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Published: March 3rd 2018
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Today’s challenge was the transfer between cities. We had to be at the Viazul bus station at 10.15 to catch the bus to Trinidad at 10.45. We were up early to pack and get some breakfast. I had suggested we get up at 6.30 to give ourselves plenty of time. However, we were showered, packed and ready to go by eight which gave us a little to much time. Just before nine we made our way down to a nearby café we thought would be open (and it was) for breakfast. It was a good thing that we were there early because the simple matter of getting coffee and some eggs on toast took nearly an hour the service was so slow. Service in Havana is not consistent. Sometimes you get prompt efficient service, the next day in the same café it is so slow you could starve to death waiting to order.
So we make our way to the bus station at our allotted time. Actually we were about 5 minutes late and probably 15 minutes late by the time we worked out where we were supposed to be and checked in etc. Not that it mattered because our
bus didn’t actually turn up until 11.45. We saw about half a dozen buses come and go in the time we were waiting. None of them clearly marked so many questions were asked, well only one really…Is that the bus to Trinidad? No, OK. Is that the bus to Trinidad? No, sigh. When our bus finally arrived I’ve never been so excited to see a dodgy old made in China bus in my life. It was 12.15 by the time the 10.45 bus pulled out of the Havana station.
There were many interesting sights to see on the road to Cuba. A few that rate a mention include
• A whole family, cruising down the freeway on the back of flatbed truck
• Two guys sitting on a couch on the back of a truck, cruising down the freeway
• A small truck with covered tray, woman in back with baby in a stroller. Baby seats are important
• Hitchhikers waiting under the shade of every overpass
• Our bus driver stopping the bus to have a chat with a driver going the opposite way
• Closer to Cienfuego – horse and carts everywhere
• Our driver stopping the bus just outside
of Trinidad, so the conductor could have a chat with a friend
The bus finally pulled into Trinidad around 6pm which was only an hour late so we made good time despite the late start. We had one stop along the way for lunch, but they weren’t that good at announcing it. We asked how long the stop was for and four te five minutes. Now is that 4 to 5 minutes or 45 minutes? That’s was anyone’s guess. It was half an hour. Time is not linear here.
When we arrived in Trinidad the bus pulled into the yard. We collected our bags and headed for our accommodation. They had roped off the end of the yard and we had to make our way through a line of locals screaming, “taxi, you need a taxi?” this is why they rope off the yard. Our casa was allegedly one street down and three across. Simple. So of course we went the wrong way
Went wrong way to our Casa. Senora doesn’t speak much English. A few words. Senor speaks a few more. But they had beer and water in the fridge for us. BNB is awesome. Good shower pressure
Went out for dinner. Senora walked us to a family restaurant. Food was awesome. Little guitarist Pimpo, very excited that I was from Australia. His daughter lives in Townsville. Showed us clippings from Newspaper when he was there and signed certificate from Little Johnny
Josephine was grumpy. We walked home, found a place to buy cigs. Once home she had a cigarette, a beer and a shower. Mood improved considerably. Or maybe it was we realised the beds are soft and the pillows are firm. Yaaay.
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