After a day at sea on our Caribbean cruise, we made for the port of Falmouth, Jamaica on RCCL’s Adventure of the Seas. I’d attended the Port Talk on the ship, which was a waste of time. The first 50 minutes were devoted to commercials for the shipboard shops. Only the last ten minutes showed any mention of the ports. You can pick up a port map instead on the Promenade Deck.
At the port, shops are plentiful past the terminal, along with a native market and a restaurant, so you needn’t go any further if this is all that interests you. We did the ship tour, Hampden Rum Experience with Lunch. Be aware this tour requires closed-toe shoes and you have to wear helmets as provided.
Our small group of eight boarded an air-conditioned van and bumped along a pock-marked road into the country. Potholes consumed the worn asphalt so that our driver was forced to crawl along the two-lane road at a turtle’s pace to avoid the larger holes while dipping in and out of the rest. This ride is not for anyone pregnant, with neck or back problems, or who is prone to motion-sickness. Our guide gave a running commentary about the country that helped pass the time as we viewed the tropical foliage and villages along the way.
It took us about 45 minutes before we arrived at Hampden Estate, established in 1753.
We were greeted at the entrance by a local tour guide who gave us a welcome drink. Lush shrubbery and leafy trees shaded a compound of stone and wood buildings at the adjacent distillery. The main house sat amidst fields of sugar cane. Flowering royal poinciana trees, twisty vines, pod-like birds of paradise, gnarled trees, and colorful bougainvillea graced the estate.
Walking across the grounds, we reached the distillery for an insider tour of the vast premises. This being July, it was extremely hot, and I was glad I’d worn my rechargeable neck fan. We saw the equipment and processes that had been practiced for decades and felt bad for the early laborers who’d had to work there.
With gratitude, we reentered the shady patio at the reception area. Inside a tasting room, we were given pure rum shots that sent me coughing and choking. Too strong for me. A small gift shop had items for purchase inside. Next we sat at tables outdoors where we were served jerk chicken (sauce on the side, and it was very spicy) and festival bread, a sweet doughy treat. I think we each got a cup of water to go with it. Then we began the long and bumpy ride back to the ship, but at least the van was air-conditioned.
We shopped around the terminal and then headed back to our cabins for a rest. Dinner tonight was an Italian theme, so I had minestrone soup, mushroom risotto, and tiramisu.
Coming Next: Nassau Island Food Tour
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