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It’s about time I got some pictures of my last trip up here. Great time as usual, one of the best trips yet. I had an old Chicago friend, Sue, come down and join me for a week. One of my closest friends, I hadn’t seen her in ten years and it was great to catch up. My flight got delayed in Paris by just over three hours, for some reason they upgraded me to business, so I didn’t complain. I used some miles to get up to business on the way home too so all good! I got in the Wednesday before the festival, had to check in to two apartments, then straight to the Gato Tuerto. Refurbished but many of the old faces and still smoking allowed everywhere, which is good. The next morning, did a tour of the shops, got a few boxes of SLR Marquez and picked up my usual custom rolls, no shortage of those. Sue flew in that afternoon, then straight to the Habana Libre for more cigars/coffee, then the Nacional for a mojito. Dinner in La Guarida that night, great as always though very, very busy these days. I had made a reservation weeks before. The marlin tacos there are one of my favourite dishes in Havana. Closed the Gato again that night. Juana Bacallao was on, great stuff. Friday morning, over Finca Vigia, Hemingways house, Sue wanted to see it. Much, much busier than it was three years ago when I was last there. Probably 300 people wandering about the grounds. Last time, maybe 50. Worth a look though, interesting stuff. Lunch of Bruschetta and pizza in Nero Di Seppia. Great food, service and a lovely spot. That afternoon over to Conde de Villanueva to see Reinaldo and book the TV for Ireland v France in the rugby the following day. Reinaldo on vacation and the staff didn’t seem too interested in much of anything. The shop was empty. Shame to see that, the Friday before the festival. Some pictures and more to come. Decent rum deals in Dublin duty free Cigar prices in Charles de Gaulle Humidors for sale in the Partagas shop Sue with Hemingsways boat "Pilar" at his house, Finca Vigia The view from his writing desk. Inspirational. More to come.