girl you can write....
you had me at...................
carry on pleaseQuote:
Originally Posted by *vi*
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girl you can write....
you had me at...................
carry on pleaseQuote:
Originally Posted by *vi*
Sammy you get called that multiple times a day when you are there...this was my one and only time and I treasured it.
Lovely writing, Vi, as if I'm right there. Keep on lady!
Loving the pics and report *vi*!!!!!
Thank you Schuttzie and Vince.
“Yes, I answered your phone. The ringing would not stop and you were occupied. Your driver was worried. He’s on his way.”
I look at my phone to see 13 missed calls from my driver. No wonder he answered it, the chiming must have made him nuts. No excuse for touching my property but it’s not that serious now.
His voice. No patois, just a clear, precise, pleasant Jamaican accent.
I can feel something shifted inside me. Although he deserved it, I decided not to fuss about the intrusion. Maybe because he meant well? Maybe because nothing was taken? Maybe because it wouldn’t change anything? Maybe because the ocean in my view was incredibly enchanting? Maybe because he called me Empress? Yes that’s it…all the above.
Definitely all the above which is the reason I related this encounter and the ones I plan to share. See I went from being a “hands on hips…finger in your face…neck snapping…fire breathing b!tch” to a calm…ready to listen…ready to understand…rational human being.
Although all who frequently visit Jamaica don’t frequent the same places but DO, however, encounter situations that happen island wide. Situations where you get an attitude adjustment by someone you might normally avoid. Like “that” souvenir vendor who asks you to stop and take a look each and every time you pass. Then one day you do stop and discover a new friend stood behind that table. Or “that” relentless beachboy you wish you can turn a fire hose on says a word or two that grips your soul so tight you excuse his objective and can’t get enough of him. Or “that” likkle bwoy with pure devilment in his eyes who begs and begs you for money so he can eat. You finally buy him two patties w/box juice only to soon want to make sure he has shoes, a clean shirt and a future. Or “that” aged carver whose wrinkled hands are blistered and callused from carrying the heavy box of stained masks day after day. You finally slow down long enough to see how weary he is and end up buying a chipped carving at the end of your hour conversation.
Meeting Anthony that night was one of those incidents. I gave into the moment and my surroundings resulting in a changed attitude because it is Jamaica.
Remember the sun is setting…time to be still…time to relax.
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I took two more swallows of my beer, now warm, flat and bitter from the rum. He compliments me on my music library. Said it’s good that someone my age keeps up the current artiste and music.
"Someone my age?? gee thanks."
I could smell the essence of his smoking, but I was too busy listening to him to care. He was telling me about his Montego Bay buddy doing him wrong. I let him vent. I let him smoke and vent.
Then…
He exhaled when I inhaled. Or maybe I inhaled when he exhaled. Either way I felt a RUSH. Felt my entire body smile. I should hug him like any concerned Auntie would, but I’m going to need some help standing up.
The music stopped.
“What happened to the music??”
“Vi…you okay??”
‘Sure… just a little tipsy from the rum.”
“Your driver is here.”
“Where?”
I turn to see him standing beside me holding my player and beach bag.
“Time to go already??”
“You will be alright, Vi.”
In the car, I wave to Anthony. He waves back.
“You need chicken foot soup.”
“You get me some soup, it better have the whole dyam chicken in it. I’m soooooo hungry.”
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End of another interesting day in Port Antonio
I love this :)Quote:
Originally Posted by *vi*
thank you miss vi . . . i've got my fix . . . you are an accomplished writer . . . more please!!!
otis would never leave trash around his little place . . . icliff does what he can, as we all have dfferent capabilities . . . if you have a chance, hear his life story, it's sad, sad, sad!!!
"thank you miss vi . . . i've got my fix . . . you are an accomplished writer . . . more please!!!"
Yes, I second that!
Pure niceness. I always look for the "no pressure" vendors; the one in the back corner, the one pushed to the end of the row by the more aggressive vendors, the one who offers a pleasant greeting rather than trying to hard-sell. Hard sell and borderline intimidation will never get my business. I don't really need any more carvings and such but I'll support a vendor just because they are trying to make an honest living, and not hustling.
Thank you so much JitterBug and Maryann.
JitterBug, when I was there in January, I-Cliff was constantly cleaning up the area. He was collecting bottles and raking the beach. I guess when he's not there the debris doesn't get picked up right away. You also got me interested in his story. We talked about his travels, but not what he's been through. Such a gentle spirit...I can't imagine.
I hear ya Goldilocks. I rarely enter markets because I can't stand the vendors yelling for me at the same time. That never happens when I go into the market downtown Port Antonio. I get nothing but greetings and smiles as I stroll around. I stop and look and sometimes buy from a vendor because they let me check out the merchandise in peace.
NEW DAY
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Woke up with a slight headache. A steamy hot shower and fresh air took care of that.
Ready for this day and it’s a beautiful one!!!!
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Breakfast by Claudia. She made the BEST bacon omelet I ever ate. The egg was light and not watery. The omelet had a peppery flavor…black pepper. Just enough seasoning to be noticed, but not be over powerful. Bacon was tender and sweet. She made the plate up so bright and pretty.
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the view from match is outstanding. can you see the sea at all?
Not from that unit. I remember being on the balcony of the suite but only seeing a little ocean above the trees. So there is no real ocean view from the resort.
Sweet! I'm still tagging along, Vi, and loving every post~
I had made plans for today which didn’t work out.
I reserved this day to go rafting on the Rio Grande weeks before I got here. That excursion is not cheap so it’s something I can’t do every time I visit no matter how much I wish I could. So I was looking forward to this for a long time. The weather was perfect so all during breakfast I envisioned myself sitting on a bamboo gondola being poled through the currents by an experienced captain. A very muscular experienced captain. I even practiced asking if he would take off his shirt. He probably wouldn’t want to do that but the fun would have been in the asking.
The cancellation was a result of a conflict between my driver and the raft captain and another driver. MEN!!
Yeah, I’m sure you can tell I was disappointed and pouty. I needed to so something just as interesting or my mood would be sour the rest of the day. The sunshine was too precious to be wasted staying inside and I did the beach yesterday so I needed to just get out and see where I end up.
Called and asked my driver to take me into town and I would hang at the marina while he makes a couple of trips. So I packed up my tablet so I could jump on the wifi at Marybelle’s Pub, a bottle of ice water, my journal, music and a hopeful mind that something more exciting would come my way.
Schuttzie, you truly make my day!!! Please stay close, darlin, because I intend to show you a lot of interesting and fun sights.Quote:
Originally Posted by Schuttzie
I really love your writing style. You really know how to capture the essence of a nature filled,
tranquil, serenity of a vacation. After working so hard you truly deserve it. I was looking at your pictures of the Match Resort and was wondering if you got an opportunity to see the other bar, which I believed was located on the roof. The time I was there it wasn't operable, but I was wondering if they ever opened it yet. It seems like a great place to have a party.
Thanks Butterfly. I didn't go on the roof this time so I don't know, but the bar outside the restaurant was open. They have a nice sound system so it must be nice when a good size group is there. Great place for a wedding and reception.
Of course I had to fuss about the rafting going down the tube on the way to the marina. I wouldn’t be a woman if I didn’t.
Stopped to get a bag of potato stixx then on to the pier.
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This is where I come when I don’t know where else to go. The marina is in town. When you’ve had enough peace and quiet just walk out the main gate and your immersed in the busyness of downtown.
I set up my tablet and log on to the net.
Looked at the time and saw it was later than I thought. Dang, happy hour should have kicked in gear 15 minutes ago.
Just as I was about to order a drink my diver returns to tell me he found a boat captain to take me to Navy Island and asked if I wanted him to call him. I was all for that because I’ve been trying to get over there since first coming to Port Antonio. Going to be a good afternoon afterall.
He called and made contact. Boat captain is on his way to the marina.
“How much??”
“He didn’t say.”
“I was hoping you would find out. Sometimes when you go along it cost a lot.”
“No, he’s a friend of mine. He won’t overcharge you.”
“I just like to know how much it’s going to cost. I didn’t bring much money with me.”
“No worries. Elvis will give you a fair rate.”
“Elvis???”
elvis is alive and well in jamaica! how cute is that! :cool:
TRUST ME it ain't the same Elvis...LOL
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Asked my driver to get me a red stripe from the bar while I pack up. Tell him I don’t want it opened because I want to take it with me.
He comes back with the beer and I put it in my bag so I wouldn’t be tempted to pop that cap and guzzle. It’s going to be hard because it’s ice cold. To help ward off the temptation, I wrap the bottle in my hand towel to keep it cool and so I won’t see the label.
“I’ll wait with you.”
“That’s a good idea since I have no clue what this guy looks like.”
Decided to take a couple of pictures while I wait. Rummaging through my bag on my lap I find my camera. Batteries are low so I change them.
WTH??????
All of a sudden I feel this extremely cold liquid flow between my thighs and down my legs.
It’s the red stripe. The cap was popped. I was livid!
Driver tried to stop me but it was too late. Like a bullet fired from a magnum 357 I was headed straight to the bar with choice words for the bartender. I was either going to get another red stripe or a refund.
“EXCUSE ME!”
“Yes, mam???”
“The cap on this bottle was open. I didn’t want it popped. I want another bottle, please.”
“I can’t do that.”
“Wait…you opened the bottle after he told you not to and I'm stuck with it??”
“He told me after I opened it. Said he forgot to tell me not to remove the cap. He tried to secure the cap. Did it work??”
:mad:
“Please forgive my outburst. He didn’t tell me that.”
We walked silently back to the table. It was hard not to push him into the deep end of the pool as we passed by it. I knew he couldn’t swim.
“You owe me a red stripe.”
“I know.”
“You better go get it now, the captain will be here any minute.”
“No, not here. I get it from the supercenter. I get chree for the price of one.”
URGH!!!!
I almost had tears in my eyes looking at the half empty bottle.
On top of that, I reek of warm beer.
BUT I’M GETTING ON THAT BOAT!!!
I'm dying over here:o:p
LOL @ warm beer smell...Still following along Vi....Beautiful picture of the marina, so calming
Sammy I see you got the visual. I was not happy.
Hey there Sparkle...I appreciate you girl!!! Wait till you see the view from the water after we head to navy island. so still, so gorgeous.
Elvis arrived and his rate was more than fair so we were soon afloat in his little motor boat.
He made me put on a life jacket. I hste those things.
Introducing Captain Elvis!!!
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Elvis is a character without even trying to be one. He’s a natural man. A take-me-as-I-am man. Elvis refuses to sweat the small stuff like crime...the cost of living…the hustle & bustle of life…clothing.
Told me he was sleeping when he got the call to come to the marina. He didn’t want to keep me waiting so he came as he was. Like I said…a natural man.
As we puttered across the vastness of the ocean I think about SammyB and how she wouldn’t come near this little boat. I wonder if I should be on it. But I can see the island so it’s not a far swim…just in case.
nice shorts..........and yep I'd need a cruise ship AND two life vest!
Wow, I think of the book I read that has a PA setting, so many things occurred on Navy Island...can't think of the title now.......looking forward to viewing it through your eyes.
Your driver knew? LOL, but I shouldn't laugh. I can imagine your outrage and now reeking of beer like you had been drinking since you got up. Glad you could go with the "flow" ;) Oh, I hate life jackets, too, they feel like you are choking.
Beautiful pictures!
Sammy, I remember someone posting the name of the book a while ago. Hopefully whoever it was will see this and post the book's title again. Since going onto the island I would like to know more about what took place in that hotel and those cottages.
Yes Schuttzie, he knew. I wasn't angry because it was opened, I was heated because he didn't tell me. A human can not re-secure a cap on a bottle of beer but that's what he tried to do instead of telling me what really happened. LOL you hate lifejackets too!!!!! I'm a big girl so when I put one on I feel like a linebacker. NOT an attractive look at all.Quote:
Originally Posted by Schuttzie
Today I did something I wanted to do since my first visit to Portland and that is get to look around Navy Island. I remember the driver pointing at the island telling me and the two ladies I was traveling with that it was once a tourist resort but now it’s used by the Royal Navy. Looking hard in the direction of the island, I could see what appeared to be a two-story building being overtaken by nature. I had to get a closer look.
So two years later I’m standing on the sands of Navy Island.
I didn’t even know it was listed in TA as a Portland “thing to do” until a few days ago. However, unless you are into gazing at ruins or perhaps seeking a reclusive retreat or would like to take a low impact island hike, I’m not suggesting for anyone to block out time from a visit and hire a boat to go over. I went because I’m too curious for my own good.
This is what you see before the boat reaches the dock The ruins of the Navy Island Hotel. I didn’t expect it to be so close to the shore nor look so intimidating.
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The below photo was taken in 2005. The hotel was not operational, just more of it to see before the storms began to dismantle it.
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The government authorized to have the debris cleared leaving the frame structure that stands today.
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Although the building remains in general are an eerie sight, the beach and hotel area is kept clean. The Royal Navy uses the grounds so they do a lot to keep fallen leave and trees from accumulating.
Parties are also held here. A crew comes over to clean both the inside and outside. Sound system is set up inside. cook stands are grilling on the beach. I missed out on one in January. Found out about it the day after. Now I ask if any parties are planned for other there. I’m determined to catch one sooner or later. What fun it will be to taxi over in a boat in the darkness and dance all night in the sand.
I think you all are talking about the book "The Pirates Daughter" by Margaret Cezair-Thompson.