Welcome to Manzanillo, Cuba

December 14, 2012 | | Print Print |

Photo Feature by Jenny Cressman

HAVANA TIMES — On some of my visits to Cuba, I passed through the port city of Manzanillo, situated on the southerly sole of the island in the historic Granma province. When I’ve been lucky enough to have a little extra time, I’ve enjoyed strolling along this city’s malecón photographing the iconic architecture in the city’s central plaza.

Founded in 1784, Manzanillo soon became a significant commercial shipping harbor for the Guancanayabo Gulf and is known to have been a smuggling center at one time. It was also the setting for several battles during the Spanish-American War.

This municipality of over 130,000 (in 2004) made history more recently when it became the primary cholera zone during a rare outbreak this past summer. As I recall, concerns were expressed about Manzanillo’s water lines possibly contributing to the spread of the disease.

For this reason, when I passed through the area in mid-November, I was pleased to observe that new PVC (plastic) water pipes were being installed. I wish I had stopped to take a picture!

Here are some photos from my previous visits.

Click on the thumbnails below to view all the photos in this gallery


What's your opinion?

  • http://www.havanatimes.org/?p=83578 Mel

    Really enjoyed the pictures Jenny

  • Moses

    While the installation of new pipes for the drinking water to reduce the possibility of contamination due to cholera is certainly a good thing, it is a shame that Cuba opted to use the cheaper and unhealthy PVC pipe. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) notes that PVC contains phthalates, which can leach from plastics and, in animal studies, demonstrated the capacity to cause liver and reproductive system damage. The CDC warns that short-term exposure to phthalates shows little toxicity in adults; animal studies indicate that continuous exposure to phthalates is toxic, even at low doses. Infants, in particular, do not process phthalates well. (Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/125022-health-risks-plastic-water-pipes/#ixzz2F5NDM52l)According to the Global Development and Environment Institute at Tufts University, choosing instead to use HDP or PEX is seen as the safer alternative.

    • JennyC

      As I noted, Moses, this was my passing observation only. There are many types of pipes; I did not ask if these were lined or coated with anything. It is nice that you are so concerned about the health of the Cuban people!

  • Kathy

    Manzanillo! One of my favorite cities in Cuba. Most of these photos bring back memories of good times spent there with friends. Thank you. Nice place to visit!!!

  • james burton

    Glad to read about Manzanillo. My grandmother was born there in 1899. I remember her reminiscing about it in the 1970′s at her home in Hollywood FL, when I was a child. Dad was born in Guaro, in Oriente province.

  • Luis

    Oh. My. God.

    Everybody says that ‘Cuba’s beautiful’, but this is too much. I’m really impressed. This city is beyond beautiful.