El Presidente Posted February 23, 2009 Posted February 23, 2009 Monday Morning and just finished breakfast at the buffet on the executive floor of the Hotel Nacional. I swear it was perhaps the most horrific breakfast I have ever eaten. From rock hard bread rolls which could kill if thrown to the reheated (at least twice)cold bacon. One can only assume that they want no one to come back to the buffet tomorrow. In my case they have succeeded. Typing this out from the “Executive Business Centre” which comprises two computers, dialup internet and a photo copier that does not appear to work. I had to wait 15 minutes to jump on a spare computer bexcause a staff member was sending an e-mail to family in Miami. God I have missed this place :-) Arrived 2am Sunday morning after a few delays due to a baggage handler who obviously studied the water torture technique. Only one bag per minute would come out the luggage shute. Anyone who has been here knows how it works. Met Arthur kassos at the hotel and being his first time in Havana he was as excited as a kid in a candy shop. We had a few drinks overlooking the Malecon and a couple of Cohiba Seleccion Reserva Piramides (....Lisa I took a box from the humidor...forgot to tell you) and hit our rooms around 4am. Yesterday was our first full day in Havana. I really wanted to get to the El Morro (Castle) to show Arthur the scope of the city looking back over Havana. Sitting in the large cane chairs of the Nacional courtyard we had a couple of toasted Tuna sandwiches, a Pina Colada and a HDM Depute as we were joined by great mate Jose Candia. Hugs and laughter all around and it is so bloody good to catch up with someone I like so much. James Suckling joins us and Jose pulls out the new Bolivar Royal Corona Tubes (yes..they do exist :-) ) which should be out by July. The packaging certainly looks great and I will have a few picks up when I get back. Jose is pretty much running the Festival this week so he headed off and I will catch up with James Tuesday. Arthur and I at midday decide to head off to see Hamlet at Romeo y Julieta before I took Arthur for a tour of old Havana. Arthur and I left Hamlet at 4am this morning. Somewhere in between we fitted in drinks at La Floridita, Ambos Mundos, had a half dozen custom cigars, dinner with the Cubanita Surf team, lied to Hamlets wife twice ( I said he was 20 minutes away at 2pm..... and 2 am), dancing and Jazz at Gato Tueto, catch up with Dag and Nestor from PCC and finally bed at 5am. Arthur never got to see El Morro. He rated the day 11.5 out of 10 The festival starts today and I will keep you informed. Your correspondent in Havana
stargazer14 Posted February 23, 2009 Posted February 23, 2009 Sound wonderful Rob, I never would have thought to bring my own box of cuban smokes to.... Cuba.
aavkk Posted February 23, 2009 Posted February 23, 2009 off to a good start... nice Rob. dont forget to snap some good pics.
Tampa1257 Posted February 23, 2009 Posted February 23, 2009 Great news Rob! From Suckling's Blog, it sounded like he was doing you and Arthur a favor visiting with you. Perhaps he would be better wondering the Malecon for others that are suited such as he. Hamlet sounds like he has missed your company as well as someone to aprty with! Jose must have his hands full, but the Bolivar Royal Corona Tube sounds like a nice item, looking forward to them.
kjellfrick Posted February 23, 2009 Posted February 23, 2009 That was a brilliant start, Rob! Keep it up! I remember the computer central at the Nacional...
laficion Posted February 23, 2009 Posted February 23, 2009 Hey Prez, Great to hear your're having a wonderful time, Next year, If your willing, we can have a Mojito and a smoke together in Havana, I 'm sure to be there for 2010. OH, and do give James Suckling our very best. Please ask him, how come all the cigars he smokes have all the same taste. His review on every cigar is the same." It was rich and powerful delivering plenty of coffee, tobacco and cedar character. It was long and flavor with lovely flowers and tea on the finish ". Thank you James. Have a great time, El Prez, and above all, enjoy yourself.
Colt45 Posted February 23, 2009 Posted February 23, 2009 Well done, gents! Good to see you were able to pick up right where you left off, RA.......
terrantheman Posted February 23, 2009 Posted February 23, 2009 Rob you're a very lucky man!!! Enjoy and the Boli tubo does sound great to think and RC in a round format is pretty exciting!
Cohiba007 Posted February 23, 2009 Posted February 23, 2009 LOL, I asked that same question on another forum Hey Prez, Great to hear your're having a wonderful time, Next year, If your willing, we can have a Mojito and a smoke together in Havana, I 'm sure to be there for 2010. OH, and do give James Suckling our very best. Please ask him, how come all the cigars he smokes have all the same taste. His review on every cigar is the same." It was rich and powerful delivering plenty of coffee, tobacco and cedar character. It was long and flavor with lovely flowers and tea on the finish ". Thank you James. Have a great time, El Prez, and above all, enjoy yourself.
DocRKS Posted February 23, 2009 Posted February 23, 2009 Your description of the breakfast at the Nacional and the 'Executive' Business center with its non-working copier and DIAL-UP Modem.... ......really reminds you that the country which produces the cigars we are all so passionate about still has decades to go until the people PRODUCING the cigars have a standard of living close to the standard enjoyed by most of the people who are BUYING their cigars.... Can't wait till the next installment, Rob.... And as far as J.S. - I will not take the obvious cheap shot and mention how aptly named of an individual he may be......
Jimmy2 Posted February 23, 2009 Posted February 23, 2009 Have a great time Rob have a drink and a cigar for me and say hello to Jose and company.... I want to go !!!! Who's coming with me?
jwm8592 Posted February 23, 2009 Posted February 23, 2009 Sounds like a great time El Presidente, nice to be able to visit a place you have so much passion for. But the sleeping in has to STOP!! There will be time for this when you return. So get ready to your ass (oh, Ken said not to use such words in your absence), arse then. Have a wonderful time and take lots of pics.
laficion Posted February 23, 2009 Posted February 23, 2009 LOL, I asked that same question on another forum Hi Cohiba007, A friend and I were sending each other e-mails and talking about JS, when I said That I found JS never fully describes a cigar (nor do the others) in CA,which I regret. (but that's the way it is), he then sent me that quote saying he saw it on a forum and that it sums up what we were talking about. I called him after seeing your post here and he told me where he saw It. I have just seen the post and saw that it WAS YOU . I would like to apologize to you IN PUBLIC for not having verified before posting. As to the subject, I do feel that every cigar JS smokes is described with the same words. NOW , that does not mean I don't like the guy, some times he can be cool.
Ken Gargett Posted February 23, 2009 Posted February 23, 2009 that description, for anyone who has not been, is pretty much spot on. i felt like i was there, bar the cigars, drinks, catching up with mates, girls, mess. you are breaking my heart. hi to jose and hamlet. best you not say anything to the girls on my behalf. there had better be some fish in nz. at the lounge of the stumbling wombat heading off so may not see the forum again till back. have fun. ps - great chat with macho yesterday. you can imagine what he thinks.
Freefallguy Posted February 23, 2009 Posted February 23, 2009 best you not say anything to the girls on my behalf. Does "Bruce" count as one of the girls, on your behalf? Party hardy my friend, party hard!
Ken Gargett Posted February 23, 2009 Posted February 23, 2009 Does "Bruce" count as one of the girls, on your behalf? Party hardy my friend, party hard! oh he just will not stop with the lies. he is now fair game.
Freefallguy Posted February 23, 2009 Posted February 23, 2009 oh he just will not stop with the lies. he is now fair game. It was a great week mate... you're more than welcome to defend yourself next year.
Ken Gargett Posted February 23, 2009 Posted February 23, 2009 It was a great week mate... you're more than welcome to defend yourself next year. am seriously keen. i take it no fish were disturbed? i'm keen to tie in a fish in costa rica. there is a river somewhere, as they say in the classiscs.
Freefallguy Posted February 23, 2009 Posted February 23, 2009 am seriously keen. i take it no fish were disturbed?i'm keen to tie in a fish in costa rica. there is a river somewhere, as they say in the classiscs. "World class" tarpon, snook and rainbow bass are in the Rio San Juan, the border between Nicaragua/CR. Gotta scoot... where on the South Island?
Guest rob Posted February 23, 2009 Posted February 23, 2009 Reading Pres' post, and Arthur's excitement have me wondering why I didn't skip work and go.... dammit. Keep on with the updates mate.
Ken Gargett Posted February 23, 2009 Posted February 23, 2009 "World class" tarpon, snook and rainbow bass are in the Rio San Juan, the border between Nicaragua/CR.Gotta scoot... where on the South Island? around nelson lakes. top of the south island. mate and i have four days with boris, supposedly one of the world's great guides, and then three days at lake rotoroa lodge, just one of the best places on the planet, with my usual guide greg, who is fantastic.
Ken Gargett Posted February 23, 2009 Posted February 23, 2009 Reading Pres' post, and Arthur's excitement have me wondering why I didn't skip work and go.... dammit. Keep on with the updates mate. rob, if things work as usual, there was the initial flurry of reporting, which will be followed by complete silence until the return (when many lies will be told). why should this year be different?
First Lady Posted February 23, 2009 Posted February 23, 2009 couple of Cohiba Seleccion Reserva Piramides (....Lisa I took a box from the humidor...forgot to tell you) and hit our rooms around 4am. [/i You think I didn't pick that up Rob...... just send me a list of everything else you took Give my love to everyone and boy oh boy I don't miss the breakfast on the excutive floor.... Talk to you later honey Lisa
Well Armed Posted February 24, 2009 Posted February 24, 2009 Man I have been away far too long. Reading Rob's posts from Havana are hilarious. I can just see the debauchery.
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