Printable View
This guy was also working at the same stand. He cut open a piece of fruit for me to try. I wish I could remember what it was called. It was GROSS. it had a mushy texture and too many seeds. I was polite and didn't spit it out like I wanted to. Didn't want to be disrespectful.
Attachment 41141
I think the lady in the background may have been laughing at my antics after just trying that piece of fruit.
...so then this guy comes bouncing up to the fruit stand, singing "RRRRIBBA-DIBBA-DING-DANG, SLAP YOUR KNEES AND CLAP YOU HANDS IF YOU LOVE JESUS". Now my DH who is a musician and loves rolling his "R"'s perked right up and started singing and dancing with him. I do have a video of this but still don't know how to get the videos to post here. So here are some pictures of that moment. Wish I could show you the video too.
Attachment 41145
Attachment 41146
So after some shopping, we were thirsty and I was in need of the ladies room. This would prove to be learning experience in JA restroom physics. We decided to try to find a bar where we could have a beer and I could perhaps use facilities. So we wondered about town a bit.
Attachment 41140
Attachment 41144
great "off the resort" trip report......true travellors.....continue your adventure
The rolled tobacco is called "donkey rope". You slice it and then smoke it "Ital" or in a smoking mixture. It tends to be strong tobacco.
Still loving your travels report~ great photos!
after walking some more.....Attachment 41152
Attachment 41153
my DH finally spotted a sign, that from the distance he thought read "Bar". Well close enough. The "BAP" was indeed a bar, be in a very primitive one, but nonetheless, a bar. I wondered if they ran out of paint in painting the R on bar and just left it as a P. probably not.
Attachment 41154
'
Saturday night, no date, having to much fun reading you whole trip report, love it.!!! Because of your repot , I got a driver taking me to Sav on my next trip, fun. fun, fun, your smile says it all. !!!
Good for you Jojo!! It was nice to see the other side!Quote:
Originally Posted by jojo p
So we head inside BAP and order a round of red stripes. I asked the bartender if I could use the restroom. They didn't have one but she said she'd go ask a neighbor if I could use hers (another retailer). So she comes back with a big set of keys and instructs me to follow her. We went through a series of about 5 locked gates in the back of the buildings and she unlocked the "bathroom" door. I was confused. I saw a bare shower stall and a toilet with no back or lid and no water in it. There was a large 20 gallon bucket in the shower stall and another little 2 gallon bucket. She instructed me to fill the larger bucket, directly under a make shift shower head with water, and then use the smaller bucket to get the water out of the larger bucket and pour that in the toilet. She handed me a wad of tissues and said she'd be waiting for me outside. I think it would have just been less complicated to pee outside but there just wasn't a spot with no people around so I was grateful but it was definitely an experience I won't soon forget.
So while in the BAP, Mr. T noticed a set of dominoes and told the bartender he had just taught me to play a few days earlier. Mr. T, the bartender and I played about 5 games. I couldn't believe I was actually playing a Dominoes, In Jamaica, In Sav. It was a really cool moment for me. Mr. T won every game we played.
Attachment 41155
Very nice report, thanks for taking the time.
After losing 5 games and consuming several Red Stripes, We went on a quest to find a book store. I tried to purchase a few books in Negril but couldn't find any for sale. While on the beach in Negril one day, I met a woman from MN that started a literacy program years ago. She also supplies the books. Now I see why. I found a book store in Sav and it contained about 20 used novels. I certainly wasn't going to find one about JA history that I was seeking. We went to a seed store to buy Callaloo seeds. That was a strange experience too. We gave one lady our order and she handed us a card. We then had to give another guy our card and he went to get the seeds. He handed us the card back and directed us to pay the cashier. After paying, the cashier gave us the seeds. I keep thinking of a joke centered around how many people does it take to change a light bulb. I ran into something similar to this process several times in JA. Just try buying a bag of ice at Mega Mart and you too can experience it.
We managed to score some movies for a dollar a piece. Pretty good price. And they actually played when we got them back home. Well it was time to roll out of Sav and back to Negril. Just Natural was calling my name. We hired a driver to bring us back for $10, again thanks to Mr. T. I did tip the guy another $10 as I felt 10$ was too low of a price for such a long drive. Especially after taking note of the gas prices. Here's a few photos of the drive out of Save. I think one is a police station, a parliament building, and BK with what looks to be some very satisfied customers.
Attachment 41157
Attachment 41158
Attachment 41159
My DH had bought a bottle of "ROOT" from some dude selling in on his bicycle for the ride back. Mr. T said it's really good for your health. He opened the bottle and that stuff smelled horrible. My DH however will try anything once. No way was I tasting it. But he couldn't get it down. Mr. T said it's fermented and is supposed to taste that foul. But I don't think so. Here are some random shots I took on the way back. There were a lot of people burning trash so that's where the smoke in some photo's is coming from.
Thank you TAH!Quote:
Originally Posted by TAH
Thanks!
Whoa, what an adventure you guys had. Thanks so much for posting this.
The trip back to Negril seemed to be much quicker than the ride to Roaring River. We got dropped off at Just Natural just after sunset. I had been craving a bean burrito from there since my last visit 2 years ago. I wanted to show Mr. T Just Natural and deliver some organic seeds I brought with me.
Theresa greeted us at bar. She seemed tired. I asked her if she takes time off work for herself. She said she doesnt take any days off work "because I don't want to live off the government when I retire". Can't argue that response I suppose. We ordered drinks. I had gin and fresh juice as I did my first visit. It was delish. So good I had 4 more. DH and Mr. T had a few Red Stripes. Here's a couple pictures.
Attachment 41208
Attachment 41209
I just love that bar in picture above. I want one in mi yard.
Game of checkers anyone?
Attachment 41210
I was oh so disappointed that they had no bean burrito's on the dinner Menu. I opted for Veggie Lasagna with salad. which was delish but to this day am still craving a bean burrito. Just Natural makes their own tortillas. Nothing like it. DH & Mr. T had a pasta and fish dish and a vegetable plate. The best part of this particular meal is the "Sip" that was served as a starter. Told you once you learn a new word you keep hearing it. It was as good if not better than the sip I had a few days prior. So the three of us ate and drank until content and our total bill was around 40$. Can't beat it. The atmosphere was amazing in the evening. All the gardens were lit with little colored lights and smooth jazz was playing. However, even with my ritual of mosquito spray, I got bit more here in a few hours than my entire trip to JA.
Attachment 41220
Attachment 41221
Attachment 41223
After complimentary chocolate cake for desert, DH had a reflexology massage with Christine, as he did last year. I wanted one too but was too exhausted from the day to wait. Reflexology is done outdoors on these tables:
Attachment 41222
So this pretty much sums up our 5th day in JA. We asked a driver out front that was waiting for other people to drive us down to the main road in the West End and he dropped us off where we caught another taxi back to Negril. I was spent. It was a long day but I was grateful to experience so much in such little time. Tomorrow is our last day in Negril and then we are off to Montego Bay for a day......
Day 6
We decided to spend the early part of today on the beach. DH & I woke up pretty early and walked over to Kuyaba for breakfast. He wanted to try some of the kind breakfast I had on my first morning there. There is nothing like that view first thing in the morning. I feel so blessed that we were able to experience it.
Attachment 41236
I opted for a lobster omelette this time around. Had to get my share since it was the last breakfast in Negril. We had some company this morning while eating.
Attachment 41237
While we were eating breakfast, the security guard pulled up 2 lounge chairs for us so we proceeded to have sand gravity for 3 or 4 hours. It was too windy for umbrella's so we managed to get partial shade under one of the trees. We had a cooler packed with some red stripes and Malta's. We were in total chill mode and loving it. The black and white beach dog that was in a previous picture that I posted was lying on the beach, very ill. People were giving him water and placing him into the shade. It was sad. He was so full of life every other day I saw him. At some point I thought I need to something more for the dog but when I tried to find him, he was gone.
I had sun poisoning on my feet from previous days and couldn't hang anymore so after a few rum and juices, we decided to grab some patties & head back to Pure Garden to chill a bit. I headed next door to Times Square to pick up some souvenirs to bring home. There is a shop that is owned by a Chinese dude that has the best prices in that place. I think he's in shop 17 but not positive. Mr. T had told me about that particular spot and his prices on items were just a fraction of what the others charge. I bought some rum cakes, key chains, bracelets and a few other trinkets. Our room at PG was great because we could people watch at Time Square and nobody could see us:). I did feel sorry for all the peeps that were on the tour buses for having to see JA from that point of view. I wonder where they were all coming from??? Major tour bus activity at that place.
After a bit of shopping I hung out on our porch at PG and enjoyed a few beersAttachment 41248s.
Seriously, If anyone knows where all the tour buses come from to Times Square, I am curious!
A little Red Stripe Trivia Fact:
When we buy Red Stripe in USA, it's brewed in Latrobe PA. In JA it's brewed in Kingston at Desnoes & Geddes. Desnoes & Geddes makes my new favorite non alcoholic beverage. Malta. We brought 4 of them back with us and now they are gone. Wish I still had one.
Canadians are still fortunate enough to have their Red Stripes brewed in JA.
To me, the Red Stripe brewed in PA is nothing like what we get in JA. I wish we could get the "real stuff" in the States!
I am so loving your report and i'm here in jamaica! Thank you for taking the time to share your experiences, you've renewed my joy in Jamaica especially Roaring River! That place holds a very dear place in my heart, it is very spiritual! I'm gonna have to make a journey back there soon! and MrT is a nice looking man, glad you had an enlightened reach. Please continue!