Today we have a day trip to Vinales. A pretty touristy town which is situated within a lush landscape punctuated by spectacular limestone cliffs and rock formations. It’s about a 2-3 hour drive from Havana and after a couple of hours we stop for a welcome comfort break.

As I walk to the cafe an old tractor catches my eye and I stop to see if I can be creative with it. It was parked awkwardly and I couldn’t get the perspective I wanted so that was a little frustrating.

However, I was not disappointed for long as a man was making seats out of palm trunks and was very willing to let me take pictures of him. He adopted various poses and in the end I think I nailed one of the best portrait shots I have ever taken.

We continued to Vinales where we stopped on a hilltop. We walked up the hill past pretty little houses and where wild flowers grow in abundance….

and were treated to some spectacular views.

Lunch is at an organic farm overlooking the Silencio valley. Lunch is hearty and the welcome cocktail is extremely tasty. Turkey vultures hang on the thermals very close to the restaurant and I wish I had brought my long lens to Cuba. There are some great bird in flight shots if only I had the right equipment!

After lunch we go for a nice long walk in the valley. I actually thought my feet and legs might get a rest today but I should have known better. This is a beautiful rustic community and I feel as if I have travelled back in time. The countryside is lush and green and the main mode of transport is by horse or bike.

We watch a delivery of rice, sugar and canned food and are shown a local’s ration book. Basic commodities are often hard to come by in Cuba and it makes us appreciate how fortunate we are in the UK.

The scenery along our walk is beautiful.

Vinales and the surrounding area suffered badly from the recent hurricane Ian and we saw evidence of that on our walk. People were still living in the badly listing house below.

We visit a tobacco plantation, where we see the drying houses and again are shown how the cigars are made. The owner and his dog greet us. The light is perfect as he stands in the doorway.

We go to the drying shed and his son stands smoking cigars and posing for us. He is very easy on the eye but I am being professional and totally focussing on the sunlight playing through the cigar smoke.

The light inside the drying shed is difficult but I am pleased with this silhouette in the doorway. It could be straight out of an American western. How ironic.

The day ends with sunset shots back at Vinales. I really struggled with this. The sun was behind us and I felt completely uninspired. We were meant to be taking landscapes today and I feel I have not met the brief at all. I have however taken some great portraits!