A trip reports of sorts

HMM went into to edit my bad grammar--wanting to change heading to A Trip Report (singular) of sorts but can't figure out if there is a way to edit heading--so I believe it will remain A Trip Reports (plural) of sorts.

Well it will be one week tomorrow since I was in Negril and as it rains on cold grey concrete outside, all I can wonder is, "Was I really there?" This past trip was such a push to make happen, and then after the big push I sort of crashed.

I got a really bad flu/cough the third day I was there that stuck with me the whole time with varying intensity. That kept me from roaming too far or doing to much--I mainly stayed around NBCC --drank a lot of ginger and garlic tea, and other potions that rasta friends cooked up. Bush tea that was a really alarming green color, pimento tea made from green pimento leaves and berries--very bitter and hit me hard with a laxative effect and varying concoctions made with limes, garlic overproof--and in all the teas and drinks, plenty of JA honey. I was given the advice to not drink cold water, to not take hot showers, not drink rum, drink rum, don't swim, swim, turn off the AC and on and on.

Finally towards the end I threw my hands in the air and said enough remedies already and just carried on--drank cold water with ice, swam. turned on the AC and quit drinking the bush tea. I did stick with the garlic ginger honey thing though because I grew to love it.

I didn't get many pictures, but I will start at the beginning with arrival in MBJ and ride to Negril. I will post off and on till finished and will offer some observations and anecdotes along the way.

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After dragging my tired ass through immigration, feeling a wine hangover and the late night from the night before. I was met by my ride and proceeded to Megamart to stock up on groceries for the week. I came with this long list in hand based on a million JA recipes I was planning to cook. I walked into Megamart and my headache quadrupled in intensity and I had an immediate need to just be on the beach and swimming already--or at least sipping a cold beer or rum drink to blunt the pain. Instead I navigated the vastness of the store under fluorescent lights--couldn't even find peas--and they had no thyme! After a few minutes of utter turmoil, I abandoned the list and freestyled it. My mission, to escape the massive madness of way too many products under one roof and get to the sea already!Attachment 1885


Alfred drives the groceries though the parking lot to the van. Thanks Alfred--you helped make megamart less intimidating. Plus you helped find the peas!!

oh yeah, I am totally going to go out of order with this report. But upon getting to baggage claim these guys were rocking the reggae tunesAttachment 1886

I am kind of feeling the vibe, maybe I really am in Jamaica now? I have yet to get a smile from an immigration lady--they are so stern, while I am so excited to be there.

gosh so sorry that you had the flu while there...it is no fun to be sick in Jamaica...especially when you have a limited amount of time to be there and feel like crap! I hope you are feeling better now. I to have fallen in love with the ginger or garlic tea with honey and drink it when not sick.

looking forward to more of your trip and of course the pictures.

So after escaping megamart relatively unscathed and with a good part of the groceries needed--we hit the road. i pop open a warm red stripe (no cold ones in megamart) to blunt the pain of full blown headache, and it sort of helps, so I follow that with another cold one purchased at a little store on the road. I ask Alfred if we can stop in Green Island for jerk and soup at Biggas. Ya mon, no problem. Passing through Green Island Alfred turns to me and says Oh mi God, we passed Biggas. Really the stand was right in front of us but I took Alreds joke hook line and sinker and was wondering out loud if we could go back. Meanwhile he was pulling in. OK ya got me good Alfred! Get conch soup (too hot to drink right then) and jerk. Take a seat on the bench that runs along the back of the jerk stand and sit cross legged--gazing towards the road and the sea. Finally starting to settle into island time. Bigga sharing stories--then alfred and the other guys having a sip of soup at the stand start a round of jokes in patois. Turns out they are pum pum eating jokes. Boys will be boys.

BiggaAttachment 1887

Aww sorry to hear you were sick-that sucks...How did you end up liking the non condo side of NBCC?- I was considering booking that special but decided to stick with Coco..

honey, the room was beat up and there were roaches. I know it is the island and all that-and we did spray for the bugs--but it was sort of a blech situation. The kitchen was great--nice new stove/oven, good fridge, coffee maker and toaster, mocrowave and blender--so that set up was good. But the bugs, lack of cleanliness, beat up-ness and lack of security was a turn off. Way different than staying on NBCC side. That said, I got a real deal--but I don't think I would do it again.

three beers later on the last leg of the drive I really had to stop for a restroom break. I asked Alfred if he knew of anywhere and also told him I thought I could make it to Negril if I had to. He sort of scratched his head and mumbled but kept driving. I didn't know if we were going to stop or not and gritted my teeth prepared to hold it. Soon he pulled off the road onto a dirt lane and parked in a secluded parking area and pointed me down a path. The first thing I noticed was the bird life--nature was super present. I ended up at a little tiki hut bar/restaurant and met the lovely owner. I was so thrilled to be at half moon-- I have wanted to visit for years. I had a nice chat, ordered a rum punch and headed for the bathroom. Here is some poetry from the ladies room stall.Attachment 1889

Loving it! I have never stopped at Mega Mart before....wow, that place is huge!! Next trip, think mi gonna check it out.
We stopped at Bigga's also. Such a sweetheart and an awesome cook.

Can't wait to hear more...loving the pictures.

I was ready to ditch my luggage, my driver, the rest of the ride--I so wanted to just stay and swim. Sigh. Instead I snapped one photo of the beach and promised to return during my trip. I headed out with a rum punch--whew I forgot how strong those are. By now all traces of headache gone and a real buzz happening--plus, I am almost to Negril! As we hit the road again, I crane my neck so I can book mark where the road to half moon beach is. I will be back. Attachment 1890

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