Cuba
The Capitolio Nacional is similar to the US Capitol Building in Washington, and it one of the most impressive buildings in downtown Havana.
Beautiful old cars are common in Cuba. It is romantically sold to tourists as a time warp back to the 1950s. But one must remember that the 1950s was a time before catalytic converters, air conditioning and seat belts!
Many streets in old Havana contain buildings in a state of decay, but there are people everywhere and the community spirit seems strong.
The old Havana is a Unesco World Heritage Site because of these beautiful old buildings.
Although there are not much money or resources in Cuba, a lot of Unesco money is flowing in to fund restoration work.
The buildings in Plaza Vieja have been restored.
Havana even has a Chinatown. Though this one was actually created in the 1990s by the Cuban government for tourists. Although the area once had many Chinese people, there aren’t many around anymore.
There are many plazas throughout the city. This is the Plaza de San Francisco de Asis.
Plaza de la Catedral.
Book sellers in the Plaza de Armas.
The Capitolio Nacional stands out in the skyline of old Havana.
The Capitolio Nacional is also visible from across the bay.
A beautiful old building in Habana Vieja.
A famous (or infamous) hotel in Havana.
Imaging building a new hotel and then less than a year later it was commandeered by revolutionary rebels. Conrad Hilton does not have to imagine: Castro took over and, for a while, ran the country from its upper suites.
About 200kms west of Havana is the Viñales area. This mural was painted to many years ago to attract visitors to the area.
The limestone mogotes are the major attraction of the area.
Across the bay lies an old fort.
The famous sea drive of Havana: old buildings, cars, pedestrians and a huge sea wall.