Callejon de Hamel
We were greeted at Havana Airport by Felipe, the host at our casa particular (Cuban Bed and Breakfast), who drove us to his home in central Havana. Arriving in Cuba felt like being transported back in time - the roads were full of cool fifties-style classic cars and we even passed a horse and cart.
At Felipe's home, we met his wife Odalys. The couple were warm and welcoming and staying with them became one of the highlights of our trip to Havana. Our cute room had a fridge, air-conditioning (which was a godsend in Havana's humidity) and a balcony overlooking the lively street.
Fruit Plate at Breakfast
Every day Odalys would make us a huge breakfast which included a massive plate of fruit each, bacon, eggs and toast, a plate of ham and cheese followed by cake, not to mention fresh juices and coffee! It certainly kickstarted our day!
Stray Cat in Centro Historico
Havana is visually stunning with its crumbling colonial buildings and classic cars cruising through the streets. The music, as expected, was excellent, and we discovered a great bar called Dos Hermanos (Two Brothers) where we drunk mojitos on my birthday and listened to cool jazz.
Jazz Musician
Other highlights included Afro-Caribbean music in colourful Callejon de Hamel on Sunday morning, a two-hour cruise in an orange Buick and a visit to the quirky and creative enclave of Fusterlandia. We also really enjoyed wandering the streets and plazas of the historical area and the sea breeze on the malecon provided much needed relief from the heat.
Our orange Buick, one of only two in the city
There were an abundance of stray cats in Centro Historico, but the locals seemed to do a good job in feeding them. They gathered in the small parks and as we were missing our furry friends from our housesitting gigs, we were happy to befriend them.
Fusterlandia
There is another side to Havana. It's clear to see that many people are suffering from a lack of basic items - people line up outside shops which appear to have limited stocks on their shelves. Poverty is rife and life is tough for many.
From a visitors perspective, internet is limited, as is decent food, especially for vegetarians. We found that in many cafes, bars and restaurants, service wasn't particularly friendly or prompt (with the exception of Dos Hermanos and a veggie-friendly café called Arcangel). Rum, however, was very cheap!
Two of Havana's iconic sights - cars and buildings
Overall, I am really pleased that we made the effort to get to Havana, but I don't think that we would return. It's a fascinating place, completely unique and like nowhere else in the world, but it's not without its issues.