A different, unknown Cuba. Trip to one of the major islands of the Caribbeans

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January 5 Varadero - Havana - Pinar del Rio
Morning at the beach in Varadero, among hordes of Canadians. Showered and departed for that of Havana along the Carretera blanca. And then go through Matanzas Playa del Este. Inquest area emerge from all parts of the wells for the extraction of natural gas and air is still not very healthy, we reach the outskirts of Havana and through the tunnel we are in the center stop on the Malecon for a pizza not bad.
Let Anna and Cesar on the door of Nacional, their flight is scheduled in the evening. Photos farewell and we relaunch the west. Next goal Pinar del Rio. Pinar reach toward late afternoon, the casa particular "Mars 51" unfortunately is already occupied, we still look at the private library of family with a series of travel books and travel diaries of the father of the owner. We just have to find another place, after visiting a couple of houses we adapt the Dra Mayda Martinez Rodrigues, a bedroom with bathroom and kitchen on the roof of their home. Not very clean but for a night can go. Dinner at a restaurant on Colon (terrace on the first floor). It's Saturday night and the streets of Pinar are crammed with people, live bands and recorded music in every corner.

January 6 Pinar del Rio - Maria La Gorda
Let Pinar and immerse ourselves in the countryside of Cuba, tobacco plantations, work in the fields with oxen and the inevitable public transport pulled by horses. Isabel Rubio to be done because at the full service station Sandino not always found fuel. With the full Maria La Gorda is reached and can be done easily around the peninsula of Guanahacabibes.
We continue in the direction of Maria La Gorda, villages are becoming increasingly rare, and the road a thin line of vegetation. We make our entrance into the natural park of Guanahacabibes. This park is one of the 6 areas of Cuba regards biosphere reserves. A la Bajada turn left direction Maria La Gorda. The route follows an endless white sandy beach and rich coral. The Caribbean Sea is manifested in shades postcard. Hotel Maria La Gorda Gaviota group has for the moment the only possibility to stay overnight in this area still untapped, but that turns out to be a paradise for snorkeling and diving. The dive center is well equipped and with a minimum 2 dives per day with a variety of choice of over 20 points of interest. The rooms are located directly on the beach, the only sore point of the annoying gnats at the hour of sunset do not give a truce and whose signs of bites we'll take up in Italy.
Diposnibili hotel are 2 restaurants (one à la carte and a buffet) and a small bar.

January 7: Maria La Gorda - Parque Natural de Guanahacabibes
Morning at the beach, a little after lunch and snorkeling trip on the peninsula of Guanahacabibes, about 60 km of dirt road to reach the boss Santo Antonio, the most western tip of Cuba this area is even nastier than Maria La Gorda and dense vegetation The only tourist facility and the Hotel Cabo de Santo Antonio, 3 km after the lighthouse and 4 km before the Navy Gaviota. The flies here are even more evil and aggressive after 16, it is impossible to stay on the beach. Inside the water barracuda hovering a few inches from shore. Mojito and a way back to Maria La Gorda.

January 8: Maria La Gorda - Havana
Morning at the beach, lunch and return to Havana. The draft will be for the next.
Staying in the Vedado neighborhood in Havana by Mrs. Carmen Fernandez Armas, Calle 18 No. 113 between 11 and 13, tel 537 831 2761, very cozy home with a quiet inner garden. He could miss the mojito at Bodeguita del Medio, the most expensive ever, but without doubt the best mojito in Cuba, a short walk from Bodeguita we have dinner at restaurant "El Patio" in Cathedral Square. A very romantic restaurant, we laid on the central balcony of the first floor overlooking the movement of the square below.
Today is also the anniversary of Che and Fidel in Havana and the evening continues with a show of fireworks on the Malecon.
It's the last night in Cuba and we can not lose sight of the Tropicana, the most famous Cuban Nightclub Admission is about 80 CUC per person inclusive of snacks, 1 bottle of rum, a champagne and more. Numbers of good level, but overall perhaps a little disappointing.

January 9th Havana
Day in Havana, back over the streets of Havana Vieja, the most recent purchases in the marketplace fortaleza real, skewer the shrimp, not the brewery la Muralla (too late) last ride Coco Taxi, preparing cases and running the airport. Iberia flight via Madrid to Milan.