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Re: Trip Report July/August 2016
Hopped a ride with a new driver. His name is Cleveland and he’s a character. You’ll meet him later.
I talked to Tommy, my new #1 driver, about my plans. Where I want to go and when and how much is all this going to cost me. I’ll show him off as well.
After that I go to Sandra’s house to say hi. Mr. B was on the porch cleaning ackee. He says “Dis your ackee for tomorrow breakfast. Sandra say you like ackee. Saltfish too??”
My eyes fixed on that big bowl of ackee like it was gold. “Yes, I like it with saltfish.”
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...2016%20208.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...2016%20209.jpg
Now that makes TWO goodies I’m looking forward to tomorrow. My first ackee & saltfish breakfast of this reach and rafting the Rio Grande!!!
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Re: Trip Report July/August 2016
I’m respectfully learning this community more and more.<< That's my mission every time we go to da country. (Orange Bay area) I'm still cruzin wit ya *vi*!!!
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Re: Trip Report July/August 2016
Vince, I find myself in the role of a student even to children sometimes. Yes, spending time in the country (communities) is not only humbling but you learn so much.
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Re: Trip Report July/August 2016
Lawd that ackee! Wish i was joining you for breakfast tomorrow, sigh.
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Re: Trip Report July/August 2016
LOL Sammy I wish "I" were back in Jamaica eating it all over again. It was soooo good!!! The photo is going to have your mouth watering.
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Re: Trip Report July/August 2016
Rafting on the Rio Grande
“Bing, ding ding…Bing, ding dong…” In other words “Wake up, Vi. Get up, Vi.” The awful alarm repeated again and again and again.
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...2016%20212.jpg
Tuesday traffic is worse than Monday because now the weekend partiers who called off on Monday to sober up, are on the road on Tuesday. I’m not eager to deal with that at all…five more minutes…the alarm ignores my request and flares again. I reach to the left to silence the noise. Fumbling with eyes closed to feel my way to audible relief, I had to open my eyes.
WAIT!!! What a glorious realization that I am NOT dreaming (just disoriented) and I'm really in JAMAICA Tuesday morning, July 26, 2016. "Sigh"….no morning stop-n-slowly-go traffic today. You’re on holiday. You’re in Portland. GET MOVING woman!
I thank the loud sun light for the wake-up call, leap out of bed thinking how grateful to see this day begin with bright, weather-wise positivity.
Shower, dress then, oh yeah, breakfast ackee & saltfish breakfast with Sandra.
Sandra calls me to let me know breakfast is ready.
“I’m on my way.”
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...2016%20213.jpg
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Re: Trip Report July/August 2016
Sandra makes the BEST ackee. What sells me is not so much the seasoning, it’s the texture. I like the ackee on the firm side. Not over cooked in other words. She does too so I can depend on her to prepare it OUR way every time.
Ackee, saltfish, fried breadfruit, accompanied by tender super sweet plantains, mint tea on a Tuesday morning in Jamaica.
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...2016%20215.jpg
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Re: Trip Report July/August 2016
The day’s arrangement. I needed…well maybe not “needed” but had room for a companion. The raft is one price be it one or more passengers. I invited #1 driver Tommy to join me. He’s never had the blissful experience plus he’s great to be around. Route taxi driver Tommy is a classic discovery for any traveler to Portland. He’s got personality. He’s got wit. He’s got the gift to find a reason to smile in any situation. He’s got red plates LOL.
The journey starts at one point and ends at another because it’s current driven. This is not a roundtrip trek. Since the driver who would drop me off then pick me up will be on the raft, he had to find a driver to do that. That driver was O’Neal and his smooth ac ride.
We are here and so is plenty of sunshine!!!
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...2016%20216.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...2016%20217.jpg
Meet our raft captain Motor.
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...016%201187.jpg
...and we're off...
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...2016%20226.jpg
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Re: Trip Report July/August 2016
Quote:
Originally Posted by
*vi*
Vince, I find myself in the role of a student even to children sometimes. Yes, spending time in the country (communities) is not only humbling but you learn so much.
We are on the same page here *vi*- Learning, observing, watching body language's, ect...
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Re: Trip Report July/August 2016
Quote:
Originally Posted by
*vi*
I hope you saved me some!
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Re: Trip Report July/August 2016
Beautiful, keep it coming. Did you get to check pineapple hills, the place I'll be staying on my next reach.
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Re: Trip Report July/August 2016
rafting and all those glorious views
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Re: Trip Report July/August 2016
Vince, you got it…keep the mouth shut and eyes wide open taking it all in.
SammyB, so sorry but I devoured every morsal. It was so good I almost got carried away and licked the plate. I’m sure if I did, that would be the end of my meals with Sandra. More views on the way in video. You are going to love them, Sammy.
Butterfly, no darlin, unfortunately I didn’t get there, but I promise to check it out on my upcoming reach. You go in 2017, right??
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Re: Trip Report July/August 2016
Watching this video over and over helped me to appreciate the work these captains put into doing their not so easy job. Poling a raft for 2-3 hours takes dedication, tolerance and of course, muscle. Captain Motor was a straight professional with a cool, calm demeanor. Tommy hooked us up with him. I wanted to go out later in the day so that we were returning right before dark. Captain Motor was fine with that. I felt he deserved more that what I paid him. But my budget kept me from doing more than what we agreed on. But I promise to take another drift with him when I return.
The music in the video is “My Girl Josephine”. A Fats Domino remake by Super Cat and Jack Radics.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kh1AoHgOiRI
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Re: Trip Report July/August 2016
Hey Miss *vi,*
This report is great! Give thanks for sharing. I still have not made it to the Eastern half of the island, but come the end of September I am going to experience an AI place for the first time ever. It looks lovely, but is not my usual style of travel so I'm sure I will be breaking out of there frequently!
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Re: Trip Report July/August 2016
Welcome to the ride Goldilocks! Thanks for the compliment. Hey lady, ain’t nothing wrong with a little pampering every now and then. But I do know how you feel. Each time I get close to doing an AI I consider how far the $$$ will take me while in Portland so I end up sweating it out in my likkle room but still feeling like a queen.
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Re: Trip Report July/August 2016
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Re: Trip Report July/August 2016
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Re: Trip Report July/August 2016
Are you checking out the videos, Vince??? They were shot with you in mind :)
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Re: Trip Report July/August 2016
*vi*, I tried to watch your rafting video, and it says there was a copyright issue and blocked from being showin in my country (US). Rats- I was looking forward to seeing it. I certainly enjoyed the beach video with the tourists jumping off the cliff. What a gorgeous beach!
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Re: Trip Report July/August 2016
Quote:
Originally Posted by
*vi*
Are you checking out the videos, Vince??? They were shot with you in mind :)
Ya woMon:)- I stay on top of this thread!- I watch them and then I just go in a daze!!-lol- Speechless of the beauty of PA! Respect! (fist bump)
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Re: Trip Report July/August 2016
One of my favorite Port Antonio activities is the raft ride. So peaceful, Zen-like, tranquil.
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Re: Trip Report July/August 2016
Quote:
Originally Posted by
BaileysMom
*vi*, I tried to watch your rafting video, and it says there was a copyright issue and blocked from being showin in my country (US). Rats- I was looking forward to seeing it. I certainly enjoyed the beach video with the tourists jumping off the cliff. What a gorgeous beach!
Hi Miss BaileysMom and welcome. I appreciate your comment!! So sorry you couldn't see the video. I imagine it's the Super Cat song that's causing the grief. I wonder if others from the US were able to see it. I'll try to post directly if I can. But please hang around and continue enjoying the ride.
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Re: Trip Report July/August 2016
Vince, as I've said many, many times before, by pictures & videos can't possibly capture the true beauty of Portland. I'm telling you sweetheart, you have to go for sho!!!
Brazz...I know you know. Although our drift was almost 4 hours long, the time seem to fly by. Made me wish I was a "couple" just so I could lay back on my man and share the serenity together.
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Re: Trip Report July/August 2016
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...2016%20271.jpg
We stopped for lunch at Belinda’s restaurant. The rafting experience just wouldn’t be complete if I didn’t pay this famous woman a visit.
The outdoor setting is really nice and spacious. She greeted us with the biggest smile. What a sweet woman. Very personable. She took the lunch orders and I wander around checking out the rest of the area.
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...2016%20273.jpg
This is where she does her thing.
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...2016%20277.jpg
This was an outstanding meal. I don’t remember how much it was, but I think 500J
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...2016%20297.jpg
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Re: Trip Report July/August 2016
Miss Belinda
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...2016%20284.jpg
https://youtu.be/exr6iyethfQ
The video reveals just a glimpse of this kind woman's personality.
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Re: Trip Report July/August 2016
True Jamaican country! Ahhhh!:o Lovley voice and smile!;)
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Re: Trip Report July/August 2016
Quote:
Originally Posted by
*vi*
Watching this video over and over helped me to appreciate the work these captains put into doing their not so easy job. Poling a raft for 2-3 hours takes dedication, tolerance and of course, muscle. Captain Motor was a straight professional with a cool, calm demeanor. Tommy hooked us up with him. I wanted to go out later in the day so that we were returning right before dark. Captain Motor was fine with that. I felt he deserved more that what I paid him. But my budget kept me from doing more than what we agreed on. But I promise to take another drift with him when I return.
The music in the video is “My Girl Josephine”. A Fats Domino remake by Super Cat and Jack Radics.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kh1AoHgOiRI
Can't view this one....got this message
This video contains content from SME, who has blocked it in your country on copyright grounds.
Sorry about that.
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Re: Trip Report July/August 2016
Lovely. Have never stopped at Ms. Belinda, now wish I had. I can see all videos except the one I listed above.
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Re: Trip Report July/August 2016
Okay. lets see if vimeo is friendlier if so, I'm switching.
https://vimeo.com/180320249
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Re: Trip Report July/August 2016
yoohoo....Can you view the video??? anyone???
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Re: Trip Report July/August 2016
Quote:
Originally Posted by
*vi*
She is a sweetheart, and one HELL of a cook!
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Re: Trip Report July/August 2016
Quote:
Originally Posted by
sammyb
Lovely. Have never stopped at Ms. Belinda, now wish I had. I can see all videos except the one I listed above.
Please do the very next time you go, Sammy. Like Brazz said, the lady can burn. Plus she's super nice.
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Re: Trip Report July/August 2016
Quote:
Originally Posted by
*vi*
Please do the very next time you go, Sammy. Like Brazz said, the lady can burn. Plus she's super nice.
I had her curried crawfish one of the times we stopped, AMAZING!!
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Re: Trip Report July/August 2016
Quote:
Originally Posted by
*vi*
yoohoo....Can you view the video??? anyone???
Yes, and it's lovely!
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Re: Trip Report July/August 2016
Quote:
Originally Posted by
*vi*
Okay, who is the artist in the background? GOOD BEATS there!!!!!
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Re: Trip Report July/August 2016
Thanks Sammy.
Vince, it's Super Cat along with Jack Radics...remake of a Fats Domino tune.
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Re: Trip Report July/August 2016
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...2016%20307.jpg
I had a conversation with this gentleman who was sitting quietly off to the side. He didn’t mind me taping part of it or that I might share such. In fact, he liked the attention. He was once a raft captain for many years and enjoyed it. Unfortunately, he had to stop when the captains were required to go through training and obtain a license. Now he tows the rafts back upstream for other captains. He did tell me what gets paid for the 3-hour trip. I didn’t ask if he worked every day but I doubt if he does. I couldn’t leave without giving him something. I’m sure I’m not the only one who upon meeting an individual such as he felt compelled to share what you have.
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Re: Trip Report July/August 2016
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Re: Trip Report July/August 2016
