Rum Therapy, Author at Rum Therapy

March 9, 2016June 6, 2019

The World is Now More Accessible Than Ever – Explore and Enjoy It!

Guest post by Susan Trantham, Living the Life Travel

The world is more accessible than ever before. Twenty percent (62 million) of the U.S. population has some form of disability, and the number of these individuals is increasing daily. These people need to, want to, and can travel. If you are part of that twenty percent, a world of Special Needs/Accessible Travel awaits you.

Special Needs/Accessible Travel can be defined as the ongoing effort to ensure tourist destinations, products and services are accessible to all people, regardless of their physical limitations, disabilities or age. Whether it is a short term or long term disability, you are entitled to enjoy travel together with your family and friends.

Special needs travel includes:

People With Disabilities
Slow Walkers
Families With Young Children
Returning Veterans
Elderly
Pre- and Post- Surgical Patients
Occasional Mobility Conditions

Travel professionals who are accessible travel advocates certified by the Special Needs Group www.specialneedsgroup.com, have unique, specialized knowledge about how to help individuals with disabilities enjoy a wonderful, hassle-free and memorable trip.

Whenever possible, do a little prep work ahead of time so when your next travel opportunity arises, you’ll be ready. Here are a few suggestions to help get you started.

Outline Your Travel Needs
Take time to evaluate the logistics of your trip in relation to your ability to keep pace. What modes of transportation will you be using? Airplane, motor coach, train, ship, transit vans for ground transfers? Make a list, referring to relevant brochures, your trip organizer or travel agent to make sure you don’t miss anything.

Now, make a list of your specific requirements. Be honest: what types of special needs equipment do you depend on at home? What do you use or need (or wish you had!) when shopping, sightseeing locally, dining out or going to the movies, attending concerts, the theater, street fairs or sporting events at home?

Can you hear and see clearly without special auditory equipment or visual aides? How far can you walk without a rest break? Are stairs difficult? Can you get in and out of the tub or shower at home without handgrips or other assistance?

Travel, whether solo or in a group, is no time for roughing it or trying to “tough it out.” If a wheelchair, scooter or portable oxygen will make your trip easier, place that item on your list. Many people who do not use wheelchairs or walkers at home feel more comfortable using these mobility aides for tours and excursions. In fact, most of Special Needs Group’s wheelchair and scooter rentals are to individuals who only use such aides when traveling.

Plan Ahead
If you already own a scooter or portable oxygen, it’s important to know the policy and procedures for bringing that equipment onboard all the transport vehicles included in your itinerary, from planes to taxis to ferry boats. Does that transport have a way to stow your scooter or wheelchair? Is oxygen allowed on board? Some airlines prohibit certain types of batteries, such as wet cell batteries, or oxygen cylinders. Airlines operate under strict rules, so there may be packing procedures to follow if they do allow the equipment. Keep in mind, most airlines need at least 48 hours’ notice to make special arrangements, and be prepared to fill out forms.

Overall, cruise ships are more lenient in allowing oxygen, but some disallow certain types of oxygen. All require that the oxygen be delivered to the ship, and that you have enough for the entire voyage. Oxygen may never be brought aboard in your luggage. Requirements vary, so check your cruise line for proper instructions. Again, documentation and paperwork are required.

Whether you are headed for a cruise ship, hotel or all-inclusive resort, double check for wheelchair access at that venue, plus any venues you will be visiting on the trip. Confirm that accessible hotel rooms, resort accommodations or ship staterooms are available for your travel dates. The earlier you book, the better your chances of securing fully accessible accommodations. And early booking increases your chances of securing a ground floor hotel room or cruise stateroom near the elevator, if these issues are important.

Check on the access to public rooms, restaurants, bars, toilets, the swimming pool, hot tub, beach area and other amenities. Are there TDD phone devices? How will you get in and out of the shower or bathtub? Are there flashing lights to accommodate hearing? Braille room numbers? Knowing in advance the scope of your needs gives you time to arrange advance rentals of any necessary equipment, scheduled to arrive when you do. Everything from scooters, lifts, ramps, TDD kits and special mattresses, including special needs cribs, is available for rental.

Will road travel or car excursions be part of the trip? Many car rental companies have vehicles that are modified for drivers or passengers with mobility limitations. Check ahead to make sure a suitable vehicle will be available for your travel dates. If you will be hiring a car or van, make sure the company is aware of your special needs.

When traveling with a limitation or disability, full travel insurance for medical coverage abroad and trip cancellation insurance are even more important and strongly advised.

Ask the Right Questions
When making the final bookings, be sure you ask the right questions, even if the accommodations or cruise stateroom are categorized as “accessible.” Find out what “accessible” means to them.

For example, are doorways wide enough for the largest wheelchairs? Do the doors open outwards or into the room? Are all the public areas of the hotel, resort or ship accessible? Do you need to make special arrangements in the dining room to accommodate the wheelchair or scooter?

Will the bathroom facilities truly fit your needs? Is the bathroom large enough for the wheelchair or scooter? Is there a roll-in shower? Grab-bars? Are there facilities for companion/assistance animals? Are there shopping and entertainment facilities close by if you are staying at a hotel or resort? On shore excursions or tours, does the van have a lift and method for transporting wheelchairs and scooters?

Simply stated, don’t take anything for granted. It’s easy to arrange for almost every situation, and the world is wonderfully accessible, once you know what’s needed, what’s available and how to find the necessary equipment!

The World is Now More Accessible Than Ever – Explore and Enjoy It!

A special thanks to Susan Trantham for her expertise on accessible travel! Through her company Living The Life Travel, LLC, Susan is available to help coordinate travel for anyone with or without special needs to make sure they have the vacation of a lifetime. Contact her by phone at (810)513-6759, and check out her website at www.LivingTheLifeTravel.com for more information.

March 4, 2016May 29, 2019

9 Highlights of our Stay at St. James’s Club, Antigua

As soon as we were welcomed through the gates at the private, all-inclusive tropical hideaway, St. James’s Club on Mamora Bay, we knew we were going to enjoy our time at this charming Antiguan property.

We’d spent our first few days on Antigua relaxing in the tropical tranquility of the Verandah Resort & Spa – another Elite Island Resort and we had heard that St. James’s Club was equally as impressive, although each with their own appeal and personality.

In short – we had a wonderful, relaxing stay. There’s so much we could share (and hundreds of photos!) from our time there, but we’ll touch on some of our favorite memories of the resort through our list of “9 Highlights of our Stay at St. James’s Club, Antigua.”

1. Location.
St. James’s Club is located on the south end of Antigua and sits on a large peninsula between the ocean and Mamora Bay. Because of it’s location, it’s very private, there’s little traffic and the beaches are uncrowded.

2. The Royal Suites.
The St. James’s Club offers a variety of accommodations from regular guest rooms to 3 bedroom villas. Our accommodations during our stay? A Royal Suite, which featured a beautiful overlook of Mamora Bay, a private balcony, a large, well appointed room and a bottle of chilled bubbly to enjoy upon arrival. Cheers to that!

3. It’s All-Inclusive.
The all-inclusive plan allowed us to relax and enjoy all of the amenities (including non-motorized watersport equipment and lessons!), and all of the food and drinks we wanted without carrying around cash or worrying about the cost.

4. The Grounds.
The lush grounds are meticulously landscaped, tropical and great to wander through.

5. The Pools.
Although we normally gravitate to beaches, we found ourselves spending more time than usual soaking up the sunshine in and around one of the 6 beautiful pools on property.

Reef Deck Pool

Coco’s Pool

Tiered Pool

6. Dining Options
There are 4 restaurants on site – Rainbow Garden, Coco Beach Restaurant & Bar, The Docksider Grill and Piccolo Mondo, where you can enjoy an evening of fine dining overlooking Mamora Bay (there’s a surcharge per person for dinner at Piccolo Mondo). Between the 4, we had no problem finding a variety of cuisines and settings and some delicious options. In addition, there are 5 lounges and bars – AND a beach cart that drives around serving up beverages to those so relaxed and sun-kissed that they can’t make it to the nearest bar!

Dinner by the water at The Docksider Grill

Steak Salad for lunch at Coco Beach Restaurant & Bar

Rainbow Garden

7. The Resort Was Not Crowded
Even though we visited during high season and the large resort was fairly full according to staff, it never felt crowded. We appreciated the opportunity to find quiet spaces to relax and unwind, the restaurants were never overly noisy and we never had to wait long to use the watersport equipment. The only time it seemed busy was at night in the lounges when there was live music playing – and that’s when we appreciate a lively crowd!

Beach chairs on a dock overlooking Mamora Bay

Plenty of space to play – or just relax

Coco Beach

Watersports Equipment on Mamora Bay

8. The Staff
We had the chance to meet St. James’s Club General Manager Antoine Brown, an engaging man that has assembled a great staff that genuinely seems to care about making guests stay something special – and in our experience, the staff can make a huge difference in how you feel about your stay at a resort. Antoine sat with us and chatted about the history of the resort, the continued upgrades being made, amenities being added (a new 3,000 sq. ft. Fitness Center has opened since our visit) and an additional Antiguan resort that Elite Island Resorts has just taken over and are in the process of refurbishing! We saw Mr. Brown frequently during our visit, always greeting guests and staff and making sure everyone was satisfied.

9. Great Base
Although you never really need to leave St. James’s Club during your stay in Antigua because you literally have everything needed on property for a great and relaxing stay, the location is a great base for those, like us, who like to experience some of the island outside of the gates. You can rent a car at the resort for a day (or more) of exploration and we did just that, checking out the yachts in Great Harbour and Falmouth Harbour, sampling Antigua Black Pineapple at a roadside fruit stand and seeing some of the gorgeous beaches, such as Turner’s Beach, on the west side of the island.

Antigua Black Pineapple

There you have it – just a taste of the time we enjoyed at St. James’s Club on beautiful Antigua. Have you stayed at St. James’s Club or another Elite Island Resort? Tell us about it!

To find out more about St. James’s Club:

Visit their website: St. James’s Club
Find them on Facebook
Check out their tweets on Twitter
And see more photos on Instagram

Find St. James’s Club on our Antigua Map

To see more posts on Antigua and other islands, check out our Island Blog Directory

Copyright©Rum Therapy
Pictures and other content may not be re-used without written consent from Rum Therapy, LLC

February 17, 2016June 6, 2019

The Two Best Reasons To Take the Skyride to Paradise Point, St. Thomas

At first glance, the Skyride to Paradise Point in Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas could appear to be a bit of a tourist trap. Situated not far from the main cruise ship dock, the entrance beckons to the millions of visitors that stroll through Havensight Mall during a cruise stop every year.

Yes, there are shops at the top of the attraction, as well as performing birds and nature trails to explore, but in our opinion, there are two really good reasons to spend $21.00 (price of an adult round trip ticket as of this writing) to take the Skyride 700 ft. up, to the top of Paradise Point.

It takes approximately 14 minutes to board and ride to the top. Along the way, passengers are treated to views of the harbor, surrounding islands and beautiful homes on the hill below.

After the short, comfortable and scenic ride, passengers disembark and are welcomed to paradise.

And the two reasons we feel it’s worth taking the Skyride to the top of Paradise Point?

First off, from the top, visitors are treated to absolutely amazing views.

The views of Charlotte Amalie, the cruise ships in port and areas far beyond are simply spectacular. Sit and watch as sea planes land and take off, boats come and go and people – looking like ants far below, walk around in the warm sunshine.

The second reason?

Paradise Point is known for it’s version of the delicious frozen rum drink called the Bushwacker. We first sampled this potent rum delight many years ago during our first trip to the top op Paradise Point and never forgot it…

Coconut rum, chocolate, Kahlua, Amaretto and Bailey’s – what’s not to like? And Paradise Point makes a good one. Or maybe it’s the combination of the Bushwacker with that view? Either way, we’ve enjoyed 3 trips to the top (with a Bushwaker, of course!) and probably would do it again if the opportunity arises.

Have you taken the Skyride to the top of Paradise Point and enjoyed a Bushwacker? Tell us about it!

Find the Skyride to Paradise Point on our St. Thomas Map

To see more posts on St Thomas and other islands, check out our Island Blog Directory

Copyright©Rum Therapy
Pictures and other content may not be re-used without written consent from Rum Therapy, LLC

February 16, 2016May 29, 2019

Antigua Black Pineapple

Not long after we arrived in Antigua, we overheard a couple chatting about a species of pineapple grown on the island called the Antigua Black Pineapple.

We weren’t surprised that pineapple grew on Antigua – with it’s beautiful green, rolling hills, it appeared to be quite fertile. What surprised us was that we’d never heard of this species of pineapple that was said to be renowned for its crisp texture, low acid and high sugar content. In fact those that grow the Black Pineapple variety are said to choose quality over quantity to retain the extremely sweet taste in the golden yellow fruit. Touted, in fact, as the sweetest pineapple in the world! We wondered what it might taste like in a Frozen Pineapple Daiquiri, or perhaps a Pineapple Rum Punch? Anyway, we decided we had to try to find one and sample it.

Our journey to find this Antiguan delight took us to the south end of the island to an area called Old Road – apparently known as the fruit basket of Antigua.

We’d been told to keep our eyes open for fruit stands on the side of the road and sure enough we found several – all prominently displaying their stock of the local delicacy.

We stopped at a stand called Clemie’s and made a bee-line to the pineapple, but were suddenly sidetracked by a luscious array of fresh fruits and vegetables, including bananas and mangos – all grown in the nearby the fields.

After chatting with a group of women sitting on the side of the fruit stand about how to choose a ripe Black Pineapple, we looked through the stock on hand and picked a good one – we hoped.

Since we wanted to sample the pineapple immediately, we said yes when asked if we would like it prepared.

We were handed a Styrofoam container with several toothpicks poked in the top to give us quick access to the delicious looking fruit. We popped a piece in our mouths and savored it. How was it? SO sweet and delicious! But you should really try one yourself – just to make sure you agree.

Want to find out more? Claremont Farms also offers a tour of their Antigua Black Pineapple fields that we unfortunately learned of after our return. Find out about it here.

Have you tried Antigua Black Pineapple? Tell us about it!

Find Old Road on our Antigua Map

To see more posts on Antigua and other islands, check out our Island Blog Directory

Copyright©Rum Therapy
Pictures and other content may not be re-used without written consent from Rum Therapy, LLC

February 7, 2016May 29, 2019

Enjoying the Tropical Tranquility of The Verandah Resort & Spa, Antigua

Imagine sitting on your private verandah enjoying the sight of a beautiful blue bay and the ocean beyond, while listening to waves gently lap the shore with bananquits cheerfully chirping. Sounds relaxing, doesn’t it? Oh, it was.

This was just a part of what we experienced at The Verandah Resort & Spa during our recent visit to Antigua.

The Verandah Resort & Spa is an all-inclusive resort located on 30 lush acres on the eastern coast of Antigua. Comprised of private cottages and villas nestled in verdant landscaping, the surroundings create the feel of escaping to an oasis of tropical tranquility. Not pretentious at all, the resort has a Caribbean casual feel – with class.

Front entrance

From the moment we arrived, we felt welcomed. We were presented with a glass of cold rum punch and a lavender scented towel for refreshment and after checking in, we were whisked away to our waterfront cottage to begin our stay.

Lobby

We loved the look and the relaxed vibe of the resort. There are walking trails interspersed between the lovely cottages and villas – all with their own private verandah and many overlooking the bay and ocean beyond.

The cottages are set apart from each other for privacy

Beautiful walking paths

One of the cottages

Our suite overlooked a beautiful blue bay and we absolutely loved sipping a cup of coffee every morning while enjoying this view…

The view from our “verandah”

There are two beaches on property – one that offers a variety of watersport equipment such as kayaks, SUP boards and Hobie Cats.

Watersports on the main beach

The other, referenced as “the quiet beach” by other guests we met, offers lounges interspersed in the palm trees, a sand volleyball court and a beach bar & grill called the Rasta Bar.

The “quiet beach”

In addition to the two beaches on property, there is another beautiful Antiguan beach within walking distance outside of the resort called Long Bay.

Long Bay

We appreciated the additional beach option and enjoyed looking through the small kiosks with local vendors behind the beach.

Not that you ever need to leave the resort. The all-inclusive package includes your meals and drinks,

non-motorized watersports, beach lounge chairs and umbrellas, pools and fitness room, tennis, mini-golf, shuffleboard, ping-pong and more.

18 hole miniature golf course

We especially enjoyed the evening entertainment at the main bar where guests would congregate to enjoy live music, drinks, and the company of other guests in the warm tropical breeze.

Enjoying the evening entertainment

And speaking of pools. Although we usually can’t be torn away from the beach, the Verandah had some lovely pools – a total of three, I believe, and the main one is huge and a beautiful focal point in the center of the resort.

Main pool

Adult only pool

The adult only pool was a nice touch we thought, for those not vacationing with children.

The highlights of the resort for us:

1. The suites. We loved the look and feel of the spacious individual cottages, each with a private verandah.
2. The resort doesn’t feel crowded. Although it was high season and the staff told us they were quite full, none of the amenities ever felt crowded. There were always available chairs on the beach and at the pool and the dining areas were fairly quiet – even though there were a good number of families with small children vacationing while we were there.
3. The walking paths. We love to explore and take in the surroundings and at The Verandah there are plenty of beautiful paths to walk. And, if you end up getting tired while walking or are in a particular hurry to get somewhere, wait at one of the golf cart stops and someone will be by to pick you up.

4. The grounds. The tropical grounds are beautifully landscaped.

5. The staff. Overall, The Verandah has assembled a top-notch staff that seems to truly care about their guests – and we truly appreciated their efforts.

A few tips if you decide to book a vacation at The Verandah Resort & Spa:

1. Consider booking a waterfront suite. We found it very relaxing to look at the water from our balcony everyday.

2. If you are traveling with a family or a small group, be sure to look into the 2 bedroom villa options.

3. Include a transfer to and from the airport in your travel arrangements if this is your first stay on Antigua. There are very few road signs on Antigua and if you have not visited before, it can be a challenge to find the resort – especially at night. The Verandah does, however, offer daily car rentals if you want to explore the island for a day.

4. Get dinner reservations for the Buccaneer and Nicole’s (extra surcharge) as soon as you can so you don’t miss out. We were only at The Verandah for 3 days and unfortunately missed out on experiencing The Buccaneer and Nicole’s because we didn’t plan ahead.

4. Consult the Tour & Excursion desk to find out what they offer. Although we’d rented a car for the week, we went through the Tour & Excursion desk to book a shuttle to Shirley Heights on Sunday afternoon for the BBQ and sunset party. It was a great way to experience Shirley Heights. We were able to enjoy the party, a few rum drinks and the company of other Verandah guests but didn’t have to worry about getting ourselves back to the resort.

5. Check out the other attractions nearby. Take the short hike to Devil’s Bridge, interact with stingrays on an excursion to Stingray City and explore Betty’s Hope Sugar Plantation to learn about sugar production and it’s role in Antiguan history.

We had such a good time at The Verandah Resort & Spa that we were almost reluctant to leave and head to the next resort, but were we glad we did! Stay tuned to find out about our visit to St. James’s Club, another wonderful Elite Island Resort, located on the southern tip of the island!

To find out more about The Verandah Resort & Spa:

Visit their website: The Verandah Resort & Spa
Find them on Facebook
Check out their tweets on Twitter
And see more photos on Instagram

To see more posts on Antigua and other islands, check out our Island Blog Directory

Copyright©Rum Therapy
Pictures and other content may not be re-used without written consent from Rum Therapy, LLC. All information is correct to our knowledge at the time of writing, but be sure to verify current information before your visit.

February 3, 2016May 29, 2019

Turner’s Beach, Antigua

Turner’s Beach, also known as Crab Hill Beach, is located on the sunny southwestern side of Antigua in a village by the name of Crab Hill.

It’s easy to find Turner’s while traveling south about 10.5 miles on the main road from St. John’s, and once there, you’ll most likely want to stay awhile.

Our first glimpse of Turner’s Beach took our breath away. Those beautiful shades of blue… The water was calm that day and warm and we spent a good part of a beautiful day walking the soft sand and floating in the water.

To the left (looking at the beach) there is a small path up a hill that you can take that gives you a great view of the entire beach. On a clear day, you can faintly see Montserrat in the distance.

There are umbrellas to rent if you wish, and an open air beach bar appropriately called Turner’s where you can leisurely enjoy a drink or a bite to eat with a view of the stunning beach

Turner’s beach can get crowded when there are a lot of cruise ships in port, so if you want to explore it on a quieter day, be sure to check the cruise ship schedule. We found one here (look for the click here prompt).

With 365 beaches to choose from, Antigua is certainly a beach lovers paradise and from the ones we’ve gotten to visit so far, we’d have to Turner’s Beach on our list of one of Antigua’s best beaches.

Have you been to Turner’s Beach in Antigua? Tell us about it!

Find Turner’s Beach on our Antigua Map

To see more posts on Antigua and other islands, check out our Island Blog Directory

Copyright©Rum Therapy
Pictures and other content may not be re-used without written consent from Rum Therapy, LLC

January 20, 2016June 24, 2021

Pineapple Rum Punch

This recipe makes a tropical concoction that will have you daydreaming of swinging in a hammock on a beautiful beach. Light, tasty and easy with just a bit of effervescence – tropically delicious!

Don’t like coconut so much? No problem – it tastes great with a nice gold rum instead of the coconut rum. Don’t know why it took us so long to give this one a try but it’ll surely be one we’ll put together again and again. Cheers!

*We love bringing you amazing rum recipes! Our recipes may contain affiliate links to products that we use. If you click the link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you). Thank you for your support in helping us to continue providing rumlicious, tropical recipes!

Print Recipe

Pineapple Rum Punch

This recipe makes a tropical concoction that will have you daydreaming of swinging in a hammock on a beautiful beach. Light, tasty and easy with just a bit of effervescence – tropically delicious!

Servings:

Ingredients

1 cup ginger ale
1 cup pineapple juice
1/3 cup coconut rum (we used Blue Chair Bay)
cracked ice
pineapple chunks for garnish (fresh, if at all possible)

Instructions

Mix the ginger ale, pineapple juice and rum together and pour in glasses over cracked ice.
Garnish with chunks of fresh pineapple and if you really want to go wild, add a little freshly grated nutmeg!

Check out more rum recipes here!

January 20, 2016January 15, 2020

The Beautiful Beaches of Tortola

When you think of Tortola, the largest island of the British Virgin Island chain, do you think of the place you meet to embark on your BVI sailing adventure? Do you think of bustling Road Town or the picturesque Soper’s Hole? Do you think of a stop on the ferry on the way to another island? Perhaps Full Moon Parties?

For whatever reason, Tortola is known for many things, but not always it’s beaches – which really is surprising. Tortola has some stunning beaches. The best beaches are found on Tortola’s North and West sides and range from wide swaths of soft, light colored sand to beaches with some of the best surfing in the area. Because many face north, some can really rock ‘n roll when there’s a north swell, but on calm days they can be downright tranquil.

Although Brewer’s Bay and Josiah’s Bay are both beautiful Northside beaches that should probably be on a “best of Tortola” list, we’ve seen them only by boat (We won’t talk about that time we rented a Jeep while staying on island and the adventure we had trying to get there. Have we mentioned that parts of Tortola are hilly and VERY steep?). Anyway, for the purposes of this post, we’ll cover just the Tortola beaches we’ve actually gotten to stick our toes in – so far.

Long Bay – West

Long Bay is a “long” stretch of powdery, light colored sand on the west end of Tortola. Long Bay Beach Club occupies a portion of the lovely beach, but the several times we visited, we were one of the few walking along and enjoying the scenery. Good photo ops include the overlook of Long Bay from the road at Lower Bay Point and the western end of the beach with Belmont Point in the background. If Winston is bartending at his Nature Boy Beach Bar, located on the beaches western end, be sure to stop in for a cold beer and some conversation.
Read more about Long Bay here.

Long Bay – East

Not technically on Tortola, Long Bay East is on Beef Island, a small island separated from Tortola by the short Queen Elizabeth Bridge – close enough we thought, to be included on this list. Apparently it’s a favorite with locals on the weekends and why wouldn’t it be? With its white sand and calm water, it’d be a great place to enjoy that Tortola sunshine.

Apple Bay

Not far from Long Bay heading north, you’ll find Apple Bay, sometimes called Capoons Bay.

Apple Bay has a great view of Jost Van Dyke, is one of the premier surfing spots in the BVI and is home of the one and only Bomba Shack, where you can sit and sip a Rum Punch while checking out the scenery.

Smuggler’s Cove

Smuggler’s Cove is on the westernmost tip of Tortola.

With beautiful palms, a view of Jost Van Dyke and an arc of soft light sand, Smuggler’s Cove is one not to miss. It’s a little tricky to get to, but that seems to keep the crowd’s at bay. Read more about Smuggler’s Cove here.

Cane Garden Bay

A boater’s favorite, one could easily while away a few days in Cane Garden Bay just leisurely walking the beach, splashing in the calm water and enjoying food, drink and live music at several excellent beach bars. If that weren’t enough, there is also a rum distillery to tour within walking distance and a recycled glass studio to enjoy. Read more about Cane Garden Bay here.

And to top it off, Cane Garden Bay has some of the best sunsets in the BVI.

If you haven’t had the chance to enjoy some of Tortola’s beautiful beaches, make sure to check a few out next time you’re in the area!

To see more posts on Tortola and other islands, check out our Island Blog Directory

All information is correct to our knowledge at the time of writing, but be sure to verify current information before your visit.
Pictures and other content may not be re-used without written consent from Rum Therapy, LLC

January 15, 2016June 6, 2019

The Longboard, a Coastal Cantina in Cruz Bay, St. John

How does a Conch and Shrimp Lettuce Wrap, an Ahi Tuna Tower or a Caribbean Spice Bowl (spicy jerk braised pork, sliced avocado, charred corn black bean salsa, shredded red cabbage, lime sour crème) washed down with a Rum Sangaree, a Heart and Sol or a Frozen Painkiller while sitting in a restaurant/bar with a cool coastal vibe in the heart of Cruz Bay, St. John sound?

These are just a few of the delicious food and drink offerings available at a new establishment recently opened on St. John called The Longboard.

The Longboard is the culmination of a long-time dream of owners Clint Gaskins and Tyler Beckstead who each bring years of restaurant and bar experience to their new venue. The Longboard opened in May of 2015 and has already garnered some very favorable reviews, an article in Coastal Living, and an upcoming spread in Islands Magazine!

The kitchen is headed up by Chef Anthony Fossani, whose resume includes Michelin Star New York restaurant Oceana as well as Country Clubs and the Mega Yacht Industry. Fossani brings serious talent and an expertise in creating a balanced fusion of cuisines to tantalize your taste buds. The teams combined expertise brings a unique and innovative new restaurant/bar option to Cruz Bay.

The Longboard serves fresh, healthy foods inspired by Southern California and the Caribbean. On their menu you will find a variety of delectable offerings, from small plates, tacos, quinoa/rice bowls and light, fresh fish based Caribbean dishes.

Ahi Tuna Tower
To keep the ingredients ultra-fresh, they source as much as they can locally. Customer favorites so far? Ahi Tuna Tower, Island Guacamole, Poke, and the variety of fresh gourmet tacos and quinoa/rice bowls. Gluten free options are also available.

Menu
The Longboard also offers an extensive drink menu with specialty cocktails.

Dark & Stormy

Their specialty cocktails, many of which use housemade sodas and syrups, highlight delicious Caribbean flavors. Even their traditional drinks like the Dark & Stormy, are created with their own spin and fresh take.

Heart and Sol

Current drink favorites include the Sunshower (said to taste like sunshine in your mouth by one reviewer), Heart and Sol, Passion Pitted, and of course, their famous Frozen Painkiller.

Drinks
Although the road to opening the restaurant of their dreams on St. John was not an easy one, Clint and Tyler were determined to find just the right location on the beautiful island that they love. Tyler lived on the island for a year in the 2000’s and Clint had traveled frequently to STJ over the last 10 years. They felt there was a unique opportunity in this unique location, so they went to work finding a space for The Longboard. They ended up with a building that needed some serious updating and TLC, but it had good bones and with the help of their great team, they were able to create their vision.

The Longboard is a “coastal cantina” celebrating the adventurous yet laid back ocean lifestyle of the islands. After an extensive remodel from the previous Joe’s Diner, The Longboard offers a bright, beachy and fun location with a focus on modern design and surf culture of which both Tyler and Clint were accustomed to, being surfers at one point in their lives (Tyler is still an avid surfer on his days off). The space has been expertly laid out to comfortably accommodate 60 guests with seating at the bar, bar tables and porch.

Bar 3 p.m. – Until…
Happy Hour is 3-6 p.m. daily
Bar Snacks 3 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Kitchen (full menu) 3 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Stop by and check them out on your next trip to St. John!

The Longboard
1 Prince Street
Cruz Bay, St. John

Find The Longboard on our St. John Map

Visit their website for more information: The Longboard
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January 12, 2016June 24, 2021

Jack Frost Cocktail

Touted as the winter version of the Piña Colada on Homemade Hooplah, we thought we needed to give this one a try. Yes, we’d rather be sipping a Piña Colada in the middle of the summer or on a beautiful tropical beach somewhere, but the weather outside is decidedly non-tropical at the moment. So, either we whine about it until the warmth returns (actually, I probably will anyway), or try and make the best of it. After one (or two) of these, we might not notice the cold as much…

This is a sweet drink. If you like less sweetness, try cutting the coconut crème in half and replacing with coconut milk.

Print Recipe

Jack Frost Cocktail

We’d rather be sipping a Piña Colada in the middle of the summer or on a beautiful tropical beach somewhere, but the weather outside is decidedly non-tropical at the moment. So we made the best of it!

This is a sweet drink. If you like less sweetness, try cutting the coconut crème in half and replacing with coconut milk.

Course: Drinks

Servings:

Ingredients

1/2 c. Pineapple Juice
1/4 c. Light Rum
1/4 c. Cream of Coconut (plus a little extra to rim the glasses)
1/4 c. Blue Curacao
1 c. Ice
Shredded Coconut

Instructions

Put a little coconut crème on a plate, then dip the very edges of the glasses in the crème.
Spread a couple teaspoons of shredded coconut on another plate and dip the edges in the coconut.
In a blender, mix the pineapple juice, rum, blue curacao and ice until smooth. Pour into the glasses and serve. Cheers!

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