for Cuba after Fidel, Raul and the rest of the old guard pass from this life.
Now, I am ready to go home, enjoy an IPA, good wine, a hamburger and start planning our next trip.
