By Ted Hodges

Yesterday, Tim and I went with Jean Ba and Pi-Pap to investigate a design for a building to house the new generators. The building that we went to check out happened to be located at the rum distillery that produces Nazon Rum just outside of Cap-Haitien.

The distillery is surrounded by thousands of acres of sugar cane that is harvested to produce the rum. After examining the generator building, we had the privilege of touring the distillery.It was a very impressive operation. Tractors loaded with the harvested sugar cane bring it to the facility where men place the sugar cane on a large conveyor belt.

The sugar cane moves down the conveyor where it is pressed by large gears to extract the sticky fluid. The conveyor belt and associated equipment are powered by an enormous steam engine that was produced in France in 1948. The fluid extracted from the sugar cane is collected and distilled through a large maze of copper tubes and drums.

At the end of the tour, we were able to sample a batch of rum that was fresh from the still. It was tasty and extremely potent. The outing to the distillery proved to be an excellent surprise. Prior to our visit, we had no idea that the facility even existed because it is so far off the main road—an interesting afternoon, indeed.