Heart of Havana – Part 2: Hotel Nacional
Hotel Nacional
We continued walking from Callejon de Hamel, turned into Calle Infanta, onto Malecon.
Malecon
We passed by a dance studio teaching salsa. Stopped by to check it out. There’s a class about to start and the teacher asked if we wanted to participate for 15 CUC a pair. Mr Cowboy wasn’t really keen and I don’t need basic lessons in salsa, so we just bailed.
Dance Studio
Hotel Nacional is an institution. It is such a contrast to the grittiness that I’ve been exposed to over the last couple days, especially around the neighbourhoods of Havana Vieja as well as Havana Centro of our casa particulares.
Hotel Nacional Iconic Guests
Canon at Hotel Nacional
From the courtyard to the back of the hotel, you can see a grand view of the Malecon. We took photos, enjoyed the view and continued on.
Hotel Nacional Al Fresco Bar
Along the way, Mr Cowboy got touted for an internet card. He decided to take one for 3CUC. If you’re willing to queue for it, it would cost only around 1-1.50 CUC. They make money by selling double the price. Fair enough. Mr Cowboy thought we’ll certainly need it for later.
Habana Libre
We stopped by a cafe just opposite Habana Libre. I had tuna sandwich but it was nothing special. The cafe Americano was terrible though. It was even served on glass, not a cup, and it smelled pungent like a seafood market at the end of the day.
Across the road, I spotted a dulcineria. Decided to have another cup of coffee, espresso this time, to wash off the off-putting taste of the one earlier. Way better! More to Cuban standard coffee! Of course, added to that a desert of chocolate-covered cream and sponge cake and a coconut pie Cuba style. Latter is made of custard and sponge cake mixed with grated coconut.
Cuban chocolate cake – decadent!
Cuban coconut pie – yum!
