Simply Portland...Utterly Devine

Is the Bath Fountain Hotel now privately owned? When we stayed there, it was run by the government. You could take a mineral bath in the hotel itself but there were no massages (at least that I know of) or anything like that when we were there. A guide took us back to I think the same places you have the pictures from but it was completely deserted back there. We stayed overnight there for something like $35 (we were the only ones that stayed at the hotel that night) and had a really nice three course meal in the dining room for something like $7 a person - it was actually like a nice supper club meal here in Wisconsin.

vi, for future trips, rasta steve can do massages inside the hotel if you prefer . . . having said that, i'm not a fan of being massaged out there . . . there is just something very wrong with that for me . . . it's not that you should not have gone to bath, it's just that you should have stuck to your boundries. live and learn.

countless trips there and the massage is not for me. i got upstream a little, there are two very nice natural pools of water and have my own party over there, not with all those eyes upon you. i've spent hours sitting and meditating in that pool with my party with no spectators.

for anyone that is interested, that mud is just that == mud that the young men make up and put some herbs in it, nothing therapeutic about it!!! it's just business.

i do love that area it's serene and peaceful once you leave the hustle and bustle. . . . if one takes the little path above on the other side, the path takes you to a little village, real simple and peaceful and lush, lush.

and taking a mineral bath in the hotel is totally out, do you really believe that the water is changed out after every person?? i don't. it is good for a meal though, real old world charm.

vi, don't mean to hijack your thread, but it's related to your topic.

Oh, I'm so sorry you were so uncomfortable and anxious, Vi! I know how that feels and it begins to get me angry too, when I don't stand up for myself. I don't do spas or that kind of pampering, either so I guess that's mainly why we never went there. But I'd love to see the area and sit in the waters and just immerse in the surroundings. I totally understand why you wanted to go and you were so respectful of not taking photos of other peoples massages. It would seem intrusive. I don't care for crowds and would find some place like Jitters described that is off the path and quietly serene.

As Sammy, said, at least you did learn something about yourself after this experience and it didn't completely tarnish the memory of Bath. Many blessings to you, Vi, and know that you will be more strong in your resolutions in the future!

Hey *vi* you did good! You gave it a try and made your escape without flipping, I wouldn't even have tried to get a massage. Jitterbug's little pool sounds good, but I don't like people rubbing on me either, especially my feet!

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Originally Posted by sammyb

Oh Vi....so sorry this happened, so sorry you felt uncomfortable. Glad you saw for yourself what it was about, glad you learned to not compromised your feelings going forward!

The first time I went I had a lot on my mind and Rasta Steve seem to sense this, the bath wasn't crowded and he took extra care. The next time it was way too busy and I felt uncomfortable because of that...so many people all around, but Rasta Steve was the comfort in that mass of people. Still if I went again and felt uncomfortable as I did that second time right from the start I too would leave.

Your feelings are precious and meaningful and always remember NO ONE can read your mind and NO ONE will stand up for you better than YOU, took me a long time to "get that" and I still stumble a time or two.....but it's getting there....You did leave Bath with something positive that day, learning more about YOU

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thanks so much Sammy. You truly understand. Here at home I would NEVER consent to doing something I KNOW I hate. Consenting to that massage was like a person eating a big, juicy parrot grouper even though they hate fish. Why, because it was prepared in Jamaica? That was part of my reason for saying okay to the massage. Crazy I know. But sometimes some of us do things there we wouldn't do at home simply because we are in Jamaica at the time.

And yes, I believe Rasta Steve sensed my agitation which is why he continued massaging me. Like you said, he can't read minds so he had no clue of the cause of the agitation. That's why I can only blame myself.

Hi Rachel, Yes, bath fountain is still owned by the government and yes you can still take mineral baths in the hotel. My intentions were to walk the outside stream area, the gardens and the inside spas. After the massage I forgot about everything else. I just wanted to leave. But a lot of folks on TA talk about the spa rooms so they are still very poplar.

Oh Jitterbug, you are right about sticking to my boundaries. But sometimes it’s hard for me to enforce my own limits. To me it would have been better NOT to even go then to have to tell him to stop. And please don’t apologize for your input, I appreciate and welcome all you want to share. This is helpful for me and others. I do regret not exploring. The path you mentioned sounds like something I would like to walk.

Thank you Schuttzie, lol you don’t do massages either!!! we do have a lot in common. After I saw how personal the service is, I couldn’t take pictures of other people. The place got crowded before I left. Met 6 people coming down the path as I was leaving. Lots of children getting massages. So many do enjoy what they get from Bath. That’s good. It’s just not for me. Yes, I know a lot of me enjoying myself in Jamaica depends on me listening to my heart and mind. I won’t let this experience taint my visit to Bath, instead I will, like you said, be strengthen by it.

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Originally Posted by goldilocks

Hey *vi* you did good! You gave it a try and made your escape without flipping, I wouldn't even have tried to get a massage. Jitterbug's little pool sounds good, but I don't like people rubbing on me either, especially my feet!

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:) @ the "big up" and a LMAO at "escape without flipping"!!! Trust me Goldilocks, I was on the edge. To me, it was like torture.

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Originally Posted by *vi*

Rasta Steve then points to my ankles and comments on how swollen they are and how bad that is. I look at my driver and wonder if he told him I was leaving. I reminded Rasta Steve that I wasn’t getting a massage. He reached down and squeezed my left foot hard. Looked back at me and asked me to reconsider just having my feet massaged to reduce the swelling.

In my mind I was screaming “no”, but “ok” came out of my mouth.

It didn’t feel good. I was uncomfortable from the very first touch. But I stayed focused on the end result and hopefully that was no swelling so I could close the strap on my cute, brown sandals.

That first barely tolerable touch went from toes to my heels. From my heel to my ankles. From my ankles to my calves. From my calves to my thighs. From my thighs to…

Yeah, you get the picture.

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35 minutes later, there I sit on the edge of this rock with my legs, arms, shoulders and a bit of my neck area covered with mineral mud and Rasta Steve’s own made mineral oil.

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Vi, the above bolded is what I detest I say no do not touch me I react stark staring violently crazy......to me this was a ploy to continue. I swear they still remember from kijdergarden to High School arrrrrrrgggghhhhh!!:mad:

LOL Summer, darlin I hear ya. Like I said, I can say NO and nothing can change my mind. But for whatever reason, even when I should have kept it a NO when he insisted, I let it happen. Lesson learned.

I hear you Vi, I just snapped there for a minute :o ;) loving every bit of your report. Great camera u have the pictures have such great clarity its like u can step right in.

Sweetie I do understand. Trust me, I was boiling when it hit me and ready to explode. But I soon realized I allowed it to get out of control. Thanks for caring, Summer. And thanks for the comp on the camera. Second only to my passport when I travel.

Bath sure must have changed since I was there (which probably was in the mid 1990s). It was almost totally deserted when we were there - I think we were the only tourists that had been there in more than three weeks. It was basically just us, a couple of workers at the hotel and some goats. It was so beautiful back along the river - seemed so untouched and undisturbed. Don't know if I'd enjoy it now if there's so much hustling and such going on. I much prefer off the beaten path, non-tourist type things than some crowd of people.

i just want to re-confirm that bath is just as beautiful as you remember it, don't want ppl to not go . . . one just has to walk upstream from the hustle and bustle . . . unless you ask a local to show you, none of them will walk past the "hustle" of things. so, one would have this serene, beautiful place, full of birds and just nature!!! . . . just the shear beauty of it takes my breath away!!! and, as you walk that bridge and to go to the "hustle" you turn right, but if you go straight up, and follow the path, there is more beauty, you kind of look down onto the river and bath hotel.

i've stayed at the bath hotel two different times and both times found the place to be creepy . . . we were the only guests and they lock those gates within the hotel on each floor and one is stuck, real creepy! yes, the food is good in the hotel.

lot of ppl from from "town" (kingston) come down for the "bath". the jockeys from the racetrack are a regular attraction, if you hit the place when they are there, it is more than hilarious to be an observer!! . . .

i've gone there totally alone and have been ok. just a simple "no" and you're alone.

i personally find it real therapeutic to just "be" there just a little upstream. the water is not deep, up to the knee usually. wear water shoes.

Hi Rachel, unfortunately I didn’t wander outside the massaging area, but I from what I did peek, I would definitely go along with Jitterbug in that the property itself is still as serene as you remembered. It only gets crowed in the massage area, no where else.

Thanks for the great input Jitterbug.

...and the day continues...

Music played as the car was driven further away from the Bath Fountain lot. No other sound mingled with the hum of the motor and the soothing set of Lover’s Rock as we headed back to Portland.

Took out the camera to take pictures as the scenery we were passing started commanding attention. So beautiful this land. I didn't mind the many potholes. When the car swerved to the left, I would look deep into the thick, green bush trying to spot flowers or cascading waters. How could I possibly stay agitated when my time to enjoy all of this is limited? Snap out of it girl.

“You checking out the pictures from Bath?”
“No, I didn’t take many. Well, a few, maybe about eight or ten.”
“I did take pictures for you.”
“Oh really?? Okay. I guess you got a lot of the scenery??”
‘Check the camera. I got a lot of photos for you.”

It felt okay that he took pictures of the people and not me. I was glad to hear I might have a variety of shots of the streams, rocks and of course massages in action.

No sir, he didn’t lie. He took a lot of pictures. 47…ALL OF ME getting massaged from my toes to my temples. A couple were keepers. Some were mad funny. I looked ridiculously stiff covered with mud, sitting on the edge of that rock. Too many of them showed that I desperately need to loose weight. Delete. Delete. Delete.

All felt good again once we crossed back into Portland.

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I was passed ready for a cold red stripe. Thought we would have to drive a few miles before finding a store but instead he pulled up to someplace better.

Under the Rock Restaurant and Bar.

I was floored when I saw that blue and white building. Not kidding. My vision of Under the Rock Bar was nothing like what I saw. It is very attractive and inviting from the outside. I couldn’t wait to walk in.

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Located in Hector's River at the south end of Portland it’s a two-level bar/dance club at the bend in the road. It gets its name because the bar is surrounded by naturally-carved stone.

The beach recently formed in the cove below the bar and alongside the club is small but lovely. Very romantic and the perfect place to spend the entire day. Entrance is free unless there is live music or sound system going on. You can buy drinks at the bar and there are usually food vendors on the beach. Every Sunday night there is music and sometimes they have live shows with local talent.

The inside is just as lovely as the outside. Great layout and décor. Huge bar and the view of the beach from on of the stools at a window is breathtaking.

The soft lighting gives it a cozy-evening feeling even in the day. Not too dark, just dim enough to be relaxing.

The drinks are very reasonable. A shot of over-proof 100J, a red stripe 150J. The bartender is a sweetheart. She was ultra polite is letting me know ONE shot will get me to where I wanted to go. She was right!

After taking a few interior pictures it was time to see this beach!

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After coming down the steps, I found myself standing on this generously spacious concrete patio. Walked to the rail and was in awe of the view. A view I couldn’t stop taking in. One that I knew I had to see again and again. All I could say was “Amazing”!

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I didn’t make it down to the beach but plan to spend my first Sunday there during my next reach.

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That is the “bar under the rock”. I'll get better pictures of the area next time.

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I hated to leave but time was getting short. But as I promised, will go back to get my beach on proper.

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What a beautiful little place! Love the small beach, how sweet is that :)

for sure a cool little spot . . . totally local . . . the place throws some kick ass parties on a sunday night. did you get to it vi?
it's a lovely view.

very nice! adding to my list...carry on please

Schuttzie, you and hubby would love this beach. Besides time being tight I didn’t want to go down because I knew I wouldn’t want to leave…EVER!!! The few pictures I took don’t come close to showing the beauty of that special place. A man came up with his little baby. Baby is close to a year. He said he brings the baby here whenever he needs calming. He stands at the top holding him close and let the sights and sounds of the beach lull him to sleep. So picture yourself on that beach in your baby's arms drifting off to sleep by the sounds of the ocean.

Jitterbug, did you use “kick ass” to describe a party??!!! Then that’s the kind of party I need to check out. No, didn’t make it last time but that’s where I will spend my first Sunday on my next visit. I think about that place all the time. I can do all day at Winnifred Beach and feel the same about Under the Rock. Bet the atmosphere is something else at night!!

Don’t go far Sammy, I have a couple more places for you to add to your list. Have that pen and paper ready!!

My list is getting longer by the minute!

vi, yes, "kick ass" is about correct . . . great sound system, i caught "stone love" one time and next time a different sound system just as good . . . totally local, some cool, mature ppl from all over the place come there, starts late, goes till dawn, i've been fortunate to catch it two times. . . make sure you check to be sure they're "on" . . .

Goldielocks, visiting this beach is a must for you. Shoot visiting Portland is a must for you!!!!! Make it happen girlfriend!!!!

Jitterbug, if I remember correctly it was you who suggested I go to this beach. I think you mentioned it in my second trip report. I looked it up on the net and have to honestly admit, I wasn’t impressed by what I found so I never put out the effort to check it out. I have a much different opinion after being there so I thank you. Goes to show you can’t always rely on just the internet to endorse a place. I'll go for beach time and while there find out if something’s planned for that night. Will double back after dark for sure if they tell me yes!!!

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After leaving Under the Rock Beach, I experienced another “first time here”. This hidden Portland gem can be found at the end of this path within the small community of Long Road.

I enjoyed the ride down this country path as much as the arrival to the destination…

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Ennis Bay Beach

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Ennis (or Innis) Bay Beach is another beach enjoyed mainly by locals. As soon as I got out of the car I could tell this is one cool place to hang out and have good fun on a hot, lazy afternoon.

Bundles of friends gathered here…another bundle over there…and a few clustered elsewhere. No one paying me a bit of mind. I loved it.

My driver is a little upset. Says the beach/shore doesn’t always look that rough. In fact he said he never saw it in need of attention. I mean, it didn’t look horrible. Nothing that a team of ten or so with rakes and a cart for hauling debris couldn’t handle. But I can understand his shock considering he knows how it usually looks.

Me, I wasn’t going to complain or turn up my nose because I was happy to see natural ocean wash-up like driftwood, seaweed and shells instead of the medical waste, trash and dead rodents that end up along some of the shore lines here.

I have a feeling it’s going to look like new when I revisit.

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You are right, Vi, my hubby and I would absolutely love it there :)

Well then we've got to make that happen don't we??????? Serious, Schuttzie, I do hope to hear you and the love of your life have purchased a ticket soon. That would make my day. You just don't know. :)

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Again I didn’t stay long enough to take a dip in the tempting ocean or be memorized by the landscape. This was another “take a peek” to see if you like spot. And YES of course I like it very much thank you!!!

There’s a strong non-fuss non-hassle vibe here. While I could be a solo bather at Under the Rock, I would like to have company at Ennis Beach. It’s a very social-type setting.

I understand this is another weekend party hot spot. hmmmmm I’ll find out soooooon :)

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vi, i'm so glad you enjoyed the out of the way places, local stuff . . . no tourist in sight . . . sometimes, one can strike up a conversation with local folks and get a whole different look at jamaica and family life . . . i love "regular life" . . .

just before you leave long road on that tight left turn, is free i's place "zion country" . . . did you get there???

tourists are used to well-manicured beaches . . . it's good to keep an open mind and experience and just "be in the moment" . . .

I'm so glad, I came across your trip report. Its one of the best Ive read so far...very detailed and great pictures.

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Originally Posted by JitterBug

tourists are used to well-manicured beaches . . . it's good to keep an open mind and experience and just "be in the moment" . . .

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I so agree, I just don't want to see people's trash everywhere. Another location, not in JA, we came across a beach that you had a hard time finding a spot to sit because of all the trash....very sad :(

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Originally Posted by JitterBug

vi, i'm so glad you enjoyed the out of the way places, local stuff . . . no tourist in sight . . . sometimes, one can strike up a conversation with local folks and get a whole different look at jamaica and family life . . . i love "regular life" . . .

just before you leave long road on that tight left turn, is free i's place "zion country" . . . did you get there???

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Jitterbug, I knew of Zion Country, but didn’t know WHERE it was. I read about it before this reach and it sounded like something I wanted to check out. I wish I knew I was right there. But I will l look for it when I return. And as far as enjoying the out of the way places, that’s all I do. I love to explore and I love variety which makes Portland perfect for me. I’ll check out a (fee required) tourist attraction just for the one-time experience. But I will go back if it touches me, like rafting the Rio Grande, Reach Falls or Pelican Bar. And yes, I’ve learned a lot about “life” from my conversations with some very honest folks. Some of those conversations left me speechless.

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Originally Posted by JitterBug

tourists are used to well-manicured beaches . . . it's good to keep an open mind and experience and just "be in the moment" . . .

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“be in the moment” is the only way to appreciate what Jamaica has to offer us visitors. In my mind, the beach was perfect, rustic yet not abused. Yeap, from the tire swings to the stranded boat…perfect.

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Originally Posted by kaycee

I'm so glad, I came across your trip report. Its one of the best Ive read so far...very detailed and great pictures.

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Hi kaycee! Welcome. I’m glad you found this ride too. Happy to have you on board. Thank you so much for the compliment. Really means a lot to me.

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Originally Posted by Schuttzie

I so agree, I just don't want to see people's trash everywhere. Another location, not in JA, we came across a beach that you had a hard time finding a spot to sit because of all the trash....very sad :(

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Schuttzie, it’s devastating how some beaches get trashed. Now I expect the “charged” beaches and the free beaches that are lined with businesses to be constantly maintained and clean. But it’s impressive to find local beaches, like the ones in Portland, just as clean or sometimes cleaner.

Once again…way to soon to be leaving, but I need to eat. So on the road we go.

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I love your trip report, the writing and pictures wow!, probably the best one I've read on Negril .com thanks and i hope theirs more.