Simply Portland...Utterly Devine

bravo vi!! beautifully done reporting . . . and yes, as i said, ja folks are "rough rough" with their own, absolutely, see it over and over again. and yes, that's the cycle that continues that needs to be broken. . . . i'm a realist, not in my lifetime!!!

as much as i love winnifred, i can only handle so much of the local intrusion . . . san san and frenchman's are my getaways from the local scene. i've been to san san countless times, spent better part of the day there and be the only person there. just the way i love it!!!

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Originally Posted by kaycee

....I told them what I thought of them and dropped the basket of items I planned on purchasing on the counter.Even when they saw I was visibly upset, they still tried to persuade me to buy their overly priced trinkets. I kissed my teeth and said a few not so nice words and left. No apologies or anything...

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Good for you!! I bet you picked up on the same negative vibe I felt. Being rude/mean to someone because they "fit" a profile doesn't fly with me. Especially when it comes to children. and YES on stressing your feelings by affecting their pockets. Ms. Kaycee...I hope that basket you left behind was FULL! loll

Yes ma'am! It was about $200usd worth of items.:)

I know shopping is suppose to make you feel better, but I felt excellent after not buying those items.

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Originally Posted by JitterBug

bravo vi!! beautifully done reporting . . . and yes, as i said, ja folks are "rough rough" with their own, absolutely, see it over and over again. and yes, that's the cycle that continues that needs to be broken. . . . i'm a realist, not in my lifetime!!!

as much as i love winnifred, i can only handle so much of the local intrusion . . . san san and frenchman's are my getaways from the local scene. i've been to san san countless times, spent better part of the day there and be the only person there. just the way i love it!!!

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Jitterbug, I want to thank you for your contributions as well as support with the report. I'm just beginning to see all that is common territory to you so your input was highly appreciated.

San San is on my list for the same reason you mentioned. Sometimes you just need to be with you and God (or whom ever one connects with spiritually). Under the Rock is close, but it's not a place I would want to do alone. However Frenchman's Cove is. From now on FC or San San will be a must for me when it's time to say goodbye.

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Originally Posted by kaycee

Yes ma'am! It was about $200usd worth of items.:)

I know shopping is suppose to make you feel better, but I felt excellent after not buying those items.

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oooooweeee!!! YOU GO GIRL!!!!!!

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...ly20131004.jpg

Personally I don’t mind paying admission for absolute undisturbed relaxation. This was the perfect choice for my last day in Portland.

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That was just a fantastic trip report vi! Thanks for letting me tag along with you. I never really knew ANYTHING about the Portland area, and now I feel like I MUST GO!

Thanks again vi, hope you get to go back soon
murph

The restuarant and bar

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...ly20131024.jpg

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Originally Posted by murph

That was just a fantastic trip report vi! Thanks for letting me tag along with you. I never really knew ANYTHING about the Portland area, and now I feel like I MUST GO!

Thanks again vi, hope you get to go back soon
murph

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Murph!!! Thank you sooo much for not just tagging along, but letting me know you occupy a seat. Your comments were very motivating and kind. PLEASE do try to spend a little time in Portland. It's all I say it is and more. OH and make me ask you something...is tomorrow soon enough???? :D

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yeap, I humiliated that bottle of red stripe by dressing it in that tacky cozy.

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The fly UNDER the fly you see had the audacity to think I would be okay with it getting a sip of my $12.50 drink!!! No sir, Vi doesn’t share her rum with any creature…especially flies! Well he paid the price and ended up being dinner and a cocktail to his frind.

Silly thing to write about in a TR I know. But being in Portland helps clear my head of the serious to make room for the silly. And you know what…I thank PA for reminding me just how GOOD silly feels.

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So before I began my beach stroll, I poured the rum from the glass back into the bottle and covered the top. Looks ridiculous doesn’t it?? Sure it does. But it looked perfectly rational after a few swallows and it kept other free-loading flies out.

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If asked who goes to FC more...residents or visitors imo I would have to say it's 50/50. It all depends on how you feel and what you want opposed to what you can afford. There was a nice mix of both that day. Just a really cool vibe all around.

OMG a red stripe Moo-Moo! Perfect for those sunday afternoons... just lying around the house hahaha

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Originally Posted by murph

OMG a red stripe Moo-Moo! Perfect for those sunday afternoons... just lying around the house hahaha

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MOO MOO!!!!!! LMAO!!!! oh Murph that is priceless and so fitting for me. I mean men use cozies and big girls do moo moo's. I love it!! I'll be sure to put pearls on the next one.

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Another fantastic afternoon in Port Antonio

*Vi*. As always really enjoyed the report....you have such a knack for reporting...luv the pictures....took me where I needed to be....time to make another visit to share with those of us that can't seem to make it any time soon...Have a ball girlie!

Thank you (((Sparkle))). Don't fret my Sista, you will soon be there so that your soul can be soothed and rejuvinated by Portland as well.

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I apologize for ending the report minus the dishing of accolades, the list of blessings received and a tally sheet of tears shed.

...well I could, but I have a plane to catch.

Peace

Feeling thankful and jealous :) Have fun!

Have a safe flight!:)

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Originally Posted by JitterBug

bravo vi!! beautifully done reporting . . . and yes, as i said, ja folks are "rough rough" with their own, absolutely, see it over and over again. and yes, that's the cycle that continues that needs to be broken. . . . i'm a realist, not in my lifetime!!!

as much as i love winnifred, i can only handle so much of the local intrusion . . . san san and frenchman's are my getaways from the local scene. i've been to san san countless times, spent better part of the day there and be the only person there. just the way i love it!!!

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Jitterbug - Can you clarify what you mean by "local intrusion"? I have heard only excellent things about Winnifred beach. Am I missing something?
We are coming that way in December and are really looking forward to seeing that part of Jamaica.

*Vi* - it took a while but finally finished reading this thread. What a great trip report. My wife and I are travelling to Portland area for a couple weeks at Christmas. It will be my 6th trip to Jamaica, my wifes 4th. We have always gone to Negril but have talked about getting to the Port Antonio area for a change. It's finally going to happen.

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Originally Posted by sandman66

Jitterbug - Can you clarify what you mean by "local intrusion"? I have heard only excellent things about Winnifred beach. Am I missing something?
We are coming that way in December and are really looking forward to seeing that part of Jamaica.

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sandman, nothing bad at all, love winnifred . . . it's great . . . at times, i just wanted to get away to a quieter spot and be spoiled a little . . . my holidays were spent in local environment and it sure was wonderful to be a tourist, especially at frenchman's, there is service right to your lounge chair:cool: . . . . you will enjoy winnifred.

Thank you, thank you, what a beautiful report with fabulous pictures to go with it. I was on this ride from beginning to end and totally enjoyed it. Love Portland but haven't been in years, Frenchman is my spot, love it there, again really enjoyed the ride and could feel your love for Porty.

Aww, sorry to see this trip report end - the pictures were just absolutely beautiful! I know one time when we were in the Portland area, admission to Frenchman's Cove was included as part of the night we spent at a hotel - can't remember if it was when we stayed at San San Tropez or if it was included with Fern Hill. I waded out into the river that goes into the ocean at Frenchman's and was going to sit down on a rock and all of a sudden that "rock" swam away! I jumped about a foot! Not sure if it was a turtle or some kind of a fish.

Thanks for your wonderful report and beautiful pictures,safe travels!!

Oh, my goodness! I've been away for a few days and look at everything I've missed! That beach on the west side of Portie looks wonderful and I had no idea it was there. It looks like it has cookshops along there. So glad you stood up for the young boys, for sure.

The new restaurant at Frenchman's is beautiful. They were only just starting to work on it the last time we were there. They would bring out cooked food from somewhere else and set up for people to enjoy. Actually, they may have had cook pots going and did it there in the open under some awnings. There are even picnic tables, too, wow~ My girls always enjoyed the waves there.

I'm sad to see your journey end but it only so you can begin another. Many blessings to you and thank you so much for this labor of love you've shared with us!

Beautiful, thanks vi!!
I am searching for a name of a cove and if it is possible to get there. The cove is in Long Bay. I have seen pictures of it on ta from personal pictures of guests at Hotel Jamaican Colors. They just call it the cove, or cliff. Take a look at it, absolutely breathtaking! Just wondering if you knew about it or heard anything about it. I really want to see it on my next reach. Maybe only accesable by boat?

Vi, thank you so much for a beautiful report. You are a wonderful writer it's as if I am right there.:D

Hey Vi... I enjoyed the ride. You gave some insight into new beaches to check out. And thanks for the info on Bath. I don't like public massages either but do enjoy just sitting in the water and reflecting. Maybe you would enjoy firewater in ochie better. Massages are offered but you can decline and they've built a wooden wall around the stream so you can be alone with your thoughts. I will be returning to PA soon..before they get too touristy!

Thanks everyone for your comments which I will respond to shortly.

I just returned from Jamaica last night, 11/3. It was a WONDERFUL 12 day visit. One where I left feeling a LOT wiser, happier, content and grateful.

A heap of changes going on in Port Antonio. I will post updates in a new thread for the benefit of anyone heading that way and for those of you who don’t mind my ramblings and photos.

For now…I say with a BIG smile Portland treated me very well.

Glad to hear you had another great trip! Can't wait to read about it!

Please don't make us wait long. I am so looking forward to our trip to the "other" side.

Wow! I am so feeling the vibe of this super trip report!

Up to page 17, not much accomplished in my last 2.5 hours at work,lol!!!

I've done Ochi, Trelawny, Montego Bay and Negril....

Now Portland seems.."Interesting"...

Happy Travels and thanks for the details... Ahhhh.....lol!

Skb!

Glad to see that youre back posting! Can't wait to hear about your recent trip!

Hi kaycee. Yeah, I'm back but not happy about it...lol Catching up on things here at work is delaying the responses and report a little. Hopefully will get it started soon. Thanks again for your support.

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Originally Posted by Sam I Am

Feeling thankful and jealous :) Have fun!

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I had a BLAST!!!!! Can’t believe I’m back already. The time flew and yes I’m checking airfare daily so I can do it all over again.

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Originally Posted by kaycee

Have a safe flight!:)

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Thanks kaycee…the flights were smooth

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Originally Posted by sandman66

*Vi* - it took a while but finally finished reading this thread. What a great trip report. My wife and I are travelling to Portland area for a couple weeks at Christmas. It will be my 6th trip to Jamaica, my wifes 4th. We have always gone to Negril but have talked about getting to the Port Antonio area for a change. It's finally going to happen.

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Hi sandman. Thanks for reading and so glad you enjoyed it. I hope I was able to provide ideas to help you and your wife with your planning. I’m so excited for you both. Feel free to ask me questions. As far as the beaches…depending on how long winter break is, you and your wife will most likely have them all to yourselves due to the kids being in school. I know your wife will truly enjoy the pampering at Frenchman’s Cove and the laid back vibe at Winnifred. Consider rafting the Rio Grande. The drive alone will take your breath away. You can also hop a route taxi to Long Bay and have a drink at my new favorite spot on the beach. I’ve got to check my notes for the name. When I do, I’ll post a picture of it also. 150JA ice cold red stripes!!!! May I ask where you are staying?

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Originally Posted by LadyP

Thank you, thank you, what a beautiful report with fabulous pictures to go with it. I was on this ride from beginning to end and totally enjoyed it. Love Portland but haven't been in years, Frenchman is my spot, love it there, again really enjoyed the ride and could feel your love for Porty.

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You are so welcome LadyP and I thank you for taking the time to read the report. Yes, Portland has a hold on me that I don’t ever want to shake loose. I fall deeper in love with the place the more time I spend there. I hope the pictures bought back sweet memories for you.

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Originally Posted by rachel

Aww, sorry to see this trip report end - the pictures were just absolutely beautiful! I know one time when we were in the Portland area, admission to Frenchman's Cove was included as part of the night we spent at a hotel - can't remember if it was when we stayed at San San Tropez or if it was included with Fern Hill. I waded out into the river that goes into the ocean at Frenchman's and was going to sit down on a rock and all of a sudden that "rock" swam away! I jumped about a foot! Not sure if it was a turtle or some kind of a fish.

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Hi there Rachel…thanks so much for hangin in with me. I laughed out loud at your swimming rock. Was it that big??? I don’t think I would have gone back into the water after that. Definitely not in the same area.

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Originally Posted by billndonna

Thanks for your wonderful report and beautiful pictures,safe travels!!

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Thank you for joining me Donna. I always enjoy having you along in the rides.

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Originally Posted by Schuttzie

Oh, my goodness! I've been away for a few days and look at everything I've missed! That beach on the west side of Portie looks wonderful and I had no idea it was there. It looks like it has cookshops along there. So glad you stood up for the young boys, for sure.

The new restaurant at Frenchman's is beautiful. They were only just starting to work on it the last time we were there. They would bring out cooked food from somewhere else and set up for people to enjoy. Actually, they may have had cook pots going and did it there in the open under some awnings. There are even picnic tables, too, wow~ My girls always enjoyed the waves there.

I'm sad to see your journey end but it only so you can begin another. Many blessings to you and thank you so much for this labor of love you've shared with us!

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Ms. Schuttzie. As always, I thank you for such sweet and kinds words. Your girls will have to be dragged off that beach now…probably you too. To me it’s worth the fee to be there…a small price to pay for ALLLLL of that serenity.

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Originally Posted by brazz

Beautiful, thanks vi!!
I am searching for a name of a cove and if it is possible to get there. The cove is in Long Bay. I have seen pictures of it on ta from personal pictures of guests at Hotel Jamaican Colors. They just call it the cove, or cliff. Take a look at it, absolutely breathtaking! Just wondering if you knew about it or heard anything about it. I really want to see it on my next reach. Maybe only accesable by boat?

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Hi brazz. Thanks for the compliment on the report. I wish I saw this before I went. I would have hunted out the cove as Long Bay is truly a special place that I’m just discovering. I didn’t just ride through this visit, I actually spent some time in the area and met a couple of people. I will definitely ask about it next reach.

Sweet, Vi, we would all love to hear and see new pictures of your most recent trip! Your observations and reflections on the goings are a treasure :) Much love and respect to you!