UNESCO - Old Havana, Cuba

 

Pre-paid postcards showing views of the Havana Vieja, with the basilica and the monastery of San Francisco de Asis. 

Cuban Revolutionaries

Chevy On The Beach

I have been lazy updating...life on the island has become such a routine, with every day being the same and just flying by...its the peak of the tourist season, ports are busy, and the sky is (mostly) blue like on the pic - though truth be told it has been a weird summer so far, weather-wise. Probably the rainiest in a while. Well I am on my way to use a couple of days off! *waving*

P.S. This classic car looks like a Chevrolet to me, but I am not really sure..!

Street Taxi In Trinidad, Cuba

Of course I was thrilled to find a donkey postcard in Trinidad! This is a prepaid card and is one of the first to arrive, sadly another one for my UNESCO collection and one for a friend sent with real stamps didn't make it...I didn't see this fellow on the streets - but lots of horse carts, as this street sign would suggest :)

Women In Cuban Traditional Dress

Traditional Cuban attire for women, like other aspects of Cuban culture, has its roots in Spanish and African influences. Most of the traditional outfits worn by Cuban women focus on lightweight fabrics and bright colors.

I was lucky to find this postcard, and only one single copy of it, on a Habana square on my day of departure. Moving on before i get too nostalgic :)

UNESCO - Urban Historic Centre Of Cienfuegos, Cuba

The colonial town of Cienfuegos was founded in 1819 in the Spanish territory (southern coast) but was initially settled by immigrants of French origin - developed in the neoclassical style, it later became more eclectic but retained a harmonious overall townscape.

The postcard shows the Arch Of Triumph as the entrance to Parque José Martí  in the town's centre, with the Ferrer Palace in the background. I will remember Cienfiegos as the place we have discovered the greatness of something as simple as a flan, the best dessert, yum!

 

 

Cuban Tobacco

 

Here are my first postcards from Cuba...Most of the sent cards arrived safely by now but some are still travelling...fingers crossed they also reach their meant destinations.

These show the world-renowned Cuban tobacco, i.e. the fields, production...and the 'Godfather of Cuban tobacco' Alejandro Robaina. His family had been growing tobacco in the Pinar del Rio province since 1845, and even after the 1959 revolution he remained an independent grower (even though the most plantations were absorbed into cooperative organisations). Respect!

Fidel Castro En La Sierra Maestra, Cuba

Last week there was a hint of Cuban postcards finally arriving to their destinations...those were sent later than mine, so I was curious to see if mine will arrive...and surely they did, yesterday :) The cancellation shows they were sent a full week after I've put them in the mailbox, and took them further 11 weeks of travelling, but they are here and in a good shape so all is well :)

I couldn't resist sending one with Fidel - he sure is a controversial figure, but a very interesting one.

UNESCO - Old Havana and its Fortifications, Cuba

Morro Castle is a picturesque fortress guarding the entrance to Havana bay. When it was built in 1589, Cuba was under the control of Spain; it was later captured by the British in 1762. The Faro Castillo del Morro lighthouse was added in 1846.

Thank you Mauroh for my first and only postcard from Cuba (oh how I long to visit..!) 

Oh yes and the stamps shows typical food, fried plantanas.

Havana Club

Cuba is a country on everyone's travelling wishlist. Here is a glimpse of it :) thanks Hanna!