Caves and Beach

Time for some exploration of the valley and the coast. Firstly to the cave Santo Tomas, a 46KM complex of caves. However, with the help of a guide, a helmet and a lamp you get only a glimpse of the numerous levels for a couple of hours. A long with the stalagmites and stalagmites of various forms there a number of creatures that live inside the cave, from bats to spiders and the odd owl pops in now and again to eat his lunch, the remains are a small pile of bones. Oh yes and according the humorous guide there is Fefe the cave monster for unruly cave dwellers. A pleasant, informative and funny trip.

With the assistance of yet another hitch hiker (or two) I then headed to the coast to Cayo Jutias. About an hours journey through undulating terrain and more dense tropical pines, palms, with the odd goat, pig and horse by the road side for good measure. Cayo Jutias is the type beach you see in all the Caribbean photographs. Long stretches of white sand turquoise shallow sea and lots of sunshine. Just magic, sat in the sun or going for a swim in the warm sea or a snorkel looking at all the fish swimming on the sea bed. It all had to be done. Wandering along its length with feet just in the water certainly relaxed me even more. Hardly anyone around so you almost had the place to yourself if wanted.

I am starting to get a glimpse of life for the everyday Cuban. Lack of available wealth is becoming apparent. Not a country with vast car ownership, long hitch hiking queues, trying to sell what you grow or what the state allows you to sell for yourself. Therefore, tourist provide a great source of income, in all forms, be tey hire cars accommodation or tips out and about (more of the latter tomorrow). Having chatted to a few fellow travels already it is apparent that the Casa Particular (B&B) are the best place to stop. The owners are constantly trying to out do each other with the quality and quantity of food. All that money you pay goes in at the local level helping to keep the small towns thriving. Long may it continue.