Exploring St Kitts: A Journey of Rum and Culture

On our final day in St Kitts, we were greeted with an unexpected sight – clouds in the sky! The previous days had been filled with sunshine, making the thought of rain seem highly improbable. However, don’t be deceived; it remained warm, perfect for casual attire.

We proceeded to the Fairview Great House for a concluding tour before departing for our flight home.

“What would compel someone to tour a Great House?” you may wonder. (And also, “What exactly is a Great House…?”)

To begin with, A.) there was a delightful rum tasting included in the itinerary and B.) the guesthouse is a historical residence that once served as a plantation long ago.

Suffice to say, the plantation’s history was marred by prior injustice, predominantly benefiting the owners while providing little joy for the enslaved individuals, aside from the happiness they cultivated within their families. It is heartening to witness this historical site being repurposed for the island’s community and as a reminder of our past—to ensure history does not repeat itself.

This tour complements a nuanced understanding of local culture, allowing visitors valuable insights into St Kitts’ heritage.

During the tour with Doreen Brownhill, one is almost guaranteed a delightful experience filled with laughter. She possesses a remarkable ability to keep her audience entertained—long before we had even sampled a drop of rum!

We explored the various sections of the estate before making our way to the annex for the much-anticipated rum tasting experience.

The rums we sampled could be described as delightful trouble. They were remarkably smooth and deceptively easy to consume, partly due to their unique flavors. For reference, back home in the UK, coconut or mango rums usually range from 17-20% alcohol. However, here, we encountered rums with around 40% alcohol—all going down effortlessly, with only a faint burning sensation in the stomach to remind us of their potency. This characteristic made them quite the troublemaker, encouraging quick indulgence.

With a preference for sweet flavors, I could not resist purchasing several bottles to share with friends once back home (don’t worry, these purchases were intentional, considering our imminent departure).

Post-tasting, we strolled through the expansive grounds, culminating in a rum-filled, laughter-infused selfie with Doreen and Jonette before returning to Frigate Bay, where we had dined the previous evening.

For lunch, guided by local recommendations, we chose Boozies (on Frigate Bay). On Saturday afternoons, they serve an exclusive selection of soups. Initially hesitant due to my nonchalant attitude towards soup, my skepticism reached new heights when I encountered the intriguingly named Goat Water.

However, Jonette reassured me that it was merely a hearty broth accompanied by generous portions of goat meat. I decided to take the plunge while Lloyd opted for the conch chowder.

To my surprise, Goat Water was absolutely divine! It has emerged as one of the favored local dishes on the island, becoming customary to enjoy soups on Saturdays. I found myself savoring every last drop, unable to stop until the bowl was empty!

Without a doubt, when visiting St Kitts, I strongly recommend trying Goat Water. While the name may raise eyebrows, the flavor delivers an exceptional experience! Seek out Boozies for your inaugural taste—it’s a choice you won’t regret.

And just like that, our time in St Kitts concluded, an adventure that, remarkably, felt swift yet rich with enjoyable moments.

As we departed, a mixture of nostalgia for the sunshine filled the air while we checked into the Yu Lounge for a proper send-off.

The Yu Lounge, conveniently located next to the airport, offers a VIP experience every traveler deserves. Upon arrival, you simply leave your luggage there, and the check-in representatives come directly to you—all while enjoying a complimentary glass of champagne.

Facilities include showers, a three-course meal, cocktails, and cozy spaces to rest, allowing a truly relaxing atmosphere before departure.

When the time arrived to board our flight home, we were shuttled by a luxury vehicle directly to the aircraft—allowing for a seamless and hassle-free experience. It was an extravagant end to our trip, relayed humorously to friends through a delightful diorama of texts.

This journey in St Kitts was a blend of unforgettable experiences encapsulated within just seven days—one that I would highly recommend to others and gladly reprise myself in the near future!