I met up with my friend and unofficial tour guide/language teacher Miguel over a coffee an ouch on the veranda of the hotel. He had a couple of hours free before he had to go back to driving. We made arrangements to meet up later as I wanted to take him to dinner and try and new place. He called for us and made a dinner reservation for 7pm.
In the meantime, I ask him to drop me off in old Havana at the Rum Museum. I figured I would kill a few hours before dinner by visiting some different sights. The rum museum,even if you were drunk was a rip off of an experience. Seven bucks for a 20 minute nonsense nothing tour with a thimble tasting at the end. Happy to be done with that, I started walking along the water until I came across this interesting hotel facing the water. I found out it was the home of a dilettante deadbeat relic from a former era ---a Spanish Count. I walked in and asked the front desk woman if I cold see a room. After some back and forth she agreed and proceeded to call a chambermaid to show me a room. On the 3rd floor, a double, nice size with a big shared terrace overlooking the water. The rates were reasonable but not less than the Nacional. However, it is always good to have a few back ups. I like the room, the location and the price. It was in Old Havana but a few blocks away from the main tourist section.
At the hotel, I asked about tee shirts and someone told me about a flea market about 5-6 blocks down on the left. it was a pleasant afternoon, overcast without the hot sun beating down on you. There was tons of stuff at the market for sale. I did buy this 4x4 in painting of the Blue 56 BelAire. This is Miguel's car and in keeping with my trading of identifying one thing that represented the trip he and his car are it for me.
Leaving the flea market, I met this classic car driver and I hired him to take me home but first I wanted to stop at the famous Coppola ice cream parlor. Rumor has it Fidel use to call personally to set the flavor of the day. I had the cab go drop me off in front of Coppola. I found out they had 3 favors so what's the big whoop? The ice cream was good but could not compare to gelato in Italy not in million Fidel's.
After eating the ice cream, I went looking for the Bar La Torre, the tower on the 33floor of a nearby hotel. I only had a drink so I can not speak about the food. The prices looked expensive by Cuban standards. However, it is the million dollar view over the entire city and coast of Havana that you come to see. The bar and restaurant have a 360 degree view so every seat is a different feast for your eyes. It is a great romantic place to share a drink or meal as the sun sets over Havana. I ordered a drink and just enjoyed the moment....
In the meantime, I ask him to drop me off in old Havana at the Rum Museum. I figured I would kill a few hours before dinner by visiting some different sights. The rum museum,even if you were drunk was a rip off of an experience. Seven bucks for a 20 minute nonsense nothing tour with a thimble tasting at the end. Happy to be done with that, I started walking along the water until I came across this interesting hotel facing the water. I found out it was the home of a dilettante deadbeat relic from a former era ---a Spanish Count. I walked in and asked the front desk woman if I cold see a room. After some back and forth she agreed and proceeded to call a chambermaid to show me a room. On the 3rd floor, a double, nice size with a big shared terrace overlooking the water. The rates were reasonable but not less than the Nacional. However, it is always good to have a few back ups. I like the room, the location and the price. It was in Old Havana but a few blocks away from the main tourist section.
At the hotel, I asked about tee shirts and someone told me about a flea market about 5-6 blocks down on the left. it was a pleasant afternoon, overcast without the hot sun beating down on you. There was tons of stuff at the market for sale. I did buy this 4x4 in painting of the Blue 56 BelAire. This is Miguel's car and in keeping with my trading of identifying one thing that represented the trip he and his car are it for me.
Leaving the flea market, I met this classic car driver and I hired him to take me home but first I wanted to stop at the famous Coppola ice cream parlor. Rumor has it Fidel use to call personally to set the flavor of the day. I had the cab go drop me off in front of Coppola. I found out they had 3 favors so what's the big whoop? The ice cream was good but could not compare to gelato in Italy not in million Fidel's.
After eating the ice cream, I went looking for the Bar La Torre, the tower on the 33floor of a nearby hotel. I only had a drink so I can not speak about the food. The prices looked expensive by Cuban standards. However, it is the million dollar view over the entire city and coast of Havana that you come to see. The bar and restaurant have a 360 degree view so every seat is a different feast for your eyes. It is a great romantic place to share a drink or meal as the sun sets over Havana. I ordered a drink and just enjoyed the moment....
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