Havana

Tue, Dec 12, Norwegian Sky Cruise Ship, Havana, Cuba:  A long day today, which started out badly because the mattress on our bed made our backs hurt even more than usual.  Our first excursion was to Finca Vigia, Hemingway’s home of 20 years or so.  The home is located in the small, working class town of San Francisco de Paula.  It sits on several acres of a lush tropical forest.  The house itself is quite large, but I like the house in Key West better.  We also stopped in the city center and enjoyed all the beautiful architecture in this city.  From there we walked to El Floridita, a bar Hemingway frequented.  It is supposedly the bar where the daiquiri was invented.  We all enjoyed a delicious daiquiri there.  From there we walked over to the hotel where Hemingway lived for 5 years  before he bought Finca Vigia.  Walked back to our ship and had a drink or two at the deck 11 bar.  Back to our room and relaxed.  I hurt everywhere.  Tonight we’re going back out to the Parisien Review at the Hotel Nacional de Cuba.  We are exhausted.  And tomorrow we’re out bright and early for a tour of old and new Havana.  Wanted to see as much as we could in our short stay.  But it’s killing us.

Early morning arrival in Havana.  A Celebrity ship already in port.

Early morning sunrise and the lights of Havana.

An old fort as we enter Havana harbor.

Not sure--a religious statue I guess.

A home or commercial building of some kind up on a hill as we entered the harbor.

An abandoned warehouse I guess.

Maybe a Coast Guard boat?

Some buildings off in the distance.

Don't think they're worried about air pollution.

CARS

Nash Rambler, I think.

Ah, yes.  The iconic l957 Chevy convertible.

CITY CENTER AND ITS ARCHITECTURE

The newest hotel in Havana.

Another hotel.

Capital building.

Theater of the arts.  They have their own ballet company.

OTHER BUILDINGS

On wash day people hang their clothes anywhere they can.

A school.

Neatly hung wash.

Another wash day photo.

FINCA VIGIA

Hemingway's Havana home for about 20 years.

Guest house.

The grounds.

His four dogs buried here.

His boat, the Pilar.

The fishing chair.

During WWII he would go out in the Pilar in search of German subs.

This boat is beautifully maintained.

Hemingway's study and library. Also some of his trophies from trips to Africa.

Living room.

Entrance hall.

Front of the home.

Living room.

Entrance hall.