The beauty of the Caribbean is that they all have their own take on island life and we can put our own mark on each which is why we give you Kabawe Libre in St Lucia.
And if that sounds like Cuba Libre then that’s deliberate.
And because the St Lucians hosted me so well on their trade show in Dublin you can have that pitch for free.
Apt really because that’s what Libre is and because the rum flows liberally throughout the West Indies.
When in rum
Kabawe is the Creole word for Rum Shop.
And the St Lucians value theirs just as much as the birthplace of rum just down the water in Barbados.
Which is why the exotically-named St Lucia Tourism Authority CEO Lorine Charles St Jules is promoting the Kabawe Krawl experience.
Best explained by the woman herself:
“The aim of the Kabawé Krawl is that visitors to our shores experience the unique Bar, Rum, and Culinary adventures in Saint Lucia.
“This will allow for the tourism dollar to be spread through our smaller communities and local hot spots nationally.”
She explained that there was a process.
And that all interested bars will undergo an onboarding process.
Domino dancing
And they will be trained in customer service and safety management.
Of course the first starting point for me would be a bunch of oul’ fellas in the back room.
Slamming down dominoes and stamping down on a floor with sand on it.
And not the type we get in my own homeland of Scotland to mop up the slops.
But authentic grains from the beach outside.
We know what a rum shop should look like from limin’ with the locals in Barbados earlier this year and on previous trips.
And we’re keen to explore our old pal Marc’s new Island Time Rum Tour.
While we’ve been down this trail too with Antigua and Barbuda.
They clued us in on their Beach Bar Trail at that Dubin roadshow.
Best bar none
We imagine then that the Kabawe Krawl will follow a similar route which checking out a map of the isle might mean:
Starting in the north at the Irie Bar it has all the features we love…
A bamboo structure with plants, flags, local crafts and fishing elements and reggae.
The Pink Papaya at Point Seraphine is another which sells itself on its name…
And its jerk chicken and cocktails on the patio.
The Rum Therapy Bar and Treatment Centre echoes Soca star King Bubba’s mantra on life… rum is mi only medicine.
And we’re told that owner Nicole will encourage you to do a little number at the karaoke.
All after you’ve lubricated your throat with her spiced rums.
Now whenever I’m out in the Caribbean I’m briefed by The Scary One to pick sea shells at the seashore.
And The Seashell Beach Bar, the still resort, has the taste of the sea about it.
Jump in (literally) but maybe before your fruits of the sea and rum cocktails.
Finish off at The Hustler’s Beach Bar, a watering hole that looks named for me.
And it has been named in places as the best hideaway ever.
Situated in a very recognisable name place too, Londonderry… and I’m sure the locals will give you its history over a cold one.