Need Hookah Advice Badly

[jcep]

Hi, I'm Jcep. I just joined this forum because I am looking to purchase a hookah for my girlfriend. It is her birthday and she's always talked about loving the social aspect of getting together with our friends and smoking and drinking. We go to the hookah lounges every once in a while, and recently I remember her getting very excited when a friend of hers had a hookah sent to her from lebanon as a gift. I am looking to give her a gift different from all the boring stuff boyfriends always give and want to purchase a hookah for her. I have seen the MYA QT and the MYA Diva but I don't really want to give her any of those. I know those are the more entry level ones but I want something that looks more authentic. I am looking to spend around 100 more or less unless there is something that you guys recommend which would really be worth the money. I also want to get one of those deals where they give you a carrying case (preferibly if it's a hard one) because we'll be traveling so I need to transport it as a carry on but in something where it won't break.

I've seen a couple of ones that people on the website chats told me would be worth buying but I don't really know about this subject and don't really know if they're good (meaning if they will fall apart after one use or something). And also, because she said the one her friend got was beautiful, so I sort of want to give her something either better or comparable at the very least. I have been looking at the ones that have the ability to hold ice. I do not know if this is good or not, it just seemed cool. Honestly the whole range of options is kind of overwhelming but I think what I'd like to getsomething with 2 hoses at the most, around 28 inches high or higher, and that is preferably a color similar to baby blue (that is her favorite color, but any pipe that looks cool would be ok, the color isn't really as important as the quality and availability). Material wise I have heard from people that own hooka's that the best material for the base is glass (not sandblasted) and I don't know if that's right because acrylic seems to be much more practical because it doesn't break, but I don't know if this takes away from the smoking experience. Anyways basically I am sort of lost.

If it helps these are the ones people recommended:

I posted the links here but the following message pops up
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My girlfriend is a really awesome person and is always going out of her way to do things for me so I want to get her a great present and would really appreciate it if you guys can help me out. Thanks for taking the time to read, I look forward to your comments, and suggestions.

Sincerely,

Jcep Edited April 10, 2007 by jcep

[cemab4y]

I first discovered Hookah when I lived in Saudi Arabia 1997. I am fascinated that you wish to get such a gift. There are several good stores on the internet (I am going to send you a link in a separate email). I never heard of a carrying case for a hookah, but I think that is a great idea! I have been a hooka devotee for ten years, and this is the first time I have ever heard of it! Imagine what you learn on the internet! You can get excellent cases from www.pelican.com that are used for computers, and I think they would be just fine for hookahs.

I encourage you to purchase the entire starter kit with your hookah. You will need:

Tobacco, of course. You can get a sampler pack with several different flavors.
Charcoals. I prefer the kind that are about 1 1/2 inches square.
A couple of extra ceramic bowls, so one can cool properly while you are smoking with the other ones.
A butane lighter, with strong "pencil" flame. I prefer a "volcano" lighter. It costs about $50, but it is quality, and permanent guarantee.
Cleaning kit. You need a wire brush, with 3/4 inch bristles, and an old toothbrush is perfect for cleaning the ceramic bowls. A small toilet brush is perfect for cleaning the water reservoir, it gets the scum and residue off the inside glass easily, without scratching, and gets the 'shoulder' clean as a whistle.
You need a "fire pan", this is 5 inch diameter chrome pan, that you place on the stem, under the ceramic bowl to catch any embers that might pop out of the bowl so they won't fall on your carpet.
I prefer a cheap set of chrome plated tongs, to turn the charcoal in the tobacco, so that it will burn more evenly. I also have a set of polished brass tongs, in the design of an eagle's beak, I bought in Saudi.
You should get some plumber's friction tape at a hardware store, you cut a small piece, and wrap it around the grommet, where the stem mounts into the reservoir , and it forms an airtight seal, and your draw is then easier.

I would like to learn of your experiences with "hookah lounges" I never knew such establishments existed, until I saw one on the CNN this past weekend, in Baltimore. How do they work? Is there a membership fee, like a cigar club? Do you bring your own hookah, or share one with other customers? May you bring your own tobacco and supplies? Or is it required to purchase tobacco from the lounge?

[cemab4y]

Check out this link:

(deleted) (send me a PM, and I will send you the link)

For extra cool smoke, I prefer to use ice water. You should always be careful when loading the reservoir with ice, dropping the cubes can crack the glass. I went to a novelty shop, and bought ice trays that freeze the water into little balls about 3/4 inch in diameter. These ice-spheres are just right to slip into the neck of the reservoir, and there is little chance of breaking the glass. Plus they "dance" when the smoke is bubbling up through the ice-water, enhancing the visual experience.