Cuban fun...bit of an odd one!

[charly77]

Can't believe it's our last full day...

Up early as we're going on a jeep safari today! Breakfast at buffet as it's easier and I love the choice of fresh fruit

We were picked up at 8.30 in a Suzuki jimmy. .

Our driver was called Juan who was an intriguing character. He was an informative guide and gave us a detailed tour between Jibacoa and Manzatas

We visited Bellamar caves first, our entrance costs (5CUC) were covered but we had to pay an extra 5CUC to use a camera... The cave was beautiful and breathtaking though it was a shame damage was caused to the natural beauty due to people touching/breaking the crystals previously. We went on a guided tour which took around 45 minutes. We almost got lost as we by accident tagged onto an earlier tour

From here we were meant to go on a speedboat but there wasn't any available so we headed to the saturno cave (5CUC entry which was again covered), this was amazing as it had natural fresh water to swim in. It went from 1m deep to 22m! DH swam, I did not.

He said it was very cold but beautiful. We grabbed a drink after which was very pricey. I used the loo but it cost if you wanted loo paper! Glad I had a pack of tissues

We were starting to get hungry but had to go to the speed boats first. We arrived around 1.30/2 and we had to drive the boats! Was quite daunting but we managed it! We were then given a show, not really sure what it was about but think it was another gimmick to earn tips...

From here we drove to a range for lunch, was quite a way out so arrived about 3.30pm by this time everyone was starving! Food was very nice and plentiful. There was soup/bread, pork dishes, rice and salad. Fresh fruit for pud.

Did you know it takes each plant 9 months to grow a pineapple!

From here we had a tour around the range, all a bit strange... A man with a sedated crocodile which upset me. Then a strange man trying to sell us cigars?! A bit weird. We could go on a horse ride but I was the only one in my group who wanted to go so I gave it a miss.

The sky was going very dark and there was lightening striking so I didn't fancy being on my own out there! By now I was getting quite tired but yet the guide wanted to take us on a surprise... I just wanted to go back to the hotel for a shower!

He took us to some guys house who's apparently a famous sports commentator? It was all a bit odd. This guy had lots of mango trees but lots of animals and birds in cages? I will say I didn't really like how Cubans treated animals, I know it's their country and rules but it made me feel very uncomfortable and upset.

We did sample fresh mango, bananas and honeycomb which was delicious. I also bought some jewellery made from seeds that this guys mum made. We eventually left after a very awkward visit, I think the rest of our group felt the same. On the way back we did a little bit of off-roading but it wasn't overly exciting. I was glad to get back to the hotel. We paid 218 CUC for this trip which I felt to be very overpriced for what we actually experienced.

We dropped our stuff off at room, grabbed towels and went to the pool. I went to cool off but the water was so hot it was like having a bath

We showered/changed ready for our last meal at Martinos.
It was our lovely waiter and waitress from before so that was nice. I had salmon, shrimp bisque, chateaux briand, ice cream. DH had terrine, shrimp bisque, briand and ice cream. We drank red wine. The Piano guy from the Piano Bar was playing in there which was nice.

We headed to the Piano Bar from here which was a bit disappointing tonight. Kept getting power cuts, no music on, Bar girls were a bit grumpy and not many customers... we made the best of it and drank our way through the cocktail list It did get busier and we chatted to other people as you do when you drink...

From here we went to the 'club' onsite...not really sure what we were thinking but with no aircon we didn't stay long!

Have no idea what time we got to bed...

[Melbatb]

What a shame about the tour - I would have been disappointed too.

Sounds like a good night though all things considered - lots of 🍹🍸🥂🍻

[charly77]

Yes! Funnily enough DH had another night like that on Saturday...some people never learn