In full colour — the start of summer at La Finquita del Arte
Published on HivePostify by @nanixxx · Wed Jul 22 2026
Not long ago I visited La Finquita del Arte in Playa Baracoa and joined a summer kick‑off activity. July marks the start of the school holidays until late August, and with them come scorching, suffocating days. Riding my bike through the city, I feel that searing vapour that makes you unbearably thirsty, sweating endlessly… That’s why an escape to the sea or the countryside, to reconnect with nature and enjoy the refreshing shade of the trees, is what we most often dream of in these months. Playa Baracoa, home to La Finquita, offers it all: beach, greenery, trails, and the chance to witness nature’s wonders and the wisdom of its patient creatures, whispering: ‘Slow down, be thankful, for we share this great home under a splendid blue sky that gives us what we need to live.’
I always put together a photo recap of my visits. I’ve shared a few black‑and‑white shots before , but this time I want to go further into the experience — and the photos arrive in full colour.
Mendiola, his wife and sons, together with those who work and collaborate there, are such excellent hosts that you feel at home as soon as you arrive. And there are always coconuts available — to drink their refreshing water and enjoy the juicy flesh. The coconuts are delicious… and that’s confirmed too by the hens, the puppies of Negra, the goats and the rabbits.
I slipped this photograph in to prove I was documenting nearly everything… On the hike to Laguna El Doctor, before the group descended that little hill, I asked them to pose for a collective shot. Naturally, I’ve already shared that photo with them as a memory.
Here we’ve got Elio— not only the one who gathers and prepares the coconuts, but also someone who relishes them, and charms us with his chats about the flora and fauna around here.
Through his knowledge we’ve learnt about the three mangrove species in the area — red, black and white (patabán).
Side by side they create a protective barrier against erosion and provide a haven for birds, whether resident or those stopping here for food and shelter on their migratory journeys. Mangroves also provide a habitat for fish and crustaceans. We saw plenty of crabs there and were already dreaming of a crab feast, haha… Beyond that, mangroves supply traditional resources such as wood, honey and tannins, they trap pollutants and sediments, and they cushion the force of waves and storms, protecting nearby communities.
As he spoke, I reflected on how vital it is for people to understand this, since ignorance often leads them to undervalue such places and exploit them without regard for the consequences.
The tree I’m showing you next was pointed out to me by @pinero. It is the Neem tree. He told me it was native to the Indian subcontinent and known as ‘the people’s pharmacy’, for it is famous for its medicinal, agricultural and environmental properties. Each of its parts — leaves, bark, seeds, fruits and oil — has therapeutic and practical uses.
Later on we spotted tamarind fruits, and Elio — who loves to leap up into trees — climbed up and shook it. A bunch of pods fell down and we all picked some to taste.
And well, I was regretting not having a macro lens for these beauties…
On our way back to La Finquita we were welcomed with a thick stew of root vegetables and meats that was finger‑licking good. Here we call it caldosa. We had seen the preparations from the moment we arrived — the chopping of all the ingredients. Then everything is brought together with a sofrito of spices and left to boil in a large pot over the strong embers of the firewood. In one or two hours it’s ready, and believe me, we all licked our fingers with that delight. By the way, Pinero described this day very well in a post entitled Love, Art, and Agroecology .
Music was naturally part of the day. I joined in with a few traditional songs while the duo entertained us, alongside Anita, the music instructor from the municipal Cultural Centre, whom I spotted guarding two cups of caldosa, haha… safely secured.
These days, the Instagram account of La Finquita de Arte is buzzing with activity. They’re posting volunteer calls and have already announced the Photo Safari scheduled for August. Here’s a reel I came across from that memorable day.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DawKwrHAbOZ/?igsh=MXhtMGQzOG5tN285
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Original content by @nanixxx. All rights reserved ©, 2026. Every image I include in my posts is mine. When it’s not, I credit the source in a caption.
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Tags: #visualshots#photography#nature#cuba