Day 4 of Our Cuban Trip
We took the hotel’s shuttle bus to Havana after breakfast. It was tan easy comfortable twenty minute ride.
We were dropped off in front of the Palacio de la
Artesania, a beautiful historic building currently used as an indoor shopping venue with a few shops selling Cuban arts and crafts and a couple of restaurants,
Interested in architecture, we always take time to explore and visit the various historical buildings on our travels. We ordered our coffee, relaxed and enjoy this old colonial environment.
We walked by the Police Station, a building
modeled after a castle which looked like it has a draw bridge surrounded by a
dry moat.
We paid one peso each and climbed the one hundred and nine steps all the way to the top of the tower.
The stairs inside the bell tower was narrow therefore we had to negotiate our way up while others were descending down at the same time.
But once when we reached the top, the view was worth it!
We had a good view of the entire city from all angles.
The European architecture in Havana reminded me very much of our trip to Italy a few years ago.
Another legendary place we visited was the La Bodeguita Del Medio, a bar and restaurant made famous by American writer Ernest Hemingway who frequented this bar and drank mojitos here.
Many Cuban artists, poets and intellectuals gathered here to share ideas and their work.
On the day we visited La Bodeguita Del Medio, an elderly Cuban poet was sitting outside the cafe, pecking out his poem he was composing on his typewriter!
We strolled long the narrow streets lined with European style buildings.
Another place we visited in the plaza was an art gallery housed inside a grand colonial house.
We were awed by the beauty of these renovated old buildings.
Old Havana streets are alive with art galleries and studios.
Everywhere we went, we saw musical groups playing in cafes and restaurants.
There were a number of cafes and restaurants with outdoor terraces for seating.
However, it was not easy to find two empty seats at times.
We went into a couple of these places but were unable to find seats outdoors.
Old Havana is crawling with tourists from various countries.
Since U.S. has resumed diplomatic relations with Cuba, there will be a lot of changes in this country in the near future when American start visiting.
It seems that there is a mad dash of tourists visiting Cuba before there these drastic changes.
We are one of these people.
Cuba is an island and there is water view everywhere. Cruise ships are coming in with tourists flocking to visit this island nation.
We took a stroll along the water front and enjoyed some authentic Cuban dishes at a restaurant by the ocean terminal,
It was a great place to enjoy the harbour view of Old Havana.
We went for a horse drawn carriage ride and passed by some famous monuments and buildings.
We would have learned a lot more about Cuban had we known a little more Spanish.
We are glad that we are able to use the few Spanish words and phrases on this trip!
R.T.
 |
| We boarded the shuttle bus from our hotel to Havana daily |
We took the hotel’s shuttle bus to Havana after breakfast. It was tan easy comfortable twenty minute ride.
 |
| Palacio de las Artesania, Old Havana, Cuba |
 |
| Entrance to the Palacio de las Artesania, |
We were dropped off in front of the Palacio de la
Artesania, a beautiful historic building currently used as an indoor shopping venue with a few shops selling Cuban arts and crafts and a couple of restaurants,
Interested in architecture, we always take time to explore and visit the various historical buildings on our travels. We ordered our coffee, relaxed and enjoy this old colonial environment.
 |
| The Police Station in Old Havana, Cuba |
 |
| Cathedral Square, Old Havana, Cuba |
Our second stop was Plaza de la Cathedral ,
one of the symbols of la Havana Vieja.
In 1592, the city’s first aqua duct reached the Square.
We visited the Cathedral de San Cristobal de la Havana.
It is a magnificent church with beautiful architecture and very grand fixtures and artwork.
It was significant and important to the Catholics in Cuba that Pope John Paul ll came to Cuba and visited this Cathedral.
There is a statute of the Pope John Paul ll in the church marking this very important visit commemorating his visit to this cathedral.
The highlight of our day was climbing to the top of the cathedral's bell tower.
In 1592, the city’s first aqua duct reached the Square.
 |
| Cathedral de San Cristobal de la Havana |
 |
| Inside the Cathedral de San Cristobal de la Havana |
We visited the Cathedral de San Cristobal de la Havana.
 |
| Grand chandelier in side the cathedral |
It is a magnificent church with beautiful architecture and very grand fixtures and artwork.
It was significant and important to the Catholics in Cuba that Pope John Paul ll came to Cuba and visited this Cathedral.
There is a statute of the Pope John Paul ll in the church marking this very important visit commemorating his visit to this cathedral.
The highlight of our day was climbing to the top of the cathedral's bell tower.
We paid one peso each and climbed the one hundred and nine steps all the way to the top of the tower.
The stairs inside the bell tower was narrow therefore we had to negotiate our way up while others were descending down at the same time.
 |
| View of old Havana from the top of the cathedral tower. |
But once when we reached the top, the view was worth it!
We had a good view of the entire city from all angles.
The European architecture in Havana reminded me very much of our trip to Italy a few years ago.
Dressed in colourful colonial costumes carrying basket of flowers in their hands, these women strolled around the square and allowed their pictures taken with tourists for a small cost.
 |
| La Bodeguita Del Medio where Hemingway frequented |
Another legendary place we visited was the La Bodeguita Del Medio, a bar and restaurant made famous by American writer Ernest Hemingway who frequented this bar and drank mojitos here.
Many Cuban artists, poets and intellectuals gathered here to share ideas and their work.
 |
| A Cuban poet composing his poem in front of the cafe |
On the day we visited La Bodeguita Del Medio, an elderly Cuban poet was sitting outside the cafe, pecking out his poem he was composing on his typewriter!
We strolled long the narrow streets lined with European style buildings.
Another place we visited in the plaza was an art gallery housed inside a grand colonial house.
We were awed by the beauty of these renovated old buildings.
Old Havana streets are alive with art galleries and studios.
Everywhere we went, we saw musical groups playing in cafes and restaurants.
There were a number of cafes and restaurants with outdoor terraces for seating.
However, it was not easy to find two empty seats at times.
We went into a couple of these places but were unable to find seats outdoors.
Old Havana is crawling with tourists from various countries.
Since U.S. has resumed diplomatic relations with Cuba, there will be a lot of changes in this country in the near future when American start visiting.
It seems that there is a mad dash of tourists visiting Cuba before there these drastic changes.
We are one of these people.
Cuba is an island and there is water view everywhere. Cruise ships are coming in with tourists flocking to visit this island nation.
We took a stroll along the water front and enjoyed some authentic Cuban dishes at a restaurant by the ocean terminal,
It was a great place to enjoy the harbour view of Old Havana.
We went for a horse drawn carriage ride and passed by some famous monuments and buildings.
 |
| Statute of Mother Teresa in one of the cathedrals |
We would have learned a lot more about Cuban had we known a little more Spanish.
We are glad that we are able to use the few Spanish words and phrases on this trip!
 |
| Exploring and enjoying the beautiful architecture in Cuba! |
R.T.
Old Havana, Cuba
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