Jitterbug I know what you mean. I had a blast watching everyone splash, scream and just socialize.Quote:
Originally Posted by JitterBug
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Jitterbug I know what you mean. I had a blast watching everyone splash, scream and just socialize.Quote:
Originally Posted by JitterBug
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...uly2013217.jpg
The beached boat…one of Winnifred’s icons.
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...uly2013256.jpg
When you saw a picture of that boat in various articles or reports, you automatically knew it was resting upon the Winnifred sands. Always there. Always in the perfect position to be admired and photographed. I’m afraid the poplar fixture is seeing its final days.
The hurricane pushed it into the dune breaking further its weakened structure. Plants and the insects that live in them are making the remains their home.
Don’t think it will be dismantled and the pieces used for fire wood?? Or maybe it will just be overcome by nature??? Or maybe some industrious Winnifred advocate will patch it, paint it pretty bright colors and write Winnifred Beach on the side???
I would hate to not see it there any more.
I was just told my meal is ready.
I always love a local beach - even in Negril I tend to hang out at the local beach by the roundabout (as long as the river don't come down). The people watching is way more interesting to me there.
Just lovely......
Tee and I used Cynthia's rest room on our first visit to Winnifred, I think you may have been off taking photos/exploring. During that visit Otis told us not to use the public restroom, glad to know it's cleaner now.
and I'm hungry!Quote:
Originally Posted by *vi*
lolQuote:
Originally Posted by sammyb
So true Goldilocks. You can’t help but truly enjoy the fun they have in the water. Give them a beach ball and the kids are out there chasing it for hours. My favorite to watch is when they hoist someone up and they flip up high in the air then into the water. Wait till you and Jitterbug see the pictures from another beach I visited for the first time. I didn’t want that day to end.
Sammy, that was the time I didn’t eat so yeah I was most likely walking and snapping pictures. Again good to know there’s a nicer restroom out there.
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...uly2013208.jpg
Curried Chicken
Everything was excellent. From the savory, tender chicken to the very sweet and warm plaintains. The rice was light, just the way I like it. The salad (vegetables) had just the right amount of tang to keep it crunchy delicious. I shamefully sucked sauce from my fingers and licked juice from around my lips with my tongue.
The dab of sauce was bursting with flavor but fiery hot so be warned.
The meal was outstanding and I hope these two get the business they deserve because the young chef is an incredible cook. Can’t wait to try his fish.
I was also entertained by the young guys that hang out there. Never were they disrespectful in their behavior or speech, but funny has hell in their picking on each other. At first I was uncomfortable as some of the “digs” were so good I had to laugh out loud. But they quickly let me know I could join in if I wanted. Soon we were chatting like friends. I appreciated their limited use of patois because their joking added to the enjoyment of the meal and atmosphere.
Meet the chef…Eric
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...uly2013212.jpg
Shane, his partner
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...uly2013214.jpg
They both cook, however Eric is a “5-star chef”. That’s how Eric described his credentials.
Can't agree more about 5 star!!~Looks like it to mi!!!~Thanks!!~This a "live" trip report *vi*?
Hi Vince. Thanks! Always a pleasure having you join me as I recount these experiences. Yes, his food was just that good. I was tempted to pull people from other shops and direct them to this one.
Put my cucumber and tomato salad to SHAME! Dyam that looks DELICIOUS!
Oh my goodness, so much as changed since we were there! We'd gone for something like 7yrs each Christmas and haven't been for almost 6 years. I miss it so much! Thank you so much, Vi, for sharing this wonderful experience, many blessings to you!
LOL @ Sammy. No girl, cucumber and tomato salad can't touch that. I specifically asked if I could get a much dark meat as possible and he delivered. Each piece was thick, tender and tasty. Their personalities werent shabby either. Eric is a little shy, while Shane is the PR person. He's an all day talker. I really hope they make it.
awwwww Schuttie hearing it's been six years since your last visit breaks my heart. When I go back, I'll make a note to take a couple of videos of the beach just for you and hubby.
I was out of Red Stripe but had about a half cup of rum. Needed a partner for the rum. Got one from the restaurant and split it with one of the hang-out guys. He was so appreciative…lol
The sun was going down. I love walking the beach as dawn takes over the sky. It’s like telling the world it’s time to wind down and relax. I also needed to walk off all that food.
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...uly2013261.jpg
I really hope to go back one day~ Nice to see that ICliff is running the bar now. We had many conversations with him and his many travels. We tried to get him "slippers" in town but after 2 tries we finally nailed the size, lol. We have been away for too long. I love these pictures and they warm my heart!
wow Schuttzie, you make me wanna treat you and hubby to a ticket so you can be there same time as me. I would love to see the look on your face when you arrive in Portland. I love how you appreciate that part of Jamaica the way I do and I really hope you can return soon.
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...owndate867.jpg
Had my music streaming through these fabulous earbuds while I stroll the shore line feeling so happy to be here. My buzz has been reignited as these final minutes on the beach drift away.
I was feeling the right kind of mellow listening to my Billy Ocean set starting with his cover of the Long and Winding Road. I’ll listen to that twice before letting Love Zone play followed by three more of his soulful melodies. A man with a face that could stop a clock but a voice that is handsomely timeless.
I only snap 4 pictures in between steps and sips. Totally occupied in taking it all in. Being amazed at how content I was feeling and acknowledging the fact that I only know such complete self-satisfaction when I’m here in Jamaica. Portland confirms that this is the right place for my soul by accepting me, flaws and all.
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...owndate871.jpg
Fifteen or so minutes into the walk I remembered I left my wallet in my beach bag which was sitting on the bench. Wasn’t much in it. Actually it wasn’t the money that jolted me into a minor panic but my room key, phone and bank card were in it. I never have to worry about walking away from my things when I-Cliff is here, but since he’s not I need to be more responsible so I made my way back.
From a few yards away, as I trudge through the cool, thick sand, I can see someone sitting next to, if not ON my stuff. He was that close to my bag.
I slowly walk around the young man settled comfortably in my spot on the bar bench. My spot because it’s the only open space next to MY bag. I stagger a little having to rest the bottle on the counter before reaching for my bag.
“This you property?” he asks without even looking at me.
I turn to see him focused on whatever he had in his hands. He’s got a look of intense concentration on his brow. Not with what’s in his hands, that’s just a distraction and from what I was feeling, so was I.
“Yes” I answer while lifting it off the bench and away from him…My phone falls to the ground just an arms length from him. He doesn’t reach for it.
Picking up the phone to dust off the sand he looks at me.
“Your driver called. Said he will be here in 20 minutes or so.”
I take the buds out my ears because it sounded like he said my driver called.
“Excuse me??”
He repeated the line. I’m confused. Does he know my driver? Did the driver call him? How long ago did they talk??
Sat down to gather my thoughts before asking him anything else.
He, on the other hand obviously dismissed my presence and onto his project a long time ago. I see him pinch a measure of greens between his fingers and place it in a small pile on top of two sheets of whisper thin paper.
Oh great he’s about to blaze up. Why I got to smell that stuff??? I was here first…well technically…and I should tell him, I mean “ask” him to relocate.
I needed a calmer so I hooked the player to the speaker then swallowed a mouth full of rum & red stripe. Music oh sweet music what would I do without you. Close my eyes letting the alcohol harness my nerves and my lips so I don’t say what I’m thinking.
I check through my bag. Money still there. Card still there. Extra batteries still accounted for. Wait…where is my…oh that’s still here too. All that worrying for nothing. I could still be enjoying the surf washing over my feet and the melodies of the next vocal set on the player. Oh well…it’s getting late and my ride is on the way. Let me call to see how close he is.
The second I looked at my phone I knew… :mad:
YOU KNEW WHAT........come with it
lolQuote:
Originally Posted by sammyb
“YOU ANSWERED MY PHONE????!!!!”
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE let this man say.....
“you crazy-in-de-head american ooman. Cha!!!! me nuh touch you phone!!!!! Insult me, you insult me bad. Me nuh check you property atall!!”
Please let that come out of his mouth….or something like it.
The pessimist in me is thinking he answered and also took credit :(
otis's bar looks deserted. . . does icliff stock it?
Oh, you sweet lady, I'd love to be there when you are there and Jitter's, too. I enjoyed my time hanging with Jitters very much. Portland has a very special way about it and a very special place in my heart... "MAGICAL" sums it up :)
I would be so upset to see that answered your phone, too, after he obviously rummaged in your bag to get to it. Hmmm, what did have to say for himself?
Hey, sweet lady, Jitterbug! I think I Cliff wasn't there that day so all of his stock is tucked away somewhere.
Otis and I Cliff always watched out for people that left their things there. I've seen Otis shoo some boys away from another tourist's bags and put napkins over their drinks while they were swimming and enjoying the beautiful beach.
schuttzie, i hope you come back soon. when that transpires, please let me know. i'll jump in. it's been two years since i've been on the east side . . .
vi, somehow otis was the centre of the beach vendors. yes, he used to leave his stuff on stored at a home just down in the lane. clifee must do the same. i've picked up otis in porty as he's stocking his bar and dropped the stuff of at this house. . . . memories are so vivid, me driving by the gas station ansomeone calling my name . . . always sounds sweeter in ja!!
vi, sorry to hijack your tread . . .
ICliff's son was managing it the day I went last month.
Hi Sam, you are part right. You’ll see it got deeper than that.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sam I Am
Jitterbug, the bar is very different. Even the vibe around it is different. I know I-Cliff does what he can in keeping up with repairs and stock, but honestly Otis was a perfectionist with a passion for succeeding. He was an excellent businessman and he and I-Cliff were a great team. I’m happy for him but he is so missed.Quote:
Originally Posted by JitterBug
I have another picture of the bar which I wasn’t going to show, but since we are on the subject I feel you and others who are familiar with how it looked would appreciate seeing it now. Again, no negative reflection on I-Cliff…things change.
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...3/layla017.jpg
Awww, that's what I remember but less benches. Otis always took such good care of it and really made it welcome for us each year and ohhh, the vibes were always there. We helped him stock up, too and we'd help pick up the beach after Boxing Day as it was really littered afterward. We usually came around 10:00am and left around 5-6pm and made a whole day of. Such great memories!
I'd love meet up with you, Jitters when one day we can go back!
Before I continue on with the story I want to give everyone a visual..you see where that red towel is, well that's where my bag was when I went walking. The guy was sitting in the middle of the bench. I ended up sitting on the corner of the bench to the right.
GREAT it's a plan. You let me know when you and hubby pick a date and we will try to work this thing out so you can again experience the magic of Portland. I can see you now smiling and feeling irie 24/7!Quote:
Originally Posted by Schuttzie
Schuttzie I know you miss it bad!!!! Pleasse cintinue to share your thoughts and memories.
Going to post the rest of the incident soon.
So true JitterBug…he was the center of the businesses there. He was respected.Quote:
Originally Posted by JitterBug
And please no need to apologize because you didn’t hijack at all. Your comments are relative to the topic and very appreciated by me and others. It helps when someone confirms or expands on my postings. Makes me wanna share more and not feel I’m boring the masses who have never been there.
Sammy, I didn't know he had a son. We talked a lot about his travels, but not about family. oh wait he did mention a sister who sometimes sells jewelry on the beach. would like to meet him.Quote:
Originally Posted by sammyb
[B]the night continues[/B]...
I had to stay cool…he sure is. Taking his sweet time to respond. I asked again if he answered my phone, but he wasn’t going to say a word until he finished doing what he’s doing. He lifted his index finger gesturing me to “wait a minute”??? Is he for real???
He gently rolls the spliff between his fingers until the whisper thin papers are wrapped perfectly, securing the leafy greens inside. A dab with the tip of his tongue wets the glued edge just enough to make the paper stick and stay closed.
He turns his attention to me…finally.
Looking up into my eyes now full of disbelief mixed with anger…he remains silent as he slides the one end of the white, bumpy oblong object deep into his mouth until the tips of his fingers that clamped the other end touches his lips. Slowly pulling it out, the seam is sealed.
He sparks a match lighting the end but doesn’t draw on it to start the burning.
Eyes still locked on mine, he slightly smiles, extends the spliff towards me and says...
“Empress?”
“No thank you…I don’t smoke.”
Still smiling, he places the spliff between his lips and pulled from it a thick cloud of smoke that lingered in the hollow of his mouth until he inhaled…drawing inside what was to be absorbed then released.
“You never smoked?”
“At one time yes, but haven't for years.”
" Oh No Vi"...please tell me he didn't use precious phone credit?? Waiting patiently...... Oops sorry :)
LOL no Sparkle, he didn't...more on the way...