Back from the promise land

[LLC]

I am just back from a great week in Havana. I was out there with a group of guys some of whom had been there many times before and their knowledge of Havana made my first trip one to remember.

The trip got off to a good start when my room at The Sevilla wasn’t available due to the floor being renovated. They had moved me over to The Hotel Nacional which turned out to be a great free upgrade and with a film festival going on at the hotel sitting out back enjoying cigars was even more enjoyable.

We started most days by meeting in the lounge at Partagas enjoying their great coffee and some cigars. I ended up making most of my purchases there and Abel was great to deal with. I was able to try many new cigars as the group got together and did a number of box splits. By the end of the week I had done my sampling and I ended up bring back 3 boxes of Bolivar Gold Metal’s, a box of 1966’s, a box of BHK56’s and a box of RA Extra LE’s as well some customs.

One of the highlights of the trip was a visit four of us made to the Robaina farm in Pinar del Rio. Shortly after our tour of the farm and its operations ended Hirochi Robaina arrived back at the farm and the four of us sat with him for over an hour smoking a cigar and just talking. We had a chance to ask questions and hear his views on cigars and the growing of tobacco. He then made arrangements to take us to his new restaurant a short drive from the farm where we had a great lunch and more time to visit. It was an unforgettable day and he could not have been a nicer person to spend it with.

Later in the week we also got a chance to meet his Dad Carlos (Alejandro’s son) at the store/restaurant he runs in Miramar.

On Friday night James Suckling was screening his new film about the people of Cuba at our hotel so we got another chance to say hello to Carlos and Hirochi. It would have been great to see the film in Cuba but that didn’t happen. We did see James Suckling and the rest of the group coming back into the hotel after it was over and they all looked like they had a great time.

I can’t wait to go back, the people were so friendly, the cab rides so fun and the many spots to stop and look or smoke cigars was amazing. If you want to gamble to you go to Vegas, if you want to go on rides you go to Disneyland, if you want cigars you should go to Havana.

me with Hirochi Robaina

[tdlfoto]

Sounds like an amazing time!!

[maverickdrinker]

glad that your first trip was successful. Thanks for sharing

[CanuckSARTech]

Sounds very cool. Glad you enjoyed your time - makes me wish I was back there again!

[Tarks]

I had a blast buddy. Looking forward to getting back there soon.

[El Presidente]

Great stuff

I can pretty much guarantee it won;t be your last visit

[TWalker]

Sounds like a great time!

[JohnnyC]

Sounds like a great trip. I cannot wait until I go back myself ( in late January )Thanks for sharing your experience

[Squarehead]

Gary, it sounds like that you guys had a good time.Thanks for sharing.More pics?

[ckearns]

Sounds like you had a blast!

[Nino]

Thanks for sharing your trip LLC !

Pity you missed the screening of Suckling's documentary there as it was held at the Nacional itself in the 1930 room - I sent out invitations by mail to my Cuban friends which they had printed and they attended it.

From their feedback it was a very good film and a great evening.

I share your last words as well, for cigars : Havana.

[compitaveggie]

Glad you had a great first trip. Like El Prez said, first of many for you im sure

[Mistakl]

Great read! Thanks for sharing.

[LLC]

Cool stuff! Always great to have friends who know their way around a new place. But please tell me that pic was taken early in the trip and you got a bit of a tan by the end of your stay! Its hard to tell where the shirt ends and the arm begins!

Between the weather only being OK and spending most of my time indoors smoking cigars, I didn't see much of the sun

[LLC]

I had a blast buddy. Looking forward to getting back there soon.

As am I!

[LLC]

Great stuff

I can pretty much guarantee it won;t be your last visit

Thanks Prez. I am already counting the days

[LLC]

Gary, it sounds like that you guys had a good time.Thanks for sharing.More pics?

Thanks Hans. I'll see what I can do about more pictures once I get them sorted out.

[Plato]

Sounds like you made some great memories on that trip. Im jealous.

Did you have a chance to watch Sucklings new movie? Im interested in seeing it

I am just back from a great week in Havana. I was out there with a group of guys some of whom had been there many times before and their knowledge of Havana made my first trip one to remember.

The trip got off to a good start when my room at The Sevilla wasn’t available due to the floor being renovated. They had moved me over to The Hotel Nacional which turned out to be a great free upgrade and with a film festival going on at the hotel sitting out back enjoying cigars was even more enjoyable.

We started most days by meeting in the lounge at Partagas enjoying their great coffee and some cigars. I ended up making most of my purchases there and Abel was great to deal with. I was able to try many new cigars as the group got together and did a number of box splits. By the end of the week I had done my sampling and I ended up bring back 3 boxes of Bolivar Gold Metal’s, a box of 1966’s, a box of BHK56’s and a box of RA Extra LE’s as well some customs.

One of the highlights of the trip was a visit four of us made to the Robaina farm in Pinar del Rio. Shortly after our tour of the farm and its operations ended Hirochi Robaina arrived back at the farm and the four of us sat with him for over an hour smoking a cigar and just talking. We had a chance to ask questions and hear his views on cigars and the growing of tobacco. He then made arrangements to take us to his new restaurant a short drive from the farm where we had a great lunch and more time to visit. It was an unforgettable day and he could not have been a nicer person to spend it with.

Later in the week we also got a chance to meet his Dad Carlos (Alejandro’s son) at the store/restaurant he runs in Miramar.

On Friday night James Suckling was screening his new film about the people of Cuba at our hotel so we got another chance to say hello to Carlos and Hirochi. It would have been great to see the film in Cuba but that didn’t happen. We did see James Suckling and the rest of the group coming back into the hotel after it was over and they all looked like they had a great time.

I can’t wait to go back, the people were so friendly, the cab rides so fun and the many spots to stop and look or smoke cigars was amazing. If you want to gamble to you go to Vegas, if you want to go on rides you go to Disneyland, if you want cigars you should go to Havana.

me with Hirochi Robaina

[LLC]

Sounds like you made some great memories on that trip. Im jealous.

Did you have a chance to watch Sucklings new movie? Im interested in seeing it

I didn't see it but I was at the hotel while it was showing and then saw the group make there way back into the hotel. I'll have to wait to see it when it is availabe. From what I heard it was very well recieved.

[mazolaman]

Nice to read about your trip, brings back some nostalgic memories.

Sorry you couldn't stay at the Sevilla, I will always have happy memories of there, and will head back there some day.

Good to see you got some Gold medals......love them...

[Ghabanos]

Sounds like a wicked trip...

Really like your buy list...

[OZCUBAN]

Thanks for sharing

Sounds like you had a ball ,one day I will get there ,it's on the bucket list ,along with the new Czar deck ?

Cheers OZ

[stargazer14]

Nice read. Does sound like a trip you won't forget. Can't wait to get there myself soon.

More pics!

[LLC]

Here are some more pictures. Hopefully I haven't down sized them too much

Edit - they were too small. I'll redo them.

[LLC]

Hopefully these are better.