Posts Tagged ‘flowers’

Patrick

Caribbean Wallpaper Wednesday: Cuba, Castro, Orchids & The Dangers of Wanting Too Much

Cuba Orchids

Sometimes it’s possible to want something too much.
This was definitely the case when I was planning my next Uncommon Caribbean adventure. I had it in my mind that I’d finally visit Cuba and spend time in Havana, Trinidad, and climbing the three highest peaks on the island. This was inspired by a trip offered through KE Adventures — a company I’d used a few years ago to climb mountains in Morocco. The itinerary looked perfect. Hiking! Camping! Jungle! Beach! With excitement in my voice, I gave them a call. All was going well… Until I mentioned that a 6 month old infant would be one of my proposed adventurers.

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Patrick

Botanical Adventures in Cuba

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Sure, there are the classic 1950′s era American cars, the cigars, the beaches, and the music, but did you know Cuba (an island roughly the size of Pennsylvania) is also home to over 7,000 species of plants, half of which occur naturally nowhere else in the world? More intriguing, though, is that out of those 7,000 species, the island boasts 300+ species of orchid, some also native only to Cuba!
To hunt orchids in the wilds of Cuba, your best bet is to head to the eastern side of the island…oh, and to get a guide as there are a number of laws and local bits of information you’ll need to be aware of.

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