Just returned from Cuba

[Rushman]

Was a very enjoyable trip.

Just to report, no stamping of my passport or anyone else in the group except for my wife's mexican passport.

We stayed in old Havana which is a first. We went with two other couples one of which was new to Cuba and the other couple always stays at Hotel Raquel. Hotel Raquel was nice and in a good location. I remembered the beds in the Casa's we typically stay at in Miramar were much more comfortable, but that was my only complaint about Hotel Raquel.

Much more walking around site seeing then I would normally be up for but again, two other couples.

I dont recall the name of the Paladar we ate at Friday, but its just two blocks down from Raquel and focuses on seafood - it was awesome. Late lunch Saturday at El Aljibe. Dinner Sunday at Castropol on the malecon. Food was OK but the bakery on the second floor was awesome.

After hitting El Aljibe, stopped by Quinta y 16 LCDH and smoked and chatted with Carlitos Robaina.

For those of you who regularly hang with cigar celebs like Hamlet, El Pres, Nino or the like, this is just old hat. But the highlight of my trip was our second trip to LCDH at Partagas factory. I wasnt aware Hamlet worked there.

Imagine my surprise when we walked in. He was in conversation with some other people, so I quietly purchased a cigar and sat down to smoke with my wife. It happened to be close to closing time and the door was locked after the couple he was speaking to left. I introduced myself and my wife and we had a chat as he was cooking the books at the end of the day. He offered me a bit of rum (not a bit, it was a heavy poor) and gifted me one of his cigars. What a cool experience.

Ended up meeting Reynaldo at Conde de Villanueva not too long after the Hamlet trip, so it was kinda a big day for me! He gifted me some robusto extra type cigar which was awesome. Ended up buying a handful of those from him. We hung out while they had The Great Gatsby (remake) on the TV and ate some fried wontons my wife stepped out to buy.

Ended up back at C de V on Sunday after some required art purchases since it was close to Hotel Raquel.

No crazy purchases. Some Trini Reyes for my wife, 898's, Siglo 6 and H Upman half coronas for me.

Meeting Hamlet and Reynaldo was awesome. I had met Carlitos before but that was cool to see him as well - something kinda cool about having your VR Unicos cut and lit by Carlos Robaina.

But hands down the coolest part of our trip...........after dinner we crossed the treacherous street and hung out on the malecon for a bit. We had purchased some stuff from the bakery before leaving Castropol. We caught the train taxi back to Plaza San Francisco. On the way back we sat next to a young mother and her four year old son. My wife asked her if she could give her son a chocolate iced donut. Watching the kid eat the donut chocolate icing first and getting it everywhere was kinda cool. My wife overheard the son telling his mother that "he had told El Señor" (God) that he was going to be a good boy" and look what he got in return". Pretty cool.

[El Presidente]

Great stuff Rushman ....brought a smile to my face

[Bartolomeo]

Great story and thanks for sharing! Its the little things sometimes that go a long way w others

[asmartbull]

Thanks for sharing. ..

[CUBANO]

Thanks. Glad you'll had a great time

[Skyfall]

awesome! When are you coming around these parts again?

[...]

Great story, I dreamily felt I was there for a few minutes... Politics and everything aside, Cuba is such a great place to enjoy oneself

[Stanislaw]

Welcome back and thanks for sharing... Your experiences tear at my heart strings as I hope to wander those streets someday soon...

[Natedog]

My wife overheard the son telling his mother that "he had told El Señor" (God) that he was going to be a good boy" and look what he got in return". Pretty cool.

I also told El Señor I was going to be a good boy. Maybe Rob will gift me a robusto sampler. I will gleefully shove them in my face also!!

Great story btw. Sounds like a great trip.

[Ryan]

Nice report from your trip. Looking forward to my next time there. Booked already.

[laficion]

Thank you, that was a cool experience,thank you for sharing with us.

Guy

[madandana]

Thanks for sharing Rush. Any issues getting the Tourist Card from Cayman Air? I though you had mentioned some concerns a few months ago.

[Geo17pip]

Wow cool! Thanks for sharing.

[Rushman]

Thanks for sharing Rush. Any issues getting the Tourist Card from Cayman Air? I though you had mentioned some concerns a few months ago.

No........not unless you count them running out at the front counter and searching for 30 minutes to find more!

[Franko]

Little nice story hermano!! Sounds like awesome time!! Can't wait to go in January. I'll be booking up in October:)))

[amart]

Thanks for sharing, very enjoyable story!

[NJP]

Good form.

[rickmccarey]

Great story. Love how generous and genuine the Cuban people are. Thanks for sharing.

[Rushman]

Great story. Love how generous and genuine the Cuban people are. Thanks for sharing.

well said and very true -

[guideright]

Just a great story/trip - wife sounds like a real gem!

[Rushman]

Just a great story/trip - wife sounds like a real gem!

You have no idea. She's been in the cigar biz as long as I've been smoking cigars. She could be a mutant and I would have still hit the wife lottery.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[bugman78629]

GREAT POST!!! Thanks for sharing

[tagheuer]

Thanks for sharing...

[leftimatic]

Nice story, made my day. Sounds like you had a great time.

[CanuckSARTech]

Very very cool. Thanks for sharing Rushman!