2 July 2018:

Havana, Cuba (continued)

I left my readers at the end of yesterday's blog, just as we were departing from Christopher Columbus Cemetery and heading back to port via the Malecon, the seawall and promenade that hugs the shoreline of all of western Havana.  This is the post 1960 section of the city, with many large hotels, much Soviet-influenced architecture, and the newly-populated US Embassy building (yes, the one that fake news says used sound waves to attack American diplomats).

Along the Malecon:

US Embassy (on the right)

Mafia-Owned Hotel (in its heydays of the 1950s)

Entrance to the Hotel, Still one of Havana's Most Popular

Entrance to Havana Cruise Port

When we arrive back at the port, Will decides to re-board the Insignia for lunch, while I opt to spend some time walking around the narrow, cobble-stoned streets of the Historic Center.  Since Donald Trump limited the reasons for tourists to visit Cuba, after President Obama had re-established diplomatic relations, all American tourists are always supposed to be with an organized people-to-people meeting program.  In reality, however, anyone can easily walk the streets of Havana without being bothered with diplomatic niceties.  In fact, it's often impossible to tell the difference between ordinary tourists (those from almost every country in the world other than the US), and Americans skirting below the new regulations.  The only thing that keeps my walk rather short is the weather--I'm just not used to the whomp of heat and humidity together.

Scenes of Old Havana

St Francis Square:

St Francis of Assisi Church--Currently a Concert Hall

Entrance to Concert Hall

Lion Fountain

Entrance to Art Gallery Carmen Montilla and Garden

Above and Below:  Art Wall in Gallery Garden

Bank and Exchange Office

 Outdoor Artwork:

 Beyond St Francis Square:

Painted Balconies

Soda and Ice Cream Shop

Hotel Atrium and Lobby

Pharmacy Museum

This and 2 photos below:  Awaiting Restoration

Restored Doorways:

Central Post Office

There is so much more to see in Havana, as well as the rest of Cuba.  This first visit gives merely a taste.  Although the blog is set on 2 July, today is actually 5 July, and we have exploring Aruba.  But that will have to wait for the next blog entry.