Trinidad, cuba

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We had an enjoyable drive from Playa Giron to Trinidad through lots of lovely countryside and many sugar cane plantations. We saw many cattle egrets with horses and cows. There were people at the side of the road trying to sell an odd pineapple or a bunch of bananas. They would suddenly appear as our car was about to pass an isolated hut. There was hardly any traffic on the road except for horses and carts and farmers on horseback. Some labourers were spreading seeds on the road surfaces to allow them to dry out. The roads were very uneven with many potholes.

We enjoyed a big lunch of fish and rice at Rancho Luna. We finally arrived in Trinidad and there were many youths on bicycles trying to stop our car and direct us to their favourite casa particulares.

We were already booked in for 3 nights at Hostal Zamora with Tico and Martha.Our casa was very nice, super clean with a nice sized en suite bedroom. The owners were very friendly.

We had our first evening meal in Trinidad at El Colonial Restaurant. This was good but did not compare to our meal at the casa next evening where our hosts prepared a superb lobster meal for us.

Trinidad was amazing, a charming old colonial town with cobbled streets and well preserved colonial houses.

We visited Iglesia Parroquial de la Santisima built in the late 1800,s and the Iglesia y Conventa de San Francisco.

The highlight was the Palacio Brunet (Musee Romantico) with old furniture from the wealthiest local families.

At night we enjoyed some rum coctails and the afro carrribean music played by numerous bands at different venues in the town.

The next day I had a haircut for 5 cuban convertible pesos and we climbed up the hill to see the facade of the old Nuestra Senora de la Candelaria de la Popa Hermitage. This was very atmospheric but the structure is almost collapsed.

Our mountain drive to the "Topes de Collantes" was superb with wonderful scenery to the coastline. The very steep winding roads providing some great mountain views. Several cubans asked us for pens and one if we had any soap. The basic essentials we take for granted are not available in Cuba.

We ended our stay in Trinidad with 2 nights at the Iberostar Hotel. This was a great hotel and we could escape from the hustle and bustle of street life, the music and the heat into a peaceful haven. The service was excellent and the hotel had a very good restaurant. It was nice to have some comfort and luxury.

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Comments

[Michelle Cavanagh]

Travels to Trinidad
Looks fantastic! And you are right - most people don't realise how lucky they are with everything we all take for granted...indeed expect. Travel certainly makes you appreciate all that we've got. M xx