On our first hike through the Mogotes, we passed by a farm where tobacco and Taro were being grown. The farmer was having a hard time keeping the pigs out of this Taro field.

As always in Cuba, he tried to sell us cigars, grapefruit or rum.

Vinales, Cuba. The beautiful valley of Vinales is surrounded by Mogotes, limestone hill shaped into sugar loafs by eons of erosion.

But it was all worth it, Monster Island was the best vacation I've ever had. Being able to walk up to a 20 foot high bug was just about the coolest thing in the world. I thought the giant ape and other "Monsters" on the island would be in cages, or inaccessible, but they are quite friendly and accessible.