"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit...” Aristotle

Day 15: 03/07/25 (Thursday)
Activity: Havana City Tour
Hotel: Home in La Havana, Cuba

Our longing was in the old Quarters Havana. Although this area attracts a lot of visitors, there are still a lot of residential buildings. Many old buildings in the southern half of Havana Vieja have been transformed into apartments, and some of these apartments are available for visitors to rent.

Our apartment has two rooms. There is only one adjoining bathroom and had to be shared with the other two gentlemen. And there is a small bathroom behind the kitchen.

During the day the park in front of the apartment was not as busy and as noisy as when it was at night.

This morning we planned for a walking tour of Havana Vieja. Earlier, we already booked a local tour guide for the half day tour. The meeting point was a short walking distance away. It was still early so we detoured to a Vegan Cafe to have breakfast of scrambled eggs and Cuban bread with hot chocolate and latte.

We were at the meeting point early. At the Simon Boliviar Statue we met a Muslim brother, Hamzah who informed us that the Havana Mosque is not far away.

Mr. Rolli, our tour guide was a little late as his motorbike broke down on the way. The Havana Old City Tour started by visiting the 5 main squares in Havana Vieja. They are Plaza de Armas, Plaza de la Catedral, Plaza Vieja, Plaza de San Francisco, and Plaza del Cristo. Near the plazas we saw some of the city’s most noteworthy attractions.

At Plaza Vieja we headed to the Camera Obscura, an optical device mounted atop a 1909 building that projects a real-time 360° view of the colonial streets below. There was a small entrance fee and a guide explains landmarks, and there’s a rooftop terrace with a panoramuc view.

Abdallah Mosque or Mezquita Abdallah is Havana’s first and only mosque. It is tucked into a charming colonial-era building in Old Havana. Opened in 2015 and repurposed from an antique car museum from charitable funding with support from Turkish and Saudi foundations, as well as other Muslim groups. The mosque is a one-story colonial-box style, with a modest minaret and rich Arabic calligraphy and carpets.

At the end of the tour, we went to a seafood Terrace restaurant but it was full and queue was long. Instead we went to chick D'Lirios Restaurant located in front of the Capitol Building for a hearty seafoid lunch with life entertainment.

We were back to our apartment for solat jamak before we went out again to explore other parts of Havana.

Took 2 trishaws to Jose Marti Mercado for souveniers. There was a misunderstanding so we ended up paying double than the agreed rental rate. We werr earlier warned of scammers, conmen and pick-pockets in the old.Havana.

Mercado de Artesania is a huge warehouse, sitting on the docks of Havana bay. It is home to numerous vendors who sell goods, artifacts, curios and paintings. Once you go here, you probably will have seen it all in the old town of Havana. Vendors know some English, most will bargain, and some will force you to buy their products so one has to be careful and ask about the price. We bought some fridge magnets and duffel bags from here.

Havana is full of history, and there is plenty to see besides Spanish architectures and attractions in the old city. From Jose Marti Mercado, we hired a Classic Car taxi for the afternoon Tour to see the other part of Havana city. We had to cross the bay to get to Casablanca on the other side of the harbour.

Our first stop was at the Plaza de La Revolucion which is the 60th largest city square in the world. The square is where many political rallies take place and Fidel Castro and other political figures address Cubans.

The square is dominated by the José Martí Memorial. Opposite the memorial are the offices of the Ministries of the Interior and Communications, whose facades feature matching steel memorials of the two most important deceased heroes of the Cuban Revolution: Che Guevara, with the quotation "Hasta la Victoria Siempre" (Ever Onward to Victory) and Camilo Cienfuegos, with the quotation "Vas bien, Fidel" (You're doing fine, Fidel).

Casablanca is a part of the city of Havana, It is situated to the east of the entrance to Havana Harbor. Casablanca, a charming yet often overlooked district across the bay from Old Havana, offers a mix of panoramic views, colonial history, and local culture. A refreshing contrast from the tourist-filled streets of Old Havana.

A frequent ferry links Casablanca with the dock at the foot of Santa Clara street in Old Havana. We didn't take the ferry, instead our taxi drove is to Casablanca via the under water tunnel.

We took picture at the big Cuba signage then drove uphill to Camilo Cienfiegos Lighthouse and the viewpoint. The iconic Faro del Castillo de los Tres Reyes del Morro, perched atop the ramparts of El Morro Fortress, guarding Havana Bay’s entrance. It stands as the oldest operational lighthouse in Havana.

Not far was the Fortaleza de San Carlos de la Cabaña, one of the Americas' largest colonial forts, built in the 18th century. Cannon‑firing ceremony is held here at 9 pm daily and could be seen from the Old Havana.

We visited the Christ of Havana, a majestic 20 m marble statue of Christ overlooking Havana Bay, sculpted in 1958 from Italian Carrara marble. There is a panoramic terrace perfect for sunrise or sunset city views. Che Guevara"s house is located near the Christ statue.

Comandancia del Che is a Military History Museum. The Che Guevara’s wartime HQ is located beside the statue. The museum includes a downed US plane from the Missile Crisis. There are many outdoor exhibits rich in Cold War history.

Back at the Home In La Habana we went for souvenir hunting at the souvenir shops next to our apartment.

14 Mexico/Cuba: Monterrey City Tour...

"I know that if I wasn't scared, something's wrong, because the thrill is what's scary..." - Richard Pryor

(Paseo Santa Lucia, Monterrey)

Day 14: 02/07/25 (Wednesday)
Activity: Monterrey City Tour
Flight:  VB642 MTY 1530/HAV 2015  (Viva Air)
Route: Monterrey, Mexico - Havana, Cuba
Hotel: Home In La Havana, Cuba

Very early in the morning we ordered our breakfast. Our room service breakfast was a set of pancakes and maple syrup and a set of eggs and beans with orange juice and coffee. All were delivered through the Breakfast Service Box. We had half a morning to spend in Monterrey city before our VB642 1530 hrs to Havana, Cuba.. Rain is predicted so we were prepared with jackets and umbrellas.

We booked an Uber to visit the attractions in Monterrey. The Palace Museum is located in Nuevo León, and is part of the Three Museums complex, along with the Museum of Mexican History and the Museum of the Northeast. It is also part of the Paseo Santa Lucía complex.

The Macroplaza or Gran Plaza is a square in the city of Monterrey in Nuevo León, It is the name given to the central part of Monterrey, which occupies 40 hectares.. It is the largest square in Mexico and the fifth largest square in the world..

Fero Del Commercio Monterrey, Mexico
Macroplaza, or the Lighthouse of Commerce is an emblematic monument of the city of Monterrey, located in the Macroplaza in front of the Monterrey Cathedral and behind the Municipal Offices.

The monument to Workers of Nuevo León is a tribute to all men and women workers who give life to this industrial city. It was designed by the sculptor Cuauhtémoc Zamudio.

Ignacio Zaragoza Seguín was born in Bahia del Espiritu Santo, then a Mexican territory in the state of Coahuila and Texas -today, Goliad, Texas, USA. The second of eight sons of Veracruz soldier Miguel Zaragoza Valdés and Texan María de Jesús Seguin Martínez, he was a distinguished and distinguished Mexican military man, Minister of War for President Benito Juárez in 1861, who defeated the French in the city of Puebla on May 5, 1862.

Monterrey signage at the Macroplaza. The Macroplaza is a testament to Monterrey's twentieth century ambition.. This city block wide series of interconnected squares, also known as the Gran Plaza, was created in the 1980s by the demolition of a prime chunk of city-center real estate. A controversial but ultimately successful piece of redevelopment, its charm has increased over the years as the once bare urban space has been transformed into the largest public square in the world.. It has been softened by parks, trees and fountains..

The Santa Lucia riverwalk or Paseo Santa Lucía is an artificial canal located in Monterrey. Construction of the canal began in 1996, but for economic reasons was stopped for nine years. In 2005, construction continued and was finished in 2007. The man-made canal connects the Macroplaza and the Fundidora Park.

Fundidora Park is an urban park located in Monterrey, in what once were the grounds of the Monterrey Foundry, the first steel and iron foundry in Latin America. Fundidora Park is an industrial heritage museum and public park in the heart of Monterrey. Originally developed as the site of the Compañia Fundidora de Fierro y Acero de Monterrey, a steel foundry dating to 1900. The once-important industrial center now serves a recreational and educational purpose for the city and its visitors. The park contains several structures from the old foundry.ĺ

From the Fundidora Park we took an Uber back to the hotel to collect our luggage and check out.

The Monterrey International Airport is considered one of the most modern airports in North America with a design based on energy savings and sustainability, serving more than eleven million passengers per year. We already check-in online and were just in time to check-in our luggage. But before we could check in our luggage we were requested to apply for digital travellers Entry Form on-line.

Our VB642 flight to Cuba was delayed for almost an hour. We landed safely at José Marti International Airport in Havana, Cuba. The airport is located in the municipality of Boyeros, twenty kilometres southwest of the centre of Havana, Cuba. It is Cuba's main international airport, and serves several million passengers each year.

After immigration checks and custom clearances which were very fast and efficient, we were met by a taxi driver who sent us to our rented apartment located in the Old Quarters in Villrgas Havana. Eventhough it was nearly midnight when we reached the area, the badly lighted neighbourhood was still full of youngsters playing loud musics, dancing and talking loudly.

The landlord Lisa was already waiting for us. Steep narrow staircases led us to the two rooms apartment on the 3rd floor. Lisa's friend helped us to carry our big bags upstairs for a small tip. This apartment will be our lodging for the next three nights.

Our first impression of Havana Veija neighbourhood was a bit scary!

13 Mexico: Free and Easy in Mexico City

 "We choose our joys and sorrows long before we experience them..." - Khalil Gibran

Day 13: 01/07/25 (Tuesday)

Activity: Free and Easy in Mexico City

Flight: VB1352 MEX 1705/MTY 1840 (Viva Air)

Route: Mexico City, Mexico - Monterrey, Mexico
Hotel: Hotel Myst Monterrey, Mexico

We had scrambled eggs and toast for breakfast. This morning we're going to do our own tour before flying to Monterrey later this afternoon. We checked out and kept our luggage in the store.

The Plaza de la Constitución is better known,
across Mexico, as the Zócalo. It's the central plaza of the City and often referred to as the central plaza of the entire country. As such, it is the frequent site of many of the important events in the city and it's often very crowded. Throughout the year, it hosts events, fairs, carnivals, concerts, parades, and more.

Metropolitan Cathedral (Catedral Metropolitana de la Asunción de la Bienaventurada Virgen Maria a los cielos), a prominent landmark in Mexico City. It is situated on the northern side of the Plaza de la Constitución (Zócalo) in the historic center of Mexico City, built atop the former Aztec sacred precinct near the Templo Mayor. It holds significance as the spiritual center of the Aztec capital and is considered the first cathedral built in the Americas.

Portal de Mercaderes Constitución Plaza is a historic arcaded building located on the west side of the Zócalo .The Portal de los Mercaders, literally, the Merchants Portal, was begun 1527 by one Melchor Dávila. Fabric shops were already open, operated by one Gonzalo Ruiz, by 1532. Señor Ruiz no doubt witnessed this continuous struggle to keep the Zócalo from sinking into a continual morass of vendors buying selling, haggling, and vocally announcing their wares. The portals, the covered walkway along the square's western edge, were intended right from the beginning, to provide more space for vendors.

The Antiguo Palacio del Ayuntamiento is the main seat of the Mexico City government. It's home to a small museum and several galleries which are open to the public. The Cabildos Hall and the Francisco Gamoneda Documentation Center are also inside the building. The first City Council meeting was held here on May 10, 1532.

The National Palace takes up the entirety of the east side of the Zócalo. It's the seat of the Executive Branch of the Mexican Federal Government. It takes up some 40,000 square meters and has been a World Heritage Site since 1987.

The Nacional Monte de Piedad is of interest to international visitors mostly for its main headquarters building on the northwest corner of the Zócalo in Mexico City. Established in Mexico 1774 and 1777, it's founder was Pedro Romero de Terreros, the first Count of Regla being just one of his titles. His home is a famous landmark, and he owned much of the property surrounding the present day Metro El Rosario,

The main pedestrian street in Mexico City's historic center is Francisco I. Madero Avenue, also known as Madero Street. It's a vibrant, bustling street lined with shops, restaurants, and historical buildings and is a popular spot for both tourists and locals.

The Barrio Chino in Mexico City is a small sub-neighborhood within San Juan Moyotlan, itself a neighborhood of the Centro Histórico. A few streets are the center of annual celebrations of the Chinese New Year. But year round there's a flavor of China and its people and traditions. The people of China have a long history of immigration to Mexico Some came along with the famous Manila Galleon Trade which connected Acapulco with the Philippine Islands for some 250 years,

The Centro Educativo de la Comunidad Musulmana, AC, also known as the Mezquita de Polanco, is a mosque situated in the Anzures neighborhood of Mexico City. Established in 2001, it occupies a three-story building adapted for its religious functions, lacking traditional elements like a minaret and dome The mosque serves as a center for worship, education, and community activities, offering daily prayers, Friday sermons in Arabic and Spanish, and classes on Islamic orinciples and Arabic language. It also provides halal meat and chicken for the community. The mosque is open daily, with specific hours for prayers and activities.. However, it was closed when we were there.

Ww had lunch at Taj Mahal Bangladesh Restaurant. It's an Indian and Bangladeshi restaurant specializing in halal food in the Roma neighborhood of Mexico City. We had lamb beriani and naan with chicken masala..

On the way back to the hotel we saw a protest parade along the road. Protest is a constant in Mexico City, the seat of the federal government and thus a focal point for angry, disgruntled and dissatisfied citizens from around the country. As the National Palace - the seat of executive power and now the president's residence as well - is located opposite the Zócalo, the central square is the most popular place for demonstrations, and many protest marches end there after commencing in other central parts of the capital.

Back at the Lagunilla Hotel, we collected our bags and took an Uber to the Benito Juarez International Airport for our flight to Monterrey.

Benito Juarez International Airport, Mexico City, welcomes millions of international visitors every year through its two main airports: Benito Juarez International Airport and Felipe Ángeles (Santa Lucía) International Airport. Navigating through these bustling hubs can be overwhelming, especially for first-time travelers to Mexico City.

After checked in, we had to walk a distance to Gate 4 board Viva VB1352, Benito Juarez International Airport, Mexico City We are flying Viva to Monterrey.. Aeroenlaces Nacionales, S.A.de C.V., trading as Viva (formerly Viva Aerobus), is a major Mexican low-cost airline headquartered at Monterrey International Airport, in Apodaca, Nuevo Leon, Mexico. Measured by passenger numbers, it is Mexico's third-largest airline and eleventh-largest airline in North America, offering more than 160 routes in more than 50 destinations serving Mexico, the United States, Central and South America.

We arrived safely at Monterrey International Airport.. General Mariano Escobedo International Airport, simply known as Monterrey International Airport, is an international airport located in Apodaca, Nuevo León, Mexico serving Greater Monterrey. It operates flights to Mexico, the United States, Canada, Latin America, Asia and Europe.. It wasn't quite busy when we landed.

Hotel Myst, located near Fundidora Park and
Macroplaza.. It's a 4 star hotel. Providing 35 rooms, the 4-star Hotel Myst. Monterrey is about a 20-minute walk from Banamex Auditorium Amphitheatre.

12 Mexico: Teotihuacan and Basilica Amigo Tours...

"Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it..." - George Santayana

(Pyramid of the Moon in Teotihuacan)

Day 12: 30/06/25 (Monday)
Activity: Teotihuacan and Basilica Day Trip
Hotel: Hotel MX Lagunilla Mexico City

This morning we had breakfast at the hotel dining room. From the hotel we walked to the Palacio de Bellas Artes passing a few attractions around the way and observing the local scenes.

Today we joined the Teotihuacan and Basilica Amigo Tours where we are going to discover the magic of Teotihuacan and Basilica of Guadalupe with this Mexico City Tour. Then we will explore the Pyramid of the Sun and Moon, then walk through the ancient ruins. Finally, visiting the stunning Basilica of Guadalupe, one of the most important religious sites in Mexico.

Our first visit was to the Church of Santiago Tlatelolco was erected after the Conquest, in 1521. The victors chose the site where the Mexica had resisted military attacks for more than 80 days. When the conquistadors arrived at Tlatelolco, they destroyed the remains of the Mexica, aiming to erase all traces and legacies of such an important culture. 

Thus, the broken sculptures became part of the construction of the Church of Santiago Apóstol. Between 1536 and 1566, this building served as the Imperial College of the Holy Cross of Tlatelolco, where Friar Bernardino de Sahagún worked. In the 19th century, it was used as a military prison and remained so until the 20th century. In 1976, it was renovated and housed the Historical Archive of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

We drove to Teotihuacan, a vast Mexican archaeological complex northeast of Mexico City about forty kilometers northeast of Mexico City. Before we entered the complex, we visited the Obsidian Workshop where the original Mexican handicrafts and artworks are made. As an antiquity, obsidian was highly valued for its sharp edges, which made it ideal for creating tools, such as arrowheads, blades, and cutting edges. In Mexico, obsidian mirrors were believed to possess divination abilities, providing aview into the invisible realms. Obsidian sources in Mesoamerica are limited in number and distribution, and are restricted to the volcanic regions of the Sierra Madre Mountains as they run through Mexico and Guatemala.

 

Teotihuacan is known today as the site of many of the most architecturally significant Mesoamerican pyramids built in the pre Columbian Americas, namely the Pyramid of the Sun and the Pyramid of the Moon. Running down the middle of the site, which was once a flourishing pre-Columbian city, is the Avenue of the Dead. It links the Temple of Quetzalcoatl, the Pyramid of the Moon and the Pyramid of the Sun, the latter two with panoramic views from their summits. Artifacts in the Museum of Teotihuacan Culture, on-site, include pottery and bones. Although close to Mexico City, Teotihuacan was not a Mexican or Aztec city, and it predates the Aztec Empire by many centuries.

We had lunch at the Tlacaelel Restaurant is Located in the heart of Teotihuacán de Arista. Restaurante Tlacaelel brings a passion to its cuisine that visitors don't find in many restaurants. No matter which dish is choosen, visitors won't be disappointed.. There was a buffet line available. Ala carte is also a good option. The pescados or fish options are good and tasty.

After lunch we drove back towards Mexico City to visit the Basilica of Santa Maria de Guadalupe officially called Insigne y Nacional Basilica de Santa María de Guadalupe or the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe. It is a basilica of the Catholic Church, dedicated to the Virgin Mary in her invocation of Our Lady of Guadalupe, located at the foot of the Hill of Tepeyac in the Gustavo A. Madero borough of Mexico City.. There was a mass taking place in the church when we weee there.

Back at the MX Lagunilla Hotel in Mexico City in the rain. We had Maggi dinner in our room. It's our final night here in Mexico City.. Well be flying out to Monterrey tomorrow.