The Spanish brought sugar cane to Cuba in 1512, and the industry quickly became pivotal in Trinidad's growth. Indeed, Cuba was the world's leading sugar producer in the 18th and 19th centuries. As throughout the Caribbean, the plantations and mills had to be worked by imported slaves, because the Spanish conquerors had managed to all but exterminate the native population.
A view over the incredibly beautiful Valley of the Sugar Mills.
Part of our group bussed out to one of the sugar mill ruins in the (also UNESCO Heritage Listed) Valley of the Sugar Mills, Valle de los Ingenios. As in other plantations, all we really saw was what remained of the master's house. In this case, it was mostly empty, but in reasonable condition with the frescos faded but still readily visible on the walls. The outside had been restored and painted, and looked very good. This house was said to be unique because it incorporated a chapel.
The very tidy front view of the single storied plantation house in the Valle de los Ingenios.
Reasonably well preserved main reception room of the plantation house.
Part of the "show" here was a demonstration of sugar cane cutting and processing. At the end, we were able to sample a drink of fresh cane juice liberally dosed with a slug of rum. This put us in a good mood for our journey back to the Pano Rama II.
Our bus driver and the bartender watch the sugar cane demonstration.
The parrot preferred this bicycle rim to any tree.
Ralph Lee Hopkins, National Geographic photographer, at work.
Picturesque rural cottage on the sugar mill estate.
An assistant at the sugar mill wanted to show us this Robust Coffee tree.
Political and revolutionary posters and billboards abound in Cuba. (Ralph Lee Hopkins)
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