Barbados – nice!
Quite different vibe in Barbados – civilised and more 1st
world as opposed to 3rd world.
The buildings in the waterfront look new and recently built, the roads
are wider with no pot holes and everything looks clean.
Today was Dave’s rum day – ie we gave up visits to beaches
etc so he could go to Mount Gay’s rum factory. Yay! I was so excited but it was
the only thing he really asked to do so it was a matter of zip the mouth and
smile. Luckily the tour took in some sights in the capital of Bridgetown,
including a beach. It was Sunday, hardly any shops open, hardly any traffic or
people. So much so in fact the traffic lights (yes they do have them) were all
on flashing which meant that on Sundays there is little traffic so they turn
the traffic lights off and it was every car for itself! Wasn’t too bad, and our
driver was quite funny explaining it all. The houses downtown were rundown,
wooden and colourful (we even saw the street and the house Reihanna grew up in
– they are very proud of her here. She owns 4 houses app.)
There was lots of colonial buildings and flagpoles with
cannons
a cricket stadium named after some important cricketer (the
only flash building here) – app. The Chinese helped build it! Grrrrrrr
Any way – Dave’s rum experience. There are lots of rum experiences to be had on this trip (Coruba, Toppers ) but Dave chose Mount Gay. You could not go to the actual distillery (still going where is was established in the 1700’s on top of … Mount Gay!)It was named after some Lord Gay who was a big-wig in the 1700’s and wanted his own rum mill. Dave was happy as a sandboy – lots of history, discussions – tasting of rumpunch that would knock the socks of you (Dave took mine and downed it!). Then all about how they make it (with sugar cane into molasses – yes we tasted some- it tasted like sugary …. Rum!). Then the best part for Dave – rum tasting. There were 6 diff. types and you had to scull it (smell it, swirl it then down the hatch!) all of the people on the tour had to scull at the same time, no mean feat. I was one of 3 who graciously declined the offer of tasting (hell no!) After these tastings which were in rather large glasses, Dave was rather happy as!
We went downstairs to buy some rum and a shirt etc. A grand day for Dave!
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