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I loved this place.This to me was the highlight of Cuba.This town was totally chilled out.It really was liking stepping back in time.Not many cars compared to the rest of Cuba - though they still had the beautiful vintage American beauties.The streets were cobbled and the kerbs were incredibly high.We got off the bus to be greeted by hoards of people trying to get us to go to Casas.We had already booked Casa Victor when they tried it on with me - I was ready.I told them I knew he wasn't full, closed or dead so buzz off.Despite being in English it still did the trick.
Victor met us and took us to his home.It was so lovely.It had a balcony overlooking the main street and a terrace with table, chairs and rocking chairs overlooking the gardens.Dominoes are really big in Cuba - taken incredibly seriously. Played only by men and in a typical man fashion they get very agitated if losing and start slamming their tiles down.We were able to watch many games played by the next door neighbours in their garden.
It was a really pretty town with the main focal point being the square.The buildings were colonial style and painted all different colours.A large hill overlooked the town, topped with what was a derelict church but apparently it was a derelict hospital.It looked like a church.Bit more touristy and had subtle souvenir shops (spot the oxymoron) and craft markets.I purchased some jewellery made out of local seeds and painted.I also got a little squat Cuban balsa man - I couldn't resist.
It was in Trinidad where we met Andreas and Christina from Germany. They were so lovely and incredibly funny.We had some really laughs.Andreas was so good at English, he even had cross language jokes.I was impressed.Andreas persuaded us one evening at 10.30 that the night was still young and that we should all go to a disco!So we put on our glad rags - I even put on my dancing shoes and off we went.No one had told me we would be going off road and trekking up a rocky hill face with no light other than the moon!As you can imagine this may well be hard but ten times so in heels.However nothing was going to stop me, so up I went - I tried not to thinking about getting down.The disco was amazing.It was actually in a real cave. The steps down to the club were actually carved out of the stone. The club came with stalactites, leaking roof, and disco ball.It was original to say the least.We strutted our stuff to a mixture of salsa and Lady Gaga and had an absolutely top night.Getting down was interesting especially as me and Christine had a fit of giggles half way down and almost caused and avalanche.
We hired bikes one day to go to Playa Ancon.The bikes were a challenge as they did not come with brakes.To stop you had to peddle backwards.In fact they would not let us leave the shop until we had demonstrated we had managed the technique.I felt like a kid on Christmas Day when I got the thumbs up and could leave the shop.This however did not mean I was competent to be on the streets.As we were leaving Trinidad a chap felt he had the right of way, he had however not factored me on a bike with no brakes.He decided at the last moment to be a gentleman and let me on my way.His face as he braked sharply was a classic!The bike ride was great.It was a beautifully hot day and the views were amazing.I was slightly worried about how much downhill there was as I realised we had to come back up.This did not stop me feeling like part of the famous 5 as we flew down hills hoping for lashings of ginger ale and homemade scones!The coast line is remarkable - pure blue seas lined by palm trees.Playa Ancon was lovely.We chilled here all day, cooling off in the sea.It's amazing how good a cool beer tastes in this setting - the best.The way back was hard but I achieved it without getting off my bike though I must admit people did walk past me on some of the hills!
I really wish we had spent more time here.
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