Cuba, Havana

Helen Shelver on 15 February 2011
Not in my wildest dream could I have imagined the incredible essence and beauty of Havana, capital of Cuba. A mere speck in the Caribbean Ocean this grand old lady has a larger than life personality, her derelict narrow streets and wide avenues vibrantly alive with the bustle of people spilling out of dilapidated yet intrinsically refined buildings, washing hanging out to dry on crumbling balcony's, tourists perching behind the wheel of 1950's Chevy's and Russian Ladas, artists setting up their easels, strains of salsa music wafting out from every open door. Ah......the magic of Cuba!

Havana Vieja, or old Havana, an UNESCO heritage site is surely sighing a huge sigh of relief as her grubby plazas, exquisite colonial Spanish style buildings, bars and restaurants slowly undergo a restoring facelift to their former glory. Centro Havana is home to the National Capital and the Museum of the Revolution. A short distance away is the newer, trendier suburb of Vedado with theatres, cafes, art galleries and more modern buildings. Other attractions include the Ernest Hemingway Museum on the outskirts of town, a cigar factory, a rum distilling factory, Plaza de Revolucion, the list goes on and on.

Of course no visit to Havana would be complete without a Mojito or Daiquiri (which according to locals originated in Cuba in the Bay of Daiquiri - pronounced dye-key-ree) and La Bodeguita del Medio is definitely the place to sip your first Mojito and pen your message on the wall. When the sun goes down the nightclubs come alive and whether you fancy, salsa, samba or jazz, whether you want to be seen or just enjoy a quiet evening, there is a club, open air disco, roof top bar or refined restaurant, jazz band, symphony orchestra or national ballet troupe just waiting for you to show up!

And the beaches......oh my......the beaches! Take a day excursion to Cayo Largo, a hop and a skip by flight to a paradise where sky meets water, sun rays skip over sandy white beaches and the tantalising smell of a crayfish lunch before interacting with a couple of dolphins ensure a sensory overload that you will never forget!

Not to be missed either is Varadero, a more commercialised seaside resort about 2 hours drive from Havana and a must for a few days of rest and relaxation, sun, sea and sand complemented by good shopping, myriad bars and restaurants, catamaran excursions - just one of many optional excursions, dolphin interaction and a very vibrant nightlife.

I stayed in the Parque Central Hotel in Havana Viega a short walking distance from main tourist attractions, Plaza de la Catedral, Gran Teatro de La Habana, Museum of the Revolution and a magnificent art gallery, the seaside malecon and Havana harbour, not to mention the myriad restaurants, bars and plazas. The view from the hotel's rooftop and pool deck is magnificent! A Hop-On-Hop-Off bus stop is located just one block away and on Saturdays and Sundays local Cubans, musicians and artists congregate on the walkway adjoining the hotel - not to be missed! The hotel itself is a pleasant surprise with it's artful blend of Spanish colonial elegance and modern services and facilities. The original section offers large rooms, pleasant decor, decent size bathroom, in-room safe, internet access (payable), while the new section offers smaller but still comfortable sized rooms with a more modern decor. An exchange bureau is conveniently placed in the the reception area and there are a couple of stores around the hotel where you can buy bottled water, cigarettes, etc. One has only to step out of the front door to hail a Coco taxi, tricycle or a 1950's Chevy - oh and there are horse and carriages too!

Author Ernest Hemingway spent many years of his life in Havana, was happily adopted by the Cuban nation and obviously knew a good thing when he saw it! Do you have Cuba on your wish list yet?

Helen Shelver