Cuba - Havana

 

Havana is the capital and the heart of Cuba. Lively and loud, the historic colonial center, Habana Vieja, is a great district for infinite hours of exploration through a row of narrow streets often opening over large squares with grandiose colonial edifices.

Plaza de la Catedral

Book bazaar on Plaza de Armas

Most of Habana Vieja would still need a good renovation even if it is an on-going process since 1982. If the crumbling buildings give an undeniable and authentic charm, it made us wonder about the sustainability of Havana's unique architectural and urban heritage.

Havana's streets are always crowded. Some are trying to sell something from Che Guevara T-shirts to a taxi ride; others are only hanging out and chatting with neighbours.  

Calle Barcelona and El Capitolio

The heavy police presence as well as ration shops and unexplained queues in front of some boutiques are there to remind us what kind of political regime still rules the island. 

We staid in a casa particular managed by a lovely little family. Their colonial house with five meters-high ceilings is located in El Prado de la Habana, an elegant promenade defining Habana vieja from Centro Habana.

In front of Kenia's casa particular, waving goodbye

Kenia's casa particular

Prado (Paseo de Marti)

At the end of the Prado we admired the mouth of Havana's bay. On the north of the mouth: the Castillo de los Tres Reyes del Morro, and going along the north coast, el Malecón famous for the waves which sometimes cascade over its sea-walls. Sunsets are quite spectaculars along this broad waterfront avenue.

Fishing in front of the Castillo de los Tres Reyes del Morro

El Malecón

The traffic of antique cars is one of the trademark of Cuba's cityscape. They give to the island a unique atmosphere. From what we observed about two third of the cars are vintage ones. The thorn of the rose is the consecutive pollution. Being in Cuba we acknowledge the merit of catalytic converters! ;)

El Capitolio

One way of discovering Havana is by following the habits of the great U.S. writer Ernest Hemingway. He lived more than ten years in Havana. The hotel where he used to reside and the bars where he used to have a drink make the most of this former visitor. Immersion in Havana of another era. Wandering in this city, we feel more and more like we are also traveling through time.

Floridita

A mojito and a cake at the Bodeguita del Medio

Inside the Bodeguita del Medio