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Yesterday, we checked out of our beautiful hotel and traveled east to Varadaro and points along the way, including beautiful Matanzas. Our first stop was at the Jardin Botanica Nacional. The most amazing greenhouses and 600 hectares of incredible plantings. There is a botanical garden for every province in Cuba and the people we met are completely invested in environmental education.

blue agave

"hairy old man" from Africa, I think.

They call this one "The Russian"
for obvious reasons

 We stopped by the highest bridge in Cuba for a "comfort stop" and were served what tasted like pina coladas in pineapples and offered the ubiquitous bottle of rum if we wanted to add Vitamin R.

Lunch was in an old hotel in Matanzas.

Hot today and no AC here but nice breezes. We've been so lucky with the weather this trip.

Jose Marti. His name is never said alone but always with Our National Hero, Jose Marti. The woman breaking the chains respresents Cuba.

Our next stop was the Triolet Pharmacy, a pharmacy frozen in time. Can't remember but I think it closed it's doors 1961 and I don't know how but it has not changed one bit since the day it closed. All of the tinctures and medicines and jars and bottles and equipment and cash register and telephone are just as they were left. Amazing.

Next we went to a book bindery which, I have to say, was lost on me. They do every book by hand, only 200 copies of each one, are even in our Library of Congress. But it kind of left me cold . . .

Now, our next stop to visit these artists was another matter completely. So fascinating and disturbing and beautiful. Lolo is a famous artist (whom I never heard of) and has pieces around the world. We met him and the rest of the gang in this 500 year old space he inherited from family. Here are some of the works on offer, a story behind every one. Really loved this stop.

Located on this waterfront. Zoiks!

Each head has a different take on a common idea.

The artist's version of Atlas.

Not sure about this one with the women's shoes on his head.

One of our group asked about this one. Lolo's answer? Garbage.

There were also some more traditional artwork including porcelain, tiles, drawings, paintings, pottery, etc.

Such talent. I was in awe. 

We drove another 30 minutes or so to Varadero, means shipyard, and got to our hotel around 6pm. A swim in the pool, an unpleasant encounter in an elevator, a buffet dinner with the group and off to bed.