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Vi honey... Your pictures are awe inspiring..thank you for sharing your trip with those of us that can only visit JA thru our dreams. Thank you sweetie and more please
all I can say is wow!! Thanks for sharing PA with us. It's been YEARS since I was there and now u have me wanting to go back... Is Trident Villas open again? One of my fav actors, Blair Underwood and his wife were married there. Thanks again for sharing your trip with us. I don't know how I missed your report, but glad I found it!!
the bridge photo *sigh*
SPARKLE!!! YOU GOT IN!!! I’m so happy to see you in the house, darlin. Thanks for coming along. More photos on the way…
Pretty40, welcome to this photo journey and glad you enjoy the pictures. I believe it is open again. Now when are you going back to Port Antonio??? I know you are long over due.
Sammy…I know sweets. I’m gonna have to hurt you just a little more because…well…we had to cross the bridge to return and well…..
THANK YOU for the pics!!!-Keep them coming:D
Vince
THANK YOU for tagging along and enjoying them!
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The sun was up before me this particular morning; however there was no promise of it sticking around the entire day. I didn’t appreciate feeling the “need” or “urgency” to get up because that would only mean one thing…my time is winding down.
I walked across the cool tiled floor to the mini frig where my mood-lifter was stored. The taste of cool, sweet pineapple chunks always make me smile. It took sucking the life out of 8 sweet, juicy chunks before I began feeling motivated to enjoy another day in Port Antonio without giving a dyam about the date.
The sunshine and the rain share the Portland sky. That means it rains as much as it doesn’t. Thus the abundance of thriving colorful vegetation sprouting from the pores of the ground and the need to always have an umbrella handy.
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Beautiful... so delicate..Quote:
Originally Posted by *vi*
Thanks SPARKLE...are those colors amazing!!!
I picked out something cute to wear. Cute and bright was a must. Each time I glanced out my window and saw the sun had not bailed, my color choice got brighter. The gage stopped at pink. I rarely wear pink. Enough about my wardrobe. Shower…dress…call for a ride.
“Good morning, Mr. O. This is Vi.”
“Good morning, Vi.”
“I was hoping to get to….um…I don’t remember the town name, but the Chill Out bar and restaurant is on that beach.”
“Long Bay. Chill Out is in Long Bay.”
“Okay, then I want to go to Long Bay. Are you booked this afternoon?”
“No, I can take you, no problem. I gone to make a quick stop on the way.”
“Well…why don’t you take care of your business then pick me up when you’re done?”
“No, I come for you then make the stop on the way.”
“Oh...okay. I’m ready you can come for me now.”
“I’m on my way.”
54 lonnnnng minutes passed before I get the call letting me know he’s outside. In the meantime, the clouds were ganging up on the sun. I felt like changing my clothes…navy blue feels mood-appropriate attire. :(
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I didn’t comment on his timing, it would only delay us more, besides the sun appears to be winning right now.
He reminds me of the “quick” stop “on the way”.
“Is it near water?”
“Yes, it is.”
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When we get to the main road, he makes a left instead of a right. Now I admit I’m directionally challenged, heck I would get lost following the yellow brick road, but I do know to get to Long Bay one would turn right.
“Weren’t you supposed to turn right?”
“Yes, I tell you from morning I have to make a quick stop on the way.”
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I just sit and ride because the new scenery is interesting.
We finally get to the “quick stop”…
A GARAGE TO GET NEW BRAKES PUT ON HIS CAR!!!
Okay…now before I get out, tell me….when does going in the opposite direction of the initial destination considered “on the way”? AND when does having brakes put on a car considered a “quick stop”?
“Come Vi, it not take long.”
The clouds began to accumulate as soon as he spoke that line.
ohhh my...........
I hope you were able to enjoy Long Bay this reach.........
ready for more and the photos especially those of the flowers are BEAUTIFUL
Sammy...all I gotta say is get your tissues out because the pictures from Long Bay are gonna bring memory tears to your eyes.
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An everyday garage lined with automobiles having mechanical issues and men covered with grease, dirt and sweat determined to correct said issues.
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Everyone has something to do except me, who should be enjoying that first red stripe of the day right about now. What am I going to do as I sit here watching these men continue to sweat as they move about the junky yard? I know….I’ll be a mild distraction and take pictures.
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Mr. O found me a place to sit that wasn’t covered with car parts or tools or motor oil. What a gentleman.
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My view from the “waiting area”.
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The sand on the beach behind the garage is black. Interesting to look at, but not barefoot strolling, toes in the sand inviting. So I didn’t venture out.
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I can’t say I was bored because these guys were kinda entertaining. But I do admit I was getting a little discouraged about not being on the beach before the rains come. You know, not being where I WANT to be. But I wasn’t going to throw a tantrum or complain…the time to do that was when he made that left…lol
I soon realize the plus of being stuck here…I got to meet the future Mr. Goodwrench or even better, the future Ralph Gilles . This industrious little guy was busy building a car while the others were just working on car parts.
I watched him transform a small ordinary juice box into a vehicle with windows and doors that open and close, tires and an antenna.
“Hi there”
“Hi”
“Did you make that all by yourself?”
“Yes”
You did a great job. You are very good.
He smiled, shrugged his shoulders “I make dem all the time when me boxjuice finish.”
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Oh, so to him, it’s no big deal, but to me it shows a lot of creativity. Sorry I didn’t take a picture of it.
He’s shy until you get him talking about cars and finding out what trouble dem. He comes with his father from time to time. He wants to be a mechanic when he grows up.
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The conversation I had with this little one made me glad I was stranded at a garage during my vacation. He asked me where I came from. You don’t give much thought to children picking up on the different dialect or accent, at least I didn’t until that afternoon. I got a kick out of him giggling at the way I pronounced things, but not really understanding that I didn’t have a speech disability, I was just American. Evidently, I was his first foreign voice.
Mr. O tells me the car is fixed and we can go.
“Oh sweetie, I have to leave. It was nice talking with you.”
He just smiled and joined his dad.
The sun continued to shine.
Two thumbs up!!!!!!!!Thank you thank you!!!!!!!!:D
I really enjoyed this segment. I remember visiting a black sand beach when we made a day trip to P.A. Our driver stopped to pee in the ocean. LOL. Was it near a river leading into the sea?
I also remember the several junk yards we passed in that area. We are in the same business but we refer to them as "salvage yards" lol, trying to church it up because it's not junk if you can sell it for profit. I am glad you stopped there. My husband has talked about stopping at one of the junk yards in JA to see how they run things. We are aways amazed at the mark up of parts from foreign and what can be made from nothing into something. The ingenuity of Jamaicans always impressed my husband when it comes to cars and parts. I work on the other end of our business in repairing cars, mechanical and body work (i'm just the secretary, not a mechanic) but I would have LOVED to have been at this place.
Your report has made me think this "If I see something and it looks interesting, stop and check it out, because if not, I'm always going to be wishing I would have".
Thanks again. Best report I have followed in a long time!
I just want to say thank you so much for sharing your journey here, I have loved it and the pictures are amazing! :)
Vi: Wow, you made my day!! Thinking of visiting PA for the first time possibly November. Have visited Negril more than once. Cliffs and beach.
Want to do a longer stay in Jamaica this trip with hubby. Do I do Negril again or try Port Antonio? Do you know much about Ivanhoes or Mikuzi for first time accomodations? Possibly a 3-4 week stay if the prices are right. Won't have a car so want to stay where beaches and other areas are within walking distance or close by. What a beautiful area of the Island. What's November like there? Probably don't near a/c like Negril for that time of the year.
Love your photos, how long was your stay? Who was the fellow who invited you into his home with the "Welcome" mat at the door? What a view from his doorstep. I am torn between Seven Mile Beach and Port Antonio.
Mr. Vince, your few words make me feel ten feet tall. Thank you darling.
Negrilaholic, so glad you are still enjoying the ride. Thanks so much!
JamSun, Welcome. And like I said in your post, Port Antonio is nothing like Negril, especially the beach road strip, so it would be difficult to do comparisons. However if you two are the type who like to move at your own pace while being immersed in endless natural beauty, then I believe you would enjoy PA.
JeannieB, oh my. You have me smiling big over here as I read your words.
The black sand beach I saw was behind the car garage. Don’t think it was the same one your driver stopped at.
I remember passing a salvage yard not too far from the garage. You and your husband would be in your glory there. I also recall wanting to stop and get a picture of it. Don’t know why. But anyway, I had the opportunity to accompany my driver on not just one garage visit, but five total. Seems he felt I was comfortable tagging along since I never complained.
You both would have loved tagging along to the tire shop to replace a blow-out, then there was the mechanic who only services air conditioners, the windshield wiper specialist who replaced the wiper motor and the mechanic who installed a mystery part in the pouring rain. All on different days and at different locations. I say mystery part because I don’t know what the heck it was but I’m sure you would…lol. Now I ask, does it sound like Mr. O should put his car out of its misery and get a newer one??? YES he should, but he’s dedicated to his companion of 17 years and refuses to part with her. He even has a body person who cuts out the rust spots and welds flat pieces of tin patches to cover the holes. No doubt you and your husband would have enjoyed every minute of those “quick stops”.
Yes, PLEASE seize and capture every moment while you are there. Do check out what draws your attention and approach it. Port Antonio is the kind of place that invites you to get to know her.
Mr Goodwrench Ja style! Too funny..
pretty40, I tell you, he is heading in that direction!
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In real time....as in today...Tuesday, September 20, 2011....I have the blues sooooo desperately in need of being on this beach right about now....
*sigh*
I would walk to the edge and cast my worries upon the waves so that they could be carried out to sea, sink and be eaten by sea urchins.
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Long Bay Beach
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The Chill Out Bar & Restaurant on this beach is under new ownership and management. That means Renovation Time! No cooking yet, but the red stripes are cold and plentiful. I’ve always liked the vibe here. I heard it takes on a different personality at night….I will definitely check that out for myself when I return.
I'll take more pictures then also...this time the place wasn't very photo inviting.
Ocean was active. Not agitated as it would be prior to a storm, but lively as though it was urging me to come in and play or maybe just happy to see me.
I love the ocean view from any point in Jamaica. I can depend on receiving the calm I seek whenever I gaze at it.
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This field is where the Jerk Festival used to be before moving it to Folly Point.
I’m told when it was here, it never rained on that day. It’s rained on festival day ever since.
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The edge overlooks Boston Beach.
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The Roof Club
I got my whine on proper at this place!
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I kicked it with the owner until the masses filtered in. REAL nice guy!!!!! He looks tough, but he's a sweetheart.
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Thanks again Vi... :) We have been talking, planning and going over the map of the area. I have a much better visual of the area...and we plan on stopping at all these posts. Your photos are wonderful...and I love the rasta on the beach with the drum behind him! Great shots....
You certainly have inspired lots of folks to venture to PA...and I am so glad that you have done this report...which again, has been wonderfully written & with pics!
Your da bomb *VI* :)
Port Antonio ....soon come :cool: