Friends of Habanos

CubanCigarWebsite.com

Tue, 07 Sep 2010 21:53:48 -0700

I have just returned from five weeks around Europe.

Unfortunately the carefully set up email forwarding system broke-down on day 2 (thanks Telstra ) resulting in half of the emails not being received until I got home and (apparently) some being lost (they did manage to forward the junk mail I noticed).

I am in the process of going through the hundreds of emails and messages....which should be complete by Friday 10th.

I apologies for any delays and if you have not received a reply by Friday, please resend you email or message.

Next week I will start updating the website to cover the recent releases.

Its good to be back.

Greetings from Milwaukee, WI

Tue, 07 Sep 2010 17:38:37 -0700

Hello All:

I have been lurking (and absorbing info) for a couple of days and I thought I'd say hi.

I have been smoking cigars for 8-9 years now. I started smoking cigars when I was 16-17. My dad would let me have one every 2-4 weeks with him. Turned out to be a very good way to bond with him.

The only down side to starting so young is that the quality of cigar that I now enjoy/appreciate often does not agree with my finances!

I look forward to getting to know all of you and learning more about our favorite hobby.

Tom

Cohiba "The world's First Cigar Retrieving Dog"

Tue, 07 Sep 2010 17:36:41 -0700

My Chesapeake Bay retriever �Cohiba�.

For those that haven�t met him before, a great friend and companion who has had a tough trot in his first three years on this earth. Run over by our 4x4 at 3 months (asleep under the passenger side front tyre) he had smashed back legs and pelvis and a long slow recovery.
Now a regular at Czar House and will continue to be for years to come.

The world�s first �Cigar Retrieving Dog�

The Behike roundup.

Tue, 07 Sep 2010 17:29:21 -0700

A significant number of you have now had the opportunity to try one of or all of the Behike 52 54 56.

I am getting some excellent feedback in the main with one e-mail this morning describing them as reminiscent of first release Cohiba Siglo VI only sweeter.

Your thoughts? The good and the bad in terms of construction, quality, flavour, body.

Partagas Understanding and Help

Tue, 07 Sep 2010 07:00:31 -0700

Can someone please explain the Partagas line of small cigars? It is a bit confusing to me, I've smoked a few, however, what's the major differences other than size? Price point?

Corona, Jr. & Sr.

De Luxe

Aristocrats - never heard of these, has anyone smoked?

Habaneros

Mille Fleur

PCE

Princess

Shorts

Thanks, D

S... hits the fan

Mon, 06 Sep 2010 23:05:20 -0700

It seems Australia has a new Government. Three more years with Labor and the Greens with balance of power in the upper house...

Can we look forward to increased inflation, higher interest rates and overall more waste, or resposible governing improving eductation, healthcare and a new national broadband for the future??

sports report on radio pakistan...

Mon, 06 Sep 2010 19:55:59 -0700

"Good morning.

This is Pakistan Radio Sports News

Here are tomorrow's cricket results..."

Punch DC (50 Cab) - SVF AGO 05 - AGED

Mon, 06 Sep 2010 19:29:51 -0700

Punch DC (50 Cab) - SVF AGO 05 - AGED

These have been sold Contact Lisa if you are interested

The Black Bra

Mon, 06 Sep 2010 18:10:17 -0700

The Black Bra (as told by a woman)

I had lunch with 2 of my unmarried friends.
One is engaged, one is a mistress, and I have been married for 20+ years.

We were chatting about our relationships and decided to amaze our men by greeting them at the door Wearing a black bra, stiletto heels and a mask over our eyes. We agreed to meet in a few days to exchange notes..

Here's how it all went.

My engaged friend:
The other night when my boyfriend came over he found me with a black leather bodice, tall stilettos and a mask.
He saw me and said, 'You are the woman of my dreams.
I love you.' Then we made passionate love all night long.

The mistress:
Me too! The other night I met my lover at his office and I was wearing a raincoat, under it only the black bra, heels and Mask over my eyes. When I opened the raincoat he didn't say a word, but he started to tremble and we had wild sex all night.

Then I had to share my story:
When my husband came home I was wearing the black bra,
Black stockings, stilettos and a mask over my eyes.
When he came in the door and saw me he said:

"What's for dinner, Zorro?"

Obama Renews Blockade Against Cuba for Another Year

Mon, 06 Sep 2010 17:34:02 -0700

Obama Renews Blockade Against Cuba for Another Year

Monday, 06 September 2010 16:21 Source: Radio Havana Cuba

http://www.solvision.co.cu/english/index.p...&Itemid=171

US President Barack Obama notified the extension of the exercise of authorities under the Trading with the Enemy Act with respect to Cuba for another year, meaning that the economic, financial and commercial blockade against Cuba will be maintained until at least September 2011.

The White House released a memorandum to Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, and the head of the Treasure Department, Timothy Geithner, signed by President Obama, continuing the exercise of the authorities until September 14, 2011.

In the text, Obama states that the continuation for a year of such legislation regarding Cuba is in the national interest of the United States.

With such stipulation, Washington confirms that the Cuban government continues to be a threat to the US security and therefore forbids American companies to do business with the island.

A report on the issue by Granma newspaper says the renewal of the regulation is something that has been repeatedly done by former US administrations and shows that Obama will maintain the same policy towards Cuba.

Granma adds that Cuba is the only country subjected to sanctions under the Trading with the Enemy Act, which dates back to 1917, after George W. Bush�s administration decided not to renew the measures with regards to the People�s Democratic Republic of Korea.

Smithy in the humidor 10.30 am Czar time

Mon, 06 Sep 2010 16:14:07 -0700

Hi Guys

Just some boxes to make your Labor day fun

Lisa

Juan Lopez Short Torpedo (Caribbean RR)

Mon, 06 Sep 2010 12:46:29 -0700

I have been Looking for this box for a while. I loved the JL Maximo and have been on a mission to find this cigar. Can some one PM me on a place to get this or will the czar be able to pick up this box like they do with alot of the canadian RR? Has any one smoked this stick and if so how was it? Is it worth while to hunt down?

Ramon Allones Phoenicia Libanon Sublimes

Mon, 06 Sep 2010 10:58:22 -0700

RA exclusivo Libanon

http://www.friendsofhabanos.com/forum/index.php?act=attach&type=post&id=9040

http://www.friendsofhabanos.com/forum/index.php?act=attach&type=post&id=9041

http://www.friendsofhabanos.com/forum/index.php?act=attach&type=post&id=9042

regards

25 box vs 50 cabinet

Mon, 06 Sep 2010 08:17:40 -0700

Excuse me if this has been covered before, but has anyone noticed any difference in quality construction between cigars in a 50 cabinet vs the same brand/size in a 25-stick box?

Collingwood Membership

Mon, 06 Sep 2010 06:37:00 -0700

Hi All
Being Aussie Rules finals time thought you might get a laugh out of this

http://www.friendsofhabanos.com/forum/index.php?act=attach&type=post&id=9038

Q. Two Collingwood supporters jump off a cliff. Who wins
A. Society.

Q. What does a Collingwood supporter use as protection during sex?
A. Bus shelter.

Q. What does a Collingwood supporter use as a contraceptive?
A. His personality.

Q. What do you call a 30 year old female Collingwood supporter?
A. Granny.

Q. What do you call a Collingwood supporter in a suit?
A. The defendant.

Q. Why did the Collingwood supporter cross the road?
A. To start a fight with a complete stranger, for no reason what so ever.

Q. What do you call a female Collingwood supporter in a white tracksuit?
A. The bride.

Q. If you are driving and you see a Collingwood supporter on a bike, why should you try not to hit him?
A. It might be your bike.

Q. What's the first question during a Collingwood supporter quiz night?
A. What you looking at?

Q. Two Collingwood supporters in a car without any music - who is driving?
A. The policeman!

Q. Why is three Collingwood supporters going over a cliff in Lexus a shame?
A. Because a Lexus has four seats.

Q. What do you say to a Collingwood supporter with a job?
A. Big Mac please.

You know you're a Collingwood supporter when:

1. A Halloween pumpkin has more teeth than your wife does.
2. You let your twelve-year-old daughter smoke at the dinner table in front of her kids.
3. You've been married three times and still have the same in-laws.
4. Jack Daniel's makes your list of 'most admired people.'
5. You wonder how service stations keep their restrooms so clean.
6. Someone in your family once died right after saying: 'Hey, watch this.'
7. You think Dom Perignon is a Mafia leader.
8. A ceiling fan once ruined your wife's hairdo.
9. You think the last words of Advance Australia Fair are: 'Carn the Maggies .'
10. You lit a match in the bathroom and your house exploded, right off its wheels.
11. The market value of your car goes up and down, depending on how much petrol is in it.
12. You have to go outside to get something from the fridge.
13. One of your kids was born on a pool table.
14. You can't get married to your sweetheart because there's a law against it.
15. You think 'loaded dishwasher' means your wife is drunk.
16. Your toilet paper has page numbers on it.
17. Your front verandah collapses and kills more than five dogs.

Cheers OZ

Australian source for Cuban Coffee

Mon, 06 Sep 2010 03:42:50 -0700

I hope this post is within forum rules, otherwise Moderators just delete it.

For Aussies wanting to buy Cuban coffee, the Coffee Company in Melbourne has Serrano Lavado in stock for mail order nationwide.

http://www.coffeecompany.com.au/product-co...p;CategoryID=60

I noticed they also have a Caffe Cubano blend. I've purchased from them several times, though not the Cuban yet, and think they deliver good quality coffee.

Cheers
Magnus

SmokinAL's humidor now

Mon, 06 Sep 2010 02:23:58 -0700

I don't know how many people remember I got his humidor though, I have his great one anyway. It's absolutely stunning, work of art ...but I have no longer using it , because I have a terribly big cooler. How should I do with it..?

Hey! - from Northern California

Sun, 05 Sep 2010 22:08:30 -0700

A big hello from Northern California! Just joined up. Quite honestly ran across the video reviews posted by "friends" on You Tube. Cracked me up and the reviews are (most of the time) pretty much in line with the way I would rate those same cigars. How could I not join up....

Ciao!

Bob M.

How long does a stick needs to bloom?

Sun, 05 Sep 2010 14:20:08 -0700

Hello dear members,
As I mentioned before (in the introduction forum) that I am still a new to the world of habanos . I recently have bought some singles to try before I start buying boxes.
Some of the singles I've bought were tubes and I wasn't able to know their dates, after sitting in my humidor for a week now at optimum temp. and humidity; they stared to be covered in bloom. I know it's bloom because it covers the whole length and it looks like thin white peach-fuzz and acts like glitter in white light (crystalline).
So I was thinking that if I could know how long does it take (average) to start blooming, I could roughly estimate their age.

Thank you for your help.

AlKemawy

Corona Corda Dilemma

Sun, 05 Sep 2010 13:34:58 -0700

You are heading away camping for a few days. You have two choices and so from these currently available Corona Gordas...which would you take? Remember...two only

Opinion Poll...

Sun, 05 Sep 2010 09:47:31 -0700

Not that we have not discussed this to ad nauseam, but here it is again!

I am not looking for what you think of EL's, unless you feel absolutely necessary about posting it! What I want is your opinion as to what the creation of the EL market has done for the CC industry. Is it as intended and what was the real motivation behind their creation? For example: were they created to exemplify the epitome of the cigar makers art, or just make more money? As the creator of the EL, lets pretend it was your idea here for a moment, what have you created, why did you create it and was your intention realized?

Lastly, do you believe that your vision is H SA's (et al) vision as well?

Thanks for sharing. -Piggy

Hello everybody!

Sat, 04 Sep 2010 10:57:45 -0700

Hello everybody!

Long time lurker, felt it's long past time to say hello!

I split my time between New York and New Orleans, and I've been smoking cigars for about 16 years now.

The first time I ever had a cigar was when I was 17 years old, in Madrid, Spain. My brother, who is a cigar smoker, told me some I should look out for. So a friend and I picked up some cuban montes and had them on a balcony while overlooking the streets of Madrid. I bought a couple boxes of RyJ's and a box of Cohibas from the state tobacco shop to bring back home with me. I've been enjoying ever since.

Just wanted to say thanks for the great forum and discussions. It's amazing to have a forum with a retailer that has a lot of passion for cigars, and honestly shares their thoughts through videos on the site. I look forward to being a member!

Fidel Castro's choice of military garb spurs speculation

Sat, 04 Sep 2010 09:56:34 -0700

Fidel Castro dusted off his full military uniform for the first time since stepping down as president four years ago, a symbolic act in a communist country where little signals often carry enormous significance.

The revolutionary leader wore the olive-green cap and uniform -- minus the star and laurels he held as commander in chief -- at a speech early Friday to students at the University of Havana. The clothing choice was sure to revive speculation the 84-year-old is seeking a larger role in Cuban politics after turning power over to his younger brother Raul.

Castro repeated his warning that the world stands on the brink of a nuclear conflagration due to tension pitting the United States and Israel against Iran. He has returned to the message almost daily since emerging from seclusion in July.

But Friday's 35-minute speech to thousands of students assembled on and in front of the majestic stairway leading to the historic university was by far Castro's most significant. Previously, Castro has mostly spoken in closed sessions to small groups, and his appearances were usually not announced ahead of time.

Castro -- who began his political career as a student activist at the same university 60 years ago -- said it has fallen to his tiny island to warn the world of the looming nuclear threat, and that it was important that it did not fail.

"Faced with the skeptics, our duty is to keep up the fight," Castro said. "I am convinced that a good number of people are becoming conscious of the reality."

Castro has said he fears that fresh U.N. sanctions will give the U.S. and Israel the right to intercept Iranian ships, which will lead to an armed confrontation that could go nuclear. At one point, he went so far as to warn that the conflict would break out before the later rounds of the World Cup soccer tournament in July, only to apologize for jumping the gun when hostilities did not materialize.

He thanked the university students for their support, saying he has always appreciated their backing.

"In this, like in many battles of the past, we can win," he said of his efforts to warn the world of the nuclear danger.

Castro stepped down -- first temporarily, then permanently -- in July 2006 after a serious illness that nearly killed him. He stayed almost entirely out of the public eye for four years while his 79-year-old brother, a close partner in the 1959 revolution, took the reins of power.

Since bursting back on the scene in July, the elder Castro has scrupulously avoided mention of domestic issues such as Cuba's economic woes or its fight against corruption -- presumably to avoid stepping on Raul Castro's toes. He did the same on Friday, limiting himself to reminiscing about the past and warning about a nuclear future.

But Fidel's speeches have grown bigger, and he has crept closer and closer to at least looking like the revolutionary leader he once was. While he is no longer president, Fidel remains head of Cuba's Communist party.

At Friday's speech, he was introduced as Cuba's "historic leader" and "commander in chief."

Since taking over, Raul Castro has instituted some limited economic reforms and tried to rid the government of corruption -- but his unassuming style and reticence for public speaking are a marked contrast to Fidel, who in his heyday could hold the stage for hours.

After wearing a loose-fitting track suit in several early appearances, Fidel caused a stir by donning an olive-green shirt at a July 24 ceremony outside Havana.

When he addressed Cuba's parliament two weeks later, he was wearing the top half of his military fatigues. On Friday, he looked completely the part of a revolutionary, decked out head-to-toe in his military uniform, with a simple military cap to shield him from the sun.

Cuba's Fidel Castro makes first public speech in years

Sat, 04 Sep 2010 09:50:26 -0700

HAVANA (Reuters) � Former Cuban leader Fidel Castro, wearing his green military cap and clothing like the commandant of old, made his first speech before the Cuban public Friday since falling ill in 2006, warning of the threat of nuclear war.

Castro, 84, spoke from the same steps of the University of Havana where 60 years ago he stirred fellow students to political action in the beginnings of the revolution that eventually put him in power in 1959.

About 10,000 people, mostly students, filled the steps and nearby streets to listen to the man who led Cuba for 49 years before an intestinal illness forced him to resign as president and, as Castro stated in a recent newspaper interview, nearly killed him.

His speech was the latest in a string of appearances since Castro re-emerged in July from four years of seclusion. As he has all summer, Castro warned that nuclear war is inevitable if the United States, in alliance with Israel, tries to enforce international sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program.

The crowd shouted "Fidel, Fidel Fidel" and applauded at several points during the nationally televised address.

Standing behind a podium at the top of steps, he spoke for about 40 minutes, far shorter than the hours-long speeches he once gave. As has been his custom since resurfacing, he did not talk about Cuba's domestic issues.

His renewed public presence has raised questions about whether he could resume a larger role in running Cuba, now officially led by his younger brother, President Raul Castro.

'THE SURVIVAL OF HUMANITY'

He slammed the United States, his long-time foe, for creating a "system that threatens the survival of humanity."

"The problem of people today, the more than 7 billion human beings, is to prevent such a tragedy from happening," he said.

"In this, as in many struggles in the past, it is possible to be victorious," he said.

Last month, he spoke to a session of the National Assembly about the possibility of nuclear war.

He wore plain military clothing, without military insignia or stars.

Fidel Castro ceded power to his brother after undergoing surgery in July 2006, then officially resigned as president in February 2008.

He remains head of the ruling Communist Party and plays a significant behind-the-scenes role. But there has been no sign that his brother is not in charge of the government.

The president did not attend his brother's speech.

Students said they came to the speech not just to hear Castro's message but also for the chance of seeing the elderly revolutionary who has been a world figure for the past half century.

Their theories about why he has stepped back into the spotlight ranged widely, with most taking him at his word that he feels compelled to warn of a possible U.S.-instigated war.

"Fidel is a source of pride for all Cubans. His appearances show the United States that he's still standing," said dental student Eileen Mendoza.

"This is a historic act," said economic student Jose Gonzalez Abreu. "Maybe he's preparing to return to the kind of big, historic speeches he gave before he fell ill."

Raul Castro, 79, has lately stepped up the pace of small economic reforms he has initiated to revive Cuba's struggling economy and, in his words, assure the survival of the revolution after its current generation of leaders is gone.

U.S., Cuba will not swap 'Cuban Five' prisoners for Gross, State Dept. says

Sat, 04 Sep 2010 09:45:53 -0700

The U.S. State Department Thursday flatly denied reports that the Obama administration is considering swapping the "Cuban Five" spies in U.S. prisons for a U.S. government subcontractor jailed in Havana.

The denial came a day after Cuban-Americans in Congress expressed concern over reports of a deal to free Alan Gross, held without charges since his arrest in Havana on Dec. 3.

"The United States is NOT considering the release of any member of the Cuban Five in exchange for Alan Gross," Mark Toner, director of the State Department's press office, wrote in a statement e-mailed to El Nuevo Herald on Thursday.

"We are committed to using every possible diplomatic channel to press for Mr. Gross's release, but we will not consider a 'prisoner swap,' " Toner added. "We continue to urge the Cuban Government to release Alan Gross immediately."

In letters Wednesday to the Departments of State and Justice, the five Cuban-Americans in Congress wrote that they were "seriously concerned about increasing reports that the Administration is conducting negotiations with the Castro regime'' for a swap.

"The U.S. must be careful not to telegraph to rogue regimes that they may be able to successfully extort our government by abducting innocent Americans," said South Florida Republican Reps. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Lincoln and Mario Diaz Balart and New Jersey Democrats Sen. Bob Menendez and Rep. Albio Sires.

They noted that one of the "Cuban Five" convicted in Miami in 2001 was found guilty of playing a role in Cuba's shootdown of two Brothers to the Rescue planes in 1996 that killed four South Floridians.

Cuba issues free-market reform

Sat, 04 Sep 2010 09:44:15 -0700

Havana -- Cuba has issued a pair of surprising free-market decrees, allowing foreign investors to lease government land for up to 99 years -- potentially touching off a golf-course building boom -- and loosening state controls on commerce to let islanders grow and sell their own fruit and vegetables.

The moves, published into law in the Official Gazette last week and effective immediately, are significant steps as President Raul Castro promises to scale back the communist state's control of the economy while attempting to generate new revenue.

"These are part of the opening that the government wants to make given the country's situation," said Oscar Espinosa Chepe, a state-trained economist who is now an anti-communist dissident.

Cuba said it was modifying its property laws "with the aim of amplifying and facilitating" foreign investment in tourism, and that doing so would provide "better security and guarantees to the foreign investor."

A small army of investors in Canada, Europe and Asia have been waiting to crack the market for long-term tourism in Cuba, built on drawing well-heeled visitors who could live part time on the island instead of just hitting the beach for a few days.

It also may help the country embrace golf tourism. Investment firms have for decades proposed building lavish 18-hole courses ringed by luxury housing under long-term government leases. Cuba has just two golf courses, but the Tourism Ministry has said it wants to build at least 10 more.

Endorsing 99-year property agreements might be a first step toward making some golf developments a reality, but also makes it easy to imagine a Cuban coastline dotted with timeshares, luxury villas and other hideaways that could serve as second homes.

Despite embargo, Cuba a haven for pirated U.S. goods

Sat, 04 Sep 2010 09:43:00 -0700

HAVANA (Reuters) � A few weeks after Ashton Kutcher's latest comedy "Killers" premiered in the United States, the movie was already entertaining the masses in communist Cuba.

For two pesos, the equivalent of nine U.S. cents, the state-owned Yara movie theater in the heart of Havana offered Cubans a washed out and pixilated copy of Kutcher's adventures as a CIA assassin who is himself targeted for a hit.

"It's a very good flick. We just got it on DVD," says a woman in the ticket office.

The problem is that "Killers" will not be officially released on DVD in the United States until September 7 and even then Cuba will be off limits due to the 48-year-old U.S. trade embargo against the Caribbean island.

But half a century of U.S. sanctions have turned Cuba into a piracy haven and a missed opportunity for U.S. businesses.

Even though the embargo forbids U.S. companies like Microsoft from exporting software to Cuba, most personal computers on the island run unlicensed copies of its Windows operating system.

Pirated copies of the latest version, Windows 7, have been available for months from illegal vendors in Cuba.

The blue-skinned aliens of "Avatar," James Cameron's blockbuster film, appeared on Cuba's state television in February while the movie was still breaking box office records around the world.

Surfing Cuba's five television channels, all state-owned, a viewer could stumble across shows such as Disney Channel's "Hannah Montana" and NBC's "Friends," or movies like Dreamworks' "Madagascar 2".

Video games of all types are sold by software pirates in Cuba for the equivalent of about $2.

"The reality is that U.S. products and services are down there whether the companies that make them sell them or not," said Jake Colvin, Vice President for Global Trade Issues at the National Foreign Trade Council in Washington.

"The frustrating thing is that U.S. companies are getting nothing for it," he told Reuters.

PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN?

The trade embargo, imposed since 1962 with the aim of toppling the Caribbean island's communist government, forbids most U.S. business with Cuba, with the key exception of agricultural products, and, under certain restrictions, medicines.

Cuba's unofficial position is that the embargo limits access to so many products that it forces people to resort to piracy.

But it also does so with a certain relish, which is both the result of five decades of U.S.-Cuba hostility and a jab at the capitalist system Cuban leaders disdain.

The Business Software Alliance, a Washington-based industry group, says 63 percent of the computer programs being used in Latin America as a whole in 2009 were unlicensed and had an approximate commercial value of $6.2 billion.

But in Cuba, the piracy rate is estimated to be around 80 percent, if not higher, said Montserrat Duran, BSA director of legal affairs for Latin America.

Cuba has been more protective of its own products, having spent much time and money defending its world-famous Cohiba cigar and Havana Club rum brands in legal battles in the United States.

The National Foreign Trade Council says the current lack of formal diplomatic relations between the two nations makes it difficult for U.S. companies to raise these issues with Cuban authorities.

"Until we fix the relationship, until we have governments that talk to each other and have a better official relationship and we have rules that allow companies to interact and do business in Cuba we are not going to be able to address the problem," said Colvin.

MIXED BLESSING

Better relations, when they come, could be a mixed blessing for Cuba's financial exposure over pirated goods, one computer engineer on the island said.

"The day we finally resolve our problems with the United States, Microsoft's Bill Gates will try to collect the bill. And it will be huge," he said, asking not to be identified.

A spokesman for Microsoft declined to comment.

In the meantime, Cuba should focus on the future rather than worry about the past, said Business Software Alliance's Duran.

"Nobody expects them to pay for what has been done, but governments should legalize their products and lead by example. People need to understand that piracy is a crime similar to stealing a car," she said.

Cuba took a step toward addressing the problem last year when it developed a variant of the free, open-source operating system Linux and promoted its use in the country's computers.

Cuban leaders said conversion to Linux would ease their security concerns about the widespread use of U.S. software and create another front in their long fight to resist U.S. domination.

Cuba sees more Russian visitors

Sat, 04 Sep 2010 09:41:30 -0700

Russia has become one of the fastest growing tourism source countries for Cuba with over 23,000 Russians visiting the Caribbean island state in the first half of 2010, up 25 percent year on year, the National Statistics Office (NSO) said Friday.

The increase can be attributed to Cuba's efforts to explore new tourism markets such as Russia, China, Mexico and Cubans living abroad after visitors from traditional tourist source countries like Spain, Germany and Italy, declined due to the global financial crisis, it said.

The measures included opening new direct flights, among which are twice-a-week direct flights between Moscow and Varadero, a major city in Cuba.

Cuba also held the 30th International Tourism Fair in Havana to strengthen the ties among tour operators between Russia and Cuba.

According to the NSO, 1.4 million visitors came to Cuba in the first half of this year, an increase of 1 percent year on year.

Tourism is Cuba's second largest industry, contributing about 20 percent to the island's total foreign currency income each year.

Lets fight over the direction of H SA!

Sat, 04 Sep 2010 09:37:01 -0700

My opinon is all over this place! If you were runnin' H SA what would you do other than raid the company coffers?

I posted this the M Garcia thread. What do you think about der Leader mit his mits in das Kookie Jar?

QUOTE

While I don't want to see anyone sent to the gulag, as head of H SA, a company who's direction is to increase prices, decrease personality and choice, replace tradition for trend, over produce robustos and piramides at the cost of any cigar that isn't... I say anyone is potentially better than this man, whom I perceive as a poor company leader.

I guess if you like 50+ ring cigars... RE's, EL's, a huge selction of boxes containing what might as well be the same cigars, you may be sorry he is gone. I say "adios amigo!" Bring in the old guard, the new one's been no friend of us old dogs! ... or Pigs for that matter! ~Piggy

Hello All!

Sat, 04 Sep 2010 09:27:08 -0700

Just droppin a quick line here to say hello to you all, the forum is excellent and very resourceful.

My name is Stevie and ive been smoking cigars for about a year now, my regular smoke is a Cohiba Siglo II, favourite smoke is probably a Cohiba robusto.

I hope to buy a humidor very soon and get a collection of different cigars going. Anybody in here from Ireland or from the belfast area give me a shout!

Its good to be here!

Now this is Old School (not for everyone though)

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 18:26:18 -0700

Every time this ad comes on TV i get time warped to the 80s, i cant believe they dug these guys up

have a look at

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FN2Q7HTyPZQ

This takes me back to my Wanna be Gangsta Days in Airportwest/Tullamarine when i use to walk around like a bad Ass (wanker) the burbs where so dangerous back then that the worst thing that could happen to a kid was to step on Dog Poo.

The Furious 5 are still cool today.

Great Add, Great Memories

Spiro

Sampler question

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 17:31:19 -0700

I've smoked cubans sporadically for 5 years but do not have a very diverse experience. I was going to order some samples to try different ones.

How long do I need to rest a cigar sample pack before the cigars' tastes become representative of how a box would taste? Or differently, if I really like a Cohiba robusto in a sampler for example, will there be much difference in taste with a Cohibo robusto from a different box?

Thanks.

7.4 magnitude Earthquake its New Zealand South Island

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 17:08:07 -0700

For those on the South Island let us know how you are doing.

Stay well!

Your cigar of the past week?

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 17:00:37 -0700

I had the opportunity to try numerous cigars this past week.

The highlight was certainly the Partagas P1 Jar Smithy and I had Wednesday. Perhaps it hit the right buttons because of the fact that I wasn't expecting much. The medium full body combined with coffee and toasted bran appealed a great deal and it is one of the few cigars this week I can remember intricately right now.

Honourable mention to Por Larranaga Robusto (RR Asia pacific). These are coming along nicely and intensifying in sweetness which is where I was hoping they would go. Another 2-3 years and I think they will be something very special.

What rocked your boat this week?

STORMWARNING

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 16:57:03 -0700

hi guys at sea awaiting for what they are calling a once in 15 year storm...its been a little hairy of late...was on live chat with lise the other day when we copped a rather large wave on the side...everything in my cabin came flying at me....we are steaming around waiting to work the rig...no doubt they will call us in when it gets a little narly and we will have to decline.....well not long now from what they tell me...probably later tonight it will start ...so here we go again..Bass Strait is a lovely place to be..I will post some pics if i can get a shot of some 30 footers....lucky they pay us well..hey

Fidel Castro turns up in full olive green uniform

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 16:50:19 -0700

Just when momentum gathers pace for the embargo barriers to come down....Fidel has come back to his most active

________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________

Fidel Castro turns up in full olive green uniform

http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/09/03/1807...et_type=gallery

BY JUAN O. TAMAYO
jtamayo@ElNuevoHerald.com

Cuba's Fidel Castro, reprising symbols of his former power, wore a full military uniform and spoke to a mass audience outdoors Friday for the first time since he nearly died four years ago.

The island's former ruler seemed energetic and lucid as he spoke for 35 minutes to several thousand students from the historic steps of the University of Havana in an address broadcast by all the state channels.

As he has done in his many public appearances since early July, the 84-year-old Castro repeated his warnings of nuclear holocaust over Iran and stayed away from commenting on Cuba's domestic issues.

But his appearance marked a return of two of the symbols of his nearly five decades as Cuba's ruler, which he had put aside after an emergency intestinal surgery left him at death's door four years ago.

For the first time since 2006, he wore olive green pants, jacket and cap -- though without any insignias of rank -- and appeared before the kind of massive outdoor crowds that were trademarks of his rule.

He wore glasses to read his prepared text but was introduced as comandante en jefe instead of compa�ero, the title most often used for Castro over the past four years.

The twin firsts fueled speculation that Castro is trying to regain some of his former powers, which he turned over unofficially to his 79-year old brother Ra�l in 2006. Parliament selected Ra�l as head of the government in 2008.

``This is all a pantomime that he has mounted to show he's immortal,'' said Vladimiro Roca, a Havana dissident and former member of the ruling Communist Party and MiG pilot in the Cuban air force.

Dissident Martha Beatriz Roque noted that while Castro remains first secretary of the party, a report on Cuban TV on Friday initially refered to Ra�l as second secretary and only later as head of the government.

During the four years recovering from his surgery, Castro appeared mostly in jogging suits, then more recently in civilian clothes. But this summer he began returning to his traditional olive green, first with just a shirt and then a jacket but until now without a cap.

His appearances were generally restricted to photos of videos of his private meetings with foreign leaders visiting Cuba. But starting July 7, he has visited scientific and economic think tanks, and last month delivered a speech to an official gathering of Cuba's parliament.

Castro has now declared himself ``totally recovered'' and told a Mexican newspaper in an interview published this week that he was ``resuscitated'' -- without clarifying the exact nature of his health crisis or whether he was actually clinically dead at some point.

Castro told his audience Friday, overwhelmingly made up of university students, that time is running out on his efforts to avert a nuclear war over Iran, allegedly trying to develop atomic weapons.

``The time left for humanity to wage this battle is incredibly limited,'' he declared during the 7:30 a.m. event, apparently timed to avoid the worst of the summer's hot sun.

He noted that the United States is the only country that has used nuclear weapons -- against Japan at the end of World War II -- and that modern nuclear weapons are far more powerful than those.

``The hard duty of warning humanity about the real danger that it is confronting has fallen to Cuba,'' he added, urging the students to fight for peace ``so that human life can be preserved.''

Castro delivered the speech from a podium set up just below the statue of the Alma Mater, which dominates that stone steps leading up to the University of Havana, where Castro studied law in the 1950s.

Before Castro seized power in 1959, many anti-government protesters gathered on the steps because police were barred from entering the campus. Afterwards, Castro abolished the university's autonomy.

Five dissidents were arrested on the steps Aug. 16 after they read an anti-government declaration. Two were released later, but the others remain in jail amid reports they will be charged with public disorder.

Havana human rights activist Elizardo S�nchez Santacruz said the protest was the first he could recall on that iconic location since the early 1960s.

New member intro

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 15:44:14 -0700

Hello. Am from Minnesota and have smoked noncubans for approximately 20 years and cubans for 5. Am looking forward to learning about cigars etc.

Chilean Miner

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 15:21:34 -0700

I heard one of the Chilean miners doesnt wanna come out of the collapsed mine.

Yea his mistress met his wife outside the mine!

Fake Cohiba (LOL)

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 08:59:52 -0700

He guys wondering if you could tell me if this cigar is legit!!!! lol have a great weekend

Thank you Australia

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 07:12:19 -0700

Thank you for sending Sophie Turner out here to SoCal! We appreciate it.
http://www.friendsofhabanos.com/forum/index.php?act=attach&type=post&id=9017

Manuel Garcia in Jail

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 04:41:21 -0700

Hello All,

just read that Manual Garcia from H SA has been sent to jail on suspicion of corruption.

Has anyone here heard more on this?

regards
Lars

Hello from Florida

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 03:23:04 -0700

Hello to all from the sunshine state of Florida looking forward to meeting new cigar friends

Smithy Live From the Humidor 3 Sep 10

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 22:11:21 -0700

New shipment of cigars and I have been photographing the tasty ones.

Again first come first served basis, here are the rules.

1) Reply to the specific box you are interested in by stating, 'I'll take this box' that way we don't have several people emailing Lisa for the same box.

2) Email Lisa straight away stating which box you are taking. lisa@clubczar.com Lisa is away for the weekend so she will not respond till Monday.

If you have any quesions just fire through an email and we will help you, now lets see what I have found.

my first purchase from the Czar

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 21:54:13 -0700

Afternoon guys,

I have only been into cigars for 3 months now, buying singles only, and yesterday pulled the trigger on a box of Partagas SD4's. Thanks to Smithy for helping me with the sale. I ordered them yesterday afternoon at 2 and got them less then 24 hours later (perks of living in Brisbane i think). Cheers guys and i look forward to buying lots more stock from you.

Didgit.

http://www.friendsofhabanos.com/forum/index.php?act=attach&type=post&id=8996 http://www.friendsofhabanos.com/forum/index.php?act=attach&type=post&id=8997 http://www.friendsofhabanos.com/forum/index.php?act=attach&type=post&id=8998 http://www.friendsofhabanos.com/forum/index.php?act=attach&type=post&id=8999

out of the frying pan....

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 19:43:26 -0700

ONE of the trapped Chilean miners is dreading his rescue after his wife met his secret mistress at the entrance to the San Jose mine. Yonni Barrios' wife, Marta Salinas, and his lover, Susana Valenzuela, were both holding vigils for him outside the mine.

Ms Salinas, 56, was stunned and horrified when she heard Ms Valenzuela shouting his name amid a crowd of miners' loved ones.

However, she is determined not to give up her man to her love rival.

She told friends: "Barrios is my husband. He loves me and I am his devoted wife. This woman has no legitimacy."

But Ms Valenzuela said the 50-year-old miner, who she met on a training course five years ago, was planning to leave his wife for her. "We are in love. I'll wait for him," she said.

Mr Barrios has been one of the heroes of the landslide drama - using his first-aid training to treat sick colleagues.
He also vaccinated all 33 men, including himself, against flu and pneumonia.

Meanwhile, the captives have been hit with an alcohol and tobacco ban by NASA experts helping the rescue.

NASA doctor James Michael Duncan said: "We need to get their nutrition up before we consider drinking."

Two of the smokers have been dropped nicotine patches and gum to deal with their cravings.

The miners, who may not be drilled out until Christmas, have started eating proper meals of 2000 calories a day.

Their rations include yogurt and cereal for breakfast, chicken sandwiches for lunch and jam sandwiches for dinner. They each have tea and five liters of water daily.

Labor Day Weekend Plans?

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 18:52:27 -0700

What is everybody doing this weekend for Labor Day in the US and others around the globe?

Bart™

Happy Fathers Day - to local dads.

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 18:00:24 -0700

Just thought I'd pass on a Happy Fathers Day to all the Aussie dads on the forum (not sure where esle might be celebrating it this Sunday). Hope you all get to have a sleep-in, a great day and get time to smoke something excellent, cheers!

Partagas Serie P 1 Porcelain Jar 2009 Samplers

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:02:56 -0700

Hi Guys

You have viewed Rob and Smithy�s review of the Partagas Serie P 1 Porcelain Jar 2009

We have decided to offer 3 and 5 packs for all members to be able to try, every sampler purchased will go into the draw to win the empty Porcelain Jar (worth about $200 - $300 USD)

3 pack pricing $56.10 USD / $108.90 AUSD

5 pack pricing $93.50 USD / $181.50 AUSD

If it is a just a sampler order there is a $5 USD charge for shipping but if added to another order there is no shipping charge.

Contact me for your order Lisa@clubczar.com

Lisa

Friday Funnny

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 14:05:25 -0700

Mate John Kochanski sent this through this morning. It is good to get the day going with a chuckle

http://www.friendsofhabanos.com/forum/index.php?act=attach&type=post&id=8983

General Cigar �restored� as rightful owner of COHIBA cigar mark

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 12:40:55 -0700

I need a lawyer to break it down.

_________________________________________________________
USA
August 27 2010

http://www.lexology.com/library/detail.asp...61-51d43811676f

McDermott Will & Emery
Shilpa V. Patel

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit reversed a lower court holding that plaintiff-appellee, Empresa Cubana Del Tabaco (Cubatabaco) was not entitled to relief from a 2004 judgment dismissing Cubatabaco�s claim of unfair competition under New York law in connection with defendant-appellant General Cigar�s use of the famous COHIBA cigar mark. The Second Circuit also reversed a previous judgment entered in favor of Cubatabaco that had permanently enjoined General Cigar�s use of the mark. Empresa Cubana Del Tabaco v. General Cigar Co. Inc., Case No. 08-5878 (2d Cir., July 14, 2010) (non-precedential)

Cubatabaco is a Cuban state corporation that has claimed, during almost 13 years of litigation, that it should own the U.S. rights to the COHIBA mark. In 2006, it seemed that General Cigar owned the use of the mark COHIBA in the United States after the U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear Cubatabaco�s appeal. Subsequently, a New York Court of Appeals decision ruled that while New York�s common law of unfair competition did not recognize the famous marks doctrine, a foreign plaintiff may prevail on a claim of unfair competition based on misappropriation, by showing that a defendant deliberately copied the plaintiff�s mark for use in New York and that consumers of the defendant�s product primarily associate the mark with the plaintiff�s product. In the New York state case, the court did not mention a separate and distinct requirement of bad faith. After the case was reopened in the Southern District of New York, Cubatabaco relied upon the intervening state court decision in framing its Rule 60 motion for relief from a judgment dismissing Cubatabaco�s unfair competition claims. Based upon the New York state case, district court again enjoined General Cigar from using the Mark. General Cigar appealed.

On appeal to the Second Circuit explained that Rule 60 provides for a catch-all provision that is a grand reservoir of equitable power to do justice in a particular case and is properly invoked when extraordinary circumstances justify relief or when the judgment may work an extreme and undue hardship. However, the court cautioned that Rule 60 motions are disfavored.

Here the Second Circuit explained that Rule 60 motion did not warrant reopening the 2004 judgment as a consequence of the New York state court decision because, as a general matter, a mere change in decisional law does not constitute an extraordinary circumstance for the purposes of the federal rule. The Second Circuit also found that the state court decision did not represent an intervening change in New York�s law of unfair competition, nor did it clarify elements of an unfair competition claim or correct misinterpretations of New York law by federal or lower state courts.