I will see you in Negril anyway Joann!!!!!
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I will see you in Negril anyway Joann!!!!!
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Manchoneal, the home of Reach Falls, is a large fishing community. So, naturally, the seaside is lined with colorful fishing boats. This is one of the areas where the boats come in and people from all over Portland shop for fresh fish and lobster when in season.
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Although we were only there for about five minutes, I felt a comfortable acceptance that had me thinking about my next visit that would last a little longer. I feel a need to become familiar with these communities along the trek between Port Antonio and St. Thomas. Although aligned and connected, it’s obvious they have individual and unique vibes.
Vi how far is that from Long Bay? We didn't explore that far down this year but staying in Long bay next year would like to check it out.
takinitslow, the fishermen’s landing is less than 10 minutes from Long Bay. The town itself is another 5 minutes from there. I’ve already made arrangements to get fish and hopefully lobster when I return. I’ll have more information about the area for you before you go.
A Bit of Long Bay
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Further up the road to Long Bay…the beach I’ve fallen in love with. I call this the “ruffneck” beach because the current is so rude. This is not my usually stopping point in Long Bay, but I appreciated the natural rustic condition of the beach. Plus, there’s a cool bar right there. I thought I took a couple of shots of it….well I know for sure I GOT a couple of shots from it.
I’ve noticed more and more cookshops and bar have opened up along the beach side. That’s great because it means wicked parties and nice evening chill spots.
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Kameesha eased up next to me and asks if she could stay with me the rest of the day. “Not this time, sweetie. But I promise when I return I’ll make sure to take you on a nice road trip someplace special.” She smiled and said she can’t wait. No, I didn’t feel bad for sticking to my original answer/plan. I still need that “Vi” time with no distractions. After all…I’m soon leaving even though I won’t be ready to leave. Not something I feel the need to explain to anyone. Besides I offered no entertainment and very little conversation. I don’t care about Cleveland because he was being paid to be around my depressing sorry self. But Kameesha shouldn’t have to share or even witness my down moments.
I truly love Long Bay
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Here’s a clip of the ocean…nothing too exciting…just the ocean I enjoy watching.
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I can't wait ! I'm there around the same time time as you guys !!!! I will be jealous when you guys leave Negril, I will now know exactly where you are going,Quote:
Originally Posted by takinitslow
After these fabulous reports and pictures I know I'm going to make my way there, someday, hopefully sooner than later !!
Ahh, There's mi future bar/shop!! Mi weakness is da fishing boats!!!Quote:
Originally Posted by *vi*
Quote:
Originally Posted by *vi*
You know Long Bay always steals my heart...from our first time there, till this very day...sigh
Vince, I hope you can book soon, I can tell your just Busting TO GO !!!! :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Vince
Cleveland announced he was hungry. We all loaded back into the car then dropped Kameesha off. I wasn’t hungry. Well I was, but saving my appetite for the fish fry. I was extremely thirsty and all I wanted was coconut water. A nice cold jelly would hit the spot. Told C to stop at the first stand selling jelly.
After passing the third place advertising cold jelly I asked him what was up. Why aren’t you stopping like I asked? Told me he wanted to take me to his cousin’s shop. I remembered saying I wanted to check his place out so I sat back and relaxed until we arrived.
Rasta Stand for coconut wata. He also sells trinkets and such. I got him to pour the wata in an exmpty bottle so I can drink it slowly. We couldn’t stay because Cleveland kept reminding me about his empty stomach.
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After leaving the Rasta's place (sorry no picture) we stopped at a different cook shop and Cleveland ran in to get something to eat.
“You want a meal”?
“No, Cleveland, I’ll wait to eat when we get to SMB.”
He didn’t ask a second time…LOL
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I had to stop at the craft market to pick up my goodies and pay Rock Bottom. The day is so beautiful, so sunny I wish I could have lingered there a for a while. Have a drink and chat with him. He’s a cool guy and great listener. But I’m on a mission to dine on some well seasoned anything!!! So I dashed in to take care of business while Cleveland sat in the car and stuffed his face.
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This is all his work.
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Hey Vi where was the craft market? Looks kinda cool!! By the way I am taking notes. New things and places to explore this year!!
AAAhhhhhmazing place!!!
My favorite fish restaurant is there, I believe it's called b & l, upstairs above a store on the main road.Quote:
Originally Posted by *vi*
Also real close to Zion country, where I stayed often at free i's
Maybe, u never know!��
it's very easy to spot. It's sits on the right side as you head into town. Right before you get to the divide in the road. One end is the parking area and a juggle gym is at the other. Takinitslow, you can't miss it. I hope you get there and pay Rock Bottom a visit.Quote:
Originally Posted by takinitslow
Vince, more amazing on the way...Quote:
Originally Posted by Vince
Jitter Bug, I think I know the area. I know where Free I's place is so it can't be far from that. I'll search for it when I return.
the man…Rock Bottom
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His smile is bigger than he is as I approach.
“Ah…here comes my friend!”
“Hi, how are you today, Rock Bottom??”
“WELL! My firend. You come and join me for a drink.”
“Oh I can’t. We are on our way to SMB.”
Rock Bottom bags up my stuff and tosses in a couple of presents for me. He’s a sincere sweetheart. I pay, we hug good bye and I head out.
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C was still eating when I returned to the car and asked for five more minutes to finish. Took out my mp3 player and speaker to listen to some R&B until we take off.
The longer we sat there gazing at that view and getting lost in the smooth vocals of Jon B and Remy Shand, the urge to just stay in Portland was getting hard to ignore.
“The rain stop. The day is now sunny…nice.”
“Yes it is. But what if it’s raining in SMB? You have dude’s number?”
“Who??”
“Your boy! The guy who owns the bar.”
“Oh, yeah…yeah I have the number.”
“Maybe you should call him to make sure the function is still on. I would hate for us to go all the way there and the thing isn’t happening.”
“No man! No. It still going on.” He smiles. “Don’t worry, Vi. A good time you gonna have.”
I smiled. He’s right I would regret not going and I’m instructed to return home without them…regrets that is.
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Leaving Portland heading to St. Margaret’s Bay
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I smiled. He’s right I would regret not going and I’m instructed to return home without them…regrets that is.
That's right and glad you are listening:cool:
Rock Bottom has such a nice proper shop now, wow! Don't know why on earth he has on that Steeler Jersey....I need to bring him some BLACK N GOLD WHO DAT gear!
I'm ready for some fish...I hope it's worth the wait cuz i'm starving
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I knew before C’s beat-up silver whatever-on-wheels reached the curve of the dirt path. No fish fry. Now who is going to tell my big belly it’s not getting any food!
Cleveland looks at me. I’m speechless from sheer disappointment.
“I need a $%!@ing.drink.”
This is the bar
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We get our drinks then walk to the beachside. I can’t talk until the alcohol does it job.
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Sammy he would LOVE that!!!!!Quote:
Originally Posted by sammyb
Black sand. Noticing the black sand actually distracted me and took me away from being disappointed. That and the rum. This is not the first time I’ve seen black sand in Jamaica, but my first up close and touching it experience.
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It didn’t take long for the overproof to mellow me out. I was even talking to Cleveland again without the threats and profanity.
I saw a toddler running barefoot all over the yard. He and his bodyguard dog. I thought..it’s only sand of a different color. Step on it! So I did!
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Prior to my beach stroll, I told C how much I love fresh almonds. I came back to find this…
Clevelands kitchen
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Here he is banging the daylights out a bunch of almonds…oh PLEASE LORD don’t let those be for me….
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He proudly serves me this…dirty crushed almonds on a dirty leaf
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“For me???? Thank you Cleveland!”
“You said you like almonds and I knew you were hungry. This is what we used to do as kids.”
“Oh how thoughtful and sweet!"
There was NO WAY I was going to eat that!!!! We are not shipwrecked on a deserted island and I am not hungry enough to eat almonds seasoned with black beach sand. I sent him inside to get us a refill then sent those nuts and that leaf sailing under table.
Watching the toddler run, flip and roll all over the yard turned the disappointment into a good afternoon. He wouldn’t come near me no matter how much I begged. I took about 10 pictures of him just being a boy. Here is my favorite.
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After washing the sand off my feet, we hit the road and headed back to Portland.
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Oh how I wish I were riding along with you- I promise I wouldn't make a peep... You wouldn't even know I was there. What an adventure.
the images are intoxicating . . .
Vi..what happened to Tractor....lol.....:)
LOL BaileysMom, if you were riding with me for real, no way you would be silent. I wouldn’t have it! But I know what you mean. I can honestly say I have NEVER had a dull or mildly eventful reach. There have always been unexpected/bizarre incidents thrust in my path.Quote:
Originally Posted by BaileysMom
Thanks JitterBugQuote:
Originally Posted by JitterBug
His appearance is coming up JoJo :)Quote:
Originally Posted by jojo p
I think you are a way picture taker than I am Vi. I start out with all of the best intentions of taking all these great pictures then as the day wears and the beers roll I get way to relaxed and forget!! Sounds like a terrible problem
Takinitslow, alcohol has the opposite affect on me. the more I sip, the more I click. Plus looking at my photos is part of the therapy I need to get me through life between reaches.
Video
This was the scene as we entered into Port Antonio. The typical week day madness concentrated within 3 square blocks downtown. But come Sunday…everything calm. People gone. Noise gone. Sammy, I know you can appreciate this familiar scene. Just wish I had better background music.
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From Port Antonio, I made a quick stop at boston beach to find jewelry man and pay him for the anklet. I was also hoping to see the juice guy. Neither one was there. I felt bad because I knew I wouldn’t be returning to the beach this visit. Well…next time.
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Had Cleveland drop me off at Taste Buds which is right around this corner
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This is Taste Buds Cook Shop
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Like most cook shops, the daily menu changes. He only provides lunch and dinner for now. Hopefully breakfast will be added when I return.
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This is the owner and cook. A real nice, positive young man. His cooking area was spotless and his food was fresh.
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As I walked to my room, I waved to Mr. B while he was chillin with his posse at a local spot. He called me over to join them. I was super hungry but I couldn’t pass up spending a minute or two with Mr. B. Plus this was my first time checking out the bar. He patted the empty space beside him and I plopped in it. He then filled a plastic cup with rum & coke and put my name on it. I sipped and listened as they courteously shared bits of Portland wisdom and a little something person about themselves. These cats were cool…serious and although “feeling good” they were extremely respectful throughout the entire conversation.
Mr. B (far left) is a master chef. He no longer works full time, but still coordinates the cooking/menus for big events held at schools, festivals and churches. He promised to prepare his famous jerk chicken during my next reach. He said when he cooks it; he makes enough for the immediate community. I can’t wait because so many folks had raved about his skills.
I finished my drink, said good-bye and headed to the room to eat. I was soooo hungry.
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I had to take a picture of this…I wished I brought it home with me.
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The bar…they don’t sell food but play music on Friday & Saturday nights.
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My meal from Taste Buds. 300J mmmmm that chicken was tender and tasty
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