Visiting Main Square Area & Church of Trinity in Trinidad, Cuba

Day 3

We signed up for the trip for Trinidad, the second day after we arrived at our Cuban resort in Trinidad. We waited at the lobby at 8:45a.m. and were on our way on our first excursion for this trip.

The bus ride to Trinidad was not too long.

We visited Trinidad, Cuba recently

After about thirty minutes, we arrived at the city of Trinidad, Cuba.

Trinidad, Cuba is a UNESCO Heritage Cultural  Site

One of the first villages found by the Spanish in the 16th century, Trinidad is a UNESCO world cultural heritage site.

We exchanged money in Trinidad

Trinidad is the closest city to our resort and we went to exchange money there.

Cubans lining up for their rations outside the shop in Trinidad, Cuba

Right beside where we were lining up to exchange our money, I saw another line where Cubans were lining up for something.  I asked our tour guide about it.

Cubans buying their rations at their store

Our guide told us that each Cuban was to be allotted a certain ration for their necessities which they could buy each month at fixed low prices at the store.

However, if they wanted to buy more than their rationed amount, Cubans could buy these mechanizes but at higher prices. The Cubans I saw were lining up to purchase their monthly rations

Main Square, Trinidad, Cuba

Our next stop was the Main Square.

The Main Square was designed and built in the 16th century by Spanish settlers

It was designed and built in 16^th century.

It was beautiful!

We learned that many of the decorations for the square such as the vases were imported directly from Europe.

Church of Holy Trinity, Trinidad, Cuba

We visited the Church of Holy Trinity.

It is a Roman Catholic church located at the Main Square.

It is famous for the numerous sculptures above the fourteen altars. 

We visited an African Cuban worship house called Templo Yemalla.





















We learned how slaves from Africa brought their religious influence with them to Cuba.

The highlight of the morning tour was visiting the La Chanchacha cafe.

It is a popular bar/ cafe for locals and tourists.

We sampled a local drink called the Canchanchara served in a small clay pot.

The drink was made with honey, lime juice,
ice, water and some alcohol.

The Cuban revolutionary soldiers used to drink la Canchanchara every morning in order to give them energy and boost their morale.

 It was a refreshing beverage and we all enjoyed that drink a lot!

While sipping our drink, we enjoyed some Cuban music by a  group of entertainers.

A couple of our fellow tourists danced to the lively music.
















We also visited some shops in the area.

At the La Canchanchara, Trinidad, Cuba

It was a great visit and we enjoyed the local flavor a great deal!





R.T.
Trinidad, Cuba
Day 3

Day 2 - Exploring Our Cuban Resort at Trinidad Del Mar, Cuba

Day 2 – Cuba

We had a good night rest at our resort from our long travel to Cuba

We slept in until 930am and just made it to breakfast before it ended at 10am.

After breakfast we had a debriefing session with our travel agency’s representative who gave us information about what we needed to know and some itinerary for this trip.

We booked a few excursions on this trip with our representative.

The resort we are staying is a beautiful place!

We went around to explore the resort.

It is a beautiful place!
















A couple of fellow guests at the resort told us that this resort hotel is one of the most beautiful ones in Cuba.

A favourtie activity during our Cuban vacation - being on the beach!

We took a stroll and enjoyed the sandy beach of Cuba.









While strolling on the sandy beach, we came across three tourists from France who were playing  a  beach game with coconuts here.

A French beach game modified and played on a Cuban beach

I asked them about the game and they explained patiently to me that this game was called petanque, played often in southern France around the French Rivera area.

Petanque is a game similar to lawn bowling, the current form of the game originated in 1907 or 1910 in Provence, France. It is usually played with six metal balls with 2 -3 players.

Petanque is played with 6 metal balls but  the French players used 6 coconuts here

Instead of using metal balls to play this game on the Cuban beach,  these French guests modified the game and used 6 coconuts in its place.

How creative!

Interesting fruit we saw in Cuba

We also discovered other activities and lessons offered at this resort.

 We took part in these activities on our first day here and met a few couples at the resort.

.

I love walking on the smooth sand on a Cuban beach!

In the evening, there was entertainment and we enjoyed the singing and dancing after dinner.


We looked forward to our vacation in Cuba for the next little while!


R.T.
A resort at Trinidad Del Mar
Cuba

Sun Wing Taking Care of Customers During a Delayed Flight from Toronto to Cienfuegos, Cuba

We were supposed to fly out from the Toronto Pearson International Airport.

Due to a severe snow storm, our flight from Toronto to Cuba was cancelled in the late evening.

Our Sun Wing flight was delayed for hours due to inclement weather.

Apparently, the bad weather was not any airline's fault.

However, Sun Wing, following its customer Care Policy gave each passenger a dinner voucher for the evening as well as a breakfast voucher for the next morning.

It even gave passengers taxi vouchers should they choose to cancel their flight and decide to go home.

Like many other  passengers, we decided to stay at the airport overnight hoping to board a rescheduled flight the next morning at 6:30am.

Many planed needed to go through the de icing practice for aety reason.

Our plane eventually took off at around 8am after going through the de ice process.

Some passengers waiting for their flight slept overnight on the floor.

After spending a night and waiting at the Toronto International Airport, we finally boarded a Sun Wing flight and headed towards Cuba.

A blanket of snow covered the metro Toronto/

The flight to Cuba from Toronto was about 3 and ¾ hours.

Our plane stopped at Cayo Coco , Cuba where all the passengers were asked to deplane and went through the security screening, with all our luggage in tow.

From the Cayo Coco Airport , it was another 45 minutes flight time before our landing at Cienfuegos.

However, this was not our final destination yet.  A Sun Wing bus was waiting for us outside the airport.

It was another 1 ½ hour bus ride before we reached our resort.

By the time we arrived at our final destination, we had waited and travelled for almost 30 hours. Normally, our flight to Cuba from Toronto is only about 4-5 hours!

Sun Wing was good and recognized the hardship its passengers on this flight have endured. It gave each passenger on this flight a $150.00 voucher to be used in our future trip or excursion.

A team of six dancers were waiting at the resort entrance.

They welcome us with songs and dance upon our arrival.

The check in process was fast and efficient allowing us time for dinner and to catch the evening show at the resort!

R.T.
Cienfuegos
Cuba
Jan. 28, 2019

Waiting for a Delayed Flight at Toronto Pearson International Airport

Today was minus 20 degrees outside; it was freezing cold.  Bundled in our heavy winter sweaters, jackets and wrapped in thick scarves, we headed out towards the Toronto Pearson's International Airport.

Our scheduled flight to a warm sunny destination would not take off until 3:55pm.

But Toronto is forecasting heavy snow of 10 - 20 cm and a white out driving condition. We called our taxi company and moved up our departure time from home so that we would not be caught in the congested rush hour traffic.

The airport is busy with many Canadians heading south for some sun. My sister and her family went down to Mexico last Saturday while we are waiting for our flight to our favourite tropical country.

Though waiting for their much delayed flights, all the passengers are pretty calm and relaxed.
Many are chatting while some are playing games on the floor and my beloved is sitting comfortably surfing on the free wifi.

Looking out of the window, all I could see is a thick white sheet covering the airport.

Eh, a few hours from now, it would be a very different landscape for us. Green green grass and 30 degree sunny weather.

I am imaging myself sunbathing by the crystal blue water sandy beach and in my light colorful summer outfit.

Can't wait! Thank God for giving us good health and the resources to enjoy the sun in the middle of a cold cold Canadian winter!

Our flight has been delayed due to the winter snow storm, not sure when we will be flying out to our sunny destination. This gives me time to catch up on my recent blog.

Gratefully waiting at the Toronto Pearson Airport!

R.T.
Toronto
Jan. 28, 2019


p.s. Having difficulty uploading pictures to my recent blog postings, not sure if I can do my blogging from where we are heading as the wifi there is not reliable and limited
pps - Our flight has been cancelled until 6am the next morning. The big question is should we go home and come back at 4am or should we stay and sleep at the airport? Lots of passengers are discussing that right now.