Just like human beings, every place has its secrets. And when talking about countries, we suddenly miss James Bond and all sorts of spy scenarios come to mind. Cuba’s best kept secrets include political intrigues, villages barely touched by time, culinary treats to die for… Since we don’t have access to political documents, we’ll stick to sharing amazing places and culinary secrets…
The road from Pinar del Río to La Bajada
Do you like the peaceful countryside air? Then you’ll love Cuba’s el campo, speckled with pretty villages, lush vegetation and farmsteads. If you stop anywhere, people will be happy to chat and show you around – you may even be invited in for a drink or something to eat, so make sure you have enough time to talk to the curious and friendly people you will meet off the trail.
Gardens of the Queen
Not far from the main island of Cuba, along a string of jewel-like keys called Gardens of the Queen, silvery fish zip past banks of coral studded with colorful starfish, sea fans, and sponges. To protect this vital diversity, Cuba has created the largest marine reserve in the Caribbean. Coral reefs are some of the richest ecosystems on Earth, and on many Caribbean coastlines, they are in danger of disappearing. But in this protected area in Cuba, the reef is wonderfully alive.
Baracao, Cuba’s oldest and most isolated town
According to LonelyPlanet.com, beguiling, outlandish and surreal, Baracoa’s essence is addictive. Baracoa is shrouded in mystical allure. You might wonder what exactly it is that makes it so special, but just glancing around is sure to make you fall in love with its natural beauty and its blissful silence might lull you into a rather pleasant trance.
The secret to the best Ropa Viaje
Ropa vieja is possibly one of the most recognized Cuban recipes throughout the world. This dish is, apparently, an inheritance of the peninsular culture of the Spanish Canary Islands. The dish consists of previously boiled and shredded meat, cooked in a sauce with onion, bell peppers, bay leaves, and cumin, among other ingredients. But do you know what the secret to the best ropa viaje is? You need to stew the meat in a good bean broth; this will give you a very special result. We found out about this secret from Chefspencil.com.
Feeling happy
Who would have thought that Cubans have such a coveted secret? Well, they do. And as any research says, there is one characteristic which is the most prominent in happy people – strong social ties. The happiest people report having strong social support. We are not surprised. By taking a look at the stats about how often you send top ups to your family and friends back home and how often you call them, we understand your happiness and, if you agree, we will share this secret with the whole world. :)
