Virtual Jamaica: Worthy Park Estate Rum Tour

 

As Jack would say

"Welcome to the Carribean, Luv..."

Today our virtual adventure takes us to Worthy Park for their rum tour.

https://youtube.com/shorts/mYHXpiVjRsI?si=Ef3gju1IvJOBl_sy

Acres of sugar cane...pressing, both modern and human powered...fresh cane drink to enjoy...watching the rum making process and aging...tasting the various rums produced here...including a very nice cream rum....and later buying a bottle!

Rum Tour

https://youtu.be/3R4lAjHGbcA?si=ys7g6CXRK8W2Idjy

Worthy Park was established in 1670 and was dependent on the slave labor at the time. 

 

The sugar cane seems to stretch forever...and on a breezy day, like today, a soft rustling sound fills the air.

When mature...the cut sugar cane is piled high awaiting pressing.

 

Although, large machines now press the sugar syrup from the raw canes and slaves are long since abolished...the tour provides an interactive moment for tourists...

Resulting in a fresh glass of cane syrup to drink before continuing.

This syrup is then cooked down to molasses...then distilled into the rum we know today.

Stored and aged in oak wood barrels.

 And finally bottled.

 At the end of the tour there is the rum tasting.

 From the clear and very light...to the dark and even opaque of the cream.

A rum for every palate.

 Where you can buy it yourself.

https://liquorgeeks.com/products/worthy-park-109-dark-rum

Until next week...

 

 

 

Virtual Jamaica: Spanish Town

 

But first...breakfast

 

 You have to love it

this resort has everything!

 

Onward to Spanish Town.

 

LIVE CAM

 

https://www.youtube.com/live/-X_HjqTtg-U?si=WThydo4xzCkZdvdb

 

 

 

An eclectic mixture of the old and the new. Of history and vividly painted buildings. Of the scents of street food and the vibrancy of the marketplaces.

Tour

https://youtu.be/O7VeVa-2n70?si=SO8o6JUQYpZ2Zb7N

The street food is amazing, and there is a wide variety.

 

 

And the portions are huge.

Everything is within walking distance and tourist friendly.

Not expensive.

A great way to spend a day!

 

Until next time...

Virtual Jamaica: St. Catherine Parish~ Rosewood Resort

 

Today, we move on to St. Catherine Parish.

Specifically, Rosewood Resort at Dix Bay.

...near Spanish Town... 

It is posh...beyond expensive...has bay side villas and cottages and altogether perfect.

...at over 2000. a night...it better be...

 Our cottage for the next couple of weeks.

...thank goodness this is virtual...otherwise lodging here would be in excess of 28,000...

With an outside deck and table...a door that opens onto the beach...several Michelin Star restaurants...a couple of bars...three pools and spa-activities...we're home!

 

Even has room service from the bars and restaurants on the property...if you would rather.

Looking forward to two weeks of pampering, and whatever this Parish has to offer!

Wednesday, we will venture into Spanish Town...until then...

 

 

 

 

 

Lachlan is 2...John Update...and New Stuff

Hard to believe that, today, my youngest grandchild turns two...

Although, I have to miss his "Construction Themed" party  (...completely beyond my capabilities at this point...), the kids came over for an early gathering last night...with pizza...cake & candles...and a few construction-type toys.

He seemed to love it!

Grandpa Don will be representing at his party. 

 John is being poked and prodded...but has gained back some of the massive weight loss.

*Lowest 144...now at 160...

Since he started at 189...it is a process.

Last week, appointments with his primary and both oncologists. Scans, MRIs and blood work...next week Pulmonary and Cardiologist.

We should know more by then.

The weight gain is encouraging!

He is back with in home PT and feeling a little stronger...still weak and short of breath with activity...but his SATs stay high and no more collapsing.

We are hopeful.

The new stuff was

 Arby's Pulled Pork BBQ Sandwich...paired with their mac and cheese...sweet tea...and a limited time offering

 

Deep Fried Peach Cobbler Rolls.

Definitely a Put-Some-South-In-Your-Mouth moment!

The Sweet Brown Sugar BBQ Sauce made the generously pulled-pork filled sandwich spectacular!

The still warm Roll-Ups were perfect!

Try them yourself...before they are gone....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Virtual Jamaica: Blue Mountain Coffee Tour

 Tour

https://youtu.be/Bu3OTFZRr4s?si=VKrtuGYIEMvhXyEd

 

We are back...to spend the day at a coffee plantation.

 

There is a reason that this is one of the most expensive coffees in the world.

 

The beans are hand picked, hand sorted and processed in small batches.
 

Everything from picking to roasting seems to be done mindfully.

Until they finally serve you one of the best cups of pour-over you've ever had!

You can buy green coffee to roast at home, or bags of pre-roasted beans.

This selling for 154.00

At 4,000 feet we are able to learn about the inner workings of the coffee plantation...hike in the mountains...pick the coffee cherries...assist in sorting/cleaning and roasting some...and then enjoy a fresh-made cup with a prepared lunch.

The tour takes 4-6 hours and is 275.00 per person.

The luncheon is good...and the view is spectacular!
 

All and all an amazing dtay!

 

 

 

 

 

 

The drive from Irish Town back to Kingston.

https://youtu.be/WilRH1K7ACs?si=GVZFXqDZLIrRyvB2 

 An hour drive through The Blue Mountains

https://youtu.be/HWo-SEF47VU?si=oPzRe0LOTIHwg4Zr