trip report / july fourth, twenty-fourteen

I hate trying to come up with titles for these things...

Who begins a trip report with ranting???…me! But it’s all relative.

Although going to Jamaica is one of the highlights of my existence I tend not to broadcast up coming trips for three reasons. One: without fail five or six people who I have no desire to travel with will tell me they are accompanying me then ask how much a plane ticket is. Two: I get unsolicited counsel, warnings and principles from folks who have never been. Third: and most dreaded is the “snickering” followed by the “getting your groove back” comment.

11 days prior to this visit, while talking to an old acquaintance, I let it slip I was going to Jamaica. Her daughter says...MOM!!! You should go with her so you can get your groove back!! (Daughter nudges mom’s right side.) Mom stands there giggling and actually considers the idea. I can’t believe people still associate that disastrous relationship with single black women traveling to Jamaica. It’s been 16 years since “the movie” which IMO ended as badly as the real life relationship. Why on earth do some still think woman want what TM experienced? I often wonder if single, non-Black women traveling solo get the “Stella” or “groove back” remarks pitched to them after purchasing a ticket.

Well after telling her the cost (of course inflated a couple of hundred bucks) she said maybe next time.

ha! me nuh think sooooo!!

End of rant…

Start of report…

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7/4/14 Friday - day 1

Flew out of Philadelphia on US Airways. The airport wait was almost unbearable. It had been eight months since my last visit so all I wanted to do was blink and be there. That’s not going to happen so I need to find a comfortable seat and think of where I will be just in time for happy hour.

Boarding Call…finally!! Why are passengers loaded on the plane from the front to the back?? Filling from the back to the front will keep the line moving and less isle blocking. Doesn’t make sense. Besides it’s so hard to keep my hips from bumping arms and shoulders…

As I buckled myself in I envisioned the “on-line seat layout” of the plane. You know the one you view when you choose your seat. While waiting for take-off, I so wished the chart provided just a little more information about the other passengers. Like it would have let me know that the seat behind the one I selected was occupied by a whiney 5 year old and beside him was the father holding an inconsolable toddler whose cries would pierce my ear drums 50% of the time we’re in the air. I would have foresaw that the 7 year old girl in font of me would discover the recline button on her seat, but couldn’t decide if she wanted to be upright or tilted back. It would have warned me that the hips/thighs of the occupant next to me are just as healthy as mine while her companion, who is half our size, sat in the isle seat. I would have also been prepared to listen to the chatter of more school age children than I’m used to when I travel. Schools out so not only adults get to fly to Jamaica.

Going to be a long flight.

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An hour and forty-five minutes later, I remove my ear buds to change mp3 players. I packed 3. I listen to the two ladies beside me blend a little patois in their conversation. So, they aren’t new to de Rock. The more they talked about their plans the more I realized how wrong I was about their reason for going to Jamaica.

Turns out they're Canadians who conduct workshops for teens and young adults a couple times a year. Rox, the one next to me, enthusiastically detailed their volunteer work. Rachel, her companion, would glance up from her manual to flash a smile and add to or confirm what Rox shared. I immediately liked these two and became interested in what they did. This visit, the workshops will be in Montego Bay, then Port Antonio the last in Kingston. Before landing, I got a contact number in hopes of hooking up in Port Antonio.

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We landed under the exquisite sunshine of Jamaica much later than scheduled due to the plane having to take a different route avoiding a storm. What storm??? I don’t even remember.

JUTA to Ocho Rios. Got directed to big bus this time. I was the last one so I’m sure the others had been waiting a while for them to fill that last seat. They looked ready to explode. That’s the only negative with taking JUTA, you don’t know how long you will have to wait before leaving. I wish I could afford a private ride from Sangsters. Well I can, but that would mean dipping into my rum money…no way!

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Plan was to stay in Ocho Rios that first night to visit with friends. Between the delayed arrival and the wait/ride on JUTA, I didn’t get to Ocho Rios until close to 6pm instead of the expected 1:00. The visits didn’t happen.

After settling in the room, I decided to walk to the corner store for bun & cheese to fill my tummy and a bottle of rum to fill my night. Store closed at 6pm. Back to the hotel I asked Paul to walk me to the nearest store so I could get rum and something to eat. He told me his friend runs the restaurant at the hotel so I should eat there. We head down the street in search for rum. Wonderful thing that one can buy alcohol in just about any store or cook shop or fruit stand in Jamaica. Forget the market; my beverage purchase or a pint of rum and two red stripes, was made at the corner gas station.

On the way back Paul asked me for money for his children. Hadn’t changed my currency yet, I gave him what I could spare…7US, a red stripe and a couple of miniature Three Musketeers candy bars.

Back to the room I take out my phone to call momz. That’s when I discovered it didn't worked. Just sat there with a lit, blank screen. Possible I could have dropped it or something. Phone-less my first night isn’t a big problem, but I’m going to need one tomorrow.

The restaurant is owned by Miss Marie. She’s only been there for three months. Really nice lady and the place looks good. We chatted for about 15 before the growling from my stomach drowned out our voices. I promised her I would be back for breakfast.

Dinner...my first meal in Jamaica…fried chicken, rice & peas, and salad...delish.
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A little tv, a little more rum and I drift off to sleep.

7/5/14 Saturday - day 2

Up early to use Shelly Ann’s phone to call my Portland driver, then to Miss Marie’s restaurant to keep my promise of buying breakfast.

mmmm she’s an excellent cook. Much food…actually too much.

Ackee, boiled banana, sweet fried plaintains and a crunchy fried dumpling
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Less than three hours later, I’m on my way to Portland. It was nice seeing my driver friend O’Neil again. The extra pounds he gained look good on him and clearly his arms have gotten more muscular.

After I got my welcome back hug, I tell him I need to get a new phone. He suggested I wait to get it in Port Antonio and that I could use his in the meantime. That was fine with me. I was just ready to get out of Ochi and on to Portland.

What about changing money...can I get that out of the way here? “Sure” he tells me. The jewelry store has a walk up cambio window. No one else was there. Perfect timing. Money changed but as we moved away from the curb I remembered I stored my cooler full of food in Shelly Anne’s refrigerator so we doubled back to the hotel to get it. I’m forever forgetting something and having to go back for it. Its super aggravating if it involves stairs.

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Collected my bag now on the road to Portland...

I do what I do and basically smile, remaining silent most of the ride. Just taking everything in...the scenery, the people, the intoxicating Jamaica aroma. I’m so emotional right now as we glide the smooth road eastbound. The glimpses of the sea from the road had me wanting to request a stop so I can touch it with a toe or two, but I didn’t want my return to Portland be delayed a minute longer so I continued to ride and maintain the goofy grin I wear upon arrival to yard.

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Saw the most incredible golden, ripe pineapples standing at attention along the roadway. Had to stop and buy one. Paid more for it than I would from my home market, but I knew it would be worth the 350J. Dude didn’t have a sharp knife to cut it for me. I had one but didn’t offer it. From the looks of his hands and fingers it was best he didn’t handle any thing I plan to put in my mouth.

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He didn’t have change so instead of letting me choose, he selected an overly ripe mango that will probably be completely rotten by the time we reach Portland.

ooooh myyyy it feels glorious being back in Jamaica!!!!!!!!!!!!!

a Vi report.....i'm so ready for this!

love love the food photos and the pineapple lawd have mercy

Keep it coming vi.

Oh my! Something has been telling me to check out Negril.com all day. I have been waiting patiently for you to start your report....:D I'm along for the ride....keep it coming. 11 whole days. You go girlie! So excited a Vi report:o

I have to say I was happy to see a new Port Antonio trip report, will be following along with interest.

Thanks sammyb. I’ll be posting plenty of food pics because I ate VERY well this visit.

MUCH more on the way TAH. Thanks for coming along.

SPARKLE and here I thought I was going to have to send you a personal invitation. But sit back and hang on…this is going to be a long ride. Girlfriend I was in Jamaica for EIGHTEEN incredible nights.

Greetings sandman, happy to see you will be following along. I know how much you enjoyed Portland and do hope this report brings back sweet memories.

This is where I get that “welcome home” greeting...both sides of the road lined with acres of coconut trees. Right before entering Annotto Bay. I will never get tired of this ride to Portland.

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O’Neil finally bought music that didn’t have those horrible bells, whistles and horns firing off in it. Nice lover’s rock tunes played during the pleasant ride. I also notice the new car cd changer.

“Doing pretty good for yourself now that you have the red tags.”
“Yes, I have plenty of work. Not many red plates in Port Antonio. Sometimes I drive late into the night. Like…7:00…8:00…”
“You call that late??”
“From when me start in the morning…driving straight chru. Yep, that’s late and when I stop I dead tired when I reach home.”
“You’re getting old. (I laughed) Should I find a night driver???”
“NO…I told you, I’ll take you anywhere you want to go. Day or night. And I not getting old…I been old from a long time.”

***Note to self…find a night driver***

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Except for a quick stop in Buff Bay for cold water, we leisurely continued on to Port Antonio. He was giving me the updates on people, places and things while I steadily snapped picture after picture of the awesome landscape.

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WELCOME TO PORT ANTONIO!

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Exiting Boundbrook…entering Port Antonio, the cars are detoured through the marina road because of the construction. It was a nice change.

Yay! a much needed *vi* report! I would have paid $350 for the pine -they are gorgeous!

Excellent report,we love hearing about more island places,thanks for sharing.

goldilocks, it was worth every dollar!! Huge and super sweet. Every time I think about that pine my mouth waters. Thanks for tagging along.

Hi billndonna! Thanks for the props and please stick around for there is a lot more on the way. I’m just getting started.

After dropping off my bags, showering, changing into a comfortable floral sundress, I head to my favorite first spot. Where else…Boston Beach! Nothing gets me in sync with Portland faster than that early evening visit to Boston Beach.

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Normally, O’Neil parks at the beach, then walks back to the jerk center for my goodies. He stopped in front this time so I snapped a few pictures. I like this one of the people in the rearview mirror.

I can now begin to slowly exhale. …aaahhhhh this suits my soul perfectly. The evening is as calm as I imagined it to be however, the scene is more beautiful than I prayed it would be.

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Originally Posted by *vi*

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Sweet Boston....sigh

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For the moment I forgot about my food. Forgot about the last two days of travelling in the sky and on land. Forgot about the bills I didn’t pay, the calls I didn’t return or the plants I didn’t water. My poor plant by the wall unit. Forgot about leaving without issuing the usual threats to my son if anything happens to my car.

For the moment I was rid of most of my cares and worries. It felt good. Finally my mind, soul and now “body” are in Jamaica and I can reconnect with pure contentment for the next 2+ weeks.

For the next 2+ weeks I plan to “rock so”.

The jerk pork was a little dry. I should have stuck with the routine and gotten jerk sausage. Was never disappointed with the jerk sausage. The rum, however, was perfect.

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Originally Posted by sammyb

Sweet Boston....sigh

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so true sammy. I won't ever get enough of Boston...the small and cozy beach is sweet for real.

[QUOTE=*vi*;143087]

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Beautiful... looks like a post card... so calm and inviting...:)

When I saw the group of teens arrive with their soccer ball, I turned down the music and watched them. Girls are playing too. They are just as aggressive as the guys and of course I routed them on…the girls that is.

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Thanks SPARKLE...it's always so tranquil in the evenings. That’s why it’s my first place to be and linger.

The evening was entering into night quickly. Too quick, but, I tell myself, don’t fret…it’s just the beginning. Plenty more nights you will be spending in this magnificent place.

Over to the right…on the Boston field I notice tents in the distance. That’s right, the Boston Jerk Festival is tomorrow.

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“Do you want to ride over to see them set up?”
“No, I’m fine. But I do want to go tomorrow. Do you?”
“No. I take you. What time do you want me to pick you up?”
“Wow, you don’t want to go?? Why not? What are you going to be doing?? Never mind. I will be ready around 3:00.”
“Too expensive! A thousand dollars to get in is too much.”
“I guess…maybe…how about I cover half your entrance fee?”
“Let me think about it. I will let you know in the morning.”
“You don’t want to go do you?”
“No.”
“Can we get some soup? I can’t eat this meat, it’s too dry.”

I use his phone to call momz. Seemed the time was right to hear her voice and let her know all is well here in Portland.

Yes…tonight all is well here in Jamaica.

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After a trip into town for a large chicken soup, to the market for beverage needs…water, red stripes, rum, club soda…I decide to go in for the night.

“Vi, if you aren’t ready for bed, you can ride with me. I gone do one or two trips.”
“Okay…wait…no. No thanks. I think I’ll stay in and get some rest. It’s going to be a long and busy 2+ weeks.”
“Okay. I see you tomorrow at 2:00.”
“Alright. Good night.”
“Good night.”

I can't wait for tomorrow.....Jerk fest time!!!!!!!!!

it's tomorrow sammyb! LOL festival soon come

Awesome vi. We loved the jerk sausage at Boston, pork and chicken. In fact after getting instructions how it's made while there, my wife has made it at home - deeeelicious. I remember one person in particular at Boston beach. He was a younger guy, maybe mid 20's, very good looking (like most Jamaicans). He was a lifeguard/surf instructor there. What I remember about him is just how genuinely friendly he was, we had a good conversation. He had a younger brother that was out surfing as we talked, who was very good. Can't recall his name though. We ran into him in Port Antonio one night, he clearly remembered us and we had a short conversation. Just a nice guy.

Would you mind telling us about your driver - how you met, the cost (if that's ok), etc?

Hi Sandman, I think it’s wonderful your wife was taught how to jerk different foods. I know that must have been a special event for her and how sweet of you to sing praises of her culinary skills.

I really like how you describe cook. I often meet studious young men and women in Portland who seem to enjoy sharing details about themselves with me. I equally enjoy listening, encouraging and of course counseling them. I visited Boston Beach once more before leaving and was able to get still photos and video of a couple of surfers. One was really good. Perhaps he’s the young cook’s brother? I’ll do my best to get the clip in the report once I learn how…lol

I met O’Neil in February, 2011. I was with two other ladies at Long Bay beach when he approached me and introduced himself. He invited me to dinner, I declined but took his number. I decided to return to Portland in August and I needed a driver while I was there. I called him and negotiated a price for round-trip airport transfer and ground transportation when it involved extensive traveling. He just recently got the red plates and I’m so happy he did. He’s an excellent driver and knows his way around Portland very well. I don’t have his number with me now but I will send it to you Monday so you can call and get an idea of what he charges.

7/6/14 Sunday - day 3

Pretty sure I was up before 7:00 AM. The sunshine streaming through the slats of the windows could not be ignored. Gorgeous day today so going to enjoy every minute of it. I unpacked/re-organized my clothes and stuff. Thanks to the digital luggage scale Sammyb sent me (thank you girl!), I didn’t have the usual weight issues at the airport. Thanks to 2½ gallon Zip Loc bags, I didn’t have the usual clothing explosion when I unzipped my duffle bag.

Those zip loc bags are a must for me when I travel. Everything is kept together shoes with shoes. Lingerie with lingerie. Toiletries with toiletries. I was able to pack 15 sundresses in one. Zip it almost close, press out the air, then lock the bag. Five bags fit in the duffle. I tried to keep the weight of each bag between 6 and 9 pounds.

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As I unpacked I discovered a squatter! Dude, this is a girl’s only room…you’ve got to go!! But first..strike a pose!!

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Enough about zip loc bags…packing/unpacking and uninvited guests. Let me tell you about this perfect place O’Neil found for me. Winnifred Breeze located in Fairy Hill Gardens is owned by Mr. and Mrs. Scott. Four years ago, they purchased the two-story main house and since added a cluster of 5 rooms on the property. Mrs. Scott beams when she talks about her dream becoming a reality. I toured the property and those photos I’ll share later. For right now, here is my room.

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The cute kitchen is equipped with all the necessary utensils and appliances, including a microwave and coffee maker.

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The unit is on the corner of the upper level. Excellent AC, but I rarely used it because the constant breeze is cool and circulates the entire interior. One of the first things I did in the morning was open the door to let the wind enter freely.

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And now for the view from the verandah which wraps ¾ of the upper level.

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While taking pictures and getting lost in the beauty before me, I hear my name. I turn to see Mrs. Scott gently approach me. Her smile is warm and her voice is pleasant. She’s welcomes me and tells me not to hesitate to let her know if I need anything. She came with NO RULES. None! Didn’t tell me not to let the AC run when I’m not in the room. Didn’t require my drivers to leave fingerprints or a DNA sample. No curfew. When she said “make yourself at home” she truly met it.

“I like to cook. Now you are free to prepare all your own meals yourself because you have a kitchen, but I really do take pleasure in cooking for my guests. If you would like, I can bring you breakfast just for today. If you want it daily…or any meal…just let me know.”

Thank you, Mrs. Scott. How much is breakfast?

“500J is what I normally ask.”

“That’s perfect. I will have breakfast daily. I’ll let you know the night before if it won’t be needed the next morning.”

“Wonderful…I will return shortly.” She pauses then ask with a smile “Is there anything you don’t like?”

I smile back and say “Look at me…do I look like I pass up anything?? Especially Jamaican cooking??”

She laughs and repeats “I will return shortly.” before descending the concrete stairs.

She went down and quickly whipped up this excellent cheese omelet and toast with fresh papaya juice. The omelet was so good that I requested it often. It was definitely the cheese that made it so tasty.

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Lovely photos of the guest house. Finding something reasonable WITH a/c AND a kitchen is difficult, seems you found a gem! More please.

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Originally Posted by *vi*

7/6/14 Sunday - day 3

Pretty sure I was up before 7:00 AM. The sunshine streaming through the slats of the windows could not be ignored. Gorgeous day today so going to enjoy every minute of it. I unpacked/re-organized my clothes and stuff. Thanks to the digital luggage scale Sammyb sent me (thank you girl!), I didn’t have the usual weight issues at the airport. Thanks to 2½ gallon Zip Loc bags, I didn’t have the usual clothing explosion when I unzipped my duffle bag.

Those zip loc bags are a must for me when I travel. Everything is kept together shoes with shoes. Lingerie with lingerie. Toiletries with toiletries. I was able to pack 15 sundresses in one. Zip it almost close, press out the air, then lock the bag. Five bags fit in the duffle. I tried to keep the weight of each bag between 6 and 9 pounds.

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You are the packing queen!!

Vi you had me rolling about people wanting to tag along! Did i ask you to go? i wouldn't let them know either!

Sammy, I love the challenge of making things fit with minimal wasted space. But when it comes to packing for Jamaica I push my skills to the limit. I build a mountain of what I want to take then arrange it all in my bags so that noting is left behind. Sometimes I amaze myself at what I get into my bags…lol

Babalew it is so hard NOT to talk about my trips but I can’t share my enthusiasm with everybody. The worse was when a co-worked begged to go with me. I gave in and we started planning. Soon I realized it would be a disaster if she goes. I considered cancelling with an excuse, but I didn’t want to sabotage my reach by lying so I just prayed all will be fine. Now I don’t rejoice over someone losing their job, but when she was terminated (grand larceny) 3 weeks before departure and fled the area, I admit I was relieved. Oh and thank you for reading along and sending me a few words.

Please bear with me…I decided to post videos so I’m uploading to YouTube…my first time so this may take a while…unless I can do it from photobucket and if so could someone PLEASE tell me how.

Vi!! So nice to hear from you! Your trip report is better than Talenti Gelato!! Definitely good stuff!!

So happy to see a *vi* trip report & pictures....this IS a treat :)