Whilst Awaiting My New Purchase To Arrive.

[lilwoggy]

Hi again to all.

So after a month of use my small, cheap-o, Chinese-made pumpkin hookah is rusted on the inside (surprise surprise...) despite my constant thorough cleaning. So as a replacement I've ordered a nice 22" Syrian hookah and it's currently on it's way, hopefully to arrive during the week. Along with it i have also ordered a MYA hose and also a Vortex bowl and a Tangiers Phunnel bowl.

I've heard nothing but good recommendations about the Tangiers Phunnel, but i've also heard they can be a pain in the ass if you don't know how to pack them properly. Can anyone link me to a good tutorial on packing a Phunnel with non-tangiers tobacco?

Also, i was rather intrigued by the Vortex bowl, however i haven't really heard much about them before... what are people's opinions?

Thirdly, are MYA hoses washable? The site i bought from stated they were "very durable and great for heavy, everyday use" but didn't mention washable or not.

and finally, does anyone know any online hookah stores that offer cheap international shipping? Due to taxes and markups the price of a 50g box of AF here in Australia is (quite literally) 10 times higher then in the US!! So I've resorted to buying small quantities internationally and importing them via mail. Problem is once adding shipping charges from my usual sites it's still a bit pricey, not to the point where it matches buying it in Australia, but it's still not as cheap as i would like... so if anyone knows a decent site that offers really cheap international shipping it would be great. At the moment i'm paying $25 for shipping from USA to Australia on a 250g package and it's rather strenuous on the small budget of a University student....

Thanks again

[Chreees]

The Syrian hookah should treat you good, man. Post a pic of it man!

The Vortex is good, but almost everyone will tell you the Tang phunnel is a little bit better. The phunnel has a large inner hole in the center, allowing more air. The Vortex has little tiny holes in the center pillar, meaning less air. Also the phunnel is made of material that heats up more properly.

Mya hoses are NOT washable. Actually, only one is. The Mya wide hose. Post a pic and we'll tell you if it's the one that's washable or not.


Hope you enjoy your new purchases dude!!!

[lilwoggy]

thought i might add a link to the Syrian Hookah i ordered too

[url="http://www.barandhookah.com.au/product/?proudct=syrian_hookah&pcode=2648"]http://www.barandhookah.com.au/product/?proudct=syrian_hookah&pcode=2648[/url]

[Chreees]

[quote name='lilwoggy' date='20 May 2010 - 12:28 PM' timestamp='1274376529' post='468786']
thought i might add a link to the Syrian Hookah i ordered too

[url="http://www.barandhookah.com.au/product/?proudct=syrian_hookah&pcode=2648"]http://www.barandhoo...okah&pcode=2648[/url]
[/quote]

Looks pretty legit man, although I'm not too familiar with Syrians. Should be good though. There's a lot of people on here that own Syrians and are very happy with them.

[lilwoggy]

[quote name='INCUBUSRATM' date='21 May 2010 - 04:01 AM' timestamp='1274376687' post='468787']
[quote name='lilwoggy' date='20 May 2010 - 12:28 PM' timestamp='1274376529' post='468786']
thought i might add a link to the Syrian Hookah i ordered too

[url="http://www.barandhookah.com.au/product/?proudct=syrian_hookah&pcode=2648"]http://www.barandhoo...okah&pcode=2648[/url]
[/quote]

Looks pretty legit man, although I'm not too familiar with Syrians. Should be good though. There's a lot of people on here that own Syrians and are very happy with them.
[/quote]



Had to order my hookah from inside Australia (due to shipping costs. They want $100+ to ship it from the states!). I was looking at getting a MYA QT, but they're just damn impossible to find over here! Then i stumbled upon the Syrian whilst looking at some MYA hookahs of the same size (yet double the price) and bought 2 of them straight away, one for me and also a second one for my best mates 21st birthday present (at that price it was perfect!).

Can't wait to get it! Looking at my little crappy chinese hookah is making me depressed now too!

[Chreees]

Hahaha... I understand the money crunch man. Sucks about international shipping... Hopefully it's a good hookah and you'll be smoking in no time.

[lilwoggy]

[url="http://www.barandhookah.com.au/product/?proudct=wooden_handled_mya_hookah_hose_&pcode=94"]http://www.barandhookah.com.au/product/?proudct=wooden_handled_mya_hookah_hose_&pcode=94[/url]

Thats the hose, don't think it's the washable wide hose though.

[delSol_si]

[quote name='lilwoggy' date='20 May 2010 - 12:46 PM' timestamp='1274377573' post='468791']
[url="http://www.barandhookah.com.au/product/?proudct=wooden_handled_mya_hookah_hose_&pcode=94"]http://www.barandhoo..._hose_&pcode=94[/url]

Thats the hose, don't think it's the washable wide hose though.
[/quote]

looks constrictive

[Skoozle]

Wow, with prices like that I think I would be at the hardware store making my own hookah and then learning how to grow tobacco.

Nice Hookah, give the vortex to your buddy for his 21st b-day and don't wash the hose, just blow it out and hang it up.

Have you considered ordering direct from Turkey, Dubai or Malaysia? Those seem a hell of a lot closer than the states.

[lilwoggy]

[quote name='Skoozle' date='21 May 2010 - 04:45 AM' timestamp='1274379344' post='468797']
Wow, with prices like that I think I would be at the hardware store making my own hookah and then learning how to grow tobacco.

Nice Hookah, give the vortex to your buddy for his 21st b-day and don't wash the hose, just blow it out and hang it up.

Have you considered ordering direct from Turkey, Dubai or Malaysia? Those seem a hell of a lot closer than the states.


[/quote]


Unfortunately it's illegal to grow tobacco in Australia too. Most of our laws/taxes are f*cked up...


If you can link me a Malaysian site that would be great!

[Chreees]

[quote name='lilwoggy' date='20 May 2010 - 12:46 PM' timestamp='1274377573' post='468791']
[url="http://www.barandhookah.com.au/product/?proudct=wooden_handled_mya_hookah_hose_&pcode=94"]http://www.barandhoo..._hose_&pcode=94[/url]

Thats the hose, don't think it's the washable wide hose though.
[/quote]

Yeah man, that's not the washable Mya. Consider getting a wide-gauge washable such as a Nammor, Razan, or Narbish sometime in the future.

[Josh Hamilton]

Hope you dont get caught by customs...[url="http://www.hookahforum.com/topic/37030-customs-caught-me/page__p__458285__hl__customs__fromsearch__1&#entry458285"]THIS THREAD[/url] >user is also from AUS

Goodluck

[lilwoggy]

[quote name='Josh Hamilton' date='21 May 2010 - 04:55 AM' timestamp='1274379949' post='468801']
Hope you dont get caught by customs...[url="http://www.hookahforum.com/topic/37030-customs-caught-me/page__p__458285__hl__customs__fromsearch__1&#entry458285"]THIS THREAD[/url] >user is also from AUS

Goodluck
[/quote]

I know all about customs laws (you think getting tobacco into Australia is a pain in the ass, try dealing with firearms which are regulated on both a state AND federal level...), they're touch and go. Some packages will get through others wont. I'm hoping that by only ordering a few 50g boxes at a time and having it delivered in a small package it should get sent through regular mail and not be a problem. That guy was ordering over a kilo so that's probably why his package was checked.

[Skoozle]

[quote name='lilwoggy' date='20 May 2010 - 01:19 PM' timestamp='1274379561' post='468799']
[quote name='Skoozle' date='21 May 2010 - 04:45 AM' timestamp='1274379344' post='468797']
Wow, with prices like that I think I would be at the hardware store making my own hookah and then learning how to grow tobacco.

Nice Hookah, give the vortex to your buddy for his 21st b-day and don't wash the hose, just blow it out and hang it up.

Have you considered ordering direct from Turkey, Dubai or Malaysia? Those seem a hell of a lot closer than the states.


[/quote]


Unfortunately it's illegal to grow tobacco in Australia too. Most of our laws/taxes are f*cked up... [img]http://www.hookahforum.com/public/style_emoticons/default/sad.gif[/img]


If you can link me a Malaysian site that would be great!
[/quote]


Sorry, I haven't ordered anything from the US, much less Malaysia... If I find something I will let you know.

Meanwhile Google: hookah Malaysia, you might find something, idk. Good luck

[lilwoggy]

well after having my previous tobacco order from south smoke voided due to importing to Australia, i placed an order with hookah company for various 50g packets of AF flavors, hopefully they will read the "additional shipping instructions" section and send it in an envelope.

[Chreees]

Man that really sucks you have to order such small amounts each time to bypass customs...

[lilwoggy]

[quote name='INCUBUSRATM' date='21 May 2010 - 07:40 AM' timestamp='1274389803' post='468817']
Man that really sucks you have to order such small amounts each time to bypass customs...
[/quote]



It's better then paying $33 per 50g box of Al Fakher at the local "tobacconist" where they only stock 3 flavors.

I use the word tobacconist sparingly. A real tobacconist should know all his products inside and out, how they smoke and taste, etc. These guys stared at me blankly when i asked them simple questions about changing cigarette brands. In the end they said to me "just pick a different brand of the same colour".

And god forbid i ask them to help me out with hookah tobacco, the first guy who sold me some didn't know what i was talking about even though the boxes were right behind him.

[Chreees]

[quote name='lilwoggy' date='21 May 2010 - 02:52 AM' timestamp='1274428366' post='468862']
It's better then paying $33 per 50g box of Al Fakher at the local "tobacconist" where they only stock 3 flavors.

I use the word tobacconist sparingly. A real tobacconist should know all his products inside and out, how they smoke and taste, etc. These guys stared at me blankly when i asked them simple questions about changing cigarette brands. In the end they said to me "just pick a different brand of the same colour".

And god forbid i ask them to help me out with hookah tobacco, the first guy who sold me some didn't know what i was talking about even though the boxes were right behind him.
[/quote]

That's crazy. Remind me to never move to Australia.

[lilwoggy]

[quote name='INCUBUSRATM' date='21 May 2010 - 06:25 PM' timestamp='1274428557' post='468863']
[quote name='lilwoggy' date='21 May 2010 - 02:52 AM' timestamp='1274428366' post='468862']
It's better then paying $33 per 50g box of Al Fakher at the local "tobacconist" where they only stock 3 flavors.

I use the word tobacconist sparingly. A real tobacconist should know all his products inside and out, how they smoke and taste, etc. These guys stared at me blankly when i asked them simple questions about changing cigarette brands. In the end they said to me "just pick a different brand of the same colour".

And god forbid i ask them to help me out with hookah tobacco, the first guy who sold me some didn't know what i was talking about even though the boxes were right behind him.
[/quote]

That's crazy. Remind me to never move to Australia.
[/quote]

Despite our ridiculous alcohol/firearms/tobacco laws and taxes i love Australia, it's a beautiful place to live. You should all come visit little old Adelaide one day and review our only hookah bar.

[Chreees]

Oh yeah, it's no doubt beautiful... from the pictures I've seen. I would love to visit someday.

How does your hookah bar get its tobacco supplies if the taxes are so high?

[fineout]

australia seems nice, aside from the fact theres 233098709701987340172313412421 different types of animals that are just waiting to murder you

[Arcane]

[quote name='fineout' date='21 May 2010 - 06:33 AM' timestamp='1274459596' post='468900']
australia seems nice, aside from the fact theres 233098709701987340172313412421 different types of animals that are just waiting to murder you
[/quote]
ahahahahahaha....

[Chreees]

Let's go adventure in the outback and fight off all the beasts with our hookah stems!!!

[Venger]

is it possible for say one of us to send you some in say a padded envelope or a small box.would they open and tax you or would that get through? what would the cost be?
Ray

[lilwoggy]

[quote name='INCUBUSRATM' date='22 May 2010 - 12:47 AM' timestamp='1274451458' post='468883']
Oh yeah, it's no doubt beautiful... from the pictures I've seen. I would love to visit someday.

How does your hookah bar get its tobacco supplies if the taxes are so high?
[/quote]



I'm not 100% but i'd assume that they import themselves and then if they're tobacco gets seized they would just pay the import duties and applicable taxes. At the moment they charge about $15 per bowl, which aren't packed that big and last for about 30-45mins. So i'd say they get $60 back from every 50g of tobacco they use, which is a fairly decent profit margin even on top of the high taxes. Either that or they just buy in bulk off the previously mentioned "tobacconist" as they are just down the road.


[quote name='fineout' date='22 May 2010 - 03:03 AM' timestamp='1274459596' post='468900']
australia seems nice, aside from the fact theres 233098709701987340172313412421 different types of animals that are just waiting to murder you
[/quote]

[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWFGd1nMa1A"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWFGd1nMa1A[/url]
Nuff said


[quote name='Venger' date='22 May 2010 - 12:49 PM' timestamp='1274494746' post='468949']
is it possible for say one of us to send you some in say a padded envelope or a small box.would they open and tax you or would that get through? what would the cost be?
Ray
[/quote]

I might just look in to that actually.