Binocs are handy for sea watching too.
Binocs are handy for sea watching too.
Another fine Wisconsinite here... :o
My 2 cents worth , and can be worth a dollar to some..lol....Quote:
Originally Posted by Guirigay
I have been to both ....But if i had to only pick one it would be hard , I would pick Mayfield falls ..for the fact I love the out doors (which they both are) But with mayfield you can be active in whats going on....where as Rockland and all its fabulous calm, you have to wait and hope something comes along ..which it did ...hope this didnt confuse things..:)
Oh finally got my internet hooked up today and briefly flicked through this what looks an amazing report and saw my name jump out at me on page 13 and 14 how exciting LOL now I will dedicate tomorrow morning to catching up on this report and what I have been missing, it looks a good 'un
Tic-toc,
You were a big influence on our trip.
I can't tell you how many pairs of shoes Mrs. Peel packed (including some stilettos).
At one point when Mrs. Peel was packing (I was videoing) she said, " Don't shoot my toes I haven't had my [toe] nails done yet."
Here are a few shots of Rockland's Feeding Station grounds:
Jamaican doves (very similar to Mourning Dove - but the tail is shorter)
Attachment 9471
Giant jungle grown begonias
Attachment 9472
Calla Lily (?)
Attachment 9473
Pink Begonia Flowers
Attachment 9474
This man seems to be picking breadfruit
Attachment 9475
We stopped at this Jerk stand for lunch.
Attachment 9476
We told Alfred we'd pop for lunch. All he wanted was the soup. He recommended it to us. I heard the name of the soup but Mrs. Peel didn't. She ordered it on Alfred's say-so. She found this big chunk in the soup and bit into it. She thought the texture was strange and asked me what the big chunk was. "Well it's Chicken foot and cow skin soup, so I'm guessing that's a chunk of cow skin."
"Want some more?" she asked.
Attachment 9477
Look at the fruit arrayed on the stone shelves. Alfred bought some finger bananas from this man.
Attachment 9478
More to follow
OMG, I love those likkle bananas....I learned a new name for them..we were told they were honey banana....What ever they are called, they are super great!!! Loving your report and can't wait fi more. :)
Those bananas....................:eek: I would wish for a bunch in my dream tonight!
ACK!!:eek:Quote:
She found this big chunk in the soup and bit into it. She thought the texture was strange and asked me what the big chunk was. "Well it's Chicken foot and cow skin soup, so I'm guessing that's a chunk of cow skin."
Enjoying all the beautiful pictures! Especially the ones from Rockland Bird Santuary!
Thank you! Keep it coming Rum!:D
I was afraid to read this, as I thought I might not understand it ! ( not big into itellect! lol) Anyway am enjoing the read! Guess i am with Brassi on that, any way carry on. Oh the speacial cake, hats off to Mrs. Peel, I had half last trip, never again, missed the last night of my trip, was suppose to drop something off to Fatty and that didnt happen, i was out for the night.
[QUOTE=poolguywindsor;33486]I was afraid to read this, as I thought I might not understand it ! ( not big into itellect! lol) Anyway am enjoing the read! Guess i am with Brassi on that, any way carry on. Oh the speacial cake, hats off to Mrs. Peel, I had half last trip, never again, missed the last night of my trip, was suppose to drop something off to Fatty and that didnt happen, i was out for tV[QUOTE
]
BOARDIE DOWN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That is becoming too common a cry...please folks...just nibble on the cake until you can judge its effect on you. Gulping 1/2 down is not good experimentation! Be careful....be safe....be well....be happy!
You write a great report, it's a lot of fun reading of your adventures and the pics are wonderful!
This I need to hear more about. We visited Jenny's in 2010 and got nothing out of it. We're not regular consumers so I can't figure it out. Perhaps someone could pm me the best place for them, would be most grateful!:DQuote:
Originally Posted by poolguywindsor
Wow, incredible story, excellent writing. When does the movie come out? I just joined this forum recently and will be vacationing in Jamaica for the first time at the end of this month, celebrating our 25th Anniversary. I love Jamaica and havn't even been there yet because of these posts on this board from all of you wonderful people. This is better than reading a good book.
Dat true, but the poor guy can't find his bowl 'cause it's on top of his head, lol ....Quote:
Originally Posted by Rum-polephoreskin
Day 6 cont . . .
Anything is going to pale in comparison to Rockland’s, our next stop did. There isn’t a lot up near Rocklands in the way of attractions; at least that you can squeeze into a day trip. Roaring River (Shrewsbury) does not always roar, sometimes (like when we were there) it doesn’t even whisper. Be advised!
I would have been happy just driving back to Negril and listening to Alfred talk about native flora. Alfred dropped us off at the entrance, what exactly we were charged for I’m still not sure. As he dropped us off Alfred glanced around, seeing a young thin man in a plaid shirt, he said, “Oh, Rasta Robert, go with him.” The look on Alfred’s face said he was less than convinced of his own advice.
We paid an official looking young man our entrance fee and got in tow with Rasta Robert. Rasta Robert asked the official looking young man for the key. The young man looked hard at Rasta Robert for a moment, like he was weighing whether or not he'd give Rasta Robert the key. Rasta Robert's expression indicated the matter was in doubt as well. The Young man demonstrating reluctance then handed Rasta Robert the key.
Attachment 9504
Robert explained we’d missed the boat on the river’s roar. He showed us the big spring that provides water for the village. The crystal water boiled up from the earth. "The village gets its drinking water from this spring, you can't swim here." He then gave us a vague idea of where we could swim and assured us it was no where close by. The rivers banks (above the spring) contained only sand and dusty gravel. The rainy season was over.
Rasta Robert had at least a rudimentary knowledge of botany. He pointed out a fig parasite enveloping an innocent cotton tree (the kind fishing boats/canoes are carved from). . .
Attachment 9505
cacao beans (still on a tree) . . .
Attachment 9506
and plant leaves used as Jamaican seasoning (allspice?). He asked us if we wanted to see the caves or village first.
It was very hot, for that reason I thought the caves may be a good place to finish. The stocking I have to wear on my damaged leg is essentially a rubber sleeve.
Attachment 9507
It slows my body’s ability to radiate heat or cool itself via the evaporation of perspiration. I walk a lot back home (to and from work – 6 miles a day but it’s much cooler there). The noon heat in Jamaica is different. I mention this because things were about to get weird. Even now it's hard to sort out. I may have gotten overheated on the walk. Judge for yourself.
Robert said we’d walk through the village then go on to the “Blue Hole”. As we started on the road through the village we were met by Robert’s friend “the cold cut man” (the way Rasta Robert pronounced cold cuts ended with a "ja" sound). The cold cut man seemed to materialize right out of the bush. He was dressed all in black and sported a Cheshire Cat smile. After some introduction he offered me a submarine sandwich for $10 U.S. I told Rasta Robert that wouldn't fly. Eventually I got a healthy sub for $5, but not before Rasta Robert asked if I wanted some tobacco in my sub. In the old days Rastas used to rail against the British practice of cutting their cold cuts with tobacco. I remember an interview with Bob Marley (read who knows where) when he became incensed at the idea of putting tobacco in a sub, down right pi$$ed. I passed, hey I'm old school.
IMO most of the cold cuts being hustled in Negril are schwag. With the exception of a fat sub Gerryg gave me, I ran into nothing in Negril that held a candle to to medical grade cold cuts we can get at home. If you don't partake at home you may think the beach schwag is just fine.Don't get me wrong, everything doesn't have to be overproof. Remember the old, old days when you could get a $15 Oz. of Mexican cold cuts, with the attendant light buzz that didn't knock you out, but just made a party more fun. The beach schwag goes great with sipping beer in abar while you're chillin', but at least once it day it's nice to "turn I loose, cause the rain is fallin' . . .kaya, kaya". I did not give the “cold cut man’s” wares the proper respect. I was about to have a Mrs.-Peel's-cake-moment and I never saw it coming.
Now you got my attention!
Oh no......BOARDIE GOING DOWN!!!!!
Crap, I must be dense....it took me about ten seconds to wonder why in the heck he was eating a sub sandwich! LOL
I'm not trying to crack on Roaring River. Later I'll mention some positive things my daughter said about her side trip there, but I personally had a weird experience, and an unaffected (Jamaican virgin) Mrs. Peel said it was less than overwhelming.
It was the early afternoon on a Monday and we were the only travelers there. As we hiked through the village even the locals were staying out of the sun. Occasionally someone would pop out to see if we needed a beer, but except for us the road/path we trod was dead . I was gently pulling on my new sub, as we walked along. Mrs. Peel and Rasta Robert share similar body types. I've noticed over the years that people with this body type seem to have to restrain themselves from skipping when they're on a long hike. I'm not troubled by this problem. If I set my pace at a plod I can go all day and skipping won't even pop into my head. I think people built like me are meant for the water.
Over hill and dale we hit that dusty trail. I was fanning myself with my straw hat. It was very warm. Robert and Mrs. Peel were unaffected. We approached a wide shaded spot in the road. There was a house (as my smoke fogged brain recalls it anyway) with a fence of planks surrounding the back of it. "This is the Blue Hole," Rasta Robert announced triumphantly. He inserted his skinny fingers between the planks in an attempt to pry them apart, thus affording us a view of this natural wonder. Our view was limited, but it looked like an empty swimming pool. The fence was chained, Robert did not have a key. I began to feel like a kid at a carnival side-show, when it dawns on him that the ballyhooed five legged pony is probably just a well endowed Shetland rather than a true freak of nature.
OK, we've seen the "Blue Hole", caves next? Rasta Robert said something about following the trail as it looped around and eventually wound its way back to the caves. I looked up ahead, addled as I was, my sense of direction told me any loop was going to be longer than simply turning around and heading back. We set out but didn't get too far when I started to worry about electrolytes and such (Yeah, I know I'm not supposed to mention electrolytes anymore but that's what was playing inside my smoked meat affected brain pan).
"Um Robert, why don't we just turn around?" This notion seemed to take Robert by surprise. I was already smarting a little over his promise of "THE BLUE HOLE" vs the reality of the blue hole in the ground behind a fence I could barely see through. Cold cut induced paranoia? Whatever the cause I was feeling a little scammed by the Blue Hole in particular and Roaring River in general. Alfred's look (at Robert), the fee taker's disdain, the waste of time that was the blue hole viewing experience, all fueled my growing cynicism regarding our guide.
As we walked back I began to feel panicky (cake anyone?). Fortunately we'd packed water. I was calmed by the water, it should be able to ward off heat stroke, right? We had to climb up the side of a rock outcropping to get to the cave's entrance. This where the key came into play. I was overcome with fear of heatstroke as we climbed up to the cave opening. I was counting on that Cave-of-the-Mounds rush of cool air upon entry. It was not be. The cave air instead felt hot and stale. I'm going to fall out any second was the mantra inside my head. The intrepid Robert pressed on into the bowels of the earth. The earth's bowels felt like bowels to me, hot and claustrophobic. I told Mrs. Peel my fear of heat stroke. She deflated me with the skill of a surgeon - "Maybe you got too high from that fatty." WOW, me a virtual walking "Jimi-Hendrix-experience laid low by a fatty? "No dude" to quote Brandt, "we did not consider that." Hoho!, how the mighty have fallen.
Mrs. Peel was up with Robert while I lagged behind considering my options. I followed slowly. We came to a low hanging arch, with maybe three feet of clearance between the floor of the cave and the top of the arch. Robert told us "to "bend down low", and we crab walked a good 20 feet through the arch. The other side opened to a huge room but the air was still stale and hot. There was a pathway off to the right that was artificially lit. I quit the tour here. Mrs. Peel and Robert followed the path. There was a murky pool around the corner (according to Mrs. Peel) where Robert told her she could take a dip. Mrs. Peel told me later she found the suggestion a little scary because the water was murky and the room eerie. The cave at that point reminded her of a bears den. She was afraid of what might (however irrational) pop out of the gloom.
We emerged from the cave and walked back to the fee taking building. There was some welcome shade there. The young man taking fees had been joined by another young man, both were seated at the admission table. Rasta Robert gave back the key. Then came over to where we were sitting and started some small talk. I peeled off 1000 J and gave it him for a tip - his only fee. I think it was a bad tip but at the time I was not kindly disposed toward Rasta Robert. Rasta Robert left the shade we were sitting in and headed toward the gate that led to the road. "Good bye Robert", we said.
"Yeah good bye Robert," the young men at the admission table said in a tone of voice that could be described as mocking or taunting, flavored with tones of unbridled disdain. We never uncovered their intent. It is a Jamaican mystery.
If the story has a moral, it's probably something like: The Schwag on the beach does not represent all Jamaican cold cuts, be advised.
In defense of Roaring River let me give my daughter's take on the place. She found the river roaring. She said when she went in the cave the water was above the arch. If you wanted to see the second room you had to swim under the arch. She said she'd been advised if she panicked while swimming through she was on her own. I'm so glad I didn't know she did this at the time. Her take was that Roaring River was totally worth the bother. Please consider her take as well as mine if you're contemplating Roaring River. If cave diving is your thing you might have a good time there - just make sure the river is roaring before you go.
The whole point of our junket was Rockland's so the lack of meaning we found at Roaring River didn't put a damper on our day and Mrs. Peel got a little come-up out of the whole adventure.
Nope, you are not alone....I was reading along thinking....wow, this guy really loves cold cuts!Quote:
Originally Posted by tfw73
Hahahaha
Then I realized...Oh, ok, I get it! But yeah, this guy really loves cold cuts! LOL
lol!Quote:
Originally Posted by marley9808
I was wondering the same thing, many a vegetable, electric lettuce, special spinach, cabbage rolls, even shake and bake, coldcuts is a new one for me. Enjoying all the same, good read mon, Cheers!!!
Electric lettuce....omg never heard that one before, but I love that!!! That one is good!
Ha!
Love seeing Jayhay thru ur binocs...great story telling ...Quote:
Originally Posted by gerryg123
what di man in the pic has, is more likely a "Jackfruit"" than it is a "breadfruit"
link..
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=jackfruit&FORM=BIFD
I was thinking gees I have not had a good sub in Jamaica since 1989, any one remember Shakey,s?
Honestly, the first thought in my head was Subway...as messed up as that is! lol
Great story! Though sorry it laid into you, that musta been nor helluva sandwich!
LOL!Quote:
“I began to feel like a kid at a carnival side-show, when it dawns on him that the ballyhooed five legged pony is probably just a well endowed Shetland rather than a true freak of nature. “
Sorry to hear that scary sub sandwich experience! I can't even step off the hotel balcony after eating a big sub. Crawling through a dark cave would totally freak me out.
You've just inspired me to share my own sub experience. It involved albino bats on our 5th night in Negril...
P.S. Like everyone else, I also was initially confused... sprinking tobacco into the Cold cuts?? haha
No tabacky in the wacky tobaccy! The cold cuts on the beach are not nearly as nice as the cold cuts up in Orange Hill.Quote:
Originally Posted by Clarity
My Boardie Down story
Halloween 2004 at LTU. All the usual suspects were there. I struck up a conversation at the bar. My new friend told me that he brought his cold cuts into the country from the US.. He also stated that he was on the cover of Cold Cutts Times more than once. He also spends Thanksgiving week in Amsterdam each year. I didn't get the hints.
He was a generous fellow, sharing his cold cuts will other patrons at the bar. I was able to drive to TPen.
Then Boardie Down.
A glass of sugar wata brings you back quickly.
However, this sudden drop in glucose levels cannot be good.
Everyone please take care!!!!
[QUOTE=RockRobster;33494]That was a hilarious day, great entertainment!! LOL (He was warned by yours truly.. The answer was.. I'm bigger than she is.. LOL I've got more body mass).. Famous last words. Added to the memorable moments in Negril! Bwahahahahahahahahahhahaha (Where's my jerk pork? "We put the tables together" Whoa!, This fish keeps on multiplying, I take a bit and LOOK There's MORE).. bwahahahahQuote:
Originally Posted by poolguywindsor
In cases of acid rescue sugar water or sweet syrup.
OK for real emergencies or greenhorns otherwise . . .
IMO if you catch a wave THAT good - ride it
[QUOTE=Joe Trinidad;33853]:D :D :D :D <-------- the crowd with a standing ovation!Quote:
Originally Posted by RockRobster
Day 6 cont . . .
We got back into Alfred's van and headed for Sav. I don't know if Alfred figured out I was a history buff or if what happened in Sav was just good fortune. More on that in a bit. On the road Alfred was telling us that his father always ate ackee raw. At some point he stopped the van and picked an ackee blossom, giving it to Mrs. Peel to try raw.
Attachment 9517
I had some too. I found it to taste a little milky and a little nutty.
In Sav Alfred took us to a harbor like set of old buildings hidden behind this wall.
Attachment 9518
The harbor was one of the most photogenic locations I'd seen on the trip.
Attachment 9522
The harbor had an unsavory history that clouded its beauty. I think you can see that reflected in Mrs. Peel's face.
Attachment 9525
Are we going to hear about this unsavory history?
Alfred explained that the harbor had been used to service the slave trade in colonial Jamaica.
Attachment 9527
Look at the small building (about 10X10 Ft) hidden behind the bouganvilla on the extreme left side of this picture. Alfred said up 15 slaves at a time were held there.
Attachment 9528
There is no denying the history. Rather than be Capt. Buzzharsh I'd like to point out that the "island of water and wood" is doing it's best to cleanse the gloom, the bouganvilla is growing wild.
Attachment 9529
We were tired when we got back to Xtabi. We dined there that evening. George was our waiter and he is extremely affable. Xtabi's dining area is island-upscale so I asked George first before sparking one. He asked if I minded waiting until the table to our right finished, "The smoke might bother them." After they left I inquired again.
"No problem mon."
I had the conch steak that evening because I'd enjoyed their conch burger so much. The conch steak at Xtabi was the best meal I'd had in a week of fantastic meals. One word: Orgasmic!!!!
Next up "The Big Day."
What would you call the tour you took? I'm a history buff as well, minus the bird sanctuary I'm interested in taking a similar tour. I gotta admit I'd love to find your sandwich maker too!
errata
If you occasionally want something better than beach schwag but don't have a good connection you may want to try this trick when you feel the need to "turn I loose". After a good meal ask your host for something better than average and have him add it to your meal bill. I did this a number of times with excellent results. Let me post a caveat to accompany this idea: you might want to wait until you're back at your digs.
I'll explain.
One night (I've purposely taken this out of time context to protect the innocent) I placed this order and indulged before we moved on. Mrs. Peel had to step in when the bill came because I didn't think the bill was high enough. I sure was. I checked the record with Mrs. Peel to make sure alcohol wasn't a factor in the next part of the story, she said we'd had two beers with our meal. The reason I asked is because we were walking home on the west end road and absolutely the only way I could maintain a modest sense of equilibrium was by stiff arming the wall of Samsara and La Kaisers. I'd weave hard to the right, then stiff arm the wall to get back to an upright position. I was for all intents and purposes kneewalking buzzed. That spliff laid me lower than any herb I've ever tried before in a rather jaded lifetime.
That was a wave.
Be advised and enjoy!
Ok that is a GREAT tip. Your going to have to PM me some restaurants were this worked for you. And we always indulge back in our place. Never in public. If someone passed me something I am sure I couldn't refuse but otherwise we keep legality in mind.
And another boardie down story! Love those!