We traveled an hour and half from Havana to this project that is 35 years old. The reforestation project was the result of a clear cutting of 8 million trees 45 years ago. The project was started by bulldozing the hillside into terraces and planting 24 different species, Some are banana trees, mahogany, coffee, and lots of vegetables.
There are 270 families that live here. A school was built in 1971 for 270 children that are k-8th grade.
The tax rate is 35% in Cuba but here they pay 65%. The reason being that they feel they can help now and get help when needed. That doesn't make sense to me to pay more but then again I hate paying taxes in the first place........
Our guide also told us that the internet has only been here for 1 year. They have TV but only 6 stations: 1 sport, 1 News, 1 Music, 1 culture, and 2 entertainment.
The kids on our trip were really feeling the pain of not having internet. They had to buy a card and hope that somewhere they could connect to an open server. On the corners were lots of people hanging around connected to hotel wi-fi.
We are waiting to be taken to the co-op community.
Our tour guide for the community welcomes us all in song and dance. He is 2nd generation here and is very proud of it.
Above shows the land that had been stripped and how the terracing has begun. Below shows the community as it is today. As the forest grows, it is thinned and the wood is sold. They also sell their crops.
They have every thing they need here including the health care. I took this picture because the nurse caught my eye. When was the last time you saw a nurse with her cap on?
We stopped at some artists' studios and bought many gifts to bring home.
This picture of the palm tree (there are two trees in the picture) is on its way to California for a price of $10,000.
On our way to lunch.
We decided to try the zip lining. Over we went on 5 different lines. The zip lines came about from a survey that is given to visitors asking for suggestions. This came as result of a Costa Rican's suggestion.
Here we go!
We have survived the zip line and the espresso. They have done a wonderful job bringing this area back to a thriving community.
The old folks of the group having a great time.
We are on our way and can see these mountains in the background. I didn't really think we would see these 5.000 footers.
Our next venture of a hotel. We will have been in 11 hotels by the end of the trip but only staying in 7 of them! Hotel de Pinar del Rio.
We got to experience disco night with our guide and his family. The kids had come knocking on my door to go out. So I got dressed and went out. David was too tired and not feeling well still so we went and dragged Filiz out! We danced away...
Home sweet home. Ciao :)
Here we go!
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