Royal Seacliffs

  

 While on our visit to the Big Island, we stayed at the Royal Seacliff in Kona (thanks jptour). The Royal Seacliff is a condo/time share property with shoreline access. Our condo was on the ground floor which worked out perfectly. Easy access to go fishing.

jptour & Bedrock out for a morning session before we hit the course 

jptour & Bedrock smoking up

(Partagas Black & Cuesta Rey Centennario)  

One of Bedrock's catch

I enjoyed a Illusione Cruzado with some coffee while fishing and taking photos

 After one of the afternoon rounds of golf, the SIP crew and friends decided to do stogeys at sunset

I enjoyed a Cuban Bolivar (shhh...) 

On our last day at the Royal Seacliff, I enjoyed a Romeo Y Julieta. Definitely one of my top faves.

Big Island Stylin'

   In early March the SIP crew headed over to the Big Island of Hawaii with some friends for some fun in the sun. A little bit of golfing and fishing was had along with a whole bunch of stogeys.

   A couple of us arrived earlier then the rest of the crew so we decided to get in a quick 18 holes at Big Island Country Club. Big Island Country Club is about 20 minutes away from the Kona airport and is best known for having a replica of the 17th par 3 at TPC Sawgrass in Florida.

   For a short par 3 it was a little tough to hit the green due to the high winds but we managed somehow.

   The course had a bunch of scenic views along with some wildlife roaming around as well. The green fee was very reasonable. I recommend you pay them a visit providing the winds aren't too strong.

FBI (From Big Island)

 The first day of our golf trip.  Here's a picture of Mauna Kea.  There was still a little bit of snow on the very top.  First course on the menu was Waikoloa beach course.

 The gang!!  Rossko, Kj Gurka, Cbog, Bedrock, The Duck and myself.

 Nub maduro!  Great smoke. 

 Super windy on this day!  Trades were blowing like 15-35 mph.  Definitely a 3 club wind on this day.

 Duck got the first and only eagle on this trip!!  He hit two really good shots and had a 4 footer for eagle!  

 Ross.

 Cbog and Bedrock.  

 After golf we went fishing in front of our hotel.  Cigars and beers!  Kona has some of the best sunsets!

The sunsets in Kona are spectacular!  Great first day!

SIP Big Island Style

The "Big Island" was the spot for our annual golf trip which consisted of non stop golf, cigars, fishing, and having a good time.  A beautiful view of our accommodations.  A quick walk to the reef to cast a few lines before the tee times.

Who says "cigars and fishing don't go together?"  Jptour smoking a Partagas Black as he re-baits his line.

 Just one of the many scenic views from the golf course at Waikaloa

 A cigar posing for the camera at hole 16

 Tito's with Li Hi Mui.  A fine match for any stogey.

 We smoked a Cohiba Siglo VI as we watched the sun set.

Bedrock

V-Day @ Birdwatch

"Birdwatch"

   This past Thursday as many of you may know, was Valentine's Day. On Valentine's Day you're supposed to spend it with the one you love and that's exactly what I did. I spent some much needed quality time with my stogeys at Birdwatch. 

   

   Birdwatch is just the nickname we gave my apartment's terrace that overlooks the street. I just kicked back with stogey and drink in hand and watched the people and cars go by while the sky changed colors as the Sun went down.

Ave Maria - Reconquista

   With so many choices to choose from, I decided to go with an Ave Maria Reconquista since I hadn't smoked one since Christmas. The Reconquista is full flavored with a dark chocolate/espresso flavor with a very subtle hint of pepper. The draw was fantastic and went well with my limeade with touch a vodka mixed in. Just a nice relaxing Valentine's Day. - KJ Gurkha

2013 Endless Cigar Festival

no ticket, no entry

   The SIP (Stogeys In Paradise) crew decided to attend this event and perform recon on some premium smokes. Bedrock, JP, and I ventured down to the Royal Hawaiian Hotel where the event was held. Free food, drinks, and smokes. What more could you ask for?

nice view of Diamond Head Crater from the event grounds

 
   Unlike some of the other events I attended, this one had some major VIPs. Pepin, Jaime, Janny Garcia of My Father Cigars, Robert Levin of Ashton Cigar, Pete Johnson of Tatuaje Cigars, and Rocky Patel of well, Rocky Patel Cigars were in attendance.

Rocky Patel & KJ Gurkha

   With over 300 people in attendance, it was pretty hard to get to meet all the VIPs. But I was fortunate enough to meet Rocky Patel. Rocky Patel makes a couple of my favorite cigars, the 2003 Vintage Cameroon and the Decade. Both are great smokes and are definite recommends. I was lucky enough to talk shop with Rocky for a bit and snipe a photo in the process.

   Although I did not get her name, this lovely lady from Kauai Cigar Company was there hand rolling cigars. It was cool to see a stogey made from scratch.
 
   The event lasted from 5pm to 9pm. The SIP crew decided to duck out a little early to get a head start on the crowd. Overall we enjoyed the evening. - KJ Gurkha

After meeting the man himself, how could I not finish off the night with a Decade.