Actually, Vince, I have over 1,200 photos and over 40 videos from that visit. Thank goodness for digital technology!!!!!
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Actually, Vince, I have over 1,200 photos and over 40 videos from that visit. Thank goodness for digital technology!!!!!
Speaking of my photo obsession, here are a few from my stroll.
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AHHH, Hell yea!!! I'm ready for these next 1k pictures;)Quote:
Originally Posted by *vi*
LOL I don't think the rest of the board community feels the same so I'll commit to a few more.
lol^^^ Ya wanna bet *vi*? Your vision and sights, has me, we and the rest that are on board wishing and wanting to be in PA now. Bless our eyes with your captures of the beauty of PA ;)
Vince…I don’t know about the rest of the folks, but your desire to experience Portland has me wanting that to happen for you so bad!!! Portland isn’t for everybody, Luv, and no number of pretty pictures will change that, but I know it’s for you. I can’t wait for you to see the images in my pictures come to life before your eyes. I can’t wait for you to feel the vibe you know in your heart exists there. I can’t for you to hear the voices of the welcoming people hail you and call you fren.
P.S. Vince, I appreciate all your support and kind words not only in my reports, but in all the threads that you join in. For the record…sharing your genuine, unbiased positive comments, IMO, is very valuable to this community. PLEASE don’t ever leave…even if me and my pictures do…lol
I had a wonderful conversation with Chubby, Desta and their daughter, Lisa. Chubby shared future plans with me and I’m VERY interested in one in particular. It will be a community event that I intend to support and maybe even participate in. Not going to disclose more about it just in case it doesn’t happen, but WHEN it does (I’m staying optimistic) I’ll be there with my cameras loaded with 64G SD cards so I can sing their praises in a post or two.
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Vince, you are absolutely right. This is where I will always come to remember forgotten dreams and give them renewed hope.Quote:
Originally Posted by Vince
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It was a gorgeous day. Way too pleasant to be thinking about the unpleasantness of leaving. But not only did I have to think about it, I had to prepare for it. So I let the group know I was going to make my way back to my room and do some things. Sadly, that was my first round of “good-byes” for this most soul satisfying visit.
REFRESHING!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks *vi*, for keep the journey flowing! The boat picture is irie! I noticed on that 1 picture with the stone wall by the ocean. That red thing is that a Red Stripe empty case?
Our first visit we stayed at Triff's Inn which at the bottom of the road to Bonnie View. The second time we stayed on Navy Island. It was in receivership so no one was doing any up keep. A fella named Pepperseed took us from the marina to the island in a small fishing boat. Once there we went left instead of right which is where the Flynn ruins were. It had a swimming pool with a little algae in it but not too bad. There were maybe 8 circular buildings, each covered in thatch. When I opened our house door, I counted 23 lizards which I took as a good sign that mosquito's wouldn't be an issue. The place was charming. We had rented 4 buildings. It began to rain. We heard shrieks from one of the buildings and learned that it came with a rotten roof and "liquid moonshine" was pouring on their bed. lol. They got switched and we had no more lodging fun stories. There was a nice restaurant where we were dropped off and of course that's where we headed for dinner. Now we all had many Jamaican adventures before so we were shocked when our waiter took our orders from the large menu. NO ONE EVER has everything on a Jamaican menu but he merely nodded and wrote down our orders. He saw to it that we all got drinks and that we looked at the numerous Errol Flynn memorabilia on the walls and then he disappeared. After a couple of minutes someone said "Hey! There's our waiter in a boat heading for Port. It turns out they had NO food on the island and our waiter, who also turned out to be our cook, was heading to the store to buy fixings to make every thing we had just ordered. lol. Our group was worthy of our own security Guardsman, Mr. Brown. He was armed but later we found out that like Barney Fife in Mayberry, he had no bullets. He liked to drink though. He laid in a hammock until he passed out and that was where the one picture I wish I still had was taken. Our "armed" guard sound asleep in a hammock with his holster visible and an almost empty Red Stripe in his hand. Maybe it was more than 10 years ago. I remember they still had the bar where location shots for the Tom Cruise movie, Cocktail was filmed. We explored the entire island, it reminded everyone of Jurassic Park.
Vi I have to chime in on what you said to Vince about positive comments. I find the Port Antonio board refreshing. It is way less political than other parts of the board. Its about vacationing and experiencing the culture. Thats what I thought this was supposed to be about. So post as many pictures as you like. Tell all the stories you like because we like hearing them.
Hi Vi ! Before you wrap this up. I wonder if I might ask your opinion..... on the Negril message board there is a thread about music... on comment from a boardie made me curious...
He said''' Here went to Port Antonio quite a bit ago, he stated '' locals treated us with a curious aloofness, like why are the =y there? while they were polite and hospitable they really didn't care to have us there..''
This isn't verbatom but close........
I was very curious to see what you had to say, as while I can see why ''couples'' would really enjoy the Port Antonio area, as it's quiet and looks to be quite romantic at places, While you do so well, solo
traveling, ddo you ever feel this......
I just love my Negril, I'm a feet in the sand at all times person, but I always thought that going to a part of the island like Portland would be so refreshing, not only to see a different part, but to feel
what it was like to mingle among some locals, that aren't so much on the hustle, if you will, like Negril...
I was lucky to have taken a road trip to Accompong town last Feb, and I got a taste of it there, and I found the opposite of what the boardie said, It seemed like the locals were thrilled to have us there,
of course that area is quite seclude, and quite different, so the fascination with our complection and eye color and such was quite evident,...
My absolute favorite thing to do, is head into small, local establishment, have a couple cold ones, and chill with the locals that always seem to have something interesting to
talk about.....
Pretty much how you roll :) So I was just wondering your tthoughts !!!
My absolute favorite thing to do, is head into small, local establishment, have a couple cold ones, and chill with the locals that always seem to have something interesting to
talk about.....
Just spoke my words right there!! ^^^ Keep it up *vi*!!
LOL! MilwaukeeMike, all I can say is I’m even more sadder you weren’t able to recover your pictures after reading your post. But on the other hand, I’m grateful for your great memory and willingness to share such wonderful details. I remember getting a glimpse of these cylinder rooms. Not sure how much of them are still there. Now I’m curious so I’ll charter a boat ride around there to see. Great story about the passed-out, bulletless guard the cook grocery shopping for your meal. I love your phrase “liquid moonshine”. I posted pictures of Navy Island in a past report. Did you see them??Quote:
Originally Posted by MilwaukeeMike
Thank you so much for your kind words of encouragement, Takinitslow. Sometimes I write and write and write…then chop and chop and chop because I think I wrote too much. But I guess if the viewer is not a reader then they can just flip the page, nuh true?? You’re right; this forum reflects the virtually drama-less culture of Portland.Quote:
Originally Posted by takinitslow
JoJo, I don’t know where this person stayed or how much they got out, and it’s sad they came to such a conclusion about Port Antonio, but to imply that the community is stand-offish is not true at all!!! In all my visits, I have NEVER felt unwelcomed by anyone at any time while in Portland and I’ve been all over the parish. Do they mind their own business? Yes. Do they stay out of your face? Yes. But I would never label that as being “inquisitively aloof”. From the folks in the neighborhood where I stay to the wealthy business owners, everyone I’ve connected with has been friendly and accommodating. Sometimes they go out of their way to fill a request. After my first visit when I traveled with two other ladies, I knew I could do Portland solo from then on. It was mainly because of the people I met. The interactions were brief and not that many, but they were genuinely warm and kind. I’ve been traveling to Jamaica 2-3 times a year since 2003 and this is the only parish that makes me feel welcomed and at home. In fact, JoJo,one of the guaranteed places you will experience that true hospitality is at those small, local establishments, to have a couple cold ones, and chill with the locals.Quote:
Originally Posted by jojo p
Come here Vince so I can give you that daily cyber hug. Today was a typical Monday, crazy busy, so I’ll post the finale tomorrow.Quote:
Originally Posted by Vince
LOL, *vi*, when work gets crazy, I ALWAYS just think of Jamaica! All is well! Then is goes good:)
Vi.....girl ...sigh ...that says it all!
MilwaukeeMike WOW what an adventure
JoJo trust Vi ...you will LOVE Port Antonio....zero hassle and I have not met not one rude local....very welcoming community.
Back in the room I do all sorts of depressing things…pack, wash clothes, call family to say I’m not extending again, clear the fridge of foods I won’t find in my part of world nor can I take with me.
Needing some alone time, I stayed in most of the day. The most down time I experienced the entire trip.
I called my ride to confirm pick up time in the morning. He said he’s coming over later to visit and we’ll discuss that when he gets here.
Fast forward a couple of hours…After my early dinner of still edible leftovers, I was about to go see Sandra when there was a knock on the door. It was Mr. G, my morning driver and he wasn’t alone.
“Good night, Vi. This is my friend, Berd. He wanted to meet you.”
“Geeeeeeee this is a surprise!” I replied as I looked way, way up into the tall, thin man’s smiling eyes.
After the introductions, the next 15 minutes was spent listening to compliments, his plans to take me all over Portland, and because he’s into “fluffy” gals, being kneaded, poked & squeezed as if my body were made of memory foam. Sorry to say, I wasn’t into him at all. Therefore, I wasn’t going spend my last few precious hours in Portland feeling uncomfortable so I searched and found an out…early morning departure, sorry, but I must go.
“NO!!! You leave tomorrow???”
“un huh”
“Well when you return I’m kidnapping you. I’ll take you all over. I’ll take you dancing.” He did this pelvic twist that scared me and had me take a couple of steps back.
“Wow, that sounds…interesting. Nice meeting you.”
Of course he couldn’t leave without a hug that lasted way too long, but he also didn’t leave with my phone number…thank goodness.
Okay, I’m not “looking” for a husband, but I am single so the possibility of meeting Mr. Right-for-Vi is there. It’s just not going to happen this visit so I’ll continue coming back to sightsee and drink rum
…at least that’s what I thought.
I know what's coming........ hehe !!!!!!
After they departed, I decided to spend a few minutes with Sandra before turning in. As I approach her house, I see someone exit the yard. We pass without a word. I go to enter her yard then I hear
“They went out…no one is at home right now.”
“Oh…okay. Thanks”
“I come check for Mr. B, no one answer.”
…What a nice voice…
“Thanks again. I came to see Sandra. I’ll check back later.”
…What a nice smile…
“They’re never gone for long.”
Next thing I know we are still standing in front of Sandra lil home involved in a pleasant conversation about my love for Portland and his familiarity with New York.
About 20 minutes later his cell rings. He looks at the caller ID, excuses himself and walk to the side for privacy. I’m thinking…Wife? Girlfriend? Boyfriend? Whatever, it’s most likely the end of this most enjoyable conversation has arrived.
He returns to me and says his family is coming for him arriving in a few minutes. “Them close by.”
Those words made me a little sad. I did want to continue our chat. He must have read my mind as he then asked for my US contact information. Funny how I rarely remember my cell number, but it flowed without a break. A car slows and stops.
The driver looks out and shouts…“Vi!!!! Vi babygirl, is that you???? What happened???”
“Oh wow, Tupac Fan!! I mean Chris!”
He backs up and parks. The gentleman looks at me and says…”You know him?? You know my nephew?”
“What?? Wait. You’re Tractor??!?!?”
“YES mon. How do you know my name?”
Before I could explain, Chris joined us and told his uncle that “I” “ME” was the “shawty” he was talking about. Yep, he called me a shortie and I was giggling like a teenager.
I stood there, half talking and half asking myself if all of this was real. How pleasingly coincidental! This is a “share with your girlfriends” moment I was living. I kept saying…only in Jamaica do things like this happen to me which is why I can’t stop going…I won’t stop going.
And you know what????????????? I can’t wait to see what happens when he and I get together in a couple of days.
So….. I’m ending this report here as I have a plane to catch in the morning!!!
Thanks everyone who commented and peeked in. I hope it was informational as well as entertaining. Please, do consider Portland.
au revoir pour le moment
Sweet! No wonder you are back so soon :)
Yes, without a doubt Portland is a very beautiful Parish. Port Antonio, as many of you have said is really a step into a sort of "Old Jamaica" feel and one can only imagine how cool it must have been back in the early days.
Because it can be difficult sometimes to get around JA with public transportation if you don't have a rental car or bike often times visitors to Portland only get to see PO and it's many beautiful beaches. I was fortunate enough to have explored the island when the "Big Bus" was a viable way to travel, inexpensively if not slowly. It was a lot of fun getting around. Since I now rent a car in Kingston I really don't know what the public transportation is like except hearing great things about the Knutsford Express which travels from City to City.
The B-1 or A-3 roads take you from the North Coast over the mountains to Kingston. The B-1 road runs from Buff Bay to town exclusively in Portland Parish. It is a beautiful ride that takes you up and over the Blue mountains not too far from the peak. There are many opportunities for hiking and bird watching and the nights there can be cold there. It is where the true Blue Mountain Coffee is grown.
If you find yourself in Portland you might want to check it out.
Regards,
John
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Drooling over those older pictures! johng, *vi* has me sold on PA on our next reach! Like you say the older back in time Jamaica! My cup of tea. True Jamaicans with frens to become in the future. Respect!
Johng, thanks for posting those wonderful pictures. It's funny but the last time I was in Port Antonio I came across the big bus graveyard. At least a dozen were sitting in the back of a lot. They all had names on the front like, "DUPPY CONQUEROR". I remember kicking myself for not having a camera along as even then I knew it would have been a historic snapshot. :(Quote:
Originally Posted by johng
Thanks Vince and MilwaukeeMike glad you enjoy the pics.
Vince you will love PA and Portland!!
MilwaukeeMike that would have been an awesome calendar pictorial!! Could be those buses stay in that Graveyard for a long time so next time you are in PA remember your camera or phone!! And yes the buses all had their own identities. The bus above was the SUNBEAM, and I believe the bus that did the MoBay Negril route was the HONEY BEE. The SUNBEAM ran from Buff Bay up the B-1 until Green Hill where it did an amazing turnaround for the trip back down the mountain. The bus drivers were awesome as sometimes the roads were not but inches wider than the the bus tires, not for the faint of heart. The most fun was riding on top of the bus where baggage was stowed.
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I just returned last night from a fantastic reach.
*sigh*
It’s still painfully hard to leave my place of comfort, sanity and peace.
WOW Johng, your pictures are incredible. Thank you so much for posting them and sharing your memories. I envy anyone who traveled to Jamaica in the 70’s and 80’s. My island visits started in the Bahamas in 1990, but I never really connected with it like I have with Jamaica which I didn’t discover until 2003. I guess 13 years of amassing memories and photos isn’t a bad collection, but nothing like the treasures you and others have who were there pre-tourist explosion and development.
I love the one of you on the bus. The more time I spend in Portland, the greater my need for “how it was” stories like the ones you posted. So please feel free to tell us more. I agree with Vince, I love hearing about the back in the day Jamaica as much as the Jamaica I’m getting to know now.
YES!!!!!!!!! agregory my return was point on! What I mean is the continuation of reconnecting and getting to know my new friend couldn’t have happened any timelier. Yep…a new chapter is definitely being penned.Quote:
Originally Posted by agregory
(((((((((((((*sigh* with a girlish smile))))))))))))
Dang vi you was gone on a long reach down in Ja. ! lol, my focus is PA! I fell in LOVE with Ja. 1st it was Ocho Rios, then we went to Green Island resort that I USE to praise. Negril was fun, but the hustle was not mi cup of tea. That's why we usually go in the summer month. But... PA has REALLY opened mi eyes for the Jamaica that I like. I'm country guy! Mi no need bling, just regular get by living in Ja. will work for mi. I have a real STRONG feeling of PA. I dream that it is going to be POWERFUL!!
Vi, could you please e mail me the R rated version.....lmao ! :)....Just kidding.... I can see ya smiling all the way from Minnesota !!!!! :)Quote:
Originally Posted by *vi*
Oh my goodness, Vince, I really feel you and Portland are a soulful match. I thought about you daily. Especially when I sat and chatted with individuals for the first time. I went to a party one night and had the BEST time drinking and dancing in the rain. Why???? It wasn’t just the overproof..lol…but I felt like I was partying with actual friends and neighbors. You’ll see what I mean when I post the video.
I watched a couple of domino games and listened to the banter the guys exchanged. They liked having me hang out and watch. They even bought ME drinks. I never came across that in Negril or Ocho Rios. Those were some of the most memorable moments that I know you long for. Well, my friend, you’ll have them and more when you get there.
LMAO!!!! Whew…um…okay. I’m fanning myself, jojo, and yes smiling big time. I’m going to post a short trip report because I want to share updates and new discoveries. He’s a part of it, so his contribution will be included, but I’ll keep the personal stuff out of that mix and into a nice read just for you…LOLQuote:
Originally Posted by jojo p
(red face) lol- Mi fren Dellie was waiting on our box lunches drinking a Red Stripe at Pamela's in Green Island. And I watched them play dominos and I told Dellie I'm going to play, He laughed and shook his head, and said go ahead boss! ****!!!! 2 games in 2 rounds later for mi co-players, I was SLLLLLOOOOOWWWWIIIINNNGGGG there game down. But hey!! They had fun with mi, I had fun with them!! (note to self) (just watch the dang game and drink your own Red Stripe!!! Dellie, laughed and fist bumped, Boss, you do anything here, "you Jamaican boss?!" He ask mi that every reach we go there to visit. LOL- Dem dudes play dominos QUICK!!! Good tymes mon!!! I remember I got invited to a grave digging, and was helping pass water from da stream, then big mon calls get up here boss!!- time to learn how to mix up sand and mix, shifting sand through the screen, mixing and drinking. Then here came the rain, everyone runs into the rum bar. The ganja smoke starts to flow along with politics! So I stand in da smoke filled rum bar watching da kids play in the rain. I watch finish mi Red Stripe and go join the kids dancing, splashing away in the rain with mi own kids, then more join us out in da rain!! Rain stops then back to work... What memories we have of Jamaica with mi kids and frens down there. Grave digging was serious but fun! Kids coming up "petting mi skin"-lol. No Problem mon. That tells mi not many tourist come up here. LOVE IT!! I wanted to go back to the actual service, but I felt it wasn't right. In mi mind. But then the other half say, join in, you started with the digging and block placement in the hole in the ground. But mi just pass. LOVE Jamaica!!Quote:
Originally Posted by *vi*
,
LOL Vince, you were brave to join that domino game. They are FIERCE when it comes to slapping down the tiles and guzzling the rum. I sit where it’s safe and that’s OUTSIDE the game. Thanks for sharing the memories…particularly about the grave digging. Wow, this part got me..
I saw a young man sifting sand last week. I was curious as to “why” but didn’t interrupt because it looked like he was at a burial site. Now you bring it up so I was right. He was alone, Vince. But still I felt it would be disrespectful for me to ask so I know how you felt.Quote:
Originally Posted by Vince
Yea, part was wanting to go, (peer pressure from newly frens) but the relatives and family frens seeing foreign at a celebration of life would not kinda fell welcoming. But, in mi mind I did mi part of new frens grand Dad and helping the prep of the burial site and a WELL spent 6-7 hours of chatting, watching, learning, working and drinking. ;)
Big Up Vince!!!
*vi* got anymore great pictures?
Not for this report, Vince. I'm working on the next one that I hope to start posting soon. In the meantime, continue to spread your gleaming positivity throughout the board during this brief intermission :)
lol, Thanks mi lady! Jamaica is our DREAM!! Beautiful country, people, music, flowers, land, rain showers on a zinc roof, scenery, food, culture, sports, snorkeling, sunsets on da beach, I could just keep on goin! Much Respect *vi*
Yeah, I will say Vince, you are the most relentlessly positive person I can recall seeing on the internet. I wish I had half of your outgoing personality. Respect.
I am at work, but I stopped working for 1 whole hour,
just checking out your report.
Thanks a million !!
LOL, Respect! (fist bump)- You ought to see mi on da rock, I'm running around EVERYWHERE!! easy to spot too, I just wear mi swim shorts, When hitting a local bar I just unroll mi shirt and flip flops and entry. When I start seeing da island. I start squirming in mi seat, mi wife tells mi to CALM down!!-lol- our kids start laughing, chill out Dad. As soon as da "smell" of Jamaica hit's mi nose mi eyes start popping out of mi head! I just start shaking and say "let's get this Jamaica trip into high gear!!! Ahh da smell once it hit's your nose!! H_ll, mi arm hairs are getting chills thinking of Jamaica! "Once ya go, then ya know!"Quote:
Originally Posted by TAH