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1. My Cuba Trip March 2011:
Day 13: Day around the hotel today. I entered the darts in the morning & won, also won the Chess. After lunch celebrated by smoking Monte No1 from the 70's, picked this up a while ago from one of our members, who shall remain nameless to protect his dwindling stock.
I had been waiting for the right moment for this one, as I anticipated it was going to be one of the best of the holiday. Perfect 10 for the Draw Ash, Construction & Smoke & a really wonderful mellow flav to give 1 1/2 hrs pleasure for an overall 97pt score.2011 March Cuba 241.jpg
We went to the Cuban Specialty Restaurant in the evening, which is the outside restaurant. A bit breezy but much better food & service than the Italian. I had the lobster & wife the steak, which was perfectly, cooked Med Rare/Rare. She couldn't finish it so I enjoyed the remainder.
We went to the Show Boogie Nights, 70's tribute. Later I stuck my head in the Cigar lounge nothing happening but decided to smoke one of the untried vitolas that I brought from the Rum Factory, a Belinda Coronas in a Plastic Tube. This was probably not helped for this afternoon's perfect Monte but this was the worst Havana I have ever had! It was so bad I put it down after barely an inch. There was about 10% of the Belinda profile that I get from the Princess but otherwise disastrous. I gave it a 3 for Flav & 3 for overall satisfaction, a total of 56. Definitely give this one a miss.
Day 14: Got up @ 0630 to get to Vadero Beach before it got too hot, managed to be there by 0930. I brought a tinnie from the mini bar & enjoyed a PL Montecarlo from the La Corona Factory. I had never found this as singles before so brought one to try. I was a nice morning smoke, comparable to the PL Panatela, will buy a box one day. Gave it a 78pt score which equals Monte No 4 & 1 less than the PL Panatela. I marked it down a bit on the ash, which fell frequently.2011 March Cuba 274.jpg
Whilst smoking this pleasant cigar, something caught my eye hovering above the scrub I was sheltering under. The first hummingbird I had seen in Cuba, only flitted for a second or two, no time for a snap.
We went into the Mall for lunch, to the same Burger bar as the other day. This time Hot Dogs were unavailable so settled for the chicken bun. Wife played it safe eating only a tub of ice cream!
After lunch we went to change some more Euros at the exchange, when I pulled out a E100, the wife as sharp as a knife said, you?re going to buy some MORE cigars aren't you? More of an accusation than a question but it blew over & we walked back up to the Casa del Hanabo. No need to fight again to get into the Humi as I knew what I wanted, a box of LGC Immensas's for 96CUC. Opened them up after paying for them & they smelt fantastic , almost as good as the Party's.
2011 March Cuba 295.jpg2011 March Cuba 289.jpg2011 March Cuba 334.jpg
That evening we went to the Romantica Restaurant. We had been advised by several couples that this was the best & so it proved to be. 2011 March Cuba 308.jpg
Day 15: Last day, spent the morning packing, getting all the cigars safe into my hand luggage. Once we vacated the room, I left all the baggage & wife in the Foyer & I went out on the terrace to have my last smoke in Cuba. I had an R&J Tubos from the 60's, watching the waves breaking against the shore.2011 March Cuba 313.jpg
We made the Airport OK & no problems. We ended up going to Cancun, Mexico before turning north to return to Brussels, arriving home the next morning.
Tomorrow I'll draw up some conclusions & list the cigar buys.
Day 13: Day around the hotel today. I entered the darts in the morning & won, also won the Chess. After lunch celebrated by smoking Monte No1 from the 70's, picked this up a while ago from one of our members, who shall remain nameless to protect his dwindling stock.
I had been waiting for the right moment for this one, as I anticipated it was going to be one of the best of the holiday. Perfect 10 for the Draw Ash, Construction & Smoke & a really wonderful mellow flav to give 1 1/2 hrs pleasure for an overall 97pt score.
We went to the Cuban Specialty Restaurant in the evening, which is the outside restaurant. A bit breezy but much better food & service than the Italian. I had the lobster & wife the steak, which was perfectly, cooked Med Rare/Rare. She couldn't finish it so I enjoyed the remainder.
We went to the Show Boogie Nights, 70's tribute. Later I stuck my head in the Cigar lounge nothing happening but decided to smoke one of the untried vitolas that I brought from the Rum Factory, a Belinda Coronas in a Plastic Tube. This was probably not helped for this afternoon's perfect Monte but this was the worst Havana I have ever had! It was so bad I put it down after barely an inch. There was about 10% of the Belinda profile that I get from the Princess but otherwise disastrous. I gave it a 3 for Flav & 3 for overall satisfaction, a total of 56. Definitely give this one a miss.
Day 14: Got up @ 0630 to get to Vadero Beach before it got too hot, managed to be there by 0930. I brought a tinnie from the mini bar & enjoyed a PL Montecarlo from the La Corona Factory. I had never found this as singles before so brought one to try. I was a nice morning smoke, comparable to the PL Panatela, will buy a box one day. Gave it a 78pt score which equals Monte No 4 & 1 less than the PL Panatela. I marked it down a bit on the ash, which fell frequently.2011 March Cuba 274.jpg
Whilst smoking this pleasant cigar, something caught my eye hovering above the scrub I was sheltering under. The first hummingbird I had seen in Cuba, only flitted for a second or two, no time for a snap.
We went into the Mall for lunch, to the same Burger bar as the other day. This time Hot Dogs were unavailable so settled for the chicken bun. Wife played it safe eating only a tub of ice cream!
After lunch we went to change some more Euros at the exchange, when I pulled out a E100, the wife as sharp as a knife said, you?re going to buy some MORE cigars aren't you? More of an accusation than a question but it blew over & we walked back up to the Casa del Hanabo. No need to fight again to get into the Humi as I knew what I wanted, a box of LGC Immensas's for 96CUC. Opened them up after paying for them & they smelt fantastic
2011 March Cuba 295.jpg2011 March Cuba 289.jpg2011 March Cuba 334.jpg
That evening we went to the Romantica Restaurant. We had been advised by several couples that this was the best & so it proved to be. 2011 March Cuba 308.jpg
Day 15: Last day, spent the morning packing, getting all the cigars safe into my hand luggage. Once we vacated the room, I left all the baggage & wife in the Foyer & I went out on the terrace to have my last smoke in Cuba. I had an R&J Tubos from the 60's, watching the waves breaking against the shore.2011 March Cuba 313.jpg
We made the Airport OK & no problems. We ended up going to Cancun, Mexico before turning north to return to Brussels, arriving home the next morning.
Tomorrow I'll draw up some conclusions & list the cigar buys.
Great reading Simon 
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