Seaboard Coast Line

Home > Model Trains HO Scale > Seaboard Coast Line

January 22nd, 2008 admin Leave a comment Go to comments

Towards The Small Islands Of The King’ S Gardens

Once in Caibarien you are ready to get into the labyrinth of small islands next to this village and enjoy one of the most captivating regions of the Caribbean. There is everything here, not only for sun, sand and beach lovers, but also for those who like diving, bird watching, trekking, caving, walking, horse back riding, sailing, fishing and other forms of enjoying these places. With so many natural wonders so well preserved, it is not strange that not the whole archipelago can be visited with tourist purposes.

That’s why you should be aware of the fact that, due to the great importance of the area for natural and conservationist purposes, several studies have been carried out by multidisciplinary teams, made up by specialists of different fields, in order to determine which of these areas can be exploited by the tourist industry, albeit environmental regulations and sustainability practices. In this regard, it should be noted that in Cuba, as well as in other countries, the areas of highly valued natural, biological resources and others, the criteria are prioritizing the preservation of their natural wealth over their economic utilization. These areas correspond to the four archipelagos, the coast line and the elevations in general.

The Cuban ministries that are responsible for watching after our nature preservation for its sustainable and rational use are: the Ministry of Tourism (Mintur), the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment (Citma), and the Ministry of Agriculture ( Minagri) in its Flora and Fauna Department.

After all this, you are ready for a journey towards the small islands. You take the “pedraplen” ( road built to connect the main island with keys and small islands)*, and drive across the Buenavista Bay ( do not forget to look at the map), going through small channels between the Cobos and Herradura Keys, known by the sea lovers as “ The White Rose of the King’ s Gardens”, due to the fine white sand beach of transparent quiet waters.

During the journey you can see the beauty of this infinite group of small keys in a deep blue sea, where there are flamingos and other birds, thanks to the fact that the already mentioned keys Herradura and Cobos are a fauna shelter where these birds live, as well as in the Maximo River located to the East of the main island.

For those who love birds there is another protected area thought of as a Fauna Shelter: Cayo Frances ( French Key), as well as the Western part of Santa Maria Key. Lodging in this area is possible either at Villa las Brujas Hotel located in Las Brujas Key ( Witches Key) or at the Occidental Ensenachos Hotel, situated in the key of the same name. Also in Santa Maria Key there is the Sol Cayo Santa Maria Hotel , the Melia Cayo Santa Maria Hotel and the Melia Las Dunas Hotel.

There is also a marina at Las Brujas Key, a sea sport center and an international airport; whereas in Santa Maria Key, besides the already mentioned cuba hotels, there is a sport center too. The beaches here are wonderful and of an excellent quality.

All the lovers of nature, as much of adventure tourism as of conventional tourism, people who travel through optional tours and those who travel on their own, people who stay in hotels and those who prefer other possibilities, can find an ideal place for their leisure. You could have several days in these places, it will be a marvelous experience, make up your mind!

Taking for granted that you enjoy your stay in the small islands, you should come back to Caibarien city through the same “pedraplen”. We suggest visiting the big islands to the East and to the West where there is also a lot of optional activities. To do so, it is necessary to take other “pedraplenes”, the first of them in Moron City, located in Ciego de Avila Province. The other one you can take at Nuevitas Port in Camaguey Province, as was explained in former articles. Let us talk now about the “pedraplenes” located near Moron.

To arrive there, the best choice is to take the same road that you have been using so far, next to the Northern coast. It crosses small towns and offers a nice view of the sea and some small islands. After traveling about 50 km, you arrive in Yaguajay village. We suggest visiting Caguanes National Park located in the North coast.

As we recommended in Elguea, it is always good to already have a cuba hotel reservation. In this case, to visit this Park you should make a reservation from Caibarien or from the islands during your stay, to the management of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment (located in Sancti Spiritus Province). It is also recommended to make a hotel reservation in San Jose del Lago Resort, we will explain why later on.

Once in Caguanes, you should devote part of the day to visit it. This Park is made up of part of the main island and some keys. Visiting it is very interesting and amusing for here you can make several tours such as bird watching, cave visits and enjoying wonderful seaboard landscapes.

By the time you finish your visit, it will be late and it is not advisable driving at night. So we suggest spending the night at San Jose del Lago Hotel in Mayajigua. The place is marvelous and very warming and has a well deserved fame. The hotel surroundings are excellent for nature lovers.

Looking at the map you will see that there are two choices for the next day: visiting Sancti Spiritus City, not far from the hotel, and one of the first seven villages founded by the Spanish, also a historical and architectural jewel with interesting churches and museums, or going directly to Moron City and continuing your trip towards the big islands of the King’ s Gardens.

We suggest going on with your trip to Moron and visiting Sancti Spiritus and Santa Clara later, on your way back along the South coast, when you can not only visit those cities but also the Valley of the Sugar Mills and Trinidad Village, Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Take a rest at San Jose del Lago and in our next issue go on an adventure to Moron, its locations and the big islands of the King’s Gardens. Wait for information about this, including what to see, how to make these tours and where to stay, not only to visit the islands and keys but the villages which are, in fact, part of the Cuban Nation.

About the Author

Martin Luis López is a Cuba hotels and cuba vacations specialist working with Umbrella Travel.

Seaboard Coast Line