In defiance of rain and grey skies, the Rum Route North bus tour sparked a vibrant surge of colour, music and festive spirit through the heart of Barbados, transforming last Saturday into a day-long festival of flavours, heritage and escapism.
The day of cocktails and carnival, part of the Barbados Food & Rum Festival, gathered eager participants under the Speightstown Esplanade, where brightly branded T-shirts, umbrellas and anticipation were a sharp contrast to a dull, rainy afternoon.
As each bus pulled away, soca rhythms filled the air. Barbados TODAY boarded a white bus adorned with colourful artwork. The journey was led by a lively tour guide in traditional Mother Sally dress, joined by a Cane Cutter character, both ensuring a festive and memorable experience. With every toot of the horn, passengers responded with loud calls of excitement, maintaining their exuberance throughout the five-hour tour.
The first picturesque stop was the historic Morgan Lewis Windmill. Against sweeping coastal views, patrons sampled lemonade, mauby and sweet treats, but the loudest cheer came when the rum — described as “liquid gold” and infused with coconut, mango and passionfruit — was finally served. Among the crowd was soca artiste King Bubba, who endorsed the event, describing it as “amazing”. He said that he travels the world promoting Barbados and rum and was delighted to see rum celebrated so enthusiastically at home.
At Kiddie Bar, the energy rose with spontaneous karaoke and shots among new friends. The bar became a dance floor when King Bubba performed hits such as Come Out to Win and Mash Up.
The fun continued north to the Mount Gay Distillery, where brand ambassador Romal Jones guided patrons through the history and craft of Bajan rum before tastings of Black Barrel and Extra Old lived up to eager expectations.
As the sun dipped, the tour arrived at the Animal Flower Cave for a hearty buffet, scenic cliffside views, and a performance by Brucelee Almighty. The evening’s activities also included a live Sip & Paint session hosted by artist Shanika Grimes, and rounds of dominoes. Even as the night drew to a close, smiles, dancing and promises to return lingered.
Travel agency owner Rufiena Jones described the excursion as “exhilarating”. The visitor from Los Angeles, hosting thirteen guests for this year’s Barbados Food & Rum Festival, was already planning for 2026: “I had no idea it was going to be that much fun. It was a party bus, it was cultural, and it was educational. It was one of the better excursions I’ve been on. Next year I want to do both rum routes.”
One Trinidadian participant, who gave her name as Sasha, rated the bus tour a “10 out of 10” experience: “I found the entire experience to be fantastic! It was really well organised. I enjoyed the variety in the different activities along the way. It blended the rich history of Barbados with the warmth and hospitality of the people…. We hope to be back next year! The people, the rum, the vibes, everything was exceptional!”
(LM)
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