A necessary introduction
topes de collantes
the author and a map of the site
I am a teacher by training and in 1997 I graduated in Geography. For 30 years I taught this subject and, in spite of having other responsibilities, I am still linked to the Earth Sciences and Geography is part of them.
In this first publication the author will refer to a trip made with his wife and three other friends that became Nature Tourism and a verification of the natural beauty of the place visited.
The trip
my wife, her friend and the relief
As I expressed in the introductory part I served as a professor of Geography for 30 years and by medical prescription I had to leave teaching when I had to be operated on my vocal cords. In 2017 I started working at the Institute of Geology and Paleontology which is also the Geological Survey of Cuba.
Here I have completed my professional training and have been able to continue my teaching work, but from the research side.
Recently I was given a trip with the right to bring the family, but I was not really very enthusiastic. However, one day I came home and told my wife: tomorrow we are going to do Nature Tourism, she asked me what had changed and I told her the place where I was proposed to go.
The proposed vacation spot
the author and two adventurers
When I was told that I would go to Topes de Collantes my ears could not believe my ears and my soul experienced so much joy that I have decided to return as soon as the economic and logistical conditions allow it because it was a trip that provided knowledge, active rest, shared joys and deepening of friendship.
in love with love and nature
My wife, her cousin sister, her husband and a common friend participated in this experience: Five souls in search of rest and adventure.
Topes de Collantes
site view
When I taught Geography I was always passionate about all the subjects. I was passionate about all branches of this science, but the physical part fascinated me because I liked to explain the geographical situation of places, the characteristics of their coasts, the prevailing climate, the relationships established between the different components, the hydrography of the place, among other natural elements.
However, the forms of the relief trapped me because each mountainous formation, a plain or a plateau has its history. In this case I was being invited to the second most important mountain system in the country: The Guamuhaya Massif in central Cuba and among its various places of interest is Topes de Collantes which is a place with a pleasant climate, with cool temperatures throughout the year, with heights that exceed 1000 meters high and is one of the favorite places for nature tourism.
In Topes de Collantes there are special conditions for nature tourism, it is a mountain point in one of the most popular sporting events in Cuba: La Vuelta Ciclística a Cuba. It is also a place with a rich forest, incredible soils and varied flora and fauna.
The activities carried out
boat ride
Without trying to overwhelm anyone who might read this publication I can tell you that we did a variety of activities and if we did not do more it was because we are no longer the young people who once could climb the highest elevations of our country. In spite of the above we did some activities such as:
A final thought
the author taking pictures
I never thought that this place had the natural wonders that I explained several times to my junior high school students. I wish I had had the chance to explain the formation of the relief of this mountainous area in the very heart of Topes de Collantes.
It was six days that went like six hours because there was no time for rest. To live experiences like these is an injection of life and practices that human nature asks you to do.
Hopefully I can come back and tell you about the joys I will experience again.
Note: All photos were taken with my Samsung J2.
