Trip Report, Day 4, June 6, 2011--The Long Walk and We Find Canoe!
Day 4--Monday
We waited out the rain and then finally got out of bed and off for breakfast, Continental for Tam and I took the cheese, callaloo and onion omelet. Yum, again. Service was in top form today. We never waited long nor wanted for anything. I give HUGE props to Coco for their included breakfast. It rocked!
It looked like it might clear up and then again, it looked like it might rain at any moment. This was our decision day. Were we going to let this "trough" of rain rule our vacation or are we masters of our own destiny? Destiny Masters it is. So, we decided to strike out on foot, on Norman Manley Blvd., towards and past the roundabout. With no umbrella.
We walked down to our final hotel of this stay, Kuyaba, to check out the grounds, and make dinner reservations for Sunday night. Ricardo at the bar happily provided two tap wata and a RS. It was 1030am and the beach was deserted. It hadn't rained since 7am, but nothing was happening on the beach. Have I mentioned we've never seen the beach more deserted? The sun was trying to break through the clouds and was making brilliant beams of light through otherwise dark clouds. After chilling and securing an uber romantic spot for dinner Sunday we were off again! Got cash at the Scotia ATM, deftly avoiding the semi-permanent beggars who make that sidewalk and spit of lawn their workplace. Tam went inside with me, but from then on, whenever we went, she stayed in the cab. Once was enough! Then, it was up da hill towards our final destination, Canoe!
Arrived at Canoe and quickly made friends with Georgia (who is a 'sister' to Maxine at Firefly's bar). That was a nice long walk, and a good stretch of the legs. Highly recommended walk, at least during the daytime. Great little establishment, right on the water with a narrow stretch of beach, loungers and a deck to eat on. And, let's hear it for $200J RS!! Yay Beer! The happy hour special runs from 2-6 and is currently 2 rum punches for $400J. We were hungry after our long walk so some jerk shrimp and skewered snapper were ordered. Let me inform you of the flavors of this food...YUM! You know it’s good when Tam "casually" mentions that this would be a good place to go back to dinner to. Tonight. So we said our goodbyes and ambled back down the hill, stopping at Claro to top up the phone Alfred is letting us use. It is a roayal PITA to find top ups for Claro. Easy on the internet, though...
$1000J later, we are back on the road and make it all the way past the police station, almost to the bus depot. We feel the raindrops, look at the sky and start walking back towards NMBLVD. Flag the next route taxi and we are off to the hotel, where it is now pouring rain that immediately stops when we get out of the taxi. Huh? Who is playing with this weather? Time to hurry and get cleaned up for the weekly manager's party, which takes place from 5 to 6 and has some tasty appetizer items on the buffet and free RS or Rum Punch. The few guests at the hotel all seem to show up, as does a mento band and we are all entertained by the 4 year old child of some guests as he get his rhythm on and dances to the band! Fun stuff.
Also learned that our friends from the Westender excursion had paid for a taxi to take he and his wife to YS Falls and Appleton, but when they got to YS it was closed(seems its closed on Mondays?) and the driver told them that it was too late to go to Appleton because it closed early on Monday(it doesn't). The driver then took them to Black River where they got to see some crocs. It was this gentleman's birthday and to have been ripped off in that manner was atrocious. No refund was offered or given. Fortunately the hotel has this driver's info so some action may be taken.
So, it is now 6 and time to go to dinner. Where? Sheesh. Canoe, where else? Haven't you been reading? LOL!
Dinner at Canoe was a peaceful and romantic endeavor on the beach with a great hostess and great food. I had the Mango Curry Snapper or the Curry Mango Snapper...either way it was off-the-charts delicious. And, a huge quantity. Tam had the grilled snapper and it was cooked to perfection. Wow. Everything is right on at Canoe.
Time to taxi it home, pack and await the big move to Xtabi tomorrow. The rain seems to have lessened in volume/frequency, so maybe there is some sunshine ahead? Stay tuned...
