Cuba Today: Cienfuegos

(Moorish architecture in a local restaurant by the bay)

What a unique experience to head to eastern Cuba, with a different environment of Zapata National Park. This is a wetlands with an amazing diversity of fauna and flora. We did bird watching while enjoying a chat with local guides.

Walking along the Bay of Pigs was overwhelming, especially since it is a coral reef that would destroy anybody, let alone an “invasion”. It is easy to see the reason for a complete failure.

Cienfuegos is beautiful, with neo-classical and colonial architecture around a square. The Tomas Terry Theater, Cathedral and Plaza Marti were quite enjoyable, as were the views from the Palacio de Valle.

What a treat to see the botanical gardens with an amazing guide, showing us more than 200 varieties of palms alone, besides hundreds of other tree species.

We were able to visit a “grandparents” home, a center where elderly congregate during the day to enjoy each others company.

The Graphic Society of Cienfuegos hosted many local artists, highlighting those that include children with disabilities

A few more local scenes for you:

This is Part 5 of a 6-part series. Links to the other parts can be found HERE