Havana ooh na-na January 7th 2019 Havana Cuba

 Sailing into Havana is like going back in time. Cant get that song out of my head.  Havana ooh na-na
On the port side of the ship, you’ll get up close and personal with the Morro Castle as you sail through the narrow harbor. On the starboard side, you’ll enjoy a panoramic view of hustle and bustle of central Havana, Art Deco facades, classic cars, and pedestrian traffic on the Malécon, Cuba’s ocean-front boulevard.  We got a good spot on the top deck early in the morning and brought our binoculars.

When it was time to go ashore we made sure we both carried a lot of water with us.  It’s was a long, sweaty day and you need water by your side.  Immigration was a long hot process.

Cuba's capital city truly must have been one of the finest cities in the Americas in its day. Compared with many Caribbean ports of call, whose historic structures are limited to a handful of churches and musty museums, Havana and its nod to culture and history are breathtaking. It still boasts thousands of architectural treasures, dozens of top-notch museums, gracious avenues and promenades, wonderful music, friendly people, breathtaking vistas and more.  We saw a lot of that today just walking around. You really have to do your research, know what you want to see.  I found out that going to Cuba requires a little more research than your average Caribbean port of call, but once you're there its really not nearly as hard as it feels.

 

Today we also noticed that Havana is in terrible decay. Some areas, particularly in Old Havana, have been restored, but there are numerous areas that are crumbling. These once-graceful buildings have taken a pounding from hurricanes, sea air and neglect for nearly 50 years, without the commitment or materials to preserve and maintain them. Many buildings are missing roofs; on some, you can see doorways leading to missing balconies, and on others, walls are crumbling. They say the most fascinating thing is seeing these dilapidated buildings in the evening. Once darkness descends, it must become obvious that, despite the desperate state of these dwellings, people continue to live in them.  But of coarse it's twilight as we leave and move onto Mexico.  

Today was a real eye opener.  Our tour was a 6 hour overwhelming tour. Our guide was very professional her name was Yeni and her English was very good.  Our driver was Michel and very proud to be Cuban.  While it may appear that everyone is struggling and very poor- I've seen far more obvious poverty on other islands.  And Havana is changing as we speak- many of the buildings in old Havana are being restored thanks to partially to UNESCO and many resorts and stores are being put in.  If you want to see it before much change DO IT NOW.

                       There Flag

Cost me a a dollar for this shot.  Defiantly worth it.

 

           You can not go into the Fort like you can in San Juan.  Not Allowed

                        View of Havana

            All the old cars all lined up

     Hemingway's Favorite Bar Daiquiri were invented her. 

                           Hemingway has a bronze statue of himself

     This is a huge huge cemetery.  These are pictures of the Colon Cemetery, established in 1876.  It is the 3rd largest in the world.  It holds 1 million graves and, due to potentially overcrowding, some people are buried here for only 3 years, before their remains are unearthed, cremated and placed in small boxes, housed in a storage building.  If you can afford to pay for a plot, or already have a family plot here, you can "stay."  But if you're poor, (aren't most Cubans poor???) the government will "do you a solid" and let you be buried here for the 3 years for free.  After that period, it's either pay up or burn up.  Classy.

More of the Cemetery

 
A Catholic church inside the cemetery, located pretty much in the center

  The Statue of Christ (holding a rum and a cigar) Great view of Havana from here. Huge statue of Christ.  But not as tall as the one in Rio.

 

     
It  was a very hot and busy day. Cuba has no free internet so I will post in Cozumel free wifi there 
We now are heading to Cozumel.  Thanks for following us.  Bob & Leslee