Trinidad
Sophie and Ivan are with us when we find Trinidad 5 years after our first visit. The city has not changed... but there are many more tourists!
Sunday 30 April: Casilda / Trinidad
The Cayo Blanco marina, close to the hotel Ancon, is surrounded by mangrove and we get wet outside the small Bay to avoid having too many mosquitoes. It takes only a few minutes in the appendix to go to the dock of the marina and the entry formalities. 15 minutes later the border guard arrives by boat from the port of Casilda. Formalities are fast... but the marina guard asks us 3 CUC per person and per day to "cross" the marina! We ask explanations specifying that some guests dropped last week and have not paid... the guard not disassembles and Announces very seriously that it is applicable only from today!!! Philip asks us show an official document which would indicate the existence of this right of way... it loses us in lengthy explanations that we do not seek to understand and everything is forgotten!
The road leading to Trinidad is lined with panels to the effigy of Castro and Cuba currency. It's the weekend of May 1 and according to the taxi driver should not miss the parade.
Monday, may 1: Trinidad in party
Good morning, as we told the taxi driver, We are in the heart of the city, the Plaza Mayor is still deserted.
We move streets in streets who over time come to life,
with a constant parade of old cars that characterize so much Cuba!
In the tourist area, It's a different atmosphere, Bicycle taxis are waiting for tourists
new trendy restaurants and small shops have developed, even the Beatles are present in Cuba wouldn't it not change is in the air... but is it in the right direction?
We walked a lot and go back to the place where the 'famous' may 1 parade should take place. It's very hot, and stay a few moments in the shade before facing the crowd...
which is already assembled on the Cespedes Plaza, where the din of the music pulsed from giant speakers prevents us from talking. The atmosphere is at the party.
On-site food... and above all to drink. There are many who dance salsa with frenzy in front of the Orchestra to the popping sound.
Even the goats parade may 1 in Cuba! The heat becomes overwhelming, the world and the sound intensifies, We find shade time an ice cream, then decide to drink a coffee in the only air-conditioned hotel where we stay a few hours.
After a few hours spent in the hubbub, a little rest in the quiet done us good.
The bread we bought for the next morning does not last long.
We find ourselves a little energy and resume our market in the streets of Trinidad away from the tourist center to discover the façade of a church, to wonder how she manages to keep.
Since the morning we traveled every corner of Trinidad, that's around the place of the Casa of the Musica the nightlife begins. But before we take forces and find a quiet place.
A little well deserved Mojito awaits us with amazing views of the scene. The orchestra gives its instruments,
the first notes begin,
and already the regulars go with rhythm and grace, for some, in a step two. We just "tap" each foot to better appreciate the pace without really "dare" go on the dance floor!
After our second Mojito, except for Yvan that is the most reasonable of us , We are moving towards the restaurant floor y sound... that Sophie was spotted in the rough guide.
The boss warmly welcomes US in a perfect French. the former part of the restaurant and light music sung by a Quartet we like it.
The dishes are hearty refined and original like the pig in the coffee or the Ropa, traditional dish. A beautiful evening ends and the return is by taxi. Barely got off the car, the guardian of the marina we claim them 5 CUC for the tax stamp that must be affixed to the document of landing of Sophie and Yvan. This time we have the right account, We are in good standing!
Tuesday 2 May: Sophie and Ivan are leaving
The next day we help Sophie and Yvan until their "Casa Particular" in truck cab
A last trip to Trinidad to buy some vegetables and fruits. We're leaving Sophie and Yvan after spending some very good times together.
Immediately on board we raise the anchor to continue westward. Next step Cayo Largo...