Harley Davidson In Cuba

                 In my life a lot of things happen as a coincidence, being at a certain place at a certain time sort of thing. While in Trinidad I needed to visit a hotel at Playa Ancon so I flagged down a taxi in the town of Trinidad to take me there. Of all the times the driver chooses to get gasoline, he decides to stop while I, his fare, is in the car. But this particular inconvenience proved to be a terrific find because lo and behold stopped at the gas station at the same time were a bunch of Harley-Davidson's....yes, I couldn't believe my eyes. I had heard about there being a popular group of Harley lover/owners and how they take a trip from Havana to Varadero once a year but this wasn't them. These bikes looked newer than what I had imagined. I spoke briefly with someone who stepped-up, Michael, who told me he was the Tour Leader. The motorcycles ranged in years from 2004-2010 and were being driven by a group from Austria. Michael spoke English as well as his native Cuban and told me there are 14 bikes in total that could be rented. It looked like 7-8 were being used at this time. I don't ride motorcycles myself but some people have asked me about it in regards to Cuba, so I'm posting this for them. The name of the Agency in Cuba is called 'Tours Caribe', I listed everything below. Don't ask me how they have these new Harley....they just have them.


Tours Caribe
Michael - Tour Leader
Cell (5)281-1848
http://tourscaribe.com/?page_id=494

Michael the Tour Leader

Encuentro Amigos de Partagas Cena de Bienvenida (Nov.2014) Welcome Dinner...Havana

                 This past week the 27th meeting of the Partagas's Friends took place in Havana. Due to other commitments I was only able to attend the one event. As always, it was a great time for everyone with Cigar Aficionados from all over the world coming together to partake in an event that's become more a way to reunite with one another than anything else. The fact that it's in Havana and that we're smoking the best cigars in the world is only a bonus. It was unfortunate the weather was not agreeable but the show went on just the same. A cold front had come in a couple of days before bringing with it rain. It wasn't sure whether or not the venue would change, it was planned for the Plaza de Armas. Havana at night is beautiful and as you can see from the pictures below it would have been shame if it had to go indoors. Besides, there was no plan B....we all crossed our fingers. There was a light drizzle of rain for most of the night but hey!!!....it was better than the snow that had fallen in my city, or worse, the 2 meters that had fallen in Buffalo, NY.
                  The entertainment was excellent as usual with live music and dancers showing off their stuff for most of the night. Presentations were held to a minimum and a short but heartfelt tribute was given to one of our fallen. The heart and soul of past Encuentros, Massimo De Giovanni from Italy, had past away a couple of days before. It was a sad moment but Massimo was one of a kind and deserved to be recognized.
                   The food was quite good, the wine was palatable and the Santiago de Cuba 11 year old rum that they put in the middle of each table was exceptional. They handed out 7 cigars for this occasion, it was unfortunate that I lost half of them in the confusion. The party ended a little sooner than the usual but there were no complaints. By that time we were all tired of being out in the rain. Many of us went on to the Hotel Nacional to have a final smoke afterwards and some of us went to one of my favourite spots after that, the Gato Tuerto, to cap the night.
                  The organizers of the event get top marks on my behalf for putting together a great show and the Partagas Staff were nothing less than amazing....I love you all. I hope everyone enjoys the pictures.

Hotel Nacional

Gato Tuerto

Partagas Encuentro Humidors For Sale

              Those of you who follow me know that the Partagas Shop in Havana throws a week long event twice a year called the 'Encuentro de Amigos de Partagas'. This past Friday was the Gala event to this November's Encuentro. Prior to and during the event a lovely collection of humidors were put up for sale that were painted by some of the more famous and/or up and coming artists in Cuba today The humidors have long been sold but below are pictures of some of those Humidors. Not all were to my taste but I found some of them to be stunning. What do you think?