Very nice report and the pics are fantastic. Thanks for sharing! The view from your deck is wonderful:)
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Very nice report and the pics are fantastic. Thanks for sharing! The view from your deck is wonderful:)
Bigga's was on my to-do list and somehow never made it back out to Green Island, which is just inexcusable since we had a car...too lazy, sand and cliff gravity. Must go next time!Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim-Donna
Make sure you grab extra beers.......Quote:
Originally Posted by Hettie
Glad I'm not the only one who goes to bed early. I'm a morning girl and really love walking the beach in the early a.m. before the vendors are out. Usually see lots of rays and big fish by the water's edge then. I also start out early with rum cream (all good) in my coffee, and then move onto dirty bananas or pina coladas, which probably explains why I'm so sleepy and back to my room shortly after sundown. Will either sit on the patio with a drink and listen to the tree frogs, read a book, or watch a movie, and then I'm out for the count. Can you hear the tree frogs at Citronella, Hettie? Just love their sound (bleep!), which is one of the reasons I prefer the beach.
Up at 6:30 am today, which seems early, but considering we went to bed at 8:30 pm, that's 10 hours of sleep! :eek: The day before we saw the produce truck at LTU on our way back to Citronella after breakfast, so we had walked over there and picked up some items from the truck, including some papaya and pineapple which we had with our coffee. I also got some cabbage and carrots for the salad I planned on making to take to Sweetness party.
6:45 AM photos
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Citronella has two nice dogs, this is Tulip, I can't remember the other one's name right now, will have to think about it.
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I decided to do my cardio workout, which is an interval jump rope session that I do twice a week. The only flat, hard space that worked for jumping rope was down on the swim platform. About halfway through my workout, which consists of 90 seconds of jogging in place style jumping alternating with 30 seconds of full out fast-as-I-can-jump-on-both-feet jumping (repeat 10 times), I hear someone yelling "hey" repeatedly from the road between Rexy's and Sir D's. Then I look over toward Rick's and see a couple of guys out on the point watching me...seems I've attracted a small audience. I keep going and realize that from those distances they probably can't see that I have a rope and it must look like I'm just jumping around like a maniac for no reason. I can only imagine the conversations that took place that morning.
After my workout it was just a little after 9:00 am, so we decided to go down to Hi-Lo for some eggs. Saturday morning is now my favorite time to grocery shop, the place was empty so we could stand around and stare at things without getting in anyone's way. I got some callaloo and onion to go with the eggs.
Back at Citronella, I decided to make a callaloo scramble, so I sauteed the onion and callaloo in the butter I bought until they were tender, then scrambled the eggs and added those. It was delicious with some scotch bonnet sauce we also picked up. After that I wanted to go ahead and put together the cabbage salad for Sweetness' party to give the vinaigrette time to soak in. If you want to do any serious chopping or slicing, take your own kitchen knife (Sweetness suggested this and it's now on my packing list) because I was getting nowhere with the cabbage and carrots using the knives provided. Chad had to help me using his pocket knife (cleaned first) and we had some interestingly sliced veggies in the salad...don't think anyone noticed at the party though, too busy eating. I was going to chop up a scotch bonnet and add it, but Chad convinced me I should just put some of the scotch bonnet sauce in there since I didn't have any gloves. After seeing Sweetness' hands in her photos, I'm glad I took his advice. Ouch! (Add kitchen gloves to the packing list Sweetness ;))
I had just a little time to chill, so I read for awhile on one of the loungers on our verandah and went for a short swim. I tried the new Red Stripe Light apple flavor and it was surprisingly delicious-- very crisp and refreshing and not too heavy on the apple flavor. I also tried the ginger flavor another day and YUCK! I thought I would prefer the ginger, but it was just weird. I wanted more of the apple, but it was hard to find.
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We got cleaned up and ready for the party. It was a nice drive out to Westender, had to stop and wait for a herd of goats, love it when that happens. I like seeing all the different sizes and colors going by.
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We got to Westender at 2:25, a little late, but still the first guests to arrive. Guess we hadn't adjusted to Jamaica time yet. Glad we got there early because it gave a us a chance to chat with Sweetness and look around at Westender. What a nice place, sooooo quiet and peaceful, the staff there seem super, definitely a place I would like to stay some time.
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We decided this should be called the "Butt Washing Station" because when there's a big wave, water shoots up from the hole just under the bench. We think it could be used as a form of punishment...not sure what specific offenses would warrant sitting here, but I'm sure we could all come up with some ideas. :D
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Sweetness is an amazing cook and such a generous, kind individual. All the food was just incredible! The lion fish really blew Chad and I away, I hope more restaurants start serving it since it seems it's there to stay and hopefully fishing for it will keep the population down. I also got to try roasted breadfruit for the first time, love it. I have to say I have never seen a table of food disappear so quickly, what a huge success! And then a lovely sunset...
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Chad and I said our goodbyes and stopped by Citronella to put on long pants before going to Seastar. I usually get a lot of mosquito bites back in the greener areas, but no problems this time. I hope it's because they no longer like me, but it's more likely because it was so dry.
I tried to get some photos of the new construction at Seastar, but they turned out blurry, so won't bother posting them. The place looks nice, much more open feel and the large covered area is great for all-weather performances. We hung out for awhile before eating since we had just eaten at Sweetness' party. When we did eat, had to go back for seconds because the food was so good. I ordered a Zombie to drink and our nice server gave me a look of dismay and clutched my arm, but brought the drink anyway. It was pretty good, I guess it was strong too. :p
We decided to head home around 11:00 and there was a man selling corn and soup outside Seastar. Soup sounded nice, but didn't really want to deal with the corn on the cob, so just asked for soup alone and he obliged. Was going to sit on the edge of our open car trunk to eat my soup, but slid all the way in and just decided to stay there with my legs sticking out all weird, must have been a sight to behold. It was a late night for us, didn't get to sleep until midnight, good times.
Thanks for the tip, do you mean take beers with us or does Bigga sell drinks? I was wondering about that...Quote:
Originally Posted by booger
I didn't hear any at Citronella, and I don't recall ever hearing them anywhere I've stayed on the cliffs. I think they like the morass. I also love to hear them, when we went down to the beach in the evening later in the trip it made me once again consider staying on the beach again someday...maybe...if I can tear myself away from the cliffs for a few nights.Quote:
Originally Posted by Maryann
Thanks for taking the time to post ! I love the ides of the "butt washing bench" , it made me smile .
.Quote:
Originally Posted by Hettie
Bigga has beers, grab extra so you're not driving down the road with your tongue sticking out.
Loving your reports - thanks for the kind words. I loved meeting you two - you are full of light. Laughed out loud about you coming "late" and being first ones there. I had to just relax and let go lol.....I wanted things done at noon but everyting in slow motion in JA......Party 2:00 (nope) Food ready 3:30 ish.....Gone in a flash and then people kept coming and food was GONE. So glad you came and I hope to see you again. Keep the pics and reports coming - I am so enjoying them.
Bless
Its so nice you share such a detailed trip report. You get five stars from me. ♥♥♥♥♥