Timj

Geo: 23.1168, -82.3886After breakfast at the Sunset Restaurant we took a final peek at the beach then checked out and read our books whilst waiting for out taxi to Havana. The taxi turned up exactly on time. Edel, our driver had just driven the 5 hours to pick us up. He was a very talkative 29 year old dad of Brian aged 3. He chatted about the political status, the political characters and generally how poor the country and economy are. He described the inherent corruption that's part and parcel of their way of life. Both of his parents were vets but because it's a government profession they earned just 40cuc a month. Edel has a degree in economics but drives a taxi because he earns much more money Han he ever would in a 'professional' ... read more

Geo: 22.6481, -79.0214Another day, another blog similar (if not identical) to yesterday! Breakfast at the Sunset restaurant, which we've decided is our favourite place to eat as it is more of a light, open space than the other two, followed by a few hours on sunbeds looking out to sea. Two pina colada's served by the beach waiter today - it's a bit like the offer of a cuppa at home! Dinner at 18:30 followed by a coffee and more pina colada's. Five in total for Tim today. We waited for the evenings entertainment. It was a fire act followed by a group of dancing synchronised swimmer's....not seen that before.... read more

Geo: 22.6481, -79.0214Towels at dawn! Walking to breakfast we noticed all sunbeds were bagsied although there was nobody in sight. Breakfast was cheese omelette with hash browns and bacon. We fed ham to a stray ginger cat with a gammy eye before reading the sign requesting us not to feed the cats!We collected our swimming towels noting that no loungers had yet been occupied despite guest towels suggesting otherwise! Hence we headed for the beach where we found a sunbed under an umbrella and had the plan of staying there for a few hours. Waiters collected orders regularly for the beach bar; not something we're typically used to. At 13:30 we left the beach to have lunch at Sunset restaurant and made our way to reception to hand over our hire car. The driver would need ... read more

Geo: 21.8, -79.98A Lazy day in Trinidad town exploring. After breakfast we wandered into the main square, read our books and watched the world go by. We climbed the bell tower and visited the museum with exhibits dating back to the revolution, then on to the best coffee shop (according to Manuel) in Trinidad, Don Pepe's. later in the evening we went to La Botija, a really nice restaurant that used to be where slaves were kept in the 1800s. The walls were adorned with chains and other rather sinister equipment. The restaurant staff uniform was a slave outfit.... read more

Geo: 21.8, -79.98Breakfast at 8.30am. Freshly squeezed pineapple, coffee with hot milk. A plate of nicely presented fruit consisting of pineapple, grapefruit, guava, mango and papaya. All followed with toast, bread rolls and a cooked breakfast of bacon, eggs, cheese and sweet potato. We were stuffed!Just before we left we chatted with the people in the other rooms. They were Cubans who had escaped to the USA at the time of the revolution. They had brought their children who were visiting for the first time. It was pretty emotional for the mother. The father was still in the US. He couldn't bring himself to return.We set off for Trinidad. A much shorter journey then the day before. We detoured to El Nicho. A set of waterfalls in the mountains. It was an amazing drive through the ... read more