A highlight of our trip to Cuba was the unusual opportunity we were given to cruise the Malecon. The Malecon is the sea wall that stretches for 5 miles along the coast of Havana. Originally built to protect the city from the sea, it has become a gathering spot for locals and for tourists. Keep in mind that as US citizens, we are still not allowed to enter Cuba as tourists. Our official reason for going was a “People to People” exchange. Our group of 16 boats was the largest contingent of vessels from the state of Texas to visit Havana in years. The Commodore of the Internacional Hemingway Club Nautico helped TMCA coordinate the trip . We learned that this yacht club is one of the few privately owned organizations allowed in this socialist country. Commodore Escrich started the club in 1992 as a non-profit organization dedicated to teaching local children sailing and team work skills. Escrich organized a cruise from Marina Hemingway along the Malecon and into Havana Harbor as well as a “regatta” for the sailboats in the group. This was an amazing privilege. Our group was given special government permission to enter Havana Harbor as well as being granted permission to exit Marina Hemingway and then renter it without the usual Customs red tape. Escrich publicized the event locally and with the international press, so it was a pretty big deal for him. That evening the club Nautico treated us to a wonderful roast pig dinner with a fantastic all girl Cuban band.
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- Russian Embassy completed in 1987
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Jose Marti Memorial in Revolution Square was begun during Batista’s presidency and was completed in 1959. -
The Hotel Habana Riviera was built in 1957. -
Most of the buildings in Cuba were built prior to the revolution and are now in a state of disrepair. -
The building on the right is the Embassy of the United States. -
Statue of Major Maximo Gomez along the Malecon -
Hotel Nacional de Cuba -
Luke and Juliene Durdin aboard their Kadey Krogen, Norman Jean. -
Stuart and Gaye Lynn Zarrow aboard Magic Ride. -
Locke and Camille Bryan aboard their Grand Banks, Hollywood Endings. The US Embassy is in the background. 
The crew of Quid Pro Quo rallied the onlookers when they raised the Cuban flag and blared lively Cuban music. - I took so many photos that I can’t help but post. The city of Havana was such a contrast. So colorful and alluring in many ways and yet sad and crumbling. Some photos show evidence that the government is making an effort to to restore a few of the old buildings. We were told that the structures, many built with US dollars, were poorly constructed. This makes restoration difficult and costly. An attempt is being made to salvage the facades and rebuild the interiors.
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The cruise into Havana Harbor.
A ferry transports passengers across the Havana Harbor. 
- Inside the harbor, many small fishing boats waited while we paraded by. I found myself fascinated by their bright colors.
