Rum Therapy Blog Archives | Page 16 of 47

October 24, 2015June 6, 2019

Vieques, Where the Horses Roam Free

Before we visited Vieques, a small island east of Puerto Rico that is part of the island grouping sometimes known as the Spanish Virgin Islands, we knew very little of the island except that it had been used in the past for naval exercises. As we read more about Vieques, we learned that although there is a population of around 9,350, it has no stoplights and there were herds of wild horses roaming the island. Cool, we thought. But, as excited as we were to spot some of these horses during our visit, we eventually learned we were only half right about them…

As we roamed the charming island on our way-too-short day visit, we were not disappointed in our wild horse sightings! Horses were lazily grazing along the road to the Vieques National Wildlife refuge.

Horses walked right by us as we hiked to the black sand beach.

And there were lots of horses in the area around Sun Bay (find Sun Bay on our Puerto Rico Map). These two were enjoying a stroll on the pretty beach.

So what were we only half right about? Apparently, although the horses on Vieques roam freely, most of them actually do have owners. Hmmm…there’s definitely got to be a benefit to the owners in savings on feed (and not having to pick up horse doo), but there is certainly a benefit to residents and visitors alike who love to see the beautiful horses roaming freely on this beautiful island.

Have you seen the horses on Vieques? Tell us about it!

You might also be interested in:

A Day Trip to Vieques

A Day Trip to Culebra

To see more island posts, 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

October 22, 2015April 24, 2021

5 Favorite Scenic Overlooks in the Caribbean

It was a challenge to select just 5 of our favorite Scenic Overlooks in the Caribbean – even after narrowing the criteria to those that included water views, but these are 5 of our favorites from our travels to date. Feel free to add some of your favorites in the comments below!

View of Magens Bay, St. Thomas from Drakes Seat.
Legend has it that Sir Francis Drake used this vantage point to keep an eye out for enemy ships.

Check out other island posts here: Island Blog Directory

Overlook of Gustavia, St. Barts – one of the most colorful overlooks in the Caribbean. It’s well worth a short hike on a nice path to enjoy this view.

From this perch high atop Virgin Gorda at Hog Heaven, you can see the entire North Sound including Leverick Bay, Saba Rock, Bitter End Yacht Club, Prickly Pear Island, Necker Island and on a clear day, a very faint sliver of Anegada.

Overlook of Trunk Bay, St. John.
One of the most photographed overlooks in the Caribbean; the sight of Trunk Bay from this spot nearly takes your breath away and gives you a taste of the beauty that lies ahead.

The overlook of White Bay, Jost Van Dyke is absolutely picture perfect. It’s really rather hard to take a bad picture of this beautiful bay!

What are your favorite Caribbean scenic overlooks? Tell us about them!

Check out other island posts here: 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.

October 20, 2015October 28, 2022

There’s Boos in the Blender! Halloween Rum Drinks

Grown ups like Halloween treats too! Are you having a party and want to add a little Halloween flare to your beverages? Here are a few Halloween Rum Drink Recipes that will put a little “BOOS” in your blender!

1. Dark and Spooky

Easy and spooky good!

Get the Dark and Spooky recipe here.

2. Candy Corn Jello Shots

Whether you like candy corn or not, you’ll probably enjoy these tasty layered treats. Make a batch without rum for your little ghosts and goblins.

Get the recipe for Candy Corn Jello Shots here.

3. 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…

Get the recipe for Voodoo Juice here.

5. Spooky Rum Punch

With it’s blood red color and black sanding sugar, this looks like something Dracula would order…

Get the recipe for Spooky Rum Punch here.

5. “Boo”zy Pumpkin Shake

Certainly not a diet drink, this blended drink is a true adult pumpkin-y treat.

Get the recipe for a “Boo”zy Pumpkin Shake here.

Be safe and have a fun Halloween!

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

October 19, 2015May 29, 2019

Beach Break – Bathed in Blue on Treasure Cay

Are you one of the millions of people that find the color blue calming and relaxing? It’s actually one of the Health Benefits of Spending Time in or Near the Ocean. To us, the light blue colors of the sea are so visually relaxing that when we need to take a short mental break on a hectic day, we find ourselves imagining time spent on a beautifully blue hued beach. This alluring beach on Abaco Island seems to find its way into our heads quite frequently… Need a mental beach break too? Get yourself some more daydream material here: Treasure Cay, Abaco

Do you ever find your mind wandering to thoughts of a beautiful beach? Where?

Find more Tropical Tips here:
Tropical Tips & More

To see more island posts, 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

October 12, 2015September 25, 2019

Foxy’s Charters

Have you heard? Foxy Callwood, the 7th generation Jost Van Dyker, musician, entertainer, humanitarian and host extraordinaire at his world famous bar, Foxy’s, has opened a new business designed to give guests visiting the Virgin Islands the opportunity to enjoy even more of the beautiful islands.

photo: www.photo.vi

Foxy now offers a variety of adventures through his company Foxy’s Charters. Find out some of the options offered below.

photo: www.photo.vi

Private Boat Charters
Set up a charter on his 12-passenger, 38 foot extra wide power cruiser called “Foxy’s Excellent Adventure” and spend the day exploring Jost van Dyke, the soft sand beaches of White Bay or Sandy Cay, snorkel the Caves of Norman Island, or enjoy yourself at the Baths in Virgin Gorda – the possibilities are endless.

photo: www.photo.vi

Sunset Cruises
Imagine sipping delicious rum drinks while watching an amazing sunset from the water…

photo: www.photo.vi

Water Taxi Service
Need a ride to Jost Van Dyke? Check out his Water Taxi Service that can arrange to pick you up in the USVI or BVI. After hours service to and from Tortola and Jost van Dyke is also available.

Watersports
Daytime Kayak Rental: Rent a clear bottom kayak and enjoy skimming around Great Harbour while scoping out the sea life below.

photo: www.photo.vi

photo: www.photo.vi

Guided Night Kayak Tours: Cruise the waters of Great Harbour at night during a night time kayak tour. See a variety of fish, turtles and rays through your clear bottom kayak illuminated with LED lights!

photo: Foxy’s Charters

Find Foxy’s Charters on the beach in front of Foxy’s Tamarind Bar in Great Harbour, Jost Van Dyke. Contact them to set up your Excellent Charter Adventure, Sunset Tour, Water Taxi Service or Watersports Adventure at
1-284-546-1904 or [email protected]

Foxy’s Charters Website

Follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram too!

October 6, 2015October 6, 2015

Where’s Your Paradise?

“I prefer cold weather”, said no one ever at Rum Therapy, but that’s what a friend of ours said recently when asking for feedback on starting a travel blog – to colder climates.

“Why would you write about the cold?”, I asked and she started to list the reasons why cold weather appealed to her more than hot.

1. I find snow prettier than sand. The way is glistens in the sunlight, the way it falls so gently from the sky, the way you can roll and run and play in it! (I thought to myself, but you have to shovel it and it’s COLD.)

2. I like winter sports better than water sports. I like to snowboard and sled and ice skate and sit in the lodge next to the fire sipping hot chocolate. (Put a little rum in it, I thought, and I could go along with that one.)

3. I have more energy when it’s cold. When it’s hot, all I want to do is lay around by the pool and sip cold drinks. (Um, what’s wrong with that???)

4. I love to look up and watch big snowflakes falling from the sky. (Really? I love to look up and see palm trees and sunshine.)

5. There are less bugs in colder climates. (true, but that’s because it’s miserably COLD.)

6. One word. Hurricanes. (One word. Blizzards.)

7. You get 4 seasons in colder climates. (Spring, Summer and Fall are ok, but winter is COLD.)

8. I love wearing bulky clothes, layers, sweaters and boots! (WHAT? No flip-flops?)

(Ok, I admit winter scenes like this one in Lake Tahoe are gorgeous, but it was – you guessed it – COLD!)

She was trying to paint a pretty picture of a beautiful winter scene for me, but I was not swayed. The truth is, we grew up in a cold climate and now spend much of our time thinking about returning to the sun, sand and warm weather. Our friend, however, grew up in the South where she said summers were smoldering, the humidity was so thick that you could cut it with a knife and bugs seemed to be on a mission to annoy the crap outta you.

Then, it occurred to me that this was a very good thing. Paradise is different for everyone and that’s how it should be. If everyone wanted to live or vacation in the same place all the time, that place would be way too crowded. And then we wouldn’t like it. Sigh. We told our friend she should start a cold weather travel blog. We respect her love of cold weather and we think she should talk everyone into vacationing in the colder climates. Then we can have the tropics all to ourselves… :)

So, where’s your paradise?

Find more Tropical Tips here:
Tropical Tips & More

To see more island posts, 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

September 30, 2015April 19, 2021

Sandy Cay, Bahamas and its Link to Gilligan

Sandy Cay, or Honeymoon Cay, a small 3 acre private island northeast of Paradise Island in the Bahamas is famous primarily for one thing. Sure it’s been used to film numerous fashion spreads and commercials. Sure it’s said to be one of the most photographed islands in the Bahamas, but what is Sandy Cay or Honeymoon Cay best known for?

Sandy Cay is known as the island shown in the title card during the beginning theme of Gilligan’s Island first season. That’s right, Gilligan’s Island.

As avid fans of Gilligan’s Island back in the day (the re-runs of course!), we were excited to find out about the island during an excursion and enjoyed having our picture taken in front of it.

And of course, as soon as we returned home, we watched the first episode of Gilligan’s Island again to see the tiny island we got to visit (see video below at :56).

Now I’m sure the little island has changed a lot since Gilligan’s Island first aired in 1964 due to hurricanes and other storms, erosion and even man, and if this is the island used a the photograph for the opening, its looks have changed a bit. Still, we choose to believe it was Sandy Cay. And regardless, we wouldn’t mind being stranded there for a while after a three-hour tour…as long as there’s rum!

Have you been to Sandy Cay? Tell us about it!

To see more island posts, check out our Island Blog Directory

Thanks to Bahama Boat Excursions for an excellent day on the water!

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.

September 26, 2015June 5, 2019

Beach Bar Bums – A Beach, A Bar and A Dream

About a decade ago, Tom Westerhof was sitting at Buho’s Beach Bar on Playa Norte on Isla Mujeres, a small island just off the coast of Cancun, when he said to himself, “I could sit here all day and be perfectly content”.

It actually took a second trip back to St. Kitts three years ago for him to finally do something about it. He kept researching destinations and basing his decisions on the number of beach bars and their proximity to the resort. He knew he couldn’t be the only person out there who loved beach bars and that’s when it all began in earnest. In 2012, the company Beach Bar Bums was born.

Smokey’s at the Cove, Anguilla
photo: Beach Bar Bums

Do you love beach bars as much as we do? Then you really should be following Tom’s company, Beach Bar Bums. Not only does Tom give us the scoop on beach bars everywhere, he also now also focuses on ancillary businesses that support beach bars and the destinations that call them home. He’s written about resorts, restaurants, spirits (the liquid kind), cocktails, music, events, travel, people involved in the business and so forth. It’s kind of morphed into a travel/lifestyle blog for people who love the beach .. and a rum cocktail or two. Um, no wonder we’re fans!

Tom, his wife and daughter with Bankie Banx at Dune Preserve
photo: Beach Bar Bums

Have you ever thought about owning your own beach bar? Well, Beach Bar Bums is about to launch a new feature on their website called a “listings page” where individuals will be able to list basic info on businesses they have for sale at no cost to them. This is a development that Tom is very excited about. He’s partnering with a company out of Europe and in the role as “finders,” he will be trying to find sellers of beach bars the right buyers and vice versa. A lot of business owners don’t want to advertise that they’re for sale out of fear that it might impact their business – they’d rather put “feelers” out and see if there’s someone out there interested. That’s where Beach Bar Bums come in – they offer bar owners a chance to “feel out” the market confidentially, only offering as much information as they choose to share. Tom’s already building up a database of potential buyers. Apparently, there are a lot of people out there looking to buy a beach bar!

Another new venture for Beach Bar Bums is a partnership that they recently entered into with Clear Vision Media to offer photography services not just of beach bars but of any travel, tourism and hospitality-related business, with a concentration on beach destinations. They offer the full portfolio of photography and video services including aerial (drone) photography and video along with HDR 360 degree virtual tours. The virtual tour they produced for Caddy’s on the Beach in Treasure Island, Florida is amazing – it’s almost like you’re there! They’re a full service media production company so being able to partner with them was something Tom couldn’t pass up.

We asked Tom if he had a favorite Caribbean beach bar and he replied, “That’s a hard question but I would probably have to say it’s the Sunshine Shack in Anguilla. For me, it’s the quintessential Caribbean beach bar. It’s basically a shack on the beach where the sand is the floor and there are no navigable roads leading to it. Rendezvous Bay, where it’s located, is gorgeous and Garvey, the owner, is one of the nicest people you will ever meet. Every visit to the Sunshine Shack will leave you with a smile, either from the rum, hanging out with Garvey or a combination of the two”.

We asked Tom if he had a Bucket List of beach bars and if so, if he would share a few on that list. He told us The Rock Bar at the Ayana Resort in Bali, Foxy’s on Jost Van Dyke and pretty much anywhere in Maldives are some of the locations at the top of his list.

Sunset at the Sunset Bar & Grill, St. Maarten
photo: Beach Bar Bums

Tom’s eventual goal and dream is to someday own his own beach bar. Not a shock. We asked if he had a location in mind and what some of the features of his beach bar would be. He said, “If I had to pick one destination under threat of never being able to drink vodka tonics again, I would have to pick St. Maarten. Some of the cool aspects of our bar would be the drink and food menu. The bar would feature original craft cocktails and tapas style small plates to pair with them, offering customers a unique dining experience in a laid back beach atmosphere. I would want people to feel like they were walking into their neighborhood bar and there would be a free round of shots for everyone with an open tab at sunset. Granted, it might be the cheap stuff but it’ll be free”.

Are you already following Beach Bar Bums? If not, you should! Find them here:

Beach Bar Bums Website

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

Pinterest

You Tube

September 13, 2015September 25, 2019

Sunday Serenity: First Tracks on White Bay

Lately when we talk about White Bay or Jost Van Dyke, everybody seems to have been there or has it on their “list”. With it’s stunning beauty and a plethora of great beach bars, Jost Van Dyke has been discovered.

But along with its fame comes crowds. Ever been on White Bay on a sunny afternoon in high season? Yep, it can be busy.

We had the pleasure of staying on-island in the White Bay Villas & Seaside Cottages for a week a couple of years ago. One of our favorite memories about being on White Bay early in the day or late in the evening when the day crowds go home? It’s so quiet…

During our week on JVD we got up early every morning and walked White Bay. Being from Colorado originally, we equated being the first to walk the beach in the morning as being the first one down a ski slope in the morning after a fresh dusting of snow. First tracks. Except warmer. Best thing about that? All we could hear was waves gently lapping the shore and seagulls calling…peaceful.

Of course we usually headed back down to the beach later in the day for the party and a Painkiller or two…

Find more Sunday Serenity posts here:
Tropical Tips & More

To see more island posts, 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.

September 8, 2015May 29, 2019

Snappas Grill & Chill, Marsh Harbour, Abaco

From the outside it looks fairly unassuming, but on the inside it can be hopping. Snappas, a bar/restaurant that sits on the waters edge in Marsh Harbour was a fun place to hang out during our visit earlier this year to The Abacos, Bahamas.

Close to the dock where we left on our Abacos sail in March Harbour, we ventured over to Snappas on several occasions to enjoy a cold beverage, a warm meal and conversation with other boaters.

Conch Chowder with Cheese Crisps

Conch Fritters

Goombay Smash (recipe here!)

With live music on Friday & Saturday nights, cold drinks, warm food and friendly people, Snappas is a great place to chill while in Marsh Harbour. And don’t forget to look out back at sunset to see if you can catch a glimpse of one of their amazing sunset views…

Have you been to Snappas? Tell us about it!

Find Snappas Grill & Chill on our Bahamas Map

To see more island posts, check out our Island Blog Directory