Rum Therapy, Author at Rum Therapy

March 24, 2014March 24, 2014

Vacation Anticipation

As I sit at my desk and try to craft an interesting post on something travel related, all I can do is daydream about an upcoming tropical adventure. As these thoughts have pretty much taken over my brain today, I thought I’d write a little bit about – Vacation Anticipation…

Looking forward to vacation?

For me, a case of Vacation Anticipation usually sets in about a month before departure. At that point I start to think about the feel of the warm Caribbean sunshine on my pasty winter skin, jumping like a kid again into the clear turquoise water and letting the sound of the waves and the coqui frogs lull me to sleep.

The lists begin at that point.
Miniature toothpaste tube – check
Extra camera cards – check
Sunscreen – double check.

As the time gets a little closer, I accumulate a little pile of things to pack in the corner of my room. I start to think about the taste of a cold and fruity rum punch while sitting on a comfortable lounge chair in the sand with a perfect view of the water.

Music – check.
Sunglasses – check, check.

I can almost taste the Caribbean Lobster or conch.

And I can certainly close my eyes and see a perfect Caribbean sunset…

So is Vacation Anticipation a blessing or unnecessary mental gymnastics?

Given the fact that the actual vacation comes and goes before you know it, I’ve grown a bit fond of my Vacation Anticipation. Why? It allows me to get in and enjoy that vacation state of mind for a longer period of time…

And, upon my return, I immediately do what anyone else with a Tropical Obsession does. (Find out if you have a Tropical Obsession here)
I begin planning my next vacation the day I get back from the last one!

Do you experience Vacation Anticipation too? Tell us about it!

Copyright©Rum Therapy Beaches, Bars & More, Tropical Travel Guide, 2014
Pictures and other content may not be re-used without written consent from Rum Therapy, LLC

March 18, 2014March 18, 2014

Beaches Negril Resort & Spa, Jamaica

We are lucky enough to have spent many great years traveling with our two fun and adventurous kids, but now they’re grown and we travel as a couple – or with friends, most of whom have grown children of their own. So how did we end up at Beaches Negril Resort & Spa, chosen as the #1 Hotel for Families in the Caribbean for 2013?

Well, due to unforeseen circumstances during a trip last fall to Jamaica, we did – and loved it!

One of 2 pools at Beaches

We were a little skeptical at first, thinking it would not be a relaxing 5 days, listening to screaming kids and sitting amidst a Disney type of environment, but we didn’t find that to be the case at all. Perhaps because Beaches Negril sits on a lushly landscaped 20 acres right on Seven Mile Beach, it seemed as if there was room for kids to be kids and for adults to relax and enjoy the sunshine and scenery.

What did we enjoy about our stay at Beaches? We’ll show you!

Welcome rum punch (made with Appleton of course!) while checking in

Open air lobby

Waiting area just off of lobby

Well -appointed, comfortable room with mini bar, coffeemaker and deck

All-inclusive! Choose from a variety of delicious offerings at 7 specialty restaurants

Cafe de Paris offered specialty coffees and fresh pastries, desserts and ice cream

Plenty of room and not very crowded

Friendly bartenders at 6 bars (2 swim up bars)

Lounge chairs and lounge beds on the beach for total relaxation

Right on beautiful Seven-Mile Beach

Use of a variety of water toys

Rum with a view

And the thing we liked most about our time there…

Seeing families enjoy spending time together while enjoying the beautiful Caribbean.

Although we were traveling without kids, we enjoyed our stay at Beaches Negril Resort & Spa. Looking for an adult-only resort? Beaches Resorts are the family friendly properties of Sandals Resorts. Sandals Negril Beach Resort and Spa is also located on beautiful Seven-Mile Beach and offers an all-inclusive adult only experience.

Find Beaches Negril Resort & Spa on our Jamaica Map

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

Copyright©Rum Therapy Beaches, Bars & More, Tropical Travel Guide, 2014
Pictures and other content may not be re-used without written consent from Rum Therapy, LLC

March 16, 2014March 16, 2014

Are You a Vacation Reader?

Flying down to the tropics a couple of months ago, I sat next to a young woman anxious to get to her destination for the week to relax and unwind. I asked her what she liked to do to relax and unwind on vacation and she said she was most excited to find a quiet spot in the shade on the beach, curl up and read – non-stop she said, for the whole week.

She had chosen a book a day and started the first vacation read on the plane on the way down. She asked what books I had enjoyed lately and what books I brought down to read and I was a little embarrassed to say I just had a few trashy magazines that I’d purchased at the airport to thumb through. “Ahhh,” she said. “Not a reader, huh?”

Ouch. Well, I actually am a reader. Really. It’s just that I’m not a huge vacation reader! Even though “reading material” is on my Tropical Vacation Packing List, I tend to leave the choosing and packing of it until all other essentials such as cameras, music, sunscreen, rum money, etc., are tucked safely in place.

To be honest with you, reading while on vacation is not my favorite thing to do. I love reading stories at home that help me escape to the tropics, like I’m Gonna Live My Life Like a Jimmy Buffett Song (Di Island Song Series, Volume 1) (actually the whole series by Anthony Bjorklund) and Leap of Faith: Quit Your Job and Live on a Boat by Ed Robinson and A Trip to the Beach: Living on Island Time in the Caribbean – written by Melinda and Robert Blanchard, owner’s of Blanchard’s Beach Shack in Anguilla, but when I’m on a tropical vacation, I find it a little hard to keep my face buried in a book. Although… I’ve got to admit that escaping into a great story while lounging in a hammock under a coconut tree and sipping on a pina colada can at times be, well, relaxing….

So, as I pack for an upcoming adventure, I have a goal. I’m going to try and read one book this trip. Probably one short book, but nonetheless one book.

If that goes well, I may even begin shopping for an electronic reader. My voraciously reading friend on the plane said that’s the way to go. That way I wouldn’t have to choose a book based on size and whether it would fit in my luggage, right? She recommended the following three. Any feedback based on experience?

1. Kindle Paperwhite, 6″ High Resolution Display with Next-Gen Built-in Light, Wi-Fi – Includes Special Offers

2.Barnes & Noble NOOK Simple Touch with GlowLight, Wi-Fi, 2GB, Includes Power Adapter

3. Kobo Glow Digital Text Reader

Are you a vacation reader?
If so, perhaps you can give me some thoughts on a great, easy, light, fun, short book I can get for our next trip! :)

Copyright©Rum Therapy Beaches, Bars & More, Tropical Travel Guide, 2014
Pictures and other content may not be re-used without written consent from Rum Therapy, LLC

March 14, 2014June 5, 2019

Buccaneer Beach Bar, St. Maarten

The Buccaneer Beach Bar on the Dutch side of St. Maarten has a great location right on beautiful Kim Sha Beach in Simpson Bay.

With a big beautiful deck overlooking Simpson Bay and plenty of lounge chairs waiting for you in the soft, white sand, it’s a great place to spend the day. The grill is open from 5:00 – 10:00p.m. and serves up a variety of delicious fare from cheeseburgers to fresh seafood sandwiches. Fresh pizza is served in the evening.

View from the deck (photo: Buccaneer Beach Bar)

At night the bar gets busy and while sipping your favorite rum or other cold beverage, you can enjoy the sound of live music several times a week and the soft glow of the fireball on the beach on Friday and Sunday evenings.

Fireball on the beach

During the day, enjoy the sunshine, soft sand and beautiful blue water.

Ready to go enjoy a beverage at the Buccaneer Beach Bar?

Find out more on their website: Buccaneer Beach Bar, St. Maarten

Find Buccaneer Beach Bar on our St. Maarten/St. Martin Map

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

Copyright©Rum Therapy Beaches, Bars & More, Tropical Travel Guide, 2014
Pictures and other content may not be re-used without written consent from Rum Therapy, LLC

March 11, 2014December 18, 2019

Which Island Should I Choose for My Vacation?

We love to talk tropical travel and we love that you ask our opinion! But, the hardest question for us to answer is actually the one we get asked the most, “Which Island Should I Choose For My Vacation?”

Why is that a tough question? Although we’ve yet to meet an island we don’t like for some reason or another, everyone has such different vacation tastes. Some want the best beaches, others want shopping or luxurious accommodations or absolute solitude. The best fishing, snorkeling, rum, diving, sailing, hiking, historical sites, foliage….the list goes on and on. We’ve been trying to come up with a method to help people select destinations based on different criteria, but decided the best thing to do is what we already do – show you the islands through our photos and let you know what we’ve enjoyed – then you can see what areas you might be interested in visiting!

Below we’ve listed many of the islands we’ve recently been to and just a few key words of what we’ve really enjoyed about that island. Some are links to articles we’ve written on that destination with additional pictures. There are many additional GREAT things about each of these islands, but here are a few tips to start with.

Ready for a little tropiciation? Let’s go to the islands!

Some of the attractions/hotels/features on islands affected by Hurricanes Irma and Marie in the Fall of 2017 may have changed from when we initially wrote about them. If you have questions on their current condition, please contact us.

Shoal Bay, Anguilla

Anguilla
(see map)
Stunning, white sand beaches, Shoal Bay, Rendezvous Bay, Dune Preserve, excellent dining, great beach bars (see several in Sandy Ground), Gwen’s Reggae Grill, live music, luxurious accommodations, easy to explore on your own

Antigua
Many (365 they say!) gorgeous beaches, Half Moon Bay, Dickenson Bay, Shirley Heights, Antiguan Smile Rum Drink, English Harbour Rum

Bahamas
Find a place to get “off the grid” in one of many out islands, beautiful white and pink sand beaches, bonefishing and other fishing, snorkeling, peace and quiet, conch, variety of accommodations, swimming with the pigs, swimming with nurse sharks

Champer’s Restaurant

Barbados
Excellent dining, Superb beaches, Crane Beach, Mount Gay & other Rum Factory Tours

White Bay, Jost Van Dyke, British Virgin Islands

British Virgin Islands
(for individual maps of the British Virgin Islands, use the drop-down on the Island Map feature on our home page)

Fantastic sailing destination, secluded and beautiful beaches, Anegada Lobster Dinner on the beach, fantastic beach bars, Jost Van Dyke, White Bay, Willy T, Virgin Gorda, The Baths, Smuggler’s Cove, roti, easy to explore on your own, Sandy Spit, sunsets, Painkillers, Bubbly Pool, snorkeling, floating, Cane Garden Bay, full moon parties, crystal clear water, driving on Tortola, North Sound Virgin Gorda

Corales Golf Course

Dominican Republic
(see map)
Excellent golf, reasonably priced all-inclusive resorts, Mamajuana, Coco Loco, long stretches of pretty beaches,
The 3 B’s – Bermudez, Brugal and Barcelo Rums

Jewel Runaway Bay Resort

Jamaica
(see map)
All-Inclusive Resorts, Jerk Seasoning, 7 mile Beach, Floyd’s Pelican Bar, Blue Mountain Coffee, Waterfalls, Appleton Rum and Rum Factory Tour, Bob Marley Nine Mile Tour, Jamaican Smile, red snapper, Dirty Banana

Gustavia Harbour

St. Barthelemy
(see map)
Great place to yacht watch, high end shopping, excellent dining, beautiful beaches, homemade vanilla infused rhums, overlook of Gustavia Harbour, watching planes land on the very short runway!

Orient Beach, St. Martin

St. Maarten/St. Martin
(see map)
Gorgeous beaches on both the Dutch and French sides, clothing optional on some French side beaches, nightlife, great beach bars, watch planes land over your head at Sunset Beach Bar, Karakter Beach Bar, Marigot Market, Sarafina’s Bakery, street festivals in Grand Case, duty free shopping, we found it easy to explore on our own, wide range of accommodations, excellent dining options – especially in Grand Case, busy cruise ship stop – but because of that, there are many activities to choose from

Saltwhistle Bay, Mayreau

St. Vincent and the Grenadines
(see map)
Excellent sailing destination, beautiful remote islands, gorgeous quiet beaches, filming location for some parts of the Pirates of the Caribbean, Sunset Very Strong Rum, Tobago Cays, excellent snorkeling, turtles, clear turquoise blue water, Happy Island, Mopion, a few exquisite resorts, not busy, Petit Tabac

Pumpkin Bluff Beach, North Caicos

Turks and Caicos
(see map)
Spectacular white sand beaches, quiet and remote, great snorkeling, variety of accommodations, long beach walks, conch shells, sand dollars, cave exploring, Bambarra Rum, da Conch Shack, bonefishing, conch stew, fried conch, exploring secluded cays

Hawksnest-1-(600) Hawksnest Bay, St. John

US Virgin Islands
No passport needed for US citizens going to St. Croix, St. John, St. Thomas – each island has it’s own personality and they’re easy to explore on your own

St. Croix (see map)
Buck Island, Cruzan Rum Factory Tour, Cruzan Rum,
Sandy Point Beach and Wildlife Preserve, Cruzan Confusion, Mt. Pellier Domino Club, seaplane from St. Croix to St. Thomas

St. John (see map)
Every beach on St. John, cheeseburgers at Skinny Legs, hiking, snorkeling, exploring the shops, restaurants and bars in Cruz Bay

St. Thomas (see map)
Megans Bay, the view and banana daiquiris at Mountain Top, Paradise Point Skyride, Bushwackers at the top, Duffy’s Love Shack, Lindquist Beach at Smith Bay, variety of accommodations, Bones Rum

Banana-Daiquiri.-Ojpg View of Magens Bay (and a Banana Daiquiri) at Mountaintop, St. Thomas

So – any ideas on where YOU would like to go next?

For even more island posts, be sure to check out our Blog Directory by Island!

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

March 2, 2014March 2, 2014

Francis Bay, St. John

Have you heard of Francis Bay, St. John? It may not be as well know as some of it’s other beach neighbors, but if you’re looking for a long beautiful beach that is usually not as crowded, it’s worth the drive.

Overlook of Maho Bay (to the right) and Francis Bay (to the left)

Francis Bay is just around a point from Maho Bay on St. John’s beautiful north shore. Park along the dirt road leading up to the beach.

The beach at Francis Bay is a long stretch of light colored soft sand. It’s a gentle access into the water, and can be a bit pebbly in places where the water breaks on the shore.

There are portable restrooms close to the parking lot, some bbq pits and a few picnic tables, but no other services, so be sure to pack in some food and drinks to enjoy during your stay there.

The snorkeling can be very good at Francis – especially on the northernmost edge close to the rocks.

Great swimming, great snorkeling, beautiful sunsets and a long, beautiful, quiet beach. We thought it was well worth the drive.

Find Francis Bay on our St. John Map

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

copyright©Rum Therapy Beaches, Bars & More, Tropical Travel Guide, 2013, 2014
Pictures and other content may not be re-used without written consent from Rum Therapy, LLC

February 28, 2014November 7, 2020

Cruzan OJ Dreamsicle

Are you ready for a taste of summertime? We are! We first tasted this yummy Cruzan concoction at the conclusion of our first tour of the Cruzan Rum Factory in St. Croix.

You see, at the end of the tour, you get to sample several rums or rum drinks and this is one of the ones we tried. Tasted JUST like the Creamsicle’s that we used to enjoy all summer long – with a bit of a kick!

So, if you’re ready for summertime – or at least a taste of it, grab your Cruzan Flavored Rums, put on your sunglasses and enjoy!

*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

Cruzan OJ Dreamsicle

Remember the good ol' days of creamsicles? Here is the adult version...

Course: Drinks

Servings:

Ingredients

1 oz. Cruzan Orange Rum
1 oz. Cruzan Vanilla Rum
1 oz. Orange Liqueur
3 oz. Half and Half

Instructions

Shake all ingredients over ice and pour into a rocks glass.

Notes

For more Cruzan Recipes, check out their website: Cruzan Rum Recipes

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

February 26, 2014June 5, 2019

What to See and Do in Marigot, St. Martin

The capital of the French side of St. Martin is the beautiful little town of Marigot. Lying between Simpson Bay and Grand Case, Marigot offers a multitude of things to explore, to see and to do.

(see our St. Maarten/St. Martin Map to find Marigot)

Marigot fringes Baie de Marigot, a popular harbor offering a calm anchorage to the many boaters that stay here. We’ve visited Marigot a couple of times now; once by boat and once while staying on island. The following are a few of the things we enjoyed during our visits.

Marigot Market
In a square in the middle of Marigot, local vendors set up in an open air shop every day except Sunday. The best mornings to visit are Wednesday’s and Saturday’s when you’ll find the widest variety of items and shops. Find local art, many infused rhums, spices, fresh fruits, vegetables and fish and souvenirs.

Infused rhums

Spices at Kalina

Go early if you need to find parking and to walk through the booths before busloads of cruise ship passengers arrive.

Restaurants, Bakeries and Drinks
After working up a thirst or hunger shopping at the Market, be sure to stop by one of the lovely outdoor cafe’s or restaurants some fresh local fare and to people watch.

Just off of Boulevard de France, behind the market, we found two places that we must mention. The Coconut Juice House is a great place to get fresh juice in a coconut, pina coladas or daiquiris and to talk to the owner “Coconut Man”. There you can watch him open the coconut with a machete and squeeze the sugar cane used in the drinks he makes.

We enjoyed a very cold pina colada which was so refreshing in the warm afternoon sun.

Down the road from The Coconut House is a delectable French Bakery called Sarafina’s. If you like French pastries and cappuccino, you should plan to make a stop (or two) here. Read more about Sarafina’s in a previous post: Sarafina’s Bakery, Marigot, St. Martin

Fort Louis
Once you’ve quenched your hunger and thirst, take a walk to Fort Louis, the largest historical monument in St. Martin. Fort Louis was built in 1767 to protect Marigot from invaders and now offers phenomenal views of Marigot and the surrounding areas as well as some very interesting local history.

Access a walking path in Marigot from Rue de la Republique (see map above) or drive to a parking lot just below the monument.

A Few Other Things
The shopping is excellent in Marigot and you can find everything from souvenirs at the market to fine clothing, shoes and jewelry at the tony West Indies Mall. There are individual shops and art galleries scattered throughout the mid-town area as well.

A Ferry Terminal is located in Marigot with frequent departures to Anguilla and St. Barts. Parking is limited, so give yourself a little extra time if you need to leave your car in Marigot.

What are your favorite things to see and do in Marigot?

Find Marigot on our St. Maarten/St Martin Map

To see more posts on St. Maarten/St. Martin and other islands, check out our Island Blog Directory

Copyright©Rum Therapy Beaches, Bars & More, Tropical Travel Guide, 2014
Pictures and other content may not be re-used without written consent from Rum Therapy, LLC

February 21, 2014June 24, 2021

VooDoo Juice

We’re headed to St. Thomas soon and planning a short stay at Bolongo Bay. One of the drinks listed on the menu at their beach bar, Iggie’s, is VooDoo Juice, which is described as lots of Cruzan rums, a little juice & a bucket to drink it in! Intrigued, we looked up some recipes for VooDoo Juice and found that this concoction truly is a LOT of rum and a little juice! The recipe below can be used for one tall (and VERY strong) drink or two shorter drinks.

We’ll give VooDoo Juice a try at Bolongo Bay too and let you know how they compare – bucket and all. Pretty sure it’ll taste even better just because we’ll be sitting on a beautiful beach in the warm Caribbean sunshine…

Print Recipe

VooDoo Juice

The only thing scary about this drink is its name and the amount of rum it contains. Be careful for it will surely put you under its spell…

Course: Drinks

Servings: tall

Ingredients

1 oz. Orange Rum
1 oz. Pineapple Rum
1 oz. Banana Rum
1 oz. Coconut Rum
1.5 oz. Orange Juice
1.5 oz. Cranberry Juice
1.5 oz. Pineapple Juice
.5 oz. Dark Rum (floater)
Cherry or Orange Slice (garnish)

Instructions

Pour all ingredients in a tall glass over ice. Stir slightly. (We added just a splash of cherry juice for color.)
Garnish with a cherry or orange slice. Float the .5 oz. dark rum on the top just before serving.

February 18, 2014April 19, 2021

Leverick Bay, Virgin Gorda

We first set eyes on Leverick Bay in the North Sound of Virgin Gorda in 2006 when we moored there for a night during our first BVI sail. Enamored by the beautiful colors, water and amenities there, we’ve returned twice and hope to again this spring.

Since 2006, Leverick Bay has done a major expansion to its marina and is now a favorite spot for boaters to stop and stay awhile. Or, if you wish to stay on island, Leverick Bay has its own accommodations and many of the rooms overlook the beautiful bay, North Sound and Mosquito Island.

Why do we like this area so much? Let us show you through some pictures we’ve taken during our visits.

View of the restaurants from the marina. Fine dining is available on the upper floor and a pub-style eatery called The Cove is on the lower level.

Looking at the marina from the beach. Guests can use the lounge chairs or rent water toys.

A pool next to the restaurants. Other amenities include a couple of gift shops, a small supermarket/deli, spa services, tennis and boat rental.

This pic was taken before the marina expansion but shows the gorgeous color of the water and marina buildings.

The Telephone Booth Shower on a dock in the marina

A map of the BVI on the side of the watersports building showing the location of Leverick Bay Resort and Marina.

Nick’s Weather Forecast for the day! Nick was the General Manager of Leverick Bay Resort & Marina at the time and was quite the funny and personable guy. We got the chance to briefly visit with him when we checked out a dinghy to explore North Sound and he was working the shop for one of his employees.

Jumbies Beach Bar. We enjoyed some tasty beverages and chicken roti while lounging around Jumbies.

The bar has several tiers of seating and a very comfortable hammock to lounge the day away in.

You can meet some new friends from all over the world at Jumbies

Enjoy a few more drinks by the waterside

And, if you’re visiting during the high season – January through May, be sure to stop by Monday through Thursday from 5 – 7 p.m. at Happy Arrrr!

To hear Michael Bean – the singing pirate!

Want to see more of the island from Leverick Bay? Take a taxi or rent a car to tour the island (see The Baths and Savannah Bay), rent a dinghy to zip around North Sound (check out Prickly Pear Island and The Sandbox) or take the water taxi from Leverick to Saba Rock.

Quiet, but not too quiet…Leverick Bay is a great place to hang out and relax on Virgin Gorda.

Ready to go?

Find out more on the Leverick Bay Website

To see more posts on Virgin Gorda 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.