Day 7: Trinidad ~ Munoz B&B ~ Pottery ~ Sugar Valley

[Click on the photos for a larger view and click the links for more information.]

Trinidad

Trinidad was also founded in 1514 and is one of the best preserved cities in the Caribbean from the time when sugar trade was the main industry in the region. It has been one of UNESCO's World Heritage sites since 1988.

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Some scenes from the streets of Trinidad:

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Jim DiNapoli

The morning of our departure.

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Iberostar Hotel

In Trinidad we checked into the Iberostar Hotel for two nights. It exceeded our expectations. :)
Our maid had a sense of humor.

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The hotel lobby was a comfortable place to gather.

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The dining room was pleasant the food excellent.

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Munoz B & B

We visited a B & B (known as a casa particulare) operated by one of Cuba's emerging entrepreneurs. When the restrictions on privately owned businesses were lifted by Raul Castro several years ago, he was able to license two rooms in his house for paying guests. Further relaxation of the law now permits him to rent four rooms. He explained the difficulties of trying to operate under the financial limitations of the U.S. embargo. He is a fine photographer and would like to sell his books on line but is not able to get a PayPal account in the U.S.
The house itself has been in his family for many years. There is a place in back for his horses as well as a dark room for his photography.

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The door to one of the guest rooms.

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Casa del Alfarero Pottery

One of the highlights of the trip for Lloyd was a visit to the Casa del Alfarero Pottery, where he got to show his skill on the wheel. This pottery has been in the Santander family for more than 100 years.

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Valley de los Ingenios

Nearby Trinidad is the Valley del los Ingenios (Valley of the Sugar Mills), where we had lunch at the beautifully restored Hacienda de Manaco Iznaga.
Views of the valley from the bus.

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Lookout tower at the hacienda.

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Views from the lookout tower.

Jim DiNapoli

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The view from the balcony where lunch was served was lovely. The heat was not.

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Cristal beer was a big hit with our group members all over Cuba.

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The musicians entertained us during lunch.

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Palacio Cantero

The Palacio Cantero, once home of Justo German Cantero, is the Trinidad General Municipal Museum. Our tour manager, Connie, stayed below to keep an eye on the personal belongings (including cameras) that weren't permitted upstairs.

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The Colors of Cuba - a People to People Adventure

Saturday, June 7, 2014