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Caracas
Hash House Harriers |
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Hash #598 - Rum Runner Hash at Santa Teresa (near La Victoria) on Saturday, May 5th, 2007
Comments or questions to Jay "Hash Flash" ==> jayzuela@yahoo.com (click any picture to get an enlargement) |
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At 8:30, most of the hashers met at the Rincon for carpooling assignments; thanks to everyone for showing up early! After sorting out the rides, the group left for a 75 minute trip to the premier Rum Factory in Venezuela... Santa Teresa!
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| The drive was un-eventful and once parked, the group awaited further instructions. The temperature was beginning to rise ... | ... but luckily the Polar girls came to our rescue ... at a rum factory! | |
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| We hiked to the old train station & learned that 100 years ago, the rail system was better than today! | ||
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| The ticket queue was quite long, which allowed some stragglers to make it; down-down penalty! | ||
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The
tour would be done in phases: the museum & movie, the ageing cellars, the coffee roaster, the distillery, the tasting room, and then the bar... ... plus we had scheduled a picnic and run/walk for the afternoon... ... we had a full day ahead of us! |
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| We boarded the trolley and promptly attempted a takeover, which would have led to an immediate drive to the tasting room and bar... but our driver was quickly replaced by the tour guide. | ||
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| The scenery along the estate was astounding; especially the palm-lined roads (for a wind-break). | ||
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| The first stop was at the museum, where the workers put on a little skit & told a historical story. | ||
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| The museum was interesting, but the movie was excellent; it gave a great rum overview, in English! | ||
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| After
the museum we walked to the ageing warehouse, which is above ground and very
hot ... we were told lots of rum evaporates ... by design!
After looking at expensive kegs of rum ($11,000 each), we walked around the grounds for a bit... could this count as the hash? |
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| We then made it to the coffee roasting area, which is used in their new coffee-based rum ... huh? | ||
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| We enjoyed a 'Rum & Coke' break, as it was getting very warm ... hey guys... smile! | ||
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| We got back on the trolley and drove around the rest of the large estate; more palm-lined roads! | ||
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| The sugar cane was not tall, but was harvested twice a year. | The surrounding mountains offer a climate special for sugar cane. | We can see the trail which we will walk/run later on.... %#@#! |
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| We got off the trolley and visited the area in which they repair, or destroy, the older wooden barrels. | ||
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| During the short discussion some were figuring out they could get one of these nice barrels back to Caracas ... full of rum... of course! | Others were getting affected by the sun... or maybe the rum! | |
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| Time
for a group photo!
We had a nice turnout and so far
everyone is hanging in there ... |
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| After touring the distillery area via the trolley, we were taken back to a big old building ... | ||
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| ... which, when the doors were opened, looked like it was set up for a United Nations meeting! | ||
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| We were joined by another tour group for 'rum tasting', but there were plenty of seats to go around. Some hashers found they had empty seats around them ... they could now taste rum for two! |
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| The 'Tasting Director' guided us through samples of each of the seven different rums they offer. | ||
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| After the tasting, some hashers felt like taking a nap. | Camera usage also became obviously impaired. | We got diplomas! ... but some people have consistent bad luck. |
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| As if we didn't already have enough to drink, we were sent to the bar for cocktails... and dress-up! | ||
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| After relaxing at the bar for awhile, we were taken to an area where we could have a private picnic. | ||
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| The kids carted away a big palm branch after it fell and barely missed a hasher's fanny. | The hosts held a meeting with hash management and they decided that, since we had taken walks around the grounds of the estate, we didn't need a hash walk ... plus we were almost out of beer! | |
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| So let's circle-up and get on with the down-downs! | We only had one new 'virgin' ... sorry Abbey, I didn't get a photo! | The hosts, Nicole and Omar, get thanked properly ... good job! |
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Late-comers get punished ... they have practiced this for years. |
Next Hash is on Thursday Night! | |
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| CHHH Web Page CHHH Yahoo Group | ||
