On my way to St Thomas

[Edward Hamilton]

After a few days in Florida to take care of some old business, I'm on my way to St Thomas Sunday to crew on my writing mentor's sailboat back to the east coast of Florida. I hope to get some jpgs uploaded before we leave Charlotte Amalie. Once we leave Charlotte Amalie we'll sail to Culebra to say hello to a few old friends then head out to sea with a course and direction to be determined by the weather. It's going to be good to be underway again.

[Troy]

It's a tough life you are leading, Ed. ;)

[Rum Runner]

Ed..I'll be working Saturday and Sunday ( sad to say) so I won't be able to hop over for a quick visit...Hope to get the chance to meet up sometime. Fair winds on your way North.

[Dood]

I think I need to come up with a plan to eliminate Ed and steal his life...

This weekend I'll be at home, taking the car to the shop, going to the gym, and working on a design spec for a new software app.

[EllenJ]

Oh you poor, poor man!
What a terrible life to have to lead, but, if need be, I would be happy to take over for you.
What kind of existence can be had in the Caribbean on $3,000/mo if I own my own boat?

I met you last month when you "sailed" into Huber's Distillery in Indiana for the ADI conference. A fascinating presentation, and one that can't help but leave feelings of... well, green-eyed envy, to tell the truth.

I (along with rum-enjoying wife and 19-year-old grandson) will be in Barbados the last week of August. Do you anticipate being in the area? What can you tell me about the island and what should I not miss? Of course I expect to visit Mount Gay and Foursquare (and West Indies if we can get a tour). Can you recommend someone at those distilleries I could email and arrange a (perhaps better-than-standard) tour with?

I also expect to introduce my grandson to some nightlife, which is why we are staying in a villa on the bay just outside of Saint Lawrence Gap. Now, I know you're a sailor and therefore you are pristine and proper and don't hang out in nightclubs much (okay, it's getting a little thick here; sorry) but do you have recommendations?

Thanks!!

[Edward Hamilton]

After a thousand miles of sailing from St Thomas to Ft. Pierce, Florida, I'm back to work. Nothing lasts forever.

[Troy]

Welcome back, Ed. Not that life here in Florida is all that bad... ;)

[Edward Hamilton]

I won't be in Barbados for a few months. As for distillers, Foursquare is probably the most informative and interesting distillery to visit. Mount Gay is actually a tour of the aging and bottling operation with a short film of the distillery.

The West Indies Rum Refinery, the distiller of Cockspur and a number of other Bajan rums, may have tours which can be arranged through Cockspur. The last time I took the tourist tour we saw the pot and continuous still as well as the aging warehouse.

According to Barbados law bottling must be done at a separate location from distillation to make the tax collector's job easier so you probably won't see everything at one location.

As for nightlife, St Lawrence Gap is the undisputed tourist area of Barbados with a lot going on in a relatively small area. Though Barbados is a safe island use good sense as you would in any city environment.

In the mid 90s, Mount Gay Extra Old was becoming a very popular drink, mixed with ginger ale. Tastes are changing but look for Doorly's 5 year old while you're in Barbados. And don't miss the Bajan rum shops. Friday night fish frys are also a very Bajan staple. Check out Oistins, Holetown and Speightstown.