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On our beach day I wandered around the area like a nerd with my camera looking for creative shot angles and noticed a partially corked wine bottle with a note rolled inside. It appears I found a real message in a bottle. There was a fine Norwegian gentleman in our group (forgive me I cant remember your name) that was eager to open it, so I gave it to him and he returned shortly with the note. Note attached, I blacked out the email address out of courtesy. This is the email I sent them.. "Hello! I found your rolled message in a bottle on a small local beach about 20 miles outside Havana Cuba. I've attached the message and the location just to satiate your curiosity. I'm assuming you visited Cuba on a cruise ship, tossed the bottle, and a couple hours later, the bottle was on the beach. Perhaps a little anit-climactic. If the scenario is different, please let me know. The zoomed in photo shows where I found it, it had washed way up a steep beach. It would have to have been a very rough sea and strong wind to get it there. Cheers!" ...and this was their reply "Hey! This is so exciting thank you for emailing me back. We threw our bottle out to sea on our cruise somewhere in Cozumel! That's amazing that it got all the way to Cuba I can't believe it! - The Manning's" Looks like the Bottle had a pretty long trip, I would have never guessed! Bottle Found on 11/16/2016. I suppose I can check that one of my bucket list.. "Find a message in a bottle.." Ether..

I was always interested in aviation even at a very early age. Since I had such an interest in aviation, I was very lucky to live in the US which is extremely friendly to aviation. Compared to pretty much every other country on earth, it's cheap and affordable to learn to fly and own an aircraft. I soloed on my 16th birthday. For a time, I was allowed to fly a plane alone but didn't yet have my drivers license so had to have my dad drop me off and pick me up at the airport. I got my pilot license on my 17th birthday. Quickly got my multi-engine and instrument ratings. Working on my rotor-craft right now. I work in the aviation industry. I manage two airports. I own a 1977 Piper Turbo Arrow. My girlfriend and I use it to visit friends and family in California. It certainly beats driving. The owners manual for the Piper Turbo Arrow specifically states it is equipped with a "cigar lighter" so I routinely enjoy a enroute cigar on flights over 30 minutes in length. Frankly, once at cruise altitude, the autopilot is set and the music is playing, it's pretty boring so a cigar just seems natural. I also volunteer for an organization called Pilots N Paws which transports animals that have been rescued or have been adopted. My Australian Shepherd, "Havana" also enjoys flying. She's been flying with me since she was a puppy. She wears hearing protection as well. As part of my job, I get a chance to fly some interesting airplanes. A few months ago, I hopped a ride on an Extra 300. Pulled about 6Gs in this photo. Later this year (assuming the laws remain the same), I'm planning on flying the plane across the Florida Straights to Havana.

Good morning/afternoon/evening Ladies/Gentlemen, I've noticed a few of you around have an interest in aviation! I too have a keen interest, so I thought I would start a thread for anything related to the wonderful world above the clouds. It will give us all a chance to share photos, videos, stories and maybe even opportunities with our fellow BOTL. I'll start the proceedings with a photo of myself a few years ago now, having just completed my MECIR on the Diamond DA42! I look forward to seeing where this takes us! Tupps,

extremely unlikely to mean any change at all. he was a former leader. they will have various funerals and celebrations of his life and tributes etc (be very interesting to see which countries send representatives to the funeral and who those representatives are). on one of our early trips we met one of the govt ministers (international trade from memory, fabulous bloke, very entertaining and very open about things - had been in the moscow embassy during the missile crisis). we caught up with him on several trips. i asked him once, what would happen if/when fidel fell off the perch - and this was when fidel was still the leader. he looked at me like i was a dill and said pretty much the same as in every country. he would be replaced and everyone will continue to do their jobs. he said an interesting thing - it was always curious to him and others that outsiders always assumed fidel was the entire govt. he simply one of many (granted the leader) and they would all do their jobs. it might be different if fidel was still leader and this led to some sort of coup but as a former leader, expect business as usual.

A great day to receive a package: 1. Wife not home.... 2. Two boxes in one shipper! 3. Pleasant surprise: the aged BPC that Rob offered a few weeks ago as a 2014 wound up being a MAY 2013 and it was also an HQ! 4. The RASS HQ looks great.

Now a Cohiba PE paired with two Port wines:

and yes, RIP. love him or loathe him, he was a great character and a pivotal influence through the 2nd half of the 20th century. by one of those odd coincidences, i pulled his autobiography down from the shelves this morning, intending to read it.

Tonight we smoke Cohiba.

Fairly lucky with the timing. With nine days of official mourning, if this had happened two weeks ago, the Partagas festival would have been cancelled. And no drinking on the Malecon til sunrise. Though it would have been interesting to have been in Cuba for some of this. I watched a video from La Rampa at 3 am this morning Cuba time. That street is normally like Mardi Gras at that time, with people coming out of clubs and the wi-fi hotspot etc. Deserted this morning. Whatever about the politics, many cubans actually honestly loved him, many others of course didn't. I heard a quote this morning "He survived an era which he helped to define." To survive the fall of the Soviet Union and what Cuba went through as a result in the '90s, he obviously had talent as a politician.

Ditto Revolutionary change had a miniscule chance if he passed away while in power. They have had years now to lock in the next evolution of the military. They have done it well much to my disappointment.

It's Cigar Saturday at the house. While the wife is away, we all can play. Fresh Behike 54's AMO JUL 16 and LGC Glorias TOS SEP 16

^^^^^ This!!! You wouldn't fully understand this man and his cronies unless someone in your family had a knock at their door telling them that they no longer own the tobacco fields that have been in their family for generations no longer belong to them and now the government is taking them. And if you don't agree we will have a serious talk, which will end up with family members dead. This happened to my family both on my mothers and fathers side in San Luis, Pinar Del Rio. I wish this would have happened 30 years ago!!!

Seems like I'm out of control these days Latest addition Magnum 46 OBM ABR16 Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Ryan, I don't think you fully grasp the meaning of politician, ie; a candidate for or someone elected to public office. Castro was not democratically elected, he seized power by brutal force and never let it go, that is the textbook definition of a dictator. Take a look at the USA Today headline; http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2016/11/26/cuban-dictactor-fidel-castro-dies-90/94462814/ There is a trail of blood and a lot of criminal atrocities credited to him. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Fabrica has to be, one of the most unique places I've been in a while. An Art oasis in the midst of the crumbling nostalgic charm of Havana. Fabrica is nestled in an old Factory (Fabrica) and with the addition of Shipping Containers has become, an Art Museum, Concert Hall, Bar (5 or 6 of them), Dance Club, and all around place to hang. We were allowed into the VIP Section which provided us an open-air section nestled between shipping containers, waitress service (to keep the drinks flowing) and of course, a smoking section. Fabrica was refreshingly raw as we wondered within its belly. In many places where, we'd be "nannied" in the US with a "do not enter" sign due to stairs too steep or areas easy to fall from, it was no so here. We were free to roam the space which felt as confusing as a WWII era battleship and experience the factory of art in the most raw and organic way possible. ..by all means, add your photos if you have 'em Some of the art - The piece below, as it's hard to see was a roll of men hand carved from wood as if to say, the men of Cuba are an assembly line of labor.. ...a few of the good FOH blokes enjoying the open air VIP Area and views thereof - Ethernut -

Interesting news, people love him people hate him. A man has died and a family will no doubt be in mourning. Best wishes to the family and the people.

A lovely TOS FEB 16 PLPC this eve. Had one yesterday as well. Here's some of the company I keep when the sun is still shining into the back yard... This little fella was a busy bee yesterday.... INCOMING!!!

Bushidos from our host. Just gorgeous. These will last me some time as I normally don't smoke anything near this size but I can't wait to try one next summer!

Conni A from '13 Gesendet von meinem D6603 mit Tapatalk

Very happy with these two...Bolivar RC coming as well as Hoyo De Monterrey Epicure no.2 SLB... Not sure if the hunt, the wait or the smoke is the best part. Ah wait...the smoke is the best part.

For anyone interested - Today there's 40% off on the popular NewAir: http://www.air-n-water.com/freestanding-wine-coolers.htm#. Great prices and free shipping. Piggy may not like them, but if you think about it - even if you don't use the cooling...the 28 bottle will hold about 20 boxes of smokes in a sealed environment...so it's like buying a 500 count humidor for $156 with a nice glass door. Just drill a hole in the back near the bottom and you can run a plug to install active humidification, fans, etc. If you're concerned about humidity leakage out the cooling fan vent, just put some gorilla tape over the grill that covers the cooling fan.

This is not the place to have political debates about how good or bad a person is. A person has died. Do you have input to what you believe will happen now? Great, share it. If you want to have the mans babies or want to stab him with a rusty fork, keep your opinions to yourself. This is not the place to discuss them.

Good riddance!

Happy Birthday Wazza!

Wow. He came to power the year I was born and he has died on my birthday. Ironically I read this while smoking not a Cuban but a Hamlet. RIP you old bastard.

It might escape many on this forum, but nations suffering the injustice of colonialism looked to him for inspiration, you agreed with him or disagreed, he was one of the last giants, in world politics. May he rest in peace.

Yesterday's holiday smoke was this Davidoff Colorado claro short perfecto.Was recommended by the sales guy-whilst it was a good cigar I know where I'd rather spend the $19 or so this one cost.Still giving these New World a chance... Tonight is this LGC Caribe ER-seriously underfilled in the first half but so delicious-it had me really worried before lighting up

I have about 60 boxes in a temperature and humidity controlled humidor. The All are in original boxes until I get down to about 5 to 7 cigars. Then they are stored loose to make room for their replacement box. It's a constant game of Tetris. I also keep a 300 count humidor for singles mostly for non Cuban cigars for guests to enjoy and a 50 count at work for the frequent after lunch, after work or thank a tenant cigar. Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

Back to the day after Thanksgiving with a good book on Cuban cigars with one of the best wrappers in the business and taste, the famed Vigia!

Wife even got into the after Thanksgiving smoke...I told her it was all about the ass...I mean ASH!

Looks like Behikes are getting back in stock here and there Here's my latest addition Cohiba Behike 52 Box code AMO JUN16 Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Everybody finally left and all the dishes are cleaned and put away so figured it was time to burn a couple sticks. 02 PL Lonsdale followed by an 02 Punch SS2. Perfect way to end a great day!

Well said.

Change has been happening for several years in Cuba, mostly because communism is/was a failure. Once Fidel ceded power to Raul, Raul almost immediately started to ease the bonds of communism and permit a token beachhead of capitalism out of necessity. The Castro regime will never admit to failure, so they will not fully embrace capitalism. Until there is freedom of speech, protection and respect for basic human and civil rights, a democratically elected government, and a rule of law that is not based on Castro's rule, there won't be any significant economic reforms or investment on the island. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I completely reject the premise that "this means nothing". Sea change. No. But certainly a step in the right direction. No, Cubans are not waking up today to a completely different and better world, but Raul has already opened things up immensely. Granted, I just got back from my first trip, but the bulk of the Cuban economy is not socialist anymore, its pure capitalism. Private taxis, Casa Particulars, etc. I understand the Gov. "owns" all of that, but I was stunned at the size and spread of the underground economy. That has grown tremendously under Raul, and most likely will under the next leader. It would take whole sale reform and years, to squash all this back out.The Cuban people have realized(many of them) that they are more than capable of thriving, with our without their governments help. I understand that he was more of a symbol the last 10 years or so, but my hope is that more people now feel confidant enough that they too can participate in the modernization of Cuba.

The Mrs has gone out early to the hairdressers so cedros Nr1 and coffee for breakfast BLO SEP 2009

If you got rid of your cigar oasis, you could fit another box. Just sayin.

La corona does the tours, a fair bit shorter than the tour I went on 5 years ago. The best bit is they asked if their was a cigar smoker in our group and I was the only one. So, I sat in the middle of the rollers and had a lesson on making a cigar of my choice, size and blend. Then it was lit and I smoked it sat at a rolling table. Amazing experience but no photos allowed [emoji26] Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

No matter what, i think it's a sad day.. R.I.P El Comandante !!

Can't keep my hands off these Por Larranaga Panetelas. LAU ABR 16.

Hopefully it means easing the recent restrictions on reforms in a way that will have a meaningful benefit for the Cuban people. Regardless of where you stand, you have to admit he had a hell of a run. He was one of the most important figures in the world over the latter half of the 20th century. Will be interesting to see how long his revolution endures after he's gone.

Ahhh.........ok.

This. Exactly. Original boxes mainly. I have two larger "End Table" Humidors, a small wineador (unplugged), 3.5 Desktops (1 is tiny), a cooler and a big ass plastic container I store mainly customs and temporary overflow in. Being a split junkie has over packed my singles drawers and thinking about organizing them gives me high blood pressure. Thankfully I think @Hurltim is helping me to solve this. Ugh. First world problems....

After hearing all the talk about skinny cigars, I broke out the Montecristo Especiales no. 2 that I got a present from Rob and the crew for winning the Montecristo Review contest. A very young cigar but with great flavors and perfect burn. I can see how this cigar would be amazing in 5 years

Jose arranged a driver to be with me for the week in Havana. I normally don't worry about it but this week was pretty chock full with morning and early afternoon meetings from one side of town to the other. The driver turned out to be Armando Risoto Perez, master roller formerly of Partagas, display roller who has toured much of the world, Divan manager in the middle east, top bloke and owner of one much loved Lada 2105 Armando was with me each day from 9:30 am to 4am if needed. His sense of humor is infectious. He has four passions; his family, fishing, rolling cigars and his lada. Now I thought I was passionate about fishing....but Armando takes it to another level entirely. His lada 2105 is a work of art. The stereo was stolen a month ago. The airconditioning stopped 12 years ago. It cost $18000. The best thing going for it are the pipes......mind you if I find one in Oz I will buy it. Forget the shiny American 50's cars....lada defines Cuba Armando has recently returned from a stint as Divan manager in the Middle East. He hadn't rolled since 2012 and so during one of long lunches i asked if he would like to take part in an impromptu rolling class at our house the following morning. He jumped at the chance. Jose and I oversaw the setting up and along with Armando answered all and sundry questions from fellow FOH'ers. the one thing we noticed was how focused Armando was. Talk about passion, the teared up on several occasions. He realised again how much he misses rolling. Armando warmed up with a mareva. Went straight into a few lancero's, then a 109 and then a Salomon. flawless. I then put him to the test. To roll a Flying Pig .....a cigar he had never rolled nor seen in real life. we showed him a photo. This is what he produced first go. Flawless again. He started taking requests from the floor. Stan was thrilled! Armando invited Nate to the table and instructed him beautifully. Not a bad effort at all! it was an absolute pleasure to be with Armando for the week and to meet a new lifelong mate. ....albeit I am pretty sure he was glad to see the back of me.............he may have just pushed it too hard If you have any other photos of the day....please post them up here

Nothing like a RASS (box code RAE) with a few years on it!! Paired with some home made ice tea! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Recent acquisition from a trade with @zeedubbya. Some great stuff here.

I'm just not touching anything for 30 days..................

Yeah, the wife took a look at the size of it when I dry assembled the case and kind of freaked. "Where is that going to go?" was the first words out of her mouth. At some point I guess I'll have to describe the new man cave concept I'm working on next! Here's a snap from the shop as I was fitting the cabinet doors. I'll start a new thread so as not to thread hi-jack this one any further when the cabinet is done and I start filling it up. Goodbye coolidor tetris!

I usually have burn issues ROTT. I have learned my lesson, until the next box comes in!