Scryer Rum in Old San Juan: Missed Opportunities

As Messy Suitcase makes the rounds of rum distilleries across Puerto Rico, we discovered a new boutique one in Old San Juan and decided to pay a visit. Scryer Rum Barrelhouse & Rooftop is a small-batch, pot-distilled sipping rum distillery in a gorgeous historic building.

“Sipping” is industry-speak for expensive – the good stuff you drink on its own, as opposed to the cheap stuff you pour into a cocktail.

Scryer was founded by a couple of buddies shortly before the pandemic. Garrett, who led our tour, started his alcohol education in whiskey and brought that expertise to rum distilling. But while the partners have created a delicious sipping rum, a lovely bar and a delightful rooftop, they have a lot to learn about running a good tour! They missed out on a lot of opportunities. Find out why in this video.

(Sorry in advance for the loud music in the background – they conduct the tour right next to the noisy bar.)

Links

Info: https://scryerrum.com/

Map: https://g.page/scryer-rum?share

Vieques is Not What You Expect!

People go to Vieques for island life, a legendary bioluminescent bay, and fantastic snorkeling. But it is truly a one-of-a-kind experience in so many other ways, whether you're passing a group of wild horses in the roadway, finding a secluded beach spot to call your own, or watching a tropical sunrise from a beach bar. 

Vieques Snorkeling

If you want to see more snorkeling images, watch our Vieques snorkeling video, at https://youtu.be/r1IfweCRxSg.

Vieques Snorkeling: Secluded Beaches and Abandoned Piers

Vieques, an island off the eastern shore of Puerto Rico, offers a huge variety of beautiful snorkeling opportunities. Dive in and join us!

Van Gogh Immersive Experience, Puerto Rico Edition

The multimedia experience that’s been sweeping the United States, Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience, landed in San Juan while we were living there. If you can't experience it in person, let this video carry you away!

The website vangoghpuertorico.com describes it this way: In an imaginative and immersive presentation created for our unique times by world-renowned audiovisual designers, Beyond Van Gogh uses cutting-edge projection technology to create an engaging journey into the world of Van Gogh.

But it really can’t be described. It must be experienced, sitting in the middle of the huge installation, letting the texture of Van Gogh’s thoughts, sketches, brush strokes, ideas, conflicts, joy and pain flow through your mind and body, around your feet, across the walls and, over your head.

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Journey Back to Puerto Rico: COVID Testing, Rum Drinking, and a Nervous Cat

Rewind .... 

We were happy to leave frigid Washington, DC, last month and board a flight back to Puerto Rico. Join us as we juggle our luggage, COVID testing, Southwest boardings, a connection, and of course an airport bar with a view, to return to our tropical home for the next few months -- all with our beloved kitty Kaylee!

Hiking the Guanica Dry Forest: Where the Desert Meets the Sea

Who would expect to see so many kinds of cacti on a tropical island? We were intrigued to view the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea from a desert trail in Guanica State Forest, on the southwest end of Puerto Rico.

Cabo Rojo Lighthouse Hike: Limestone Cliffs and Jaw Dropping Views

A hike in the nature reserve around the Cabo Rojo Lighthouse (Los Morrillos) served us up spectacular vistas, with stomach-dropping white and red cliffs, fascinating rock formations, crystal-clear Caribbean Sea and even cacti!

Colorful Xochimilco

Colorful Xochimilco - we explored one of the last vestiges of Aztec civilization, taking a gondola down the canals of Xochimilco in southern Mexico City!