CUBA: Trinidad

Ha! And YOU thought I was done blathering about Cuba. No way. Though this will be the 8th post on my visit to “The Forbidden Land”, I still have plenty of pics and oodles of memories I haven’t shared here. So let’s get on with it shall we?

Playa Larga – a sleepy little beach haven – my favorite corner of Cuba.

When last we left off, I was blissfully wiggling my toes in the sands of Playa Larga (the infamous “Bay of Pigs”) along the southern Caribbean shores of Cuba. Indeed, I always deliberately leave my itinerary freely open as I skip around a new land, rarely making any advanced reservations – precisely so as to move about as swiftly or slowly as I choose. And while I’d originally thought but a night or two at Playa Larga would be plenty (as I’ve never been much of a “beach person”), after a third night I remained reluctant to peel myself away from that idyllic beach-side corner. Nonetheless, my remaining time in Cuba was swiftly running out, and I still wanted to check out…

Yes, Trinidad.

But, I already live in a “gorgeous colonial town”.

Interestingly, when I was researching my Cuba itinerary (a chore that I enjoy almost as much as my trips!), Trinidad was reported by many to be an absolute “must see” – a “gorgeous colonial town” chock full of charm. O.k. great, thought I, but as I gazed at online photos of Trinidad’s cobbled streets, I couldn’t help but think “But… I already live in a wondrously beautiful colonial town with spectacular cathedrals at every turn, and cobbled streets oozing with charm.” Could Trinidad possibly be better?

Hopping on a Playa Larga bus bound for Trinidad – less than 3 hours later, I had my answer.

The Iglesia y Convento de San Francisco

Um… nice enough, I suppose. Cobbled streets and brightly painted facades on the many tourist tiendas lining the central lanes, plus a single pretty, but alas a bit ordinary (sorry Trinidad, but compared to Cuenca, I can only be honest) iglesia in the center of the plaza.

Don’t get me wrong – definitely worth a visit, and – if you don’t happen to already live in a spectacular World Heritage site like me – I’m certain you’ll swoon at Trinidad’s many charms.

My hand crocheted souvenir scarf.

 
And I did find plenty to do there including grabbing a geocache (natch), (uncharacteristically) tossing down multiple icy mojitos every night at a tiny stand along the curb (I mean, at a mere $1 each for a cup of minty rum goodness – wouldn’t you?), buying a requisite souvenir scarf (hand crocheted in a riot of delicious color), and holding the hand of my travel chum from Playa Larga as she got her first ever tattoo.

Her first ever TATTOO!

My Scottish travel chum pawing through the geocache goodies.

I also snagged some great air-conditioned (of course) digs (negotiated) for $20/nt. including a humongous breakfast each morning on the rooftop patio. I should add – this, after first checking out a casa particular that my Scottish travel chum (who I’d met at Playa Larga) had arranged in advance (based on a year-old newspaper article).

Uh, what the newspaper dubbed a “charming” room turned out to be a dark, stuffy cubicle up a rickety staircase, with NO.AIR.CONDITIONING, on the opposite side of town, far from Trinidad’s main attractions, and MORE expensive than the digs I found on the fly, within 15 minutes of arrival.

In short: yet another example of “I wanna SEE where I’m going to sleep, before I commit to sleeping there, thankyouerymuch!” And while the place I found for myself didn’t have a 2nd room available, I was able (in less than another 5 minutes) to snag a fine room nearby for my travel chum.

My digs in Trinidad. This is what you get when you grab your accommodations on-the-fly.

And I enjoyed a full day choo-chooing my way into the countryside on the “Valle de los Ingenios” (Valley of the Sugar Mills) steam train:

Click on the bitty arrows icon on the lower right to view an enlarged slideshow.

And finally – a bountiful potpourri of pics I snapped as I wandered about Trinidad:

Click on any image to view an enlarged slideshow.

But as my Cuba departure flight loomed ever nearer, after 3 nights in Trinidad, I still had one more corner of Cuba up my sleeve. Nearby Playa Boca was said to be more off-the-beaten path (less touristy, more tranquil), plus I wanted to take a peek at the beach at Playa Ancón.

So stay tuned for (at least) one more tale here on my many adventures in Cuba.