ImTripN2 Posted April 8, 2013 Posted April 8, 2013 Posted a few weeeks ago about my 'best friend' and his trip to Cuba and the search for a box of Diplo # 4s. Partial success... In a Vinales store that houses the LCDH he found 5 sticks in a box from 08 and 5 sticks from a box from 03. All were in decent condition, obviously had some age, and although it is hard to believe that a box from 03 would still be sitting there, there they were. All had that unique Dip4 taste and smoked well so mission accomplished regardless. Also wanted to thank Andy & Rob for their recommendations and advice. Met Hamlet at the Partagas factory and when asked if Ayala was as crazy as they say, he cracked a knowing smile, looked up and said "crazier" In addition to the Diplos, scored boxes of Cohiba Pyramides, HdM#1s, RA Extras and PL Montecarlos. Also picked up a few custom rolls from Jorge at the LCDH in the Conde Villanueve, but the whole experience of the history and sights and smells meant as much as the swag. And every one that gets lit up from now on will be a nice reminder. The rest of the trip was amazing, fascanating, intoxicating... so many superlatives... you could take all the words ever written about Cuba and make a hill, and it wouldn't compare to the Mount Everest that is the reality. Also a lot of stuff is written about the friendliness and warmth of the Cubanos and it really is true. He and his wife were treated with warmth and respect in almost every situation, and like family in every single Casa and Palidar they stayed or ate at. They talked politics with the friends and neighbors, played goofy with the kids, dominoes with the parents and drank alot of Crystals and mojitos with anyone who would join in. The fact they were Americans was of absolutely no consequence (quite the opposite) and as many questions were answered as were asked. Great food and drink in every private establishment they went to... except for the State run resturants. F'ing dogfood... and if you really liked your dog, I doubt you would feed it to him either. Employees in State places all wear black & White, so the mantra was "black and white, run with fright" Everywhere you go in the world as a tourist you will get the stink eye from a small percentage of the populace and Cuba was no exception, but they never heard an unpleasant word and felt perfectly safe at all times, even late at night in the Habana Vieja. They visited La Habana, Trinidad and Vinales, but the highlight of the trip was a day touring in Pinar Del Rio. Found a great local guide and driver and you know there is something special about rolling thru the Vuelta Abajo in a 1950 Chevy Coupe... bellyfull of rum, smoking a Cohiba and listening to Cuban Salas music at full volume. Went to a couple of small farms and met the campesinos, then the finca Robaina, hit the Francisco Donatien cigar factory where they were rolling Trini Coloniales that day, the Guyabita rum factory, and even took a boat ride through the limestone caves. Cooled off in a small rooftop pool with cigar and cocktail before a fantastic lobster dinner. All in one day. Awesome. As far as logistics goes, it is relatively simple to transit through Mexico and the return was not a problem. The US immigration has absolutely no way of knowing where you have been and this particular agent asked "where have you been, business of pleasure, and do you have any fruits or live animals" so the two weeks of rehearsing lies was just needless worry and wasted time. Having a basic knowledge of Spanish is a must if you want to get a bit of insight other than the basic food drink and travel info, but even if you have no Spanish at all you can get along just fine if you can handle a little confusion and frustration. Never been to Latin America yet when some crazy **** didn't happen, but there will always be someone around who can do some basic translating so you just gotta roll with it. Now there are several sites where you can make all the basic arraingements in advance, so it really is a breeze. All and all a terrific holiday, very highly recommended, so thanks to the mods, posters & all the B/SOTL here for making this site so informative and great.
Duxnutz Posted April 8, 2013 Posted April 8, 2013 Very nice! Hoping to myself either randomly in a few weeks or in Jan next yr. Tossing up to take my American bride or go solo.
Ryan Posted April 8, 2013 Posted April 8, 2013 Looks like a great trip. Glad to hear it went well. I'm back only 1 month and already looking forward to my next trip. You'd think La China would smile every now and then! We spent a bit of time with her the last time, of course she's really, really nice.
ImTripN2 Posted April 8, 2013 Author Posted April 8, 2013 Looks like a great trip. Glad to hear it went well. I'm back only 1 month and already looking forward to my next trip. You'd think La China would smile every now and then! We spent a bit of time with her the last time, of course she's really, really nice. Right you are Andy, that picture was not very flattering and has been replaced. She was very pleasant and answered a couple of questions with a smile. Thanks again for all your advice.
Ryan Posted April 8, 2013 Posted April 8, 2013 Right you are Andy, that picture was not very flattering and has been replaced. She was very pleasant and answered a couple of questions with a smile. Thanks again for all your advice. Not at all. That's great that the trip went so well. Well done to your friends on seeing the Francisco Donatien factory. Never been there myself. Any new paladars in Havana worth a recommendation?
ImTripN2 Posted April 8, 2013 Author Posted April 8, 2013 Not at all. That's great that the trip went so well. Well done to your friends on seeing the Francisco Donatien factory. Never been there myself. Any new paladars in Havana worth a recommendation? Ivan & Justos (sp?) in Habana Vieja near the Plaza Armas is really good and is certainly worth a try.
Scdalak Posted April 8, 2013 Posted April 8, 2013 Terrific stuff, only thing missing were pics of Jay Z and Beyonce!!!!
stogieluver Posted April 9, 2013 Posted April 9, 2013 Thanks for sharing that. Brings back such great memories. I hope I can go back some day. Its such an intoxicating place.
polarbear Posted April 9, 2013 Posted April 9, 2013 I hope to get there one day Maybe in my twilight years...
stargazer14 Posted April 9, 2013 Posted April 9, 2013 Fantastic post and the excitement of the trip comes through. I hope my first vist can be half as nice.
Nino Posted April 9, 2013 Posted April 9, 2013 Ivan & Justos (sp?) in Habana Vieja near the Plaza Armas is really good and is certainly worth a try. Yes, a rising shooting star chef who is getting very good reviews, Ivan Justo. Ivan Justo opened last October and is located on Aguacate 9 corner to Chacon in old Havana. It might change the name to "Aguacate 9" as everybody knows the place under that name ... :-) See :
CanuckSARTech Posted April 11, 2013 Posted April 11, 2013 Looks like a great trip. Glad to hear it went well. I'm back only 1 month and already looking forward to my next trip. You'd think La China would smile every now and then! We spent a bit of time with her the last time, of course she's really, really nice. LOL. She only really smiles big when she's able to walk around to see you and dish out big hugs and kisses. That, and big smiles when she's able to hug Art...and maybe check out his butt.
maverickdrinker Posted April 11, 2013 Posted April 11, 2013 She is a wonderful lady. Sent from my SGH-I747M using Tapatalk 2
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