Our percptions of Trinidad were perhaps negativly shaded by being harassed by a large group of agressive beggers as we drove into the town. They attempted to stop the car at a junction and the only course of action was to keep driving. This was the only negative contact with the people of Cuba and should be taken as the exception rather than the norm. Ordinary Cubans were horrified when they were told and said we should have advised the police immediately. Three days we were booked into Hotel Ronda in Trinidad; we stayed one night, mainly because the car developed a puncture at the front door and there was a good going thunderstorm in progress. The staff stood by and watched as I struggled to get the cases out of the car then led us upstairs to a windowless room. The air conditioning unit somehow managed to hang to the wall with the electrical connection wire daring anyone to go near it. It did however work if you were brave enough to switch it on! The bed was ok and although tatty the room would have sufficed for a single bloke traveling on the cheap. That was until we discovered there was no water in the shower/toilet. The staircase down to reception negotiated with care (missing/broken concrete edges exposing reinforcing rods) the staff informed me that the water would be connected by 5pm. Through then to the bar to have a refresher after the drive from Havana. In reply to a question about the lack of water I was told 'No senior, water no problemo.' When my drink was served without any ice the same man shrugged his shoulders and said, No ice senior, no water. To be fair the water was back on by 5.30pm, unfortunately it went back off again at 8.30pm. Next morning the great unwashed sat watching the activities of a touring group stacking their luggade in the entrance hall. A porter approached us and offered to take our luggage. 'We are not leaving yet senior, said I with a wishfull smile.' After his third attempt to remove our bags from the room I handed him my car keys and said,'good idea.' The car tyre had been mended the previous night by a most helpfull negro odd job man who earned himself sullen glares from the other staff and beaming smiles and a few dollars from me. We called at reception and told them we were leaving two days early and to their credit they did not charge for the one nights stay. Our captivating Cuba rep. in Trinidad resolved our problem by booking us into an all inclusive resort resort in Cienfuegos,'Bresis'. The Ronda hotel should not have a star rating and my advise would be to avoid the place if you can find any alternative.