Trinidad

At Casa Bombino it was like having our own apartment: a good sized room, bathroom and kitchen as well as a roof terrace. Thanks to the owner, Alex, we quickly had a list of things we wanted to do and see in and around Trinidad. We loved the city, so simple, so quaint, so old fashioned. We were surprised to see a Dutch twist to it as an old bus from Holland was now being used to transport the Cuban locals.

For $25 we could not refuse the option of going for the last dive of the holiday. Without any boat, without any formal briefings, we walked into the sea at Playa La Boca and followed our guide who showed us the Cuban waters. Leading us through a vertical cave and pointing out the wildlife, such as batfish, something we had never seen before.

For the last time of our travels, Geert got diarrhoea - but this time started vomiting as well. I ran to the International Clinic hoping that a Cuban doctor would be able to help us despite it being the weekend. Trying to understand the spanish of the pharmacist, I understood that Geert could either take certain medicine or follow the recommendation of having an injection- this was something they had seen often enough and, without me having to say anything, knew that we had eaten lobster the evening before. I rushed back to the casa on a bicycle taxi with 4 different medicines in my hands which ended up working like a charm, ensuring that Geert was fit again the following day.

While a lot of the locals were celebrating the first day of summer partying at the beach, we spent the day at the Dolphinarium in Cienfuegos, an unforgettable experience. During the 40 minute show the dolphins showed just how intelligent they really are. Afterwards Geert and I had the opportunity to swim with the dolphins in the natural basin, containing sea water, where they lived. We got to do various things with them: get kisses on the cheek; hold on their fins and swim with them at an incredible speed; stand on their nose as they swam with their bodies vertical and other memories which we will, without a doubt, add to our list of highlights.