En-route to Havana, Cuba after 2 cancellations from Irma

[upnflames]

Cheers I'm currently en-route to Havana, Cuba re-routing me from Atlanta airport which has closed in/out flights from now till who knows to lovely New York airport now. Then will take straight shot away from Irma to Havana, Cuba to arrive on Tuesday 9/12/2017......finally! Havana is slowly regaining power back and should be back on at least in Havana by Tuesday when I arrive and the water not exactly sure but I just took a shower in the sink at the airport in Kansas City with couple hand fulls of water.....? As for the flooding in Havana it should reside a considerable amount by Tuesday when i arrive. Have a full itinerary and have extended our stay since the crazy cancellations. Have made sure NO damage was done from the wind to Hirochi Robaina tobacco farm. Unfortunately I cannot say anything 2 hours down the coast opposite of Pinar del Rio to the far end as it was damaged considerably. Those areas sustained a direct hit from Irma and in shambles......sad! Will post many pics once back from trip and cheers all!

Robert

[madandana]

Good luck. Keep us posted.

[El Presidente]

Enjoy and please post some photo's and an update when you return. 

There is no tobacco in the ground this time of year so no damage to crops.  

[Customsfan]

Have a great trip.  Stay safe. 

[upnflames]

Arrived back to the states with plenty of new experiences. My driver I had hired was from the Cuban cigar seen therefore he knew everyone. The cleanup in Havana was going very quickly as it was mainly damaged from tree debris. Routes to places we re-routed so not to big of a headache. The Malecon was seriously damaged as it washed out the concrete walls and sidewalks therefore it remains closed. Tunnels were finally open as they flooded and were drained b4 I left Cuba. The Fortress was closed and 5tay16 LCDH was closed the 1st day I was in Cuba but opened back up. Everything else was just fine as the military and Cuban people were busting their ass cleaning up. 

Went to Hiroshi Robaina tobacco farm and it too did not receive any damage. Even though no tobacco on farm we did a short tour and then went sat with Hiroshi and drank beers and smoked cigars for bout 3 hours. He left for a minute came back with a bag filled with cigars for me. He is a very nice guy! Ask him how many pounds of tobacco he produced this year 30,000 lbs. I was told they seed 45 days they have tobacco harvist then dry 40 days then bundle and then goes to Cuba government for the final stages. Hiroshi is 41 years and has 4 daughter that are 15 and under and he is showing them abit of the business as to hopefully follow his path with tobacco farming. Visiting with Hiroshi was my highlight of going and if back in town he told me to come to his house and hit him up. Took pics with him before we left. Then we hit every LCDH store in Havana area and picked up several items. Had plenty of drinks and cigars and met most of the custom rollers and took pics with each. We drove in 4 days 878 miles. Had so much stuff Cuban customs called me over intercom at airport to co e to customs. Open my bags they ask if all this was for sale and I said nope for wife and myself. They then ask for receipts I gave them the register ticket they gave back to me and only were interested in the facturas. They then said thanks and let me roll on. No problems at all. Very awesome trip! Will post pics once I download them tonight. Cheers!

[madandana]

Wow,great trip, thanks for sharing. I'm jealous. How were the stocks of customs?

[upnflames]

Stocks were pretty low unless you ordered in advance couple months. I brought back roughly 8 bundles of customs. 

[Customsfan]

Very cool.  Saw the picture with Alex.  Very cool guy.  Great cigar.  Would love to go to the Robaina farm.  Have only heard good things.  Glad your trip was good and you made it home safe.  Thanks for posting.  Enjoy!

[upnflames]

Yes Robaina farm was awesome however its out of season at moment. Still got the tour in and long visit with Hiroshi, Alex and Reynaldo. All great men!  Thanks brother.....cheers!

[Wertman]

Any more pictures of your haul?

[dgixxer252525]

I just got back myaelf and was hanging with Jorge at club Havana while watching him role monsdales...

Picked up some ryj short churchills, monsdales, and trinidad coloniales