Diary from Nicaragua
rzaman
Posts: 2,650 ✭✭✭
Lake Nicaragua is the 10th largest freshwater lake in the world and the 2nd largest in Latin America(after Lake Titicaca in Bolivia and Peru). Yesterday was holiday here so we couple cigar buddies went to Lake Nicaragua to hang around on a boat, smoking, drinking and enjoy some tropical beauty. FYI, the famous Ometepe tobacco comes from Ometepe Islands which is also situated in Lake Nicaragua. I will talk about Ometepe Islands and tobacco some other time. It's natural history and beauty is fascinating, covering over 8,000 Sq. Kilometer. We took the closet entry through historic city of Granada from Managua. The famous Mombacho Volcano is also next to Granada city. Mombacho also produces some tobaccos. There is a cigar brand calls "Mombacho" made by a Canadian guy.
we had couple hours boat ride. The lake has many small Islands with beautiful houses, hotels and old Spanish fort. We enjoyed tube ride, hiking around the small island and of ofcourse smoking cigars. It was a lot of fun. Here are some picture:
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Now you got me craving a vacation, *sigh*
* I have a new address as of 3/24/18 *
This trip was very emotional to me because I spent this weekend with my best friend who introduced me with cigar. Now he is assigned to another country and we wanted to smoke our last cigar together. We chose this beautiful private beach area for two reasons. This is the place where I had my first premium cigar Padron 1926 80th anniversario. We also spent many weekends here with cigars, great food and conversations. He was not only my best friend but also a family friend, my mentor, cigar buddy. It does't happen quiet often in this career and life style where we click immediately with someone from work and become close friends. I will miss my dear friend tremendiously with a tiny hope to serve in another country together someday.
The name of this pace is "Gigante". One of the few non-americanized cultural hot spots left on the rich coast of Nicaragua, Playa Gigante keeps people coming back time and time again. Playa Gigante has proven to be the epi-center of world class surfing in Nicaragua, all the while keeping its fishing village charm. Gigante is a working fishing village where about 30 fishermen earn their living. The fishermen leave early in the morning to fish in the areas rich waters using nets. They normally return by late morning with their catch of Pargo (cubera snapper), Dorado (Mahi Mahi), and other market fish by late morning. The fish are cleaned offshore and put on ice in preparation for their road trip to market in Rivas or Managua. It is a beautiful part of Nicaragua. Nicaragua is a beautiful country with beautiful people. Though we have huge political differences with this country at the international stage but I do not hesitate to say I love Nicaraguan people, culture and it's georgious natural beauty.
I am dedicating this post to my best friend who I consider as a family member, a true cigar afiocinado who introduced me to the world of cigar.
This was really funny:
Some picture from my quick Padron factory trip. I was happen to be in that area for a trip and heard Jorge was there. So I just stop by to say hello and enjoyed another quick trip to pardon. Here are some pictures. I have many pictures but I need to organize them.
was it with a group of some sort or was this a private tour?
that factory was very different than any other factory i have been to.
the security and reinforcement of the doors and gates alone sets it apart.
also their process was different than other factories. padron is what i called a great "comparison factory"
it just shows that there is no "right" way to make a cigar, and its more art than many would like to admit.
Yesterday, I fulfilled one of my work objectives way before the deadline. As a result my superior called me in her office to thank me just when I was about to leave the office. She wanted to thank me and also asked if I would like to have a bonus at the end of fiscal year, cash award right away with a Certificate of Appreciation. My counter offer was to allow me a bonus day off and put my achivement during the time of my evaluation. Without any hesitation my desire was immediately approved. I have been working at least 11 hours a day last couple of weeks and needed a break. I was very happy, went back to my office and immediately placed my order for a box of Davidoff Royal Robusto. It is good to be recognized right away for good work. I love my job.
This morning I woke up at 8:30AM. Had a great breakfast, tea and now smoking a Behike 52. This smoke supposed to be part of my Aging project but I am just too lazy to take notes. I simply want to enjoy the day with one of my favorite cigar. My baby girl dog is playing with her newly born puppy. Kids are at school, my wife is at work. It is all about me, my cigar, reading a book about radical religious movement around the globe, enjoying the garden I designed two years ago. Life can't be better than this.
Private tour. I was happened to be in Esteli that time. I know Jorge and Padron's local banker and have the access to visit anytime.
Padron's operation is one of the best here along with Pepin Garcia's factory. There is no right way to make cigar but few can make good cigar as Padron. They are not into hundreds of different production line.They keep their production line in limited quantities and strictly manages the quality control unlike many other cigar makers. It is the fact that being consistent is a challenge in the cigar industry and Padron is a winner on that.
Nicaraguan cigar industry is facing a new challenge about how to maintain the quality control. there is a huge tension between the old and new cigar makers. Many new comers are here for quick bucks. I was attending a seminar recently, the issue brought up by the local authority but end up without a solution. We have to wait and see how things go here. However, I highly respect Padron's business strategy and ethics to stick with the core line which is not a easy task.
he almost went out of business at one point and i think he lost a ton of stuff. maybe he lost tobacco at that point. iduno.
as far as the draw machines thing goes... i asked him about that. he believes that if you use the best rollers you dont need them. he doesnt use bunching machines either. he just has some of the best rollers in the country. i can respect that. i dont think it really matters. i mean, i have never had any DE product that has ever had a single construction issue. the quality of his rollers and inspectors in QC are second to none.
Another beautiful rainy day in Managua. My wife is in the US for a business trip, kids went to watch Madagascar 3 with their friends. I stayed at home to enjoy a quiet, relaxing, cigar day. Just brought some fresh Nicaragua spiny lobster tails. During one of my trip I met this fisherman in the Pacific coast. He told me to give him a call whenever I need fresh lobster tail. I called him this morning and he dropped some in my house.
While planning to cook some lobster with Thai spicy coconut sauce tonight, I am also enjoying a relaxing day. I really enjoy being alone sometime with a fine cigar. I started this morning with a wonderful Davidoff 100 Anniversary Geneva and still couldnt decide what to smoke after launch.
Usually, my job demands long hours and many meetings everyday. Most of the time, the people I do not want to meet LOL. Anyway I still love my job. Once in a while, I need this kind of quiet time when I can relax, think, analyze various ongoing issues. I learned one thing after I lost my father that life is too short and we need to enjoy every single second in our life. Indeed, I feel blessed to have a comfortable life and a beautiful family and friend circle.
I am sitting outside on my patio, reading a book about Cross-cultural political difference in 21st century and decided to take some pictures of my garden to share the moment with you - my BOTLs. I love nature. I wish you all a wonderful day and be blessed of what we have in life. Life has been never perfect but still we have a comfortable life and luxury to enjoy a fine cigar. I have been traveling around the world since I was 13. I have seen how difficult life can be for many people. I have worked in the war zone, civil war, natural disaster and also in the developed nations. I came to this conclusion- Life has been not perfect but we need to cherish the simple pleasure we have at this moment.
Thanks for sharing all this.
Money can't buy happiness, but it can buy cigars and that's close enough.