16.12.11
A Day in Havana
We started out with an interesting taxi ride where we ran out of petrol and so I steered while Paddy & the taxi driver pushed us into the conveniently close gas station. Then to our favorite café for coffee con leche and croissants. We then wandered through Old Havana and I bought a pair of hand-made leather sandles.
From there, a stroll to the Museum of the Revolution which is housed in a fabulous 3 story old marble building, displaying the Cuban story. Whether you agree with it or not, it is their Cuban story and told with passion and integrity. Lots of photos and memorabilia of Fidel & Che’s battles (note, I am on first name basis now). Across the road is the hardware from the times, with a tractor that was turned into a tank, jeeps, aircraft and remains of a missile from the Bay of Pigs incident.
From there, a stroll to the Museum of the Revolution which is housed in a fabulous 3 story old marble building, displaying the Cuban story. Whether you agree with it or not, it is their Cuban story and told with passion and integrity. Lots of photos and memorabilia of Fidel & Che’s battles (note, I am on first name basis now). Across the road is the hardware from the times, with a tractor that was turned into a tank, jeeps, aircraft and remains of a missile from the Bay of Pigs incident.
By this time I was desperate for some hydration so we found a garden bar with a band playing, had 2 cerveses (beers) and then crossed the boulevard and found ourselves in a rumba competition! As the last act finished performing, the audience joined in and I found myself dancing with the hottest Habana girls, older black women going nuts, young dudes- everyone and then we formed a conga line! What planet am I on!? (I have some video footage to prove it thanks to my fabulous I phone).
We then wandered along the Malycon -a road that passes along by the seaside where a rock wall tries to keep the ocean back; this a favourite haunt of young couples and families enjoying the sunset. The taxi ride home was also different with the 80+ year old driver doing over 100 km/h in the 60 zones. There are few road rules here- no drink driving laws, and I’ve yet to see the Policio booking anyone- or any crashes either- guess I’ve been lucky. One interesting site at the traffic lights is a red or green large countdown clock that tells you how many seconds before the lights change- good to restrict road rage but turns the intersection into the start of a grand prix race at every change!
Hey Clare- I found your old car Trixie!! She is doing well in Habana!
Sat 9am: Areal, the lobster guy has just delivered 10 lobsters to the boat for $30 so we will be enjoying a few good seafood dinners- grilled on the BBQ and served with garlic butter. The boat has a fantastic freezer so we can keep them till desired. Every day, a few guys show up at the dock and ask if we want anything – cigars, lobsters, money changed, rides to town etc- very handy but lots of haggling required. It's quiet around the marina today, and so it should be as the disco at the end of the dock played dance music at full volume till 4am! we went to have a look and meet some other sailors at 9pm but were far too early and the place was deserted
Sat 9am: Areal, the lobster guy has just delivered 10 lobsters to the boat for $30 so we will be enjoying a few good seafood dinners- grilled on the BBQ and served with garlic butter. The boat has a fantastic freezer so we can keep them till desired. Every day, a few guys show up at the dock and ask if we want anything – cigars, lobsters, money changed, rides to town etc- very handy but lots of haggling required. It's quiet around the marina today, and so it should be as the disco at the end of the dock played dance music at full volume till 4am! we went to have a look and meet some other sailors at 9pm but were far too early and the place was deserted
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