The Malecon

The Malecon is a road with a seawall which stretches for 8 km from Habana Vieja to Vedado.

Be careful walking along the waterfront. We saw many unsuspecting tourists get drenched as the waves crashed over the walls.

2017 03 05

Museo de la Revolucion

Walk north along the Paseo del Prado and turn right on Avenida Refugio. You'll find the Museo de la Revolucion.

The museum is housed in the former presidential palace of General Batista. Admission is 8 CUCs. The museum chronicles the events leading to the Revolution in 1959.

Outside of the Museo is a fragment of the old city wall. The 1.5 m thick and 10 m high wall was built in the 17th century and demolished in 1863.

Just south of the Museo is the Granma Memorial, where the boat which took Casto and his compatriots from Mexico to Cuba to begin the Revolution is stored. There are also vehicles from the 1961 Bay of Pigs.

2017 03 05

Parque de la Fraternidad

Just south of the Capitolio is the Parque de la Fraternidad, a large greenspace. It is also a transportation hub for local buses.

In the parque is a tree bordered by a fence. It's a large Ceiba tree that was planted during the sixth Pan-American Conference, which took place in Havana. The tree was planted with soil from each of the participating countries.

Scattered throughout the park are busts of some of the country's revered leaders. This is Jose Rodriguez, the first dictator of Paraguay. Obviously, the birds don't have much reverence.

There is also a bust of Abraham Lincoln. He was revered for liberating slaves.

Near the Parque de la Fraternidad is the Fuente de La India. It's situated in the center of a traffic circle. It was erected in 1837 and features La Noble Habana, who greeted the Spanish colonists when they first arrived in 1509.

2017 03 06

Parque Central

Parque Central is considered the grandest square in Habana Vieja.

It's a large square with trees, statues and park benches. This is where you can catch the tourist sightseeing buses.

It sits on the Paseo del Prado, which divides Habana Vieja with Centro Habana. 

Lions guard the paseo at the beginning and the end of each block.

The Hotel Inglatarra is the oldest hotel in Cuba and sits on the western side of the parque.

Right next door is the Gran Teatro de la Habana, home to the Cuban National Ballet.

Further south is the Capitolio Nacional, which resembles the US Capitol. This was the seat of the House of Representatives and Senate prior to the Revolution. It's not possible to tour the inside.

2017 03 07

Healthcare in Cuba

Cuba has a national healthcare system and there are no private hospitals or clinics. They purportedly have good outcomes but according to Wikipedia, Cuba does not allow independent verification.

I popped into a clinic to check it out and was surprised to find no crowds.

Poster featuring Raul Castro in an urgent care clinic.

Poster in the clinic outlining the dangers of smoking. In bus stations, there are similar posters about mosquito-born illnesses. 

2017 03

Obispo

Obispo is a busy street that links Plaza de Armas with Parque Centrale.

Hotel Ambos Mundos, located at 153 Obispo, was Hemingway's Cuban base for 10 years. You can visit Room 511, where his typewriter is still present.

Farmacia Tacquehel is located at 155 Obispo. It was one of Habana's prestigious 19th century pharmacies. It's a functioning pharmacy, specializing in natural medicines.

It still has the original cash register. Notice the jars of medicines in the background.

Drogueria Johnson (Johnson Drug Store), another 19th century pharmacy, is located on the corner of Obispo & Aguiar. It too has a lot of medicine jars.

The 3rd 19th century pharmacy in Habana Vieja is La Reunion, located at 41 Treniente Rey. It was the largest pharmaceutical business of its times in the Americas.

It's a working pharmacy but also a museum. Although admission is free, a sales clerk will ask you for a donation.

There's an interesting display of 19th century medicine. The signs are in Spanish.

2017 03 05

Plaza Vieja

Walking down Mercaderes, you'll hit Plaza Vieja.

Plaza Vieja (Old Plaza) is not the oldest square in Habana--it was built after Plaza de Armas. 

Most of the buildings in the square have been renovated. 

It was initially used for military exercises then served as a marketplace.

Fenced in fountain at one edge of the plaza.

The plaza features a Camara Obscura (tall building on the left) that allows you to tour Habana Vieja and the bay in 10 minutes. Next to it (in the blue building) is a photography gallery featuring temporary works. In the past, there have been National Geographic photos. The gallery is free to tour. Next to it is the Planetario--admission is 10 CUCs. It's not impressive but something fun for children to do.

There are many restaurants

 and even modern shops in the plaza.

Interesting sculpture of woman with fork riding a rooster. We found school children doing calisthenics nearby. There is a primary school in the plaza as well.

Estancia Bohemia--boutique apartments available for rent. http://www.havanabohemia.com

Just a block from Plaza Vieja is the tiny Aqvarivm (Aquarium). Admission is 1.50 CUC and apparently there is a prehistoric manjuari on display. It's also known as a Cuban gar: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuban_gar

2017 03 08