 We started day nine with breakfast laid out by our hosts before meeting up with the rest of the group. First up on day’s agenda was taking a boat trip down the Rio Toa, reputedly one of Cuba’s wildest rivers (although it seemed rather tame where we were). Upon arriving and before making our voyage, we topped up on rum filled coconuts.
 We split up and boarded our row boats, three to a boat with one guide rowing. The journey downstream towards the sea was pleasant enough, and the surroundings were amazing, with views of various wildlife and the ever present flat-top mountain in the distance.
 The guides brought the boats onto a seemingly deserted beach that separated the river from the sea. Now it should be mentioned that one should never underestimate a Cuban peddler. Even though there was no apparent cover for half a mile in each direction, as soon as we got out of the boats, up popped a peddler selling the usual tourist paraphernalia such as maracas, lighters, sombreros etc. After escaping the peddler and strolling along the beach we headed back to the boats and returned upstream.
 Next up on the day's activities was a picnic at a remote location in the surrounding jungle, which required us wading through a river just to reach it. Arriving at the clearing there was already pig roasting away over a campfire under a makeshift wind shelter and a band setup in the corner (those guys seem to get everywhere). While we waited for the pig to cook we drank and made merry, the band playing in the background.
 While the food was pretty plain and simple with no frills, it was interestingly served in bamboo using a handily shaped hard leaves as spoons, which really gave that ‘at one with nature’ feel to the whole experience.
 After finishing the meal we joined in with the band for a good old sing-along to such Cuban greats as ‘Chan Chan’ and ‘Guantanamera’. And as the guitarist stopped for a rest, I got the chance to nab his guitar and try a few Rock classics for a while.
 We got back to town and as we had some time to ourselves for the rest of the afternoon, Matt and I explored the town, investigating some of the poorer areas, the town’s only star rated hotel and coming across a not quite so old ship wreck in one of the bays.
That night things started to get really interesting.
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Back to day 8 - La Farola |
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Forward to night 9 - Baracoa |
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