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3rd June 2013- meet this morning for a walking tour of the Cienfuegos. Walked along the main shopping street to the old square. It was flanked by beautifully restored colonial buildings. The town centre building was very nicely restored. There was a monument to Jose Marti in the square. Then walked along to the water front to the port and customs building. Back to the Casa to pack and then drove to Trinidad. Arrived at the Casa accommodation dropped of our bags and changed ready for the beach. Drove out of the town a short way to the beach resort area, playa ancon. Enjoyed lunch (ham and cheese sandwich ) and then swimming in the ocean. The water was nice and warm but not very clear. Then just relaxed on the beach front. Had some carmel ice cream that was amazing. A lot of the ice cream here is mixed with water so ends up with crystals but this was creamy. After a few hours we headed back into town. Took the walking orientation tour of the city. Walked to town square with the town hall building and large colonial mansion that has been restored into a modern hotel. Stopped to look at a bodago, which is where the locals go with there ration books from the government and received there food supplies. It was interesting to see how each family has a book with the family member and there ages inside. The age of the person still gives them the same amount of basic supplies but before age 7 they also have an extra milk ration and ages 7-13 they receive yoghurt. Then along the zequera ave to the plaza Mayor which is the centre of the old city. From there most of the main historical buildings can be seen or accessed. A local baker was walking along so brought a small sponge like cake with cream icing as am afternoon snack. There cakes are all very eggy tasty. Had some Pre dinner drinking games on the rooftop as it is one of the group members birthday. After the bottle of rum was almost finished we headed over to another rooftop of the main Casa for a dinner. Party hats and decorations were in order as we celebrated with an enormous buffet style dinner. There was crab, lobster, pork, chicken, prawns, rice, banana chips, yams, salads, fish and just so much with birthday cake to finish off the evening. Then walked back to the old town steps. Sat on the steps and watched a local band and dance performance. It was great music and such atmosphere. After the show had finished there is was time to talk to the rave in a cave disco... This was a dark walk through a slightly less prosperous area of the city. Once inside the cave it was a crazy. We weren't far underground. They played a lot of modern Cuban/ Spanish music and then changed to more American pop. It was interesting to see that was very popular with the locals they were all out dancing and trying to teach us how to dance. Left and walked home and it was so quiet in the streets and also felt very safe to walk around in the early hours of the morning.
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