Antilles Treasures

We are talking about the quentisential French Caribbean aperitif not high tea with the queen. 

Ti punch is strong and frankly took a bit to get used to but now when on island it is the first drink I order.  Ti punch short for petite punch is made with Rhum Agricole that is a product of Martiniques rhum production facilities.  Agricole is a little bitter so we then add some cane syrup to the mix and squeeze in a half of a lime.  Stir drop in a cube of ice or more and enjoy.

Ingredients

2 ounces Rhum Agricole

1/2 small lime (think key lime size)

1/2 ounce cane syrup

Short but true story.

The locals on St Martin either drink their ti punch with no ice or one cube as ice traditionally wasnt very plentiful.  When an American orders more times than not they will ask for extra ice.  We knew that we were starting to fit in when after being seated at a restaurant I im my best broken French with a midwestern twang I ordered ti punch.  The waiter brought the drink and a cup full of ice.  I told him “merci mais la glace n’est pas nécessaire”  Thank you but ice is not necessary.  He smiled and started chating with us like we were long lost friends… We like some of our on line friends believe heavily that when traveling internationally you should learn to drink like the locals. 

Salute!

Capt’n Rouge has been sitting in his terrarium looking at his tropical calendar and marking off the days until his next adventure.. Watching the seasons change and sitting and pondering when the fog in his head that is daily life would lift and he would take dead aim at thinking about his next trip. As the days have slowly passed Rouge just hasn’t had the expected level of excitement that usually accompanies a planned and already totally paid for vacation.

Rouge drifted by a mark on his calendar that said only 45 days until he boards the giant cigar tube with wings and spends the day riding it as he is propelled thru the atmosphere at 600mph. Day 45 means its time to get his glow on! Our scallywag Anole likes to tan before he spends time in the tropical sun, even this late in the year.

Usually laying in a tanning bed with little plastic lenses covering ones eyes, soaking up electrically generated vitamin D, is what makes Rouge’s brain shift gears and focus on his “vacation”. It could be the new rum infused misting machine that Rouge’s caregiver installed in the terrarium that has delayed the firing of his vacation synapses because the electric boost of vitamin D has done nothing more than make sure that Cappy’s okole doesn’t get burnt in the Caribbean sun.

Today as the countdown hit 10 days until the top comes off of Rouges home and he hitches a ride to first Charlotte and then on to ST Maarten, Saba, Anguilla and maybe even ST Kitts, there was a jolt that went thru Rouges system. For the first time in preparing for this trip cappy is in full bore vacation mindset. Woo hoo.

This is a bit of a late start so there is still lots to do but the fog of daily life is lifting as Rouge eyes his countdown like it was a fresh mosquito pupu platter that had made the fatal mistake of visiting the good Capt’n s quarters looking for a meal.

Fortunately this trip is to places that Rouge is familiar with so packing is a no brainer…some flip flops, couple swim trunks for the “public” beaches and a pair of shorts or three. Pick out a few AT logo wear shirts and a couple of ball caps along with some crazy patterned boxers and shove them all in a bag grab the Maui Jims and go!

It is almost that simple. Rouge will be hosting a get together in which some of the AT photo art will make an appearance and possibly even a second gig while on island so there will be a suitcase full of AT goodies to pack too. Of course there is the camera equipment and laptop as this is a “working” vacation. Looks like Cappy needs to shift into overdrive and get a move on! Welcome back Capt’n Rouge…we missed you!!!