La Havana - Cuba: Food

More than often I have read that the quality and variation of food is of a lower standard than most deserving travellers are accustomed too but here on the Avenues del Puerta a number of small free standing cafes on the cornice have set up just where the tourist buses disgorge their occupants…

La Havana - Cuba: People

Wherever in Havana – you are never far from the music. Well that is in the Vieja, the old original part now with Unesco heritage status. Early in the morning the mood is lighter and faster and by four in the afternoon, post siesta it is warming up. People, music, the tastes in the air take off from 4pm. The guide books recommend sauntering through the streets when it is close to dusk. I concur.

La Havana – Cuba: Architecture

The first impression of the hotel is of a huge twenty storey concrete block imposing itself high above the district. This concrete edifice to the fifties warms with the large two storey mural across the imposing entrance looking like it was completed by the local college on a community help scheme.

La Havana – Cuba: Cars

I had assumed it was still a myth that the old Chevvies, Pontiacs and Buicks of the 50’s would be around still but I was pleasantly surprised to see them in evidence albeit most were taxis and some in better condition than others. Now my recognition of car types from the 50’s is relatively limited purely as I wasn’t around, not to appreciate them at my age anyway, Dad never owned one of them and lastly I am not really interested in cars of this era.

Danilov Monastery - Moscow

The day was predominantly spent at Danilov Monastery with Tonya, a 6 year old girl and her mother. It’s an incredibly sad story that somehow when you know the facts you realise that what ever our problems we have they pail in to insignificance.

So we met them at their apartment lying south west of the red metro line and after a short bus journey.

Beirut - Epilogue

It’s only fitting that I capture the events and points that came out of the last few days in Beirut and the flight into Syria.

Cessation of activities during the one-day strike did not cease and as such the commotion that built up on Wednesday evening continued into Thursday.

Beirut - Politics and the situation

There is a high presence of military and police located around at strategic points. Not a single member of these forces are female or do not carry a heavy arsenal. The police travel round in huge Ford 4 × 4’s with lights flashing continuously. The army in covered jeeps, or trucks with bench seating in the rear. It’s curious that there are so many but this country has been unstable for many years.

Beirut - Sights and Sites

Where the city has its heart is not downtown. This area is almost virginal with access denied to all but a few vehicles, like the equivalent of the City of London’s ring of steel.

The offices and shops are all new, rebuilt after the civil war destroyed them all.

Beirut - Introduction

I hadn’t intended to write a journal on this break as I assumed I would be too busy on a short break. What’s happened on this trip has become a bit of a surprise.

What struck me the most is the complexities of the people and their acceptance of the norm..

Muscat - As high as you can get...

Last day out in the country with the car, so its best to make the most of it. The intention is to get round Nizwa again, Al Hamra, Wadi Ghul, Jebel Shams and Bahla.

Nizwa is alive and buzzing, being the old capital and its location. Many people travel in from the villages and neighbouring towns for its services.