Havana, Cuba was founded by the Spanish in 1519 in the natural harbor of the Bay of Havana. It became a stopping point for the treasure laden Spanish Galleons on the crossing between the New World and the Old World. In the 17th century it was one of the main shipbuilding centers. The city was built in baroque and neoclassic style. Many buildings have fallen in ruin in the later half of the 20th century, but a number are being restored. The narrow streets of Old Havana contain many buildings, accounting for perhaps as many as one-third of the approximately 3,000 buildings found in Old Havana.
I spent two days exploring this slice of international history. April 21st & 24th. The first day was primarily a walking tour. We explored museums, historic hotels, once occupied by Ernest Hemmingway, and talked to locals about life in a city frozen in time.
The second day was a tour by car. We rode for several hours in 1920-esq Ford Convertibles. We drove through Old Havana, the National Forest, Revolution Square and the beautiful coastal drive known as the Malecón. We stopped back in Old Havana and walked the streets again. I perhaps captured my best photos on this day, and of course picked up some trinkets for friends and family back in the USA.
