It was now about 2pm. Having left my bags in my Casa I was going on my afternoon walking tour. A Casa is a family owned guesthouse like a B&B. The Government has allowed people to rent out rooms in their home, part of the local homestay experience on this tour.

I only had half day today, and half day on my last day to explore Havana as I couldnt arrange extra days off work with other trips planned for the year. The Casa where I am staying is just off Plaza Vieja one of the city squares in the southern part of the old town.

Nearby was the Russian Orthodox church, one of the places I wanted to visit having an interest in Orthodox churches. It was whitewashed interior with none of the murals in some of the Balkan churches.

Then I had to navigate my way to the money exchange place as I still had no cash and couldnt even buy food. The line was maybe 15 mins and they only allowed one person inside at a time. I exchanged my $900 CDN for $669 Pesos. Foolishly I took all $50P notes thinking they would be easier to carry, not knowing they would be hard to break later remembering Uzbekistan where I had to carry a wad of smaller paper notes.

Nearby was Casa Arabe built in Moroccan Moorish style and the Havana Mosque.

Casa Arabe had closed for the day but I was able to go inside the Mosque. A bit north in another square they were selling used books, coins, medals, and other iterms.

It was a bit breezy but hot at the same time in the high 20s. I made my way to Castillo de la Real Fuerza, one of the cities four fortresses. Entrance was $3P and I tried to break a $50P note but she refused to take it even though her float should be enough, so I had to pay with smaller bills.

It was a small two story stone building with several rooms.

You could also go up to the roof to see the harbour channel and the other fortresses. Originally I had planned to take the ferry to the other side to visit the other two fortresses but tired from the early flight and needing food I decided to skip.

From the top you could see the moat and surrounding canons.

Adjacent was the Palacio de los Capitanes Generales. Entrance again was $3P and they refused to take the $50P note draining more of my small bills.

This was more stately with uniforms, carriages, and portraits. It was a two story building with an inner courtyard.

The upper floor had the more formal rooms. There was a ballroom and other regal furnishings.

Next I navigated the street to find Plaza de la Catedral the main square. Unfortunately it was closed so I had to try to come back on my last day and figure out what the opening hours are.