I've been out of touch lately due to the end of the semester as well as some very busy deadlines at work. Traveling for work while working towards a Masters is quite a task. With final presentations and huge papers taking up most of my time in the past month, I'm finally able to put that all behind me and enjoy a month or so before the next semester begins and dominates my life.
This past weekend, Annie and I went to Animal Kingdom. I had never been before but have always loved going to Busch Gardens and heard that it was similar in that it is a theme park with animals. Since we got the annual pass, we've been to Epcot for the Food and Wine Festival and now Animal Kingdom. We had a blast! My favorite part was the safari. A lot of the animals were actually out early in the morning so it was nice to see them all - a lot of them I had never seen before. We also went on Expedition Everest twice. I do not recommend that ride after stopping for corn-dog nuggets.
As I have every year, I'll be heading north for Christmas. Normally I would say that I'm looking forward to a dose of cold weather but this morning it was 20 degrees in Central Florida - not exactly balmy as it should be. I'm still looking forward to being home to spend some good time with family. Annie will be heading to Oklahoma to see her family. Since we won't be together for Christmas, we decided to book a 4 day cruise to the Bahamas as our gift to each other! We will be going in mid-February, sailing out of Port Canaveral on Royal Caribbean's Monarch of the Seas!
I hope this message finds everyone well. I have tried uploading pictures on here but what a pain in the ass! They always upload rotated in the wrong direction and it doesn't allow you to correct them. Hopefully I'll be able to fix this soon and continue uploading pictures.
Happy holidays!
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Great finds in Puerto Rico
Since I started coming to PR for work, I've made a pretty good effort to spend any time that I have free incorporating myself into the local culture. This trip I have been able to see the fruits of my labor, with go-to spots for food, drink, sights, and cigars.
This morning after hitting the gym at the Caribe Hilton (which is by far the nicest hotel gym I have ever seen - rivaling most private gyms), I headed into Old San Juan to a little bakery / restaurant called Cafeteria Mallorca for some cafe con leche and their famous Mallorca de jamon y queso (ham and cheese). It was as delicious as I remember. The cafe con leche itself is enough to come visit Puerto Rico.
Even though I had a little bit of free time, I did have to head back to my hotel to get some work done. On my way back, I figured I would swing by favorite cigar shop in San Juan: The Cigar House. I just recently picked up some cigars back home in Orlando so I had no intention of picking any more up, and just wanted to swing by since it was on the way back to the taxi stand. Boy am I glad I did! I was greeted by one of the shop workers and he showed me around his walk-in humidor, which boasts a very impressive selection at very reasonable prices. I figured since this guy was being so kind, I would at least pick up one or two sticks to support the local business and to be polite. When we got talking, I mentioned that I had just picked up a Camacho Liberty Series 2010 (a limited edition, numbered cigar). He told me they still had stock of the Liberty series from every year since 2006 - JACKPOT! Camacho only makes 40,000 of these cigars, which may sound like a lot, but think of it in terms of cigar boxes: only 2,000! Since I don't know of any shop in Orlando that still stocks any years prior to 2010, I picked up a 2006 and 2007, by suggestion of the shop worker saying that from 2006 - 2009, those were the two he felt were best. These cigars will be spending some time in my humidor for a special occasion!
That's all from Puerto Rico. The rest of the trip will be all business, unfortunately. It's always a pleasure to get back to Puerto Rico even if it is for business. Hopefully some time in the near future I can extend my stay for some fun!
-Jefe
Even though I had a little bit of free time, I did have to head back to my hotel to get some work done. On my way back, I figured I would swing by favorite cigar shop in San Juan: The Cigar House. I just recently picked up some cigars back home in Orlando so I had no intention of picking any more up, and just wanted to swing by since it was on the way back to the taxi stand. Boy am I glad I did! I was greeted by one of the shop workers and he showed me around his walk-in humidor, which boasts a very impressive selection at very reasonable prices. I figured since this guy was being so kind, I would at least pick up one or two sticks to support the local business and to be polite. When we got talking, I mentioned that I had just picked up a Camacho Liberty Series 2010 (a limited edition, numbered cigar). He told me they still had stock of the Liberty series from every year since 2006 - JACKPOT! Camacho only makes 40,000 of these cigars, which may sound like a lot, but think of it in terms of cigar boxes: only 2,000! Since I don't know of any shop in Orlando that still stocks any years prior to 2010, I picked up a 2006 and 2007, by suggestion of the shop worker saying that from 2006 - 2009, those were the two he felt were best. These cigars will be spending some time in my humidor for a special occasion!That's all from Puerto Rico. The rest of the trip will be all business, unfortunately. It's always a pleasure to get back to Puerto Rico even if it is for business. Hopefully some time in the near future I can extend my stay for some fun!
-Jefe
Friday, November 12, 2010
Out of Touch...
Hey everyone,
Sorry I've been out of touch the past couple of weeks. I was fighting with some formatting on the blog trying to incorporate pictures with a post and with spotty internet access throughout my travels, I decided to give it a rest.
Travels ended great! I was able to meet my new baby cousin Evelyn, who was perfect, and it was great to see other family as well. Annie came up and we took full advantage of the fall weather and great seafood.
Back in Florida now, but head to Puerto Rico for a 3-day business trip starting tomorrow. As much as I'd love to claim that I'd have time for the beach, to get a tan, to take part in the San Juan night life, I would only be lying. When I'm not working, I'll be feverishly working to keep up with emails and also school work so will probably not have a lot of excitement to report from PR.
I apologize for being out of touch and for this being a rather boring post with nothing fun to look at. Life should calm down a little bit by the end of next week and I'll be able to put some more time into a blog.
Quick update of fun things since being back:
Sorry I've been out of touch the past couple of weeks. I was fighting with some formatting on the blog trying to incorporate pictures with a post and with spotty internet access throughout my travels, I decided to give it a rest.
Travels ended great! I was able to meet my new baby cousin Evelyn, who was perfect, and it was great to see other family as well. Annie came up and we took full advantage of the fall weather and great seafood.
Back in Florida now, but head to Puerto Rico for a 3-day business trip starting tomorrow. As much as I'd love to claim that I'd have time for the beach, to get a tan, to take part in the San Juan night life, I would only be lying. When I'm not working, I'll be feverishly working to keep up with emails and also school work so will probably not have a lot of excitement to report from PR.
I apologize for being out of touch and for this being a rather boring post with nothing fun to look at. Life should calm down a little bit by the end of next week and I'll be able to put some more time into a blog.
Quick update of fun things since being back:
- Annie and I bought annual passes to Disney! We went to Epcot for Food and Wine Festival and had a blast.
- Cigar Heritage Festival is coming up on November 20th (day before my bday).
- Bday celebrations happening November 20th - 21st.
- Animal Kingdom on November 21st.
- Parents are coming to FL for Thanksgiving!
- EDIT: Mateo Mas is coming to FL for Thanksgiving. This will no doubt lead irresponsible amounts of drinking and hopefully no jail time.
That's all for now.
Jefe
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Rough start made right with great food and good cigar!
I had booked the earliest flight on jetBlue up to Boston from Orlando this morning, thinking that even though jetBlue is always late, since it's the first flight of the day it couldn't be late, right? Wrong! It was delayed over an hour, so I was off to a shaky start.
After dinner I drove back over to New Bedford and finally had a chance to relax - something I haven't been able to do the last few days. For me, one of the best ways to relax is to enjoy a great cigar, especially after such a delicious meal.
Tonight I smoked one of my all-time favorites: Rocky Patel's The Edge Corojo Robusto. This cigar is a medium to full bodied smoke on my palate, probably closer to a full bodied for someone that isn't as experienced. In front of my hotel are a couple of rocking chairs so I headed outside and borrowed a bic lighter off a nice lady. Typically I prefer one of my torch lighters for a proper warming of the cigar in an even manner, allowing for an even burn, but since it's such a hassle to travel with one, it was the bic or matches. Since there was a breeze, I opted for the lighter. I didn't get the best light so the burn was uneven for most of the cigar. On a normal, relaxing smoke this cigar will burn for about 35 - 45 minutes and typically burns evenly. The draw is amazing - pretty easy with lots of smoke - something signature of Rocky Patel cigars. I didn't get to smoke this as long as I would have liked due to the chilly temps outside and freezing hands.
Things got better when I stopped for a bite for lunch and found an old pizza chain that I haven't been to since high school: Bertucci's! I had a Margherita Pizza which was awesome.
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| This is a dark picture of the plate - it was amazing! |
I headed down to New Bedford, MA to check in to my hotel then drove over to the Cape where I had to work for a few hours. After work, I headed to a restaurant that I had visited last year: The Dolphin Restaurant. I had baked sea scallops topped with crab meat and Parmesan crust - needless to say it was absolutely amazing. There's nothing better than fresh New England seafood! For anyone in that area, here's the address:
Dolphin Restaurant
3250 Main Street
Barnstable, MA 02630
After dinner I drove back over to New Bedford and finally had a chance to relax - something I haven't been able to do the last few days. For me, one of the best ways to relax is to enjoy a great cigar, especially after such a delicious meal.
Tonight I smoked one of my all-time favorites: Rocky Patel's The Edge Corojo Robusto. This cigar is a medium to full bodied smoke on my palate, probably closer to a full bodied for someone that isn't as experienced. In front of my hotel are a couple of rocking chairs so I headed outside and borrowed a bic lighter off a nice lady. Typically I prefer one of my torch lighters for a proper warming of the cigar in an even manner, allowing for an even burn, but since it's such a hassle to travel with one, it was the bic or matches. Since there was a breeze, I opted for the lighter. I didn't get the best light so the burn was uneven for most of the cigar. On a normal, relaxing smoke this cigar will burn for about 35 - 45 minutes and typically burns evenly. The draw is amazing - pretty easy with lots of smoke - something signature of Rocky Patel cigars. I didn't get to smoke this as long as I would have liked due to the chilly temps outside and freezing hands. 
I've brought along a few other cigars: Rocky Patel 1961 (I've heard this is one of RP's strongest cigars), Gurkha European Selection Maduro (thanks to my buddy Alan), and a Torano Exodus 1959 (courtesy of my friend Hoss who knows a good Torano rep. - this is another one of my favorite smokes). I'll hopefully have the chance to enjoy some of these over the next couple weeks and will be sure to let you know how they are.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Heading up to New England
I'll be up in New England for about two weeks starting tomorrow morning. I've been fighting a bad cold for over a week now and am nervous that the cooler weather will make it worse - I'm hoping not!
I grew up in New England so it will be great to be back with family and old friends. I'll be visiting some of my favorite spots while I'm home like Russell Orchards, Blue Marlin Grille (best clams and clam chowder around!), and hoping to make a trip up to 2 Guys Smoke Shop in Seabrook, NH, for some fine cigars.
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| Evelyn Tice - only a couple days old! |
I've also got a new baby cousin, Evelyn, who I cannot wait to meet! That will certainly be the highlight of my trip north. Not to mention, Annie will be coming up the last weekend and spending 4 days with me, getting to see New England during the Fall. The changing of the colors should be amazing! You can count on some colorful pictures to follow.
I'm looking forward to cool weather, great foliage, cigars by a fire, sea food, apple orchards, and everything else New England has to offer this time of year. Great trip ahead!
Let's get started...
Hi there!
My name is Jeff. I grew up on the North Shore of Boston and currently live in Maitland, Florida, with my beautiful girlfriend, Annie. I went to Rollins College here in Central Florida for my undergraduate studies in Spanish and International Business and am currently a Master's student at the University of Central Florida, in the Higher Education program.
I started this blog to share my Aficionado Lifestyle. Basically, I love all of life's simplest pleasure and really enjoy sharing them with the world. Friends and family know how much I love to post pictures online of recent meals, great beer or wine, different locations, a great cigar, or other things I encounter while vacationing or staycationing with Annie.
You can expect anything from cigar reviews to pictures / recipes of food to awesome museums to visit wherever your travels might take you. I travel quite a bit for business and am always sure to take advantage of the local lifestyle while I'm there.
I hope you enjoy reading about my life journey as much as I enjoy living it!
Enjoy!
-Jefe
PS - most people refer to me as Jefe, which is their translation of Jeff in Spanish (jefe actually translates to "boss", but no worries), due to my keen interest in Spanish language and culture.
My name is Jeff. I grew up on the North Shore of Boston and currently live in Maitland, Florida, with my beautiful girlfriend, Annie. I went to Rollins College here in Central Florida for my undergraduate studies in Spanish and International Business and am currently a Master's student at the University of Central Florida, in the Higher Education program.
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| Annie and me at Eola Wine Co., Winter Park, FL |
You can expect anything from cigar reviews to pictures / recipes of food to awesome museums to visit wherever your travels might take you. I travel quite a bit for business and am always sure to take advantage of the local lifestyle while I'm there.
I hope you enjoy reading about my life journey as much as I enjoy living it!
Enjoy!
-Jefe
PS - most people refer to me as Jefe, which is their translation of Jeff in Spanish (jefe actually translates to "boss", but no worries), due to my keen interest in Spanish language and culture.
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