Cuba November...a little planning

[El Presidente]

Our Cuba vacation trip is coming along quickly and I am looking forward to catching up with old friends and meeting new ones. it was a joy to show Di Havana last Christmas and this trip it will be the first time for my son Ben. 

this thread is to sketch out a rough plan where we can catch up. I will have an international card so that you can stay in touch via text. I will let you have the number the last week of November. 

Unlike the FOH AmiCigar event of two years ago, this one will follow a "low key" line.  I want to spend more time catching up than running around. 

So we hit on friday the 9th and head home sunday the 18th.  We will be in panama a few days prior as we explore that city with good mate Toby. 

Let's nail down the early part of the week and let me know some suggestions for Mondays and Wednesdays long lunch (casual, good).  for We

 

1. Sunday afternoon beer garden session from 2pm. 

location: Espacios?

 

2. Monday afternoon: Long lunch from 1pm. 

 

3. Tuesday evening:  Partagas dinner (we will arrange a table...as best as that can possibly work out  (Ask to be put on the Rob Ayala/Jose Candia table)

 

4. Wednesday long lunch  from 1pm:  

(My suggestion here is el rum rum in old Havana). I can set something nice up with the owners. 

 

Over to you. And put down which ones you will likely hit.  it will provide some rough numbers at this stage. 

 

[Corylax18]

I'm there from the 8th to the 17th, my father will be with me until the 13th. We are planning to be at all 4 "meet ups" as well as the Partagas opening dinner and Beach day. 

We're also planning to head out to the Prieto Finca for a day trip at some point, but I haven't locked anything in yet.  

[oliverdst]

1 hour ago, Corylax18 said:

I'm there from the 8th to the 17th, my father will be with me until the 13th. We are planning to be at all 4 "meet ups" as well as the Partagas opening dinner and Beach day. 

We're also planning to head out to the Prieto Finca for a day trip at some point, but I haven't locked anything in yet.  

I have similar plans.

I dont know if I will go to Hector because my plan was to stay there for one night and I am not sure I will have enough time.

Anyway, if you need someone to share the ride maybe we can plan something.

[Nino]

I'll be there Nov 8th for 3 weeks.

Not attending any Partagas events.

See you at Espacios and the usual eating places ...

[El Presidente]

3 hours ago, nino said:

I'll be there Nov 8th for 3 weeks.

Not attending any Partagas events.

See you at Espacios and the usual eating places ...

looking forward to it Nino 

[ElJavi76]

I'll be arriving on Saturday the 10th and departing Saturday the 17th. Saturday/Sunday in Habana. On Monday morning we're heading to Varadero for the night. Staying out there and returning at some point on Tuesday. Hitting Partagas opening night and I'll be doing gala dinner on the Friday too. I will try to make as many FOH meetups as possible. We have a few dinners booked so will also look to meet up after dinners with you all. 

It's a homecoming... Back after 38 years away. I'm getting excited by the day. Hope to meet you all face to face. 

Cheers!

[Ryan]

I'm there 10th-18th.

Monday morning, 12th, will be registration for the Partagas events. If the shop and VIP room is packed, which it most likely will be, Sia Kara around the corner is very comfortable, smoking and a good selection of cocktails. Calm at that time of the morning.

For Monday or Wednesday's long lunch, Santy's would be good.

It's 100 metres from the house I'll be staying in with the Foxes. Everybody welcome to come over after lunch for cigars, rum/whiskey tasting. We have space for 20-30.

Bring swimming shorts.

I think Stuart Fox gets in on the Monday evening, 12th, so Wednesday might be better. I'll confirm. El Rum Rum sounds good as one of the options.

Espacio's is still the best beer garden that I know of for Sunday lounging.

Fabrica de Arte (FAC) is always worth a look and Sunday night is the best (least crowded) night there, Thursday also good there. It's only open Thur-Sun.

For a blowout, Don Cangrejo on a Friday or Saturday night is good, sometimes depending on the live act. It can be quiet, too quiet, or nuts but we can find out early in the week who's on.

For anybody who hasn't seen Hemingway's house, I'd highly recommend it. There's a good cocktail to be had there too.

El Aljibe is almost a must for one of the lunches and they have no problem doing a table for 20-30.

[madandana]

Dana and I will be there 10-17 and will be at opening night and all FOH events. And anything anyone else wants to invite us to.????

Ryans got some great ideas, I might just follow him around ?

[Corylax18]

12 hours ago, oliverdst said:

I have similar plans.

I dont know if I will go to Hector because my plan was to stay there for one night and I am not sure I will have enough time.

Anyway, if you need someone to share the ride maybe we can plan something.

We have a spectacular driver for the time we'll be there. His usual car is comfortable for 3, but he has access to larger vehicles/vans. If we get a date set and a good head count I'm sure we could get a van set up. Earlier in the trip (before the festival starts) will hopefully be calmer, but you never know. If we get enough people together we may even be able to convince them to cook up one of their world famous roast pig lunches for us!

I was hoping to spend a night there this year as well, but my dad wasn't so keen on the rustic setting. I spent two days and a night there last November though and I highly recommend doing so if interested. The hospitality is spectacular!! There are loads of cars/vans/buses hauling tourist back and forth from Havana, so its actually easier to find a ride than you might think. 

If anybody else is interested in a trip on the 9th or 10th post here or PM me and we can get a head count set in the next couple weeks. 

[Ryan]

1 hour ago, madandana said:

Dana and I will be there 10-17 and will be at opening night and all FOH events. And anything anyone else wants to invite us to.????

Ryans got some great ideas, I might just follow him around ?

You'd be always more than welcome!

[Fuzz AI]

I will be like water and go with the flow. As long as I get to catch up with everyone for drinks and a few cigars, I'm easy.

[Derboesekoenig]

Wish I could make it, sounds like a lot of fun. I will be in Indonesia at that time, however. Next year I will have to make the trip

[Nino]

6 hours ago, Corylax18 said:

We have a spectacular driver for the time we'll be there. His usual car is comfortable for 3, but he has access to larger vehicles/vans. If we get a date set and a good head count I'm sure we could get a van set up. Earlier in the trip (before the festival starts) will hopefully be calmer, but you never know. If we get enough people together we may even be able to convince them to cook up one of their world famous roast pig lunches for us!

If anybody else is interested in a trip on the 9th or 10th post here or PM me and we can get a head count set in the next couple weeks. 

@Corylax18 - FYI : that spectacular driver you have for the time there is able to arrange for a bus for 12 persons to HLP farm and back, just let him/me know and we can have that planned. Remember he needs like a week or two advance notice ... ?

[Nino]

9 hours ago, El Presidente said:

looking forward to it Nino 

Thanks Boss !!   

[Corylax18]

4 minutes ago, nino said:

@Corylax18 - FYI : that spectacular driver you have for the time there is able to arrange for a bus for 12 persons to HLP farm and back, just let him/me know and we can have that planned. Remember he needs like a week or two advance notice ... ?

OK 12 Max!

He returns your emails so much faster than mine! 

[Nino]

12 minutes ago, Corylax18 said:

OK 12 Max!

He returns your emails so much faster than mine! 

Yes, he does .... my Spanish is just a notch higher than yours ... @Corylax18 - what can I say ....

 

He can arrange a 12 seater Van - smoking - for a trip to the plantations and Hector Luis, no problem.

I will stay back in Havana and take care of the Casa for you ....

[El Presidente]

7 hours ago, Corylax18 said:

We have a spectacular driver for the time we'll be there. His usual car is comfortable for 3, but he has access to larger vehicles/vans. If we get a date set and a good head count I'm sure we could get a van set up. Earlier in the trip (before the festival starts) will hopefully be calmer, but you never know. If we get enough people together we may even be able to convince them to cook up one of their world famous roast pig lunches for us!

I was hoping to spend a night there this year as well, but my dad wasn't so keen on the rustic setting. I spent two days and a night there last November though and I highly recommend doing so if interested. The hospitality is spectacular!! There are loads of cars/vans/buses hauling tourist back and forth from Havana, so its actually easier to find a ride than you might think. 

If anybody else is interested in a trip on the 9th or 10th post here or PM me and we can get a head count set in the next couple weeks. 

Cory, I have three who would love to make it. All are new to Cuba including my son Ben. If yours (Van) doesn't pan out, i have a driver who can take them up.  We should tee up the timing. 

[Corylax18]

20 minutes ago, nino said:

Yes, he does .... my Spanish is just a notch higher than yours ... @Corylax18 - what can I say ....

 

He can arrange a 12 seater Van - smoking - for a trip to the plantations and Hector Luis, no problem.

I will stay back in Havana and take care of the Casa for you ....

Haha. Yes, yes it is. 

[Corylax18]

5 minutes ago, El Presidente said:

Cory, I have three who would love to make it. All are new to Cuba including my son Ben. If yours (Van) doesn't pan out, i have a driver who can take them up.  We should tee up the timing. 

Sounds good! Let me know which day works best for your crew. I'm going to email Osvaldo, at the farm, tonight and confirm the best days for them as well. I'd like to go on a day they don't already have a big group scheduled. 

[El Presidente]

5 minutes ago, Corylax18 said:

Sounds good! Let me know which day works best for your crew. I'm going to email Osvaldo, at the farm, tonight and confirm the best days for them as well. I'd like to go on a day they don't already have a big group scheduled. 

Spot on. 

Our crew is easy so any day. I like Sunday because it is generally quiet. Thursday/Friday because everyone is exhausted and they actually look forward to the travel 

[Nino]

5 minutes ago, Corylax18 said:

Sounds good! Let me know which day works best for your crew. I'm going to email Osvaldo, at the farm, tonight and confirm the best days for them as well. I'd like to go on a day they don't already have a big group scheduled. 

 

20 minutes ago, El Presidente said:

Cory, I have three who would love to make it. All are new to Cuba including my son Ben. If yours (Van) doesn't pan out, i have a driver who can take them up.  We should tee up the timing. 

Great,

Happy to helpt out on the transportation side - @Corylax18 let me know the numbers and J. will take care of the transportation arrangenments.

J. can also call Osvaldo directly and find out the best days, guess that's better than mail exchange ....

 

 

[El Presidente]

Thanks Nino. Thanks Cory 

[oliverdst]

 

10 hours ago, Corylax18 said:

We have a spectacular driver for the time we'll be there. His usual car is comfortable for 3, but he has access to larger vehicles/vans. If we get a date set and a good head count I'm sure we could get a van set up. Earlier in the trip (before the festival starts) will hopefully be calmer, but you never know. If we get enough people together we may even be able to convince them to cook up one of their world famous roast pig lunches for us!

I was hoping to spend a night there this year as well, but my dad wasn't so keen on the rustic setting. I spent two days and a night there last November though and I highly recommend doing so if interested. The hospitality is spectacular!! There are loads of cars/vans/buses hauling tourist back and forth from Havana, so its actually easier to find a ride than you might think. 

If anybody else is interested in a trip on the 9th or 10th post here or PM me and we can get a head count set in the next couple weeks. 

Man, this scalated fast!

Next time I will PM you ?

A FoH van sounds great... and dangerous... and fun...

[Puros Y Vino]

This might be doable for me.  I might be in town from Nov 8/9 to the 12th. So I most likely will only be able to do the Sunday event. 

[Corylax18]

22 hours ago, nino said:

 

Great,

Happy to helpt out on the transportation side - @Corylax18 let me know the numbers and J. will take care of the transportation arrangenments.

J. can also call Osvaldo directly and find out the best days, guess that's better than mail exchange ....

 

 

Your Right! I'm emailing you now. 

19 hours ago, oliverdst said:

 

Man, this scalated fast!

Next time I will PM you ?

A FoH van sounds great... and dangerous... and fun...

Haha. We still have room if you can arrange a stay. Its looking like the 11th is the best date at this point, but we'll wait to hear back from Osvaldo at the farm before we lock anything in.