ABANDONED sugar plantations and heat-drenched rainforests will be the backdrop for a Warley man's latest fundraising trip.
Barry Ford has been walking up to 15 miles a week to prepare for his 100km trek across the Caribbean island of Cuba.
The 63-year-old will fly out to the communist state on March 2 for the challenge, which will start in Hanabanilla and finish five days later in Trinidad, a UNESCO world heritage site.
Mr Ford, a member of Brentwood Breakfast Rotary Club, will be raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support, in memory of his wife Hazel who died of myeloma in 2008.
In the past he has trekked in the Alps, China and Jordan in support of a range of charities.
For his latest venture, Mr Ford will walk through rainforests, coffee and sugar plantations and even subterranean rivers.
The semi-retired insurance broker, of The Galleries, in Pastoral Way, said: "These walking trips can be really hard work – I've been walking between 10 and 15 miles each week just to keep fit.
"The last thing anyone wants is to have to drop out because you are not fit enough – and the fitter you are the more you can get out of the trip.
"You want to be able to keep up with the pace."
Mr Ford said he is particularly looking forward to experiencing Cuba before capitalism changes it forever. "Right now is the last chance people can see the old influences of communism before capitalism becomes too widespread," he said.
"Although there is a small amount of capitalism coming through at the moment that is likely to increase.
"But there is still a lot of poverty in the countryside where a lot of people still live hand to mouth.
"The best time to go is now when there is still a remnant of the old regime in place."
He added: "I'm hoping to be able to squeeze some of Havana in."
To date, Mr Ford's wandering exploits have helped to raise £20,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support, Myeloma UK and the Alzheimer's Society.
To help fund his trip to Cuba, he has organised a quiz night at the community hall at Brentwood Cathedral at 7.30pm on April 20.
To sponsor him visit www.justgiving.com/barry-ford-cuba2013