Wikipedia says that "Trinidad (1514) is one of the best-preserved cities in the Caribbean from the time when the sugar trade was the main industry in the region". Unfortunately this status, plus its UNESCO World Heritage listing, has caused the town to be swamped with visitors to an extent we haven't seen anywhere else in Cuba. It was decidedly crowded here, and we're not sure how it will handle even more popularity.
The Pan Orama II pulled into Trinidad early one morning. From the boat, we could see the town about 2km up a hill from the port of Casilda. Casilda itself seemed to quite a sleepy fishing village. Well past dawn there seemed to be little activity - maybe the tide was wrong?
The fishing boats of sleepy Casilda seem to be awaiting some action!
Coming ashore, after having our temperature measured yet again, we boarded the same buses we had used in Cienfuegos. The drivers had brought them the 85km after they dropped us off the previous day. Meanwhile, we had sailed overnight through a moderately rough passage which caused many of us to lose sleep.
A long description of Trinidad made with the aid of this large model tested many of us tired after some rough seas overnight.
Old Mercury taxi on the Trinidad cobbles.
A big yellow taxi...
The historic streets of Trinidad slope towards the centre.
Colorful Trinidad building.
Trinidad taxi and sleeping dog.
A local guide escorted us up really quite rough cobbled lanes and showed us the main sights of the downtown area, and then left us to our own devices for another street-strolling and photography exercise. This was just as interesting and rewarding as it was in Cienfuegos. The town was photogenic and the locals friendly, but perhaps a bit more tourist-savvy than those in Cienfuegos. Many were clearly in town for the tips, but that didn't make them less engaging.
Wherever you go in Cuba, there are musicians to entertain you.
A sculptor in old wood did pretty well with some of the people in our group. He can ship to the USA!
Flea market in one Trinidad lane selling tacky souvenirs.
These steps are in a rare wifi hotspot, and everyone was taking advantage.
Cars don't seem to be banned from Trinidad's narrow and steep lanes, but at least there aren't too many.
Mostly, Mike hung out with Ralph Hopkins, the National Geographic photographer. It's worth documenting here great appreciation for Ralph's assistance - it's not every day you can get photography coaching from a top NG photographer. He was immensely helpful, and very prepared to share trade secrets, one reason we choose Lindblad NG.
Talking to the Trinidadians, and showing them the photos, essential success factors for street photography, as taught by Ralph Hopkins (who took these two shots)
Tourist asking local for directions.
The ceiling of this building is just as impressive as the artworks on display.
A rough ride down these streets.
B&Bs hide behind these great doorways.
This muslim imam described how his religion manages itself in this predominantly RC country.
Endlessly photogenic horse drawn wagons.
Trinidad's iconic building is the Iglesia y Convento de San Francisco and spectacular aspects of it can be seen from the nearby 1816 48m tower la Torre Iznaga. The tower was very popular with visitors, with only one-way passage possible on its steep stairways and ladders. A facilitor tried to manage the traffic flow.
Iconic view of Iglesia y Convento de San Francisco. This church features on the Cuban 0.25CUC coin.
Tourists capturing happy snaps.
Panama hats for sale in the Iznaga tower courtyard.
Our lobster lunch, possibly the best presented meal in all our stay in Cuba.
And this is where we had it, My Guitar restaurant, complete, of course, with live accompaniment.
Our bus waits patiently for us to return.
