Nature, Trinidad

4 more images

Escambray Mountain Range,Cuba's second highest mountain range - reaching 3, 700 feet atop Pico San Juan. The mountains are home to small mountain villages and are a delight for birders and walkers alike. Slopes are swathed in Caribbean pines, ancient tree-ferns, bamboo, and eucalyptus.
Deep within the valleys are caves which house the 'butterfly bats'it is one of the worlds smallest. It has a wingspan of 5 inches and weighs less than an ounce.

BEE HUMMINGBIRD (Mellisuga helenae)
Believed to be the world's smallest bird, Cuba's native bee hummingbird buzzes around forests and field edges in many parts of the island, where it feeds on flower nectar. It grows to about 2 inches long and weighs less than an ounce, or less than a dime. Some locals call it "zunzun," and believe it is a symbol of love. Birders from all over the world travel to Cuba in hopes of catching a glimpse of this tiny bird.

Our Casa owner was able to arrange a 4 hour horseback riding excursion, which turned out to be one of the hightlights of our trip. We left from La Boca and journeyed into the Sierras to a beautiful spring fed pool for a swim. The horses in Cuba might look slight, but the are "muy fuerte".
My advice for anyone planning such an outing,,,trust your horse! ...oh...and wear long pants...

$20.00 a person

12 kms south of Trinidad is Playa Ancon, a tipical tropical cuban beach. It is not very touristic, and lots of Cubans come here on the weekend, so its a chance to meet the locals.
It is a white sand beach and excellent for scuba diving and snorkling.

The Iznaga estate Tower
This tower (40m) was builded to have an overview on the sugar plantages and the slaves. The picture was taken by Claudine - or was it Jan.(J@C)
Anyhow just perfect ! The shadow of the tower on the fields ! To climb the many steps is already risky - the tower (306 steps)is protected by UNESCO patrimonium. Welldone Claudine - or was it Jan ?
I hope i could give you an impression of the surroundings of Trinidad.It is a must to visit this area if you like nature and Cuba pure

It's possible to walk to a ridge close to the top of the waterfall. You can watch there the swallows fly and drink in the waterfall, an impressive sight.

If you want to go up, just keep the small stream at your left hand side and soon you will be in the bushes and several metres higher you will find a nice flat spot where you can sit and watch the swallows.

For more information see my travelogue: A hike in Topes de Collantes

Delbis shows us some liana in the Topes de Collantes, but he's warning us for the thorns on it. Now I can understand why Tarzan is making that yell when he swings through the jungle: "aaaaaaaaaaaaaaai". He has such a thorn in his hands. (lol)

Read more about this hike in my travelogue A hike in Topes de Collantes

Former sugar production - one of the most important in the area - now a days less important but not less impressive !

Walk up north of the town and watch the sun set over the sea. It is beautiful. (Will add a pic soon)