Looking at my vault, found some older pictures new to my blog that should be in it, This is sentimental City of Havana, from where I came from neons ago. This allows me to mention this magical City again, once call the Paris of the Americas in another era do not think to be repeated. Nostalgia sets in and here I go with the curiosities of Havana, part I !!! Hope you enjoy it as I.
The Malecón “the pier” is an 8 km long beachfront promenade located in Havana. Officially called Avenida Maceo, it is made up of a wide causeway and a dyke erected on the rocky barrier beach. This winding waterfront begins at the entrance to Havana Bay in Old Havana, runs along the north side of Centro Habana and ends at the mouth of the Almendares river in the Vedado district towards the west. The first stretch of the Malecón was built from 1901 to 1902 With a length of only 500 meters, it then extended from the San Salvador de la Punta fortress in the east to Calle Crespo in the west. In 1919 the Malecon already reached till Calle Belascoaín, and in 1921 till Calle 23. It was extended to the monument to the victims of the USS Maine across from Calle O and 19. Finally, from 1948 to 1952, the last section was built to the mouth of the Almendares River. Awesome !
El Capitolio as it is known in Spanish, built in 1929 to house the two chambers of the Cuban congress. Its was inspired by the Roman capitol and that which is in Washington DC USA. The building has a front neo classic style with a dome of 92 meters tall ( 303 ft). It is located between the calle Pardo, calle Dragones, calle Industria, and calle San Jose, streets. Inside it marks the kilomerter zero of all distances in Cuba with a diamond on the floor. You come to the great room call the Salón de los Pasos Perdidos ( the hall of the lost steps) , the most monumental of the spaces with almost 50 meters long (165 ft) and 14,5 meters wide( 48 ft) and almost 20 meters high (66 ft) that serve the interconnection to the two bodies of the now former government ;the Cámara de Representantes (House of Representatives) and the Senado (Senate). These two blocks are organised in a rectangular fashion around two gardens with dimentions of 45 by 15 meters each (149 x 50 ft). 58 types of marbre, wood of the most exquisite in the country, decoration and ambiance. The wrough iron in bronze by an American company, the lamps by the French, and Italians, Germans for the work in marbre, onyx, etc Indeed a work of art!
I stayed at a Casa Particular as was assigned this by the ongoings of local politics ,house in the new district of Playa,(old Miramar) no fancy hotels for me, My other collegues did stayed in the Mélia Habana Hotel, (see below) the new apartheid ! I had other pictures this is the bathroom I left out ::) Stories about Cuba abound from all periods; blaming each other, but no doubt the previous pre 1959 regime was better for the mayority. Proof over 2 millions have left already and several millions waiting for the opportunity while been politically correct. Still going out strong with an estimated 330K in 2022!
The Mélia Habana Hotel which I have visited to see friends is located by the sea, opposite the Miramar business center and close to the Havana Convention Center, It combines nature and comfort. In a modern building, the hotel enjoys a strategic location in the heart of Havana and is well known for its pleasant interiors, its air-conditioned lobby with tropical decor, its panoramic elevators and the largest swimming pool in the City , The Classic Room (with Sea View), with a terrace offering a splendid view of the sea ,and 46 m² space are equipped with all types of comfort elements, specially designed for the pleasure of having a pleasant stay. Their beautiful, warm decoration, where refined and soft colors predominate, adds a touch of luxury to their pleasant setting. the different restaurants of the hotel and friendly moments in the bars. The Miramar: This restaurant’s modern decor and easy access to the pool, gardens and a la carte restaurant are among its strong points. It serves international buffets for breakfast, lunch and dinner. La Scala: Enjoy magnificent views of the hotel gardens and taste Italian cuisine for à la carte lunches and dinners, Of course for foreigners paying in Dollars or Euros ,these hotels is not clear who sold them as the dictatorship nationalise everything and the lands belongs to individuals now gone from the country.
The official Melia hotels on the Mélia Habana Hotel : https://www.melia.com/en/hotels/cuba/havana/melia-habana
TheMeliá Cohiba Hotel which I just passed by is a high-rise hotel opened in 1994, located in the Vedado district of Havana, just off the Malecón The hotel has 401 rooms and 61 suites. The hotel’s sharp angles and alternating walls of stone and glass make it one of the more modern buildings in Havana. The Cohiba has a wide range of restaurants and shops, as the Habanos Cigar Store. The Habana Café has a nightly floor show and live music.Of course for foreigners paying in Dollars or Euros ,these hotels is not clear who sold them as the dictatorship nationalise everything and the lands belongs to individuals now gone from the country.
There you go folks, a walk of nostalgia from my native home neons years ago now. I am not encouraging travel to a dictatorship of 65 years but leave it as a free minded spirit for all those who dare, Havana still rings a bell to my ears on each stretch of meter I take on this world. Again, hope you enjoy the post on the curiosities of Havana, part I as I.
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 