Photos

This photo was taken on Avenida Antonia Macedo, part of the Malecon, a seaside promenade of several kilometres around the north shore of Havana.

When a cold front passes through, the winds come from the north (El Norte) and the waves crash across the rocks and breakwater to spray salt water on the busy road making driving hazardous and walking or cycling a chilling experience.

Normally, the winds are from the east and the Malecon is the place for a pleasant stroll with your lover, away from the bustle of the city.

In the Cold of the Malecon is a book of stories by Antonio Jose Ponte which convey the realities of life in contemporary Havana.

Suffering badly from the spray are the wonderful buildings from the 1940s and 50s which line the promenade. Only a few have been maintained or renovated.

Even though I avoided a direct hit from the spray, the salt in the air soon clouded my lens and the shutter has not operated as smoothly since. But the photo opportunities were too great to keep my camera in my pocket.