Touring Havana, Cuba, Part Two

Above, El Cristo de La Habana. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

During our tour of Havana, Cuba, we headed out of the main part of the city to visit the El Cristo de La Habana (Christ of Havana) statue and the Fortaleza de San Carlos de la Cabaña.

This massive statue of Jesus was completed in 1958, a year before the Cuban revolution. The statue overlooks the city from its hilltop plaza.

Above, our ship, Majesty of the Seas, at Havana Port. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

While at the El Cristo de La Habana, I found a good spot to take some photos of our ship, Majesty of the Seas in Havana Port.

Above, a Cuban government faciity near the El Cristo de La Habana. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Nearby, is the Fortaleza de San Carlos de la Cabaña, which is an 18th-century fortress complex featuring museums, cultural events & a nightly canon-firing ceremony. The only place we went to there was the cigar and rum store. At the fortress, wreckage parts of the U-2 spy plane that was shot down during the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis were displayed.

Above, parts of the U-2 spy plane that was shot down during the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Originally, I thought I didn't take a photo of the U-2 wreckage pieces, but while going through my photos, I found that I did take a picture of them.

Above, Fortaleza de San Carlos de la Cabaña. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

At the store, I bought ten Montecristo No. 2 cigars. For every five cigars purchased, they give one free cigar. So I ended up with a dozen cigars. I also bought the legal limit of rum (1 litre).

Above and below, a cannon and gun at Fortaleza de San Carlos de la Cabaña. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After we made our purchases, we then made our way back into the city. Along the way, we passed Castillo De Los Tres Reyes Del Morro, which is an iconic symbol of Havana's seagoing past. The fort dates back to the late 16th century.

Above, vintage steam locomotives were displayed outside of the flea market/bazaar. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Back in the city, we went to a flea market/bazaar for more shopping. Mitch Geriminsky bought some cigars there and since I only had seven pesos left, I ended up getting a small (3 inch) wooden carved Indian figure for five pesos.

Above, inside the flea market/bazaar. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After shopping, we then headed back to the ship. It was a fun excursion. It was interesting to see Cuba. I found the people there to be nice and friendly, which is not surprising since our issues are with their communist government and not with them. It looks like some capitalism is slowly creeping back into Cuban life, which is a good sign.

Above, as we were sailing out of Havana Port, here's a shot of the port's entrance with Castillo
De Los Tres Reyes Del Morro and its lighthouse on the right. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Actually, I wouldn't mind going back to Cuba for a return visit.

Above, the entrance to the cigar and rum store. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To see part one of our Havana tour, go here.

Above and below, inside the cigar and rum store. Photos by Armand Vaquer.