http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Cuba/Centro/Trinidad/ Travel adventures in journals and photos from Central America Caribbean , Cuba , Centro , Trinidad en-us Thu, 23 May 2013 18:13:09 +0000 Thu, 23 May 2013 18:13:09 +0000 We were pressured into breakfast at Miriam39s on our last morning which we cannot say we regretted. For 4 each we had a feast of fruits yoghurt breads omelettes ham and cheese rolls fresh guava smoothies and hot chocolates and coffees with biscuits. All cooked by Miriam and Linda. We were absolutely fullWe payed Miriam and gave her and Linda a koala and kangaroo little plush toy and sma http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Cuba/Centro/Trinidad/blog-783595.html It was a long and smelly 7 hour bus trip from Veradero to Trinidad. We had gotten slight food poisoning from a cheap local place we had eaten the day before and thought it wise I sit near the back of the bus for a quick dash to the toilet. What we didn39t consider was the smell. The whole back of the bus absolutely reeked more so when people would open and close the toilet door. We were 3 ho http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Cuba/Centro/Trinidad/blog-783290.html ltstrong stylemsobidifontweight normalgtltem stylemsobidifontstyle normalgtDay 457 Thursday 10th January Today Mario and Mercedes from our Casa put on another great spread for breakfast before we started into our packing. Our bus wasnt till 11am so we had plenty of time to get ourselves sorted and pay our bill. At 10.30 Mario told us his son couldnt drive us down to w http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Cuba/Centro/Trinidad/blog-769492.html Exploring Trinidad a stop over in Cammaguay and on to Santiago de CubaLeaving behind a vibrant city like Havana was sad and inevitable but nonetheless we picked up our little Kia rental car and made our way south and east. Driving in this island nation isnt challenging from automobile traffic standpoint but rather from keeping an eye on everything else like horse carts hitchhikers pot ho http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Cuba/Centro/Trinidad/blog-769296.html A short blog just to wish you a happy newyear and to inform you that everything is perfect here in Cuba. Stories and pictures will follow later when we are heading to Costa Rica half of january as internet is rare and expensive here and you have to queu to use it. Short first conclusion Cuba is great http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Cuba/Centro/Trinidad/blog-763892.html The Quiet Charm of TrinidadThere is nothing better than exploring. There is nothing similar to the feeling of being taken by surprise. There is nothing more special than a place which challenges your expectations puts you completely out of your comfort zone and then finally hands you your rewards on a silver platter. I had been in Cuba for 4 days and was yet to experience a major culture shock. http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Cuba/Centro/Trinidad/blog-745586.html There39s a thinly veiled hint of self centredness at the root of many visitors motives for jetting into Cuba and we joined that queue. On the wrong end of US inflicted trade embargoes for over 50 years Cuba39s improvised methods to survive in the face of financial adversity are a surreptitious part of the attraction to this most individual of countries. Would Cuba still pique the senses to http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Cuba/Centro/Trinidad/blog-713136.html We got up early this morning and enjoyed some nice breakfast. It was great to wake up in a hotel in the middle of a forest opening the window and seeing the beautiful flowers and plants. And we learned why it is called rainforest. On our way down from the mountains the weather got better and the sun was actually coming out. We arrived in Trinidad before noon. Trinidad is UNESCO world heritage an http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Cuba/Centro/Trinidad/blog-676291.html Cubaby RachaelArriving in HavanaWe had visions of scary immigration control upon arriving in Cuba but as usual with most things on this trip it was a lot less daunting in reality. However we did have a bit of drama upon leaving the airport we had booked into a hostel and were quite perturbed when none of the taxi drivers or any locals had heard of it...finally we were taken to a random house http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Cuba/Centro/Trinidad/blog-612083.html TrinidadThe town of Trinidad on the South Coast is an old colonial town. Again a lot of work has been done in cooperation with Unesco in restoring some of the older buildings and this has helped to boost the tourist trade. Trinidad seems to be a popular destination with the tourists and I guess because it is so much smaller than Havana and because the tourists are concentrated in to a smaller http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Cuba/Centro/Trinidad/blog-594174.html Next morning we had to get up super early to have breakfast as our bus left at 7am. We left as the sun was risng. The bus to trinidad took all day we arrived at about 4 the timetable says arrival at 2 but we were late. We stopped at a few places on the way for food and bathrooms. The casa in Viales had organised a casa in Trinidad for us and they were waiting for us with a sign once more http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Cuba/Centro/Trinidad/blog-585748.html Cuba surprises on occasions frustrates and sometimes just completely takes your breath away. After Vinales we spent a week in the beautiful colonial city of Trinidad located on Cubas southern Caribbean coast. It is stunning cobblestone streets both restored and crumbling stone houses and of course a beautiful stretch of Caribbean beach. It was once a wealthy Spanish town built on s http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Cuba/Centro/Trinidad/blog-563004.html People we have talked to tend not to rave about Cuba. Interesting and nice sums it up. Some of those who take tours seem not to get out and and about too much and there is sometimes a feeling that there are barriers between foreigners and tourists. After a week here we can understand the reactions we have seen and heard. Luckily for us though we are coming to a different conclusion. Not sure what http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Cuba/Centro/Trinidad/blog-562835.html Its challenging to describe Trinidad and not come across as an insensitive person but I guess the most effective way of stating them is to elaborate our experience as truthful as we can.After spending most of our time in allinclusive areas we set our sights on Trinidad situated East of Varadero and Habana. We knew little of it nor have a clue whats it known for. All we banked on is the http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Cuba/Centro/Trinidad/blog-554939.html Hello again beste lezerondertussen zitten we in Trinidad Dit is een prachtige koloniale stat die in veel betere staat verkeert dan Havana.Mooie huizen met hoge plafonds en prachtige inrichting luchters 18de eeuwse zitbanken pianos ... echt heel mooiNu we dit gezien hebben beslissen we om ook hier 2 nachten te blijven en pas morgen ochtend door te reizen naar Camaguey.Alweer een heel gezell http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Cuba/Centro/Trinidad/blog-507378.html Question Where in the world can you visit a beautiful early 19th Century Italian styled theatre recently restored by UNECSO where you expect to buy paraphernalia about the building in its lobby and find only books on revolution posters about revolution pictures about revolution postcards showing revolutionary figures and revolutionary music. Not a theatre program in sight Answer Only in http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Cuba/Centro/Trinidad/blog-489079.html Videos se trouvent sur un lien au milieu de photos. For videos use the link below with the next photos.Le bus qui faisait Santiago Bayamo continuait jusqua Trinidad petite ville touristique ou lon devait se rendre. Un bicitaxi nous avait amene nos gros sacs a dos que lon avait laisses a Rebecca notre hote a Bayamo. Quelle organisation On arrive a Trinidad vers 6h30 du matin sans adres http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Cuba/Centro/Trinidad/blog-484278.html Photos by Berm Text by Alison After spending a few days back in Havana our plan was to head eastward along the island. The weather in Havana was much cooler than we had expected and we had heard from other travellers that it was warmer farther east along the island. That was all the encouragement that we needed to make our plans.We decided to head east in greater style than by the tourist buses http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Cuba/Centro/Trinidad/blog-479972.html Viva Trinidad. I can't tell you how excited I was to see this spectacular spot on the planet. UNESCO you rock. Keep up the good work. By far my favourite in Cuba so far Trinidad is amazing slightly more touristy but quite literally frozen in time for 50 years. There is a photo opportunity around every corner. Every dog has an attitude. Trinidad is the epitome of what I thought Cuba wou http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Cuba/Centro/Trinidad/blog-457545.html World Heritage SiteTrinidad a fine halfpreserved town on the south Cribbean coast. Not sure what I was expecting but this was a surprise small immensely peaceful and virtually no tourists...there are beautiful ornate Portuguesestyle houses surrounded by wroughtiron grilles sitting quietly on sunny empty streets. Walk past an open window and you'll see a stilllife an old rocker wood http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Cuba/Centro/Trinidad/blog-444183.html