Bronnie's Travels: HAVANA 2.5.11 OLD TIMERS, LA GUARIDA, REVOLUTION SQUARE

REVOLUTION SQUARE, OLD TIMERS, PALADAR-LA GUARIDA

3.5.11

Off we head first thing to Revolution Square but first to the Cuban Cigar factory!

Luckily it is closed as it is a public holiday as May day fell on a Sunday.

Now Alberto tells he only just found out it was a holiday this am, this we don’t believe as we all know when we get a holiday!!

So the factory was closed which didn’t worry us only that everything is closed and the tourist agent should have planned around the holiday

So we go to Revolution Square which is enormous as I million people were here to celebrate Labour Day yesterday.

Now we head to the Rum factory of which I’m not really interested in this as I’ve done this before in Australia and West Indies!

We got there and have to wait so we tell Alberto well skip this and head to a market to do a little shopping!!! Yippee!!

At last!!

Everything is very cheap and we pick up some lovely things1 Paper mashaire old-timer cars, divine Cuban dolls that are 2 in one! I get a great Cuban hat, cost 4.00 !!

Now we tell Alberto we will walk down a lovely street Obispo and meet him later! Here I purchase a gorgeous old Cuban coin bracelet and use my credit card!! Ok 1 hr later and after them having to get someone from the bank I eventually get out of the state owned shop!! Lots of Spanish and hands flying! I didn’t get my receipt but they say they have more of a problem than me!!!

Now we head to the Divina Pastora restaurant at the fortress, yes another state owned placed with the usual very bland food!! We get a welcome cocktail, which is blue curacao, and another drink either wine beer or soft!!

A quick look at the fort which was built 1589-1630. The largest defensive construction built by the Spanish in the new world!

Now we get to go for our ride in the old timer!!

It is a 1952 Chrysler red and gorgeous!!

So for an hour we ride around Havana through the wealthy area, which now has the embassies through stunning parks with dense tress and little streams

Then to a park wit a lovely bronze of John Lennon on a park bench and another sculpture given to them by Yoko’s sister in recognition of the sculpture of Lennon.

Back to the hotel for a rest before heading off to our first Paladar

This is a privately run restaurant in a home. Here the food is fresh and you get what they can purchase on the day unlike the state run rests where everything is frozen!!

Really looking forward to this as it’s the most sort out table in Havana.

Location of Cuban film Fresa y Chocolate

Anyway our taxi doesn’t arrive unable to call Alberto as he won’t give us his phone number, he’s giving us the shits a little bit!! Smokes all the time but not in our presence and has the shakes so we are sure he has a drinking problem!!

We get a taxi and arrive at this amazing place, old slightly derelict but filled with such charm. We climb up the marble staircase 52 steps up through an enormous marble ballroom to the top of the building. Here Tiny rooms filled with artwork dimly lite but ambience to boot. Little children run around us asking for caramelos, oh dear we dont have any. They are asking for lollies!

If you ever come here bring lollies for the children and keep all the shampoos etc for the adults as these things are hard to come by.

Have rabbit and a great bottle of wine the best meal so far!! There are only a few of these rest as 95% are owned by the government

International film stars and the Spanish Queen have dined here so it is very special!

We loved every minute of this unique place. It cost us 50.00 per head with tip, ! Entrée main course wine salad which we couldn’t eat!!

It was a night to remember!

At the fort under a pointsianna tree

John Lennon and me

My 1952 Chysler!

A flat tire!

The sculpture given by Yokos sister

The original old building with probably 5-6 families in it no restoration as gov owned. The blue house privately owned and repainted, only the front though!