El Morro, the Key to the City that is Key to the Island that is Key to the Caribbean

Let the record show that Spanish forts in the Caribbean are very cool.  No need to lecture me on how the colonialism, neo-colonialism, and post neo-colonialism (I'm pretty sure I just made that third one up!) has been bad for the Caribbean, indeed most of Latin America.  I'm not here to judge (you know, unless I want to).

But between the forts in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico, as well as the three that guarded Havana Bay, the forts the Spanish built are dramatic and situated with stunning views of the Atlantic.  Havana is the key to Cuba, which is the key to the Caribbean, and that's key to remember!  (And to think I was keyed up about going to Cuba!).

Perched high up on a bluff on the eastern side of Havana Bay, El Morro is a jewel to explore as a tourist.  The thick stone walls, views of the Atlantic, views across the Havana -- all are stunning.  We wandered around the fort, going up and down different levels, inner and outer defenses.  Many times we had the section of the fort we were in to ourselves

They had a great display -- with English translations -- of the successful, yet short-lived British invasion (of Cuba, not rock and roll) of 1762, culminating in the Battle of Havana.  The Brits returned Havana/Cuba just one year later in the treaty of the Seven Years' War.  Defeating the Spanish force at el Morro was crucial to the British victory.

There was also a display dedicated to the explorations of Columbus, with maps and models of his three ships.

Everyone assumes the "Elon Phoenix" on 

my shirt meant I was from Arizona.

Cannons are a recurring theme in Havana.

This lighthouse continues to operate.

Sweet catamaran

The Memorial to Jose Marti,

far off in the distance.

As we neared the Harbormaster's office, he came out and beckoned us up.  He gave us a Spanglish tour of his office, showing the logbooks, the signals, high  powered telescope, flags, and messages books.  It was very cool (and yes, Carol tipped him).  There obviously are not many ships per day in and out of Havana Harbor, otherwise we would not have gotten this tour.  He was quite good at it, so it's not like we were the first ones ever to be treated this way.  That said, we've never gotten a tour like that before.

(By "tour" -- I mean maybe ten minutes -- but very cool to get to do.)

They could have used Carol's

signaling skills on the Titanic.

The Harbormaster with one of the many flags.

Carol plays "I Spy" -- seriously, great

views of the Havana skyline

No actual logs or communicates were logged or

communicated during the making of this picture.

So, I'm pretty happy with this picture.

The chapel.

Like a limestone fossil

The two small towers of the Hotel Nacional

can be seen right in the middle of this pic.

As it turns out, we only had time to tour one of the three forts -- and El Morro (the Moor -- named after three three Wisemen who visited the Baby Jesus bearing gifts) is the one to hit.  Next time in Havana, we'll make to the other two forts.