Trinidad

Ancon beach was beautiful but unfortunately crowded by all the all inclusive tourists staying at the local resorts. We found a more secluded spot far away from the noise, and the carrot oil. Instead we had a quiet day enjoying watching the locals playing near by.

After some hours of sun and fun at the beach, and another ham and cheese sandwich we headed into town to find accommodation. We had already been given a card of where to stay, so we headed down and around until we had figured out all the one way street system, until we found the house, or so we thought. The address was right, and the number should have made it that one, which was a burnt down house in the middle of town. Thankfully the street numbers in Cuba have no logic, so after asking around we found the one. Sebastian and I walked inside to have a look, and it was gorgeous. An old colonial house with wooden furniture from another time, that gave the pace so much ambiance and grandeur. Unfortunately after falling in love with this place she told us it was all booked but that she would help us to find another room in a similar house

Sebastian told the guys how wonderful the house had been and we all felt a little disappointed. I went in to see the next house by myself, and it was just as nice if not nicer, and just to surprise the boys in a positive way, I told them it was ok! I said that it was not that nice, but that it would make do for one night! The boys looked shattered, but as soon as they walked into the house they were left with their jaws dropping to the floor.

We walked into an open patio surrounded by two colonial houses in very good shape. The bedroom each had one double and one single bed, and an on suite bathroom. The patio was full of flowers and even a breakfast/barbecue area with a little bar!

We settled into our rooms with e and Tobias taking terns for the big bed! After a shower, we found a restaurant to eat it, and then headed for the old ruins in town where they have live music and performances of all sorts. As we sat there just enjoying the feel of the place Sebastian got pulled up on stage to be a part of the show! He looked horrified! After the show we headed up the hill for the Casa de la Musica (house of the music), to watch more live music, and to watch people dance the nights away. We started off on a table in the back, but slowly moved our way to the front where we had an excellent view of all the wonderful dancers both locals and tourists.

The night was filled with jokes, laughter and lots of talking, and I have to admit that Sebastian’s English becomes almost perfect when he has had a couple of drinks. He will normally refrain from talking too much when sober, but as soon as Rum has greased his throat, he will happily chat to anyone in English, and make some perfect sentences too. He even makes jokes in English at late nights, and that is impressive.

After a good night out, we headed back to out luxury casa particular for a last drink, and some chatter. 2 hours later with Howie falling asleep on the sofa with the beer bottle firmly placed in his hand it was time to get to bed to be ready for out big tour up the mountain to the waterfall the next day.

The next morning we enjoyed a lovely long breakfast on the patio with fresh juice, warm bread, plates of fruit, egg, ham and cheese. After a hearty breakfast we got ready to head out for the day. Unfortunately we also had to leave the house and go to another one, as this luxury home had been precooked for the night we dropped of all our backpacks at out new home for the night and headed for the mountains.

It was a steep drive, but a wonderful view of the coastline emerged the further up we climbed in the car. When we finally arrived we hopped out of the car and headed into the sinkhole to find the Caburni waterfall located in the Topes de Collantes area. We walked for half an hour when we finally arrived at this huge river/waterfall that curled its way won the mountain side. It was a stunning view. The boys were eager to get into the cold lagoon below it, and as I already had a cold I refrained, but I did however make some photos of the boys instead. The water must have been really cold though, as they only stayed in for a few moments before it was time to head back up the trail. It was a steep trail so we used about an hour climbing back up, but it was so great using some energy, and feeling my body use it muscles again.

It felt so great to get in the shower after this exhausting day! We all got ready to go for dinner and we found a lovely Paladar called Sol y Luna in middle of town. It was a great house with plenty of ambiance and style and with super friendly staff. I was starving after the outing, so I went all out and ordered a 3 course meal and some wine. After dinner we headed for the famous cave disco which is an actual disco inside a cave. We thought it would be really close by, so we started walking through town, and into some dark and dodgy streets, the up and across the old church before rounding the corner and finding the cave. The steps were steep and the air was musky, but it was a beautiful idea. Just a shame there was hardly any people inside, and although we got told it would pack out later, we waited but no one came. It was also strange how it was only tourists there, which meant almost no dancing at all, and everyone just sitting around the dance floor looking at each other not daring to make the first move.

I had some eye candy, so I was quite happy to just sit there. The Cubans have this amazing physique, and they don’t even seem t work out for it. Their bodies are ripped with muscles, and they are lean at the same time, so I am curious to know whether it is in the genes, or whether it is just because they actively use their bodies. No matter what the reason for it is, it is truly amazing to see them dance, or move at all, with such graze!

When we had finished our free drinks we headed for home finding an old Ford (I think) to drive us back into town. Sebastian snatched the front seat and was ecstatic. He looked like a little child who had just opened a present containing exactly what he wanted! Well in all honesty I think we were all a bit excited to be sitting in this car that is the icon of the Cuban society. We all enjoyed the moment, and I asked the driver if he would mind if Sebastian sat in the driver’s seat so we could shoot some pictures of him. He said no problem, and the photo session began, lasting for approximately half an hour. We were all like children in a candy store, but the driver understandably enough was getting rather impatient, and wanted to go on his way to earn some more money bringing the tourist safely home. We thanked him for his time, and parted! When we got back to the house I was feeling shattered so I went straight to bed, but the boys all enjoyed the famous “one last beer” and a cigar on the patio of our new house before finding their beds.

Trinidad was such a nice breath of fresh air without all the begging, and all the people latching onto you wanting to be your friend for anything but pure reasons. It is such a lovely colonial town with all its colourful colonial houses and cobbled streets surrounded by mountains on the north side, and sea on the other. The town gives a chilled vibe, and it my favourite town so far!

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