vicarious travelling: Cruising

Tuesday, 26 November 2013

Cruising - Barbados

Another overnight trip and early in the morning we docked in Barbados.

It didn't have the same hilly and lush look of the first 2 islands and there was considerable industrial activity around the port. A quick breakfast and off the boat to go and find a cab. We had an agenda on this island. First we went to the Mount Gay Rum Plant. We had time in the gift shop and then an interesting tour to learn the history of "The Rum That Invented Rum".

The knowledgeable Guide outlined how rum is made and the history of rum making on Barbados. All very interesting and nicely displayed. We were interested in this particular rum due to their tendency to sponsor regattas.

However, during the rum tasting we were interested in the rum!

We were given 2 rum punches before the tour and then tasted 3 more, from youngest to oldest, straight, during the tour.We tasted the rum as we would wine; swirling it in the glass to observe the drips, sniffing over the glass for the aromas and finely sipping and identifying the flavours. I found the oldest one to be quite sippable, almost like a liquor. Not sure if that was because it was that tasty or because I was getting drunk by then.

After the tour, because we were obviously a little dry, it was time for a free
rum cocktail at the bar.

We staggered out and into another taxi, through the downtown area with a taxi driver who made a great tour guide. A very clean, affluent looking town with impressive looking government buildings and churches.

Building in downtown Bridgetown.

Next stop was the Barbados Yacht Club. Al, a sailing friend, had arranged for us to be signed in at the club for the day. After a short visit to the office we were able to hang out at their private beach, lounge, swim and walk the beach. It was lovely and felt peaceful after the hustle of life on the cruise ship.