Cuba - Houses and more

We saw some pretty dilapidated houses on the way in to Santiago downtown but we also some outrageously fancy ones in some parts of town.   The one below was in an ultra affluent area, rather like embassy row in Havana.

Striking portico on this Holguin house

Not your typical Holguin house

Unusual garage!

Separate entrances for the two floors; it is very common for Cubans to build on top of an existing house, with arrangements between family members, in-laws and others.  These seemed to be very typical Cuban houses - obviously relatively well off with lots of iron fencing to keep out the unwanted.

Lots of fruit stands along the highway

A well-thatched roof in the village we stopped by on our way back to the resort

This one seemed to have a roof only over part of the house

Free range turkeys and kids in the village 

This one looked like a villa - also in the village!  I blew up the photo and noticed the words "Officina C.P.A." on the arch.  Is it possible that it's the office of the local accountant?  or did C.P.A. stand for something else in Cuba?  Too bad I didn't see it when the guide was there.

A half-thatched roof

Ox cart - incongruous but still everywhere

Cultural exchange between the young people on the tour and village youths - they were going to do some salsa dancing together but all it took was a moment's hesitation and the dynamics changed.  The guys thought better of it - to the disappointment of this photographer.  But it was still fun tagging along...

Cuba: Santiago

I have mixed feelings about Santiago.  I was really looking forward to visiting it thinking that it would be another Havana, in fact, even older.  Maybe it was the false expectations that made it a bit of a disappointment.  There were historical buildings but I was sad to see them in disrepair, even the special museum sites looked like they just got a layer of cheap paint that didn't go on very smoothly.  The Hotel Casa Granda which we would have stayed at were we to do an overnight trip looked like it was barely held together, the "roof" over the internal courtyard dilapidated.  Yet the view from the rooftop garden was spectacular and the building still retained an aura of past splendour.  While Havana was bustling with a sense of renewal, Santiago city centre was filled with people begging and hustling, giving an impression of a city in decay.  Maybe it was just a misconception over a short visit of just a couple of hours whereas we were in Havana for three whole days - I hope I'm wrong.  

A "classic car" jam viewed from the rooftop garden of the Casa Granda

The Cathedral in the Parque Cespede in the city centre

The gracious outdoor dining room in the Casa Granda

The internal courtyard of the Casa Granda (note the roof)

Rooftop garden - Casa Granda

View of the city from the rooftop garden

This building was boarded up - a sneak view through the hoarding but it doesn't look like any work is being done on it.

Another part of the same building possibly the Casa de Cultura is being used as some sort of display gallery.

Museo de Ambiente Cubano, the oldest residential building in Cuba (wish we had time to visit)

 

Detail from the attractive front of the Ayuntamiento or town hall, originally the site of the governor's house.

Some street life near the city centre

Museo Emilio Bacardi Moreau (see what I meant about the paint?)

Our favourite - the Casa de la Trova

Duo los Cubanitos invited us in and played for us.  We bought their CD - it is extraordinarily good!

Cuba: El Morro, Santiago

El Morro is a fortress strategically located on a promontory at the entrance to the bay going into Santiago.  Built in the 17th century to guard against pirates, it was subsequently used as a prison.   It was one of our first stops on the day trip to Santiago and we got there before the crowds so it was great for picture taking.  Stunning view of the Caribbean.

Many handsome angles and curves to be found on the grounds...

A chapel on the grounds

Conveyor for the cannon balls!

Some kind of lizard? (interesting tail) - well-camouflaged against the stone

This model gives you an idea of how the castle is situated

Next post:  Santiago