Trip Report July/August 2016

Meet the kids…
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Deidra, Ashley and Jay-R


These two really had a great time the entire afternoon. A good part of it was spent laying flat on the water and letting the current carry them down stream. As I leaned on a rock, chillin in my space, they drifted by and invited me to join them. Now wasn’t that sweet!! I told them “No, I better not for fear of damming up the flow!”

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I miss everyone in Portland who I’ve met and gotten close to. But I tell you, I miss these three as though they were my own children. I shed a tear or two the first time I looked at these photos when I returned home. For them to be young in age and meeting me for the first time, they showed more than cordial respect towards me. They let me know when I said or did something “cool” or to their liking. They shared whatever they had with me. They asked about my children and why they weren’t with me. They wanted me in the pictures with them. In other words it was like we already had a bond, we were simply re-united. I miss them so much…

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Originally Posted by *vi*

Vince…oh my…THANK YOU for that wonderful expression. I can “feel” your heart in those words. However, SammyB, Takinitslow, Rob and anyone else who has spent time in Portland will simultaneous proclaim that none of these pictures capture the true beauty of that place. Just wait…you’ll see…

Sammy…here you go…

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Pictures don't do Portland any justice. Its far more beautiful than you can describe. Once you go there you will understand. Its like trying to describe the feeling of smoking a sub to someone who has never. It is impossible. But Vi the pictures help us who are starting to long to return make it till the day soon come. And help me make a list of new places to explore!!!

Ahh, a excuse for me to continue acting like a kid! ;)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by takinitslow

.... But Vi the pictures help us who are starting to long to return make it till the day soon come. And help me make a list of new places to explore!!!

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Thank you for hanging in with me, takinitslow. Thank you for your positive and very true comments about Portland. And if there is anything you want to know, just give me a shout.

Now I’m not proclaiming to be an authority or know-it-all about the place. I’m still in cultural elementary class where that is concerned. But I love that part of Jamaica the most. I don’t mind letting others know why while providing factual information to help them possibly start their own love affair with Portland.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by *vi*

Meet the kids…


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:o

It was time to leave Hillside and return to Port Antonio. So everyone dries off and piles back into Tommy’s ride.

Two final pictures and a video

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https://youtu.be/XgJjU_yCliM

What are they using that big front end loader in the river rock? Road materials? I was wondering who gets the money from the big loads of material from the river bed?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by *vi*

Thank you for hanging in with me, takinitslow. Thank you for your positive and very true comments about Portland. And if there is anything you want to know, just give me a shout.

Now I’m not proclaiming to be an authority or know-it-all about the place. I’m still in cultural elementary class where that is concerned. But I love that part of Jamaica the most. I don’t mind letting others know why while providing factual information to help them possibly start their own love affair with Portland.

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You have way more experience than I do. I am just stalking you for ideas. Hope you don't mind. The only bad thing I think we discovered last year was that it was hard to get any kind of American style breakfast. In Negril its everywhere I didn't realize it would be so hard to find down there. My wife is not a fan of Jamacian breakfast. But we solved that this year as we will have our own kitchen. I cant wait to have breakfast and drink coffee while looking at the ocean!!!!

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Originally Posted by Vince

What are they using that big front end loader in the river rock? Road materials? I was wondering who gets the money from the big loads of material from the river bed?

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Vince, hopefully it is new road construction.

Takinitslow, stalk all you want lol. As far as American breakfast, the only places I know of that serves it are in town and the larger hotels. But you are doing the best thing having a kitchen. That way you can pamper your wife and serve her breakfast in bed. Don’t laugh but I’ve been taking eggs, bacon, cheese, margarine, limes and S&P for a couple of years now. Why? Because like your wife sometimes I want eggs in the AM.

On the road returning to Portland

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I couldn’t help it, but I begged Tommy to slide to the right for a quick stop in Long Bay. Next visit I plan to spend proper time somewhere on this beach. These 5-10 minutes pop-in aren’t working. I need a decent fix of Long Bay!!!!

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I LOVE that little bar with the bamboo sticks in the sand. I always stop a few times while I am in PortAntonio

Get mi a board! I'm ready for da waves mon!! Bamboo bar is kool!

Going to spend me some proper time on that beach myself VI the countdown is on.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by brazz

I LOVE that little bar with the bamboo sticks in the sand. I always stop a few times while I am in PortAntonio

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I’m going to get to know that little bar much better very soon, brazz. In fact, I’ll try to hit all of them along that stretch. Buy Tommy a beer at one…get me a shot at the next…you get the idea.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Vince

Get mi a board! I'm ready for da waves mon!! Bamboo bar is kool!

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Okay now, Vince, don’t go forgetting your boogie board. You might want to bring a life jacket also cuz those waves don’t play!!!!

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Originally Posted by takinitslow

Going to spend me some proper time on that beach myself VI the countdown is on.

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That’s right takinitslow…go on and get reved, hyped and stoked for your reach because it’s going to AWESOME! Oh and if you don’t bring a cart full of groceries like I do, then stop at Ramtulla’s to pick up you food stuff on your way to your place. It’s an easy in and out market.

Further up the road, Tommy stops to buy a couple bags of callaloo. One for me and one for his family. I was taking this bag straight to Sandra to prepare for tomorrow’s breakfast.

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I looked up from the bag to see we were rolling up on some vehicle drama. A car ran off the road. Five or six cars were lined up on either side of the dilemma to help. Tommy pulls over to the right side. This meant my side was flush to the bush. Everyone got out of the car to get a closer look except me because I couldn’t!!!!!!!

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So many were working to get this cute little sports car free from the bush. Tommy didn’t have to stop because there were plenty of assistance out there, but that’s the kind of guy he is. He won’t pass up the opportunity to be a good Samaritan. Since I couldn’t get out of the car, Ashley and Jay-R opened the hatch so I could see. They would give me a progress report on how the car ALMOST got out. I looked around and gave everyone a “big up” for their efforts in working together to help a person in need.

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Soon I see headlights come into view and the little silver sports car is on the road! The crowd returns to their respective vehicles and leave the scene to carry on with their evening. I’m so glad no one was hurt and so glad there was nothing lurking in the bush right next to my face.

Okay…one more day to share and this report is a rap!

breath taking and beautiful your pics.
Ms. Vi

Thank you Summer.

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Originally Posted by *vi*

Who is Mocho, JitterBug? and what kind of place is it? I'll be going back to the falls next reach and if it's a cookshop/restaurant I'll try to find it.

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mocho is a rasta that lives close by and has a sweet guest house . . . i met mocho at zion country at free i's . . way back when . . .

Ok, *vi*, we are ready for more;)

Ok, Vince, here's more...

The night before my last full day was spent doing a little laundry, final packing, cleaning then delivering the first round of good-byes. Of course the latter task is done post happy hour. I was a mess so I’ll leave those details out…the ones I remember anyway…

Kameesha stopped by to surprised me with a gift. A ceramic coffee mug decorated with turtles and “Jamaica” written across the front in black letters. It was snug inside a little tattered box. PRICELESS!!! In all my travels to Jamaica, this is the first gift I’ve ever received. She said it’s a thank you present for taking her out with me and buying her food. Oh wow…I still remember the smile on her face when I told her “I LOVE IT!”

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She invited me to join her and other family members to go swimming down at the sea in the morning. That sounded like the perfect start to my last full day in Portland…

Last full day.

I was up early cuz I wanted to get the most out of this day. Kameesha came for me and we both waited on the side of the road for everyone else. At 7:15 AM, it was a beautiful quiet morning in Portland.
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Everyone arrived and we took the short walk down to the sea. I always stop to admire this “house” whenever I pass it. One of these days I’m going to meet the owner and ask a whole lot of questions like, You think I could have one of those rooms once the place is complete???”

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That’s Chubby’s place to the right. I thought I had a better daytime shot but can’t find it.

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This is what I come down here for. To listen to music, have a drink or three while enjoying the scenery and quiet. This is my first time getting in the water.

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another ocean view
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Good stuff vi, I can sense the end is near... always a bummer. Very nice report, looking forward to the conclusion.
Have you seen any pictures of the damage in the Portland area from the hurricane? It's not terrible, but it'll take some work to rebuild sea-walls along the roads. Thought of you when I saw pics of Long Bay damage.

Hi TAH and thanks for the complement on the report. Since I’m never ready to leave, the last full day is hard. I need to take a "piece" of Jamaica back with me, that’s why I take so many pictures and now videos.

So sweet of you to think about me during Portland’s Matthew hit. Last night I was on the phone with friends from the Boston and Port Antonio areas. They didn’t mention land or building damages but they let me know they are fine and they only lost current for about 20 minutes. I’ll go on line and look at the Long Bay. Thanks again for hangin in with me, TAH.

*Vi* , I'm returning to Port Antonio for my first visit in over ten years coming next February. My last visit, we stayed on Navy Island so it's been that long. My old computer, the one recycled long ago, contained all my priceless pictures so I have none to share. Old friends are travelling with me but one newbie is coming. He has several Jamaica trips under his belt but this is his first trip to PA. Your pictures are telling a story my words cannot. I am pumped and already unhappy with the amount of time we'll be in Port. We're doing Knutsford and staying at Finjam Cottage near the marina. Thanks so much for your pictures. I was hoping to go to Boston via route taxi and now I know I can. Approximately how much is the fare? Any in town places to eat or drink in near walking distance of the marina? Back then we ate well at a place in town at Unna de Rock and drank heavily at Kingsley's Pub near the Musgrave Market with a one of a kind fella named Big Joe who had more letters in his name than teeth. :D I don't know if any of them are still around. Thanks again.

Vi, I don't think I could find enough trouble in Portland that I do in Negril....lol...seriously though, thank you as usual for the great pictures and reporting, you must be quite the popular gal
in Portland, people are going to think your a local :) I have a boardie friend that expressed interest in going to Portland next summer, hopefully we can make that happen, ( you listening Melissa !! :) )
and it would be excellent if we could go when you are there, we shall work on that, okay, waiting patiently for you to wrap it up. I'm pretty curious about tractor hehe

That house looks big, but once you see the couple walking beside that house is BIG!!!!- To me it's too big. I just need a likkle simple place up in da hills with a view of da watta.

GREETINGS MilwaukeeMike!

I really appreciate your comment. Nice to hear you are returning to Portland and taking friends and a newbie with you. You stayed on Navy Island???? Where? I ventured over there about 2 years ago and the only hotel I saw was the abandoned Flynn place. Is there something on the other side??? Oh and it breaks my heart to hear you lost your precious photos. Well now you get to start a new library of memories. Wait till you see the changes and of course the familiar.

A route taxi from town to Boston is 150J. You won’t have a travel problem either way. In fact, you are in the perfect location to get to anywhere…especially on foot. You have food and bar options at the marina along with a beautiful beach. Upstairs in the Royal Mall, there’s a place called the Urban Spoon that serves good meals. There are two restaurants and a great chill bar inside the strawmarket by the sea. You can visit Rock Bottom before or after your meal…smile. Then along the road way on the left as you head to Boston is a string of fruit stands and cook shops. The place where Cleveland ate is located on that trek. I do recommend that little spot for food and drinks.

Since you are staying in a guesthouse, it would be to your benefit to take a route taxi to Ramtullas (sp) grocery store to do your marketing then charter a taxi back for about $5US. There are markets in town, but I prefer Ramtaullas because better variety and larger. As you can tell, I can on and on when it comes to Portland…even answering questions you haven’t asked.

LOL jojo, you’re probably right about the searching for trouble in Portland. Trust me it’s there, just not at every turn. That’s why I suggest you do a split which is what I have planned for next summer. So yeah, a “we” hook up is very possible. I’ll try to get to the tractor story today, but if not, definitely tomorrow. The a few side videos & pictures then the curtain call…

Vince, the place is seriously huge up close and I was told it is a private residence for the owner and his sons’ families. But I could live there!!! Just enough space for me and my big caboose. I was also told about a guesthouse up higher that overlooks that sea area. I’ll be searching for it next reach.

I could rest mi head there at nite too, with the country vibe!

Vi where is Ramtullas? I need to put location on my list!~!

Takinitslow, very easy to find. It’s on the right side on the main road as you exit Port Antonio. A few yards before reaching the entrance of Folly Field this is on your left. The store is peach color cement enclosed by a tall, tri-color grilled fence. I have a picture and will slip it in here when I find it. And if you are also getting vegetables on your way in, stop at the small produce stand between the jerk center and the beach in Boston. That man's products are always fresh, plus he's a really nice guy.

I was in the water for over an hour. It was so invigorating; I didn’t want to get out. The current is constantly pushing forward then pulling back from the shore causing waves to appear out of nowhere which kept you on your toes…literally. Plenty of times they would swell and roll over our heads bringing us to gasp to catch our breath while wiping the water from our laughing face.

As I moved about the sometimes rocky sea floor, bouncing to the rhythm of the waves, I kept asking was why did I wait to so long to do this??

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I so wanted to get as close to the rocks as possible, maybe even hold on and walk along side them so I can feel the force of the current swirl around my body. I wanted cling to the side of the cliff and let the waves massage my body. But Sharon, who noticed I was easing closer and closer towards that direction, warned me not to get too close. I obeyed and stayed in the center with the group.

The children popped up and shouted to each other “OVER HERE…OVER HERE!!!” each time they spotted a fish or two. You couldn’t help but smile and remember what it was like to be delighted by those new discoveries when you were a child. I made a mental note to add water goggles for the children to my shopping list.

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Everyone relocated to the shallows of the sea so they can sit and play. I decided now is a good time to stroll around and take pictures.

Here’s a vid of my group swimming, splashing and squealing all before 10:00 on my last full day in Portland.

https://youtu.be/b7yXSwFOTjE

Another good ole chill spot! Ahhhhh!!

Lovely...hate the end is near

I think *vi* said she had around 300 pictures she had taken. I'm ready for more ;)