Cienfuegos was our next city to explore. We had the same guide and taxi driver, both of whom we’ve got to know quite well. They are definitely a ‘double act’ and seem to enjoy working together. Cienfuegos is a city of about 220,000 people that was originally settled by the French that had been displaced when Haiti gained independence. Some went to Louisiana and the Dominican Republic and the rest came here. This means the architecture has quite a French flavour and it is considered a good place for shopping by Cuban standards. We started on ‘The Prado’ a long avenue down the middle of town before heading down the pedestrian mall.
We visited a number of shops that stocked a lot of functional goods, but not too much else. Most of the goods in these shops come from Cubans travelling to Mexico and buying lots of cheap stuff and bringing suitcases full of things they can make profits on. We went into one shop which had posters about how much medical care really costs to remind Cubans of the value of free health care.
We decided it was time for coffee and our guide took us to the third level bar at the Melia Hotel. Melia are an Italian Hotel brand who are opening lots of hotels and resorts in Cuba. These generally operate as joint-ventures and there seems to be a lot of European hotel chains investing. In Trinidad we are staying in an Iberostar Hotel. The views from the deck were good, looking towards the main square.
Once finished our coffee, we walked to the main square which was quite big and is lined by municipal buildings, a church and a theatre for live music and plays. Of course, the theatre was under restoration as much of Cuba seems to be, but we took some photos anyway. We managed for the first time this trip to get into a church and take some photos as well. The square also has the only set of French arches in Cuba.
Once we were finished in the square, we went for another voluminous lunch one of Cienfuegos’ better restaurants, called Prado. The meal wasn’t as good as yesterday, cementing our opinion that Trinidad is definitely the place for food. Following lunch, we drove down the peninsula and looked at some of the opulent buildings that were built prior to the revolution but wealthy Americans, which were taken by the government in 1959. Mostly there are now run by foreign hotel chains. Across the harbour we could also see a big building which was going to be a nuclear power station to be completed in 1986. After Chernobyl the Cubans cancelled the project and have continued producing power by burning oil and diesel fuel. We have seen a number of solar farms as well, most of which appear to be Chinese joint-ventures.
On the way back to the hotel, we asked if we could be ‘beach snobs’ and go to Ancon Beach to compare. Once again, we note that Australia and New Zealand have some of the best beaches anywhere. The sand here is quite coarse and has lots of coral bits in it. There are the obligatory grass huts and bars playing retro music to complete the picture.
Once again for dinner we weren’t all that hungry after a big lunch so we headed to a little bar not far up the road and shared some pizza and had some cocktails and a bit of wine. The local cocktail in Trinidad it Camcanchera, which should cure most things … Rum, lemon juice and honey. This is our last night in Trinidad, a town we’ve thoroughly enjoyed. It has a great mix of good food, great galleries and markets and very friendly people.
Until Tomorrow!
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