Simply Portland...Utterly Devine

Non aggresive vendors, I see why you love Portland, it's laid back and not the hustle and bustle that's in Negril and Ocho Rios. I have never traveled to Portland alone, but I would love to get to know that side of the island a lot more. I will definitely stay at the Match Resort again. I am staying for a month because I save my time at work and can't do the little short trips because I feel it's just a tease.:cool: I will be doing a 1 month apartment rental in Negril and 3 nights in Ocho Rios, to be there for Rebel Salute (it's booked already). While there I will make accomodations for Portland. I will be contacting you so that I can get contact information for a driver while there.

Hey Sparkle!! well....okay...this time, but NEXT time you get your own...lol

Butterfly, I tell you I’m so envious but do appreciate how you give Jamaica proper time. Not just for yourself, but to get to know the many different aspects of the country by not limiting yourself to one or two areas. Do the dyam thing girl!!!! I hope this report will give you ideas of where to go and what to do when you get there. And yes, I'll be happy refer a couple of drivers that will get you all around Portland safely and hassle free.

My belly is letting me know it’s time to eat so I’m planning to dine at Cynthia’s after a dreaded but necessary stop at the rest room. Dreading this because I’ve heard the facility is less than squeaky clean.

Came upon the door and it’s padlocked. I guess I’ll respect the “no entry” sign and hope my bladder holds up. But that would mean no drinking. Oh nooooo!!! I decide to find out just where the vendors go when they need to go. A young man approaches me.

“We keep it locked now. I have the key.”

He unlocks the door, walks through to make sure it’s okay for me to enter then hands me a small roll of paper.

“I’ll take care of the flushing when you done.”

It wasn’t bad in there at all. Not at all what I expected. I was able to breath…lol

I return the remaining paper along with a tip and thank him for maintaining the restroom and that it was good for visitors to know it’s “breathing” safe to enter. Told me if I need to use it again to come to his cookshop and he will let me in. He pointed to the colorful, spacey structure directly across the pathway. Cookshop???

Dungu Culture Me Yard

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Walked over with him to get a closer look and sniff.

I knew after meeting the chef I had to eat here.

“What is the special for today?”
“Steamfish, but we can prepare chicken and goat any way you like.
“Fish sounds good since I hadn’t had any in a long time. But I bet you fix a mean curried chicken.”
He smiled and said “Yes, it’s his favorite meals to cook.”
“Well do your thing.”

His partner said he will come for me when the food is ready. I wander about taking pictures and sipping my red stripe & rum.

Wow, that looks like a new cookshop since we've been there. Darrel and his wife used be right next door the "toilets" along the beach. We usually got the jerk chicken and rice from him. My daughter loves the chicken foot soup, lol. Cynthia's so wonderful! Tour buses used to come and spend a bit of time on the beach and eat at Cynthia's.

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I'Cliff's bowl inspired by my daughter's drawing for him.

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The sweet dog with no teeth we'd see each time we came for years.

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Otis, I'Cliff, my girls' friend for a few years and my family.

I hope you don't mind, Vi, I jumped in with some pictures. I miss it so!

I always loved that the vendors are not pressuring anyone and they always recognized us each year.

Schuttzie, I LOVE the pictures!!!!!!!!! The group photo is great. It must have been soon after Otis opened the stand. I notice no benches around it. So your daughter designed the picture on the bowl???

I think I know the cookshop you are talking about. They were getting a lot of business. I was going to try their soup but the meal from the other place was not only excellent but filling. The buses still come down that challenging road bringing hungry travelers to Cynthia's.