good peoples, thought you might like a lil' pic of the crystal blue, as spotted from Tensing Pen around this time last week.
Love how everything's all curvy... kinda matches my recollection of that fine and sunny day!
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good peoples, thought you might like a lil' pic of the crystal blue, as spotted from Tensing Pen around this time last week.
Love how everything's all curvy... kinda matches my recollection of that fine and sunny day!
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Sweet pic!!;)
Fish eye lens?
yes, this was shot with a GoPro with an aspherical (fish eye) lens!
Great pic...got anymore?
Nice!
Thanks, glad you like it! Here's one of the Tensing Pen bridge from just under the surface of that calm, clear water :)
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Beautiful pix - thank you.
Here's another one which will give you a taste of Jamrock. We took a day trip to Bluefields Beach, about an hour from Negril (if you account for a few wrong turns in Sav-La-Mar :) ). Very nice beach - pretty empty when we were there, save for a jerk barrel, beer guy and George the woodcarver, so we had the whole place to ourselves.
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This was taken around noon, a massive storm rolled in around 1pm. As the rain fell, we huddled in the back of a cookshack with some friendly Jamaicans and enjoyed Red Stripes and fried chicken back. Good times!
Drooling!!!!!!!^^^^^^^;)
Yah mon way cool!
Guess I might as well start at the beginning for this to make any sense. That first sight of the rock is always one of my favorites. This is just off the coast, east of MoBay, on descent:
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We were scheduled to land MBJ around 1pm on a Saturday in late March. Due to various issues, we sizzled on the tarmac for a good half hour until at long last we pulled up to the gate.
MBJ seemed better air conditioned than previous, but the lines were insane. I had booked Club Mobay (first time) and wow were we grateful to see our rep Rodonia with her sign MOJO welcoming us to Jamrock, getting us through the system and escorted through for expedited rum punch service. Well worth the cost in this circumstance.
We met Gregg the owner of Reggae Tours, got a big smile and after securing some J's from the ATM, met our driver Peter Morris. Great guy, super professional and friendly. First stop: Pork Pit. The sign says it all. We're back, happy time!
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We're usually at Scotchies for first jerk, but as we arrived so late in the day, decided to check out Pork Pit as it's closer to our other Mobay stops. Overall, good marks. First time I've had proper smoked ribs in Jamaica; got a mix of chicken and pork as well, along with plantains and festival. Not as much pimento flavor as Scotchies for sure, probably because Pork Pit smokes over grates rather than pimento sticks. The sauce was more of a chimichurri than a classic jerk sauce. Heated us up proper, though, and got this Jamrock trip started right.
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Got a short vid of the scene - guy carving cane on his pushcart (we had just bought a coco from him) and the smoky chicken setup at Pork Pit. Nuff nice!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i13vKQfFwPI
Love me some Bluefields Beach. Nice start and looking forward to the rest.
Great start
Next stop after Pork Pit was the Charles Gordon farmers' market. Always bustling, although it had slowed down by 3:30pm on a Saturday. We shop at Doris' stall, she comes from St Elizabeth - the breadbasket of Jamaica - always has very fresh produce and a nice big smile. She's in the first stall next to the parking lot and wanted me to take a couple photos, spread the word online, let everyone know where to get the best fruit and veggies.
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We walked away with armloads of Jamaica's bounty: bananas, pawpaw, tomatoes, onion, green peppers, scotch bonnets, cucumber, sorrel, ginger, sweet potatoes, melons, cantaloupe and more. Little Stacy Ann helped count and bring our goods to the van, what a cutie!
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Next up was the Mega Mart for coffee, beer, liquor, juice, snacks and grapefruit. Then on towards Negril, as an early evening storm set in to the island. Bless!
Love the pictures - thanks for sharing!
Yes, the rain set in around 5:30pm, just after we loaded up the van at Mega Mart. Fortunately we had both Appleton Reserve and ginger beer on hand, so it was Dark & Stormies all around, to get us down the road. The drops were especially heavy around Lucea; clouds seemed to part at Green Island and it was down to a slight drizzle by the time we got into Negril.
The stoplights and sidewalk were new since our last visit, nice touch for road walkers. Couldn't see much else, as night had fallen, but rolling into Tensing Pen was a welcome return to familiar sights.
We somehow got the van unloaded with a quickness, and set up the Long House with supplies. Quick showers, drinks on the patio and dinner down at the lodge - lobster all around.
Relaxed after dinner and had a guest, Shuga Mama wandered in to join the conversation and ended up spending the night. I prepared some sorrel juice - super easy: one pound of well-washed sorrel, one large piece of peeled and grated fresh ginger, a tablespoon of whole allspice. Pour boiling water over it, cover and let sit overnight.
By this point we were dog tired (like Shuga Mama) and headed to bed - happy to be back in Jamaica!
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How was Tensing looking this last trip? He was pretty tired when we were there in November, and I always worry about him when we leave. Beezy was her usual crazy self.
When we stay there, the three of them hang out with us in the hammock hut just in front of long house and bark at everyone (especially rusty and Mikey) as they walk by.
You're off to a great start, MOJO! Looking forward to reading more.
We're thinking about hitting-up the Pork Pit after we leave the airport on our next trip. Usually stop at Jerky's, but this time I want to switch it up.
Love these pics which are helping me to hang in there for the next nine days!
The Tensing Pen bridge one is amazing.
Thanks for sharing.
Thanks, glad you're liking the report- it was a great trip. Hussy: Tensing was taking it easy most of the time, just resting, although whenever we dined on the patio, he always came over to check it out.
Mike: Pork Pit is a good stop. I haven't tried Jerky's, maybe next time. Pork Pit was out of rice & peas, but had everything else; the ribs were well smoked but oddly covered in a sweet sauce. Both the jerk sauces were more chimichurries than sauces - very vinegary, but nice to try something different.
I always seem to wake up a little earlier than expected in Jamaica, and the first morning was no exception. Quiet rustling of the sea and air; occasional dog, rooster or reggae sound, a nice way to arise.
First breakfast in Jamrock - "ev'ry time" - has gotta be ackee and saltfish. Tensing Pen kitchen does it up proper: served with callaloo and peppers, sweet fried plantains, and light, airy bammy, it's worth the wait. Peep it:
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Walked around Tensing property for a minute; seems much like remembered, and fairly well kept up. Greenery was more lush than our last visit, which was a few years ago January. Other guests were couples enjoying the property in their own way. Mid-70's, sunny with a few clouds, light breeze, the sea was slowly swaying.
We quickly identified this chill spot as just about perfect for the Long House Crew. Five loungers, perfectly perched clifftop with easy access to everything:
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OK... sit down. Take a deep breath, move slowly, think quietly. Absorb the cerulean spectrum. This is otherwise known as a crystal blue transformation - the moment when you move to a different mode. Seems easy to pick up this flow in Jamaica.
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Now... sink deep. Deeper. Calm your mind, still your body. Open your eyes and point them in a new direction. You never know what you'll see!
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WOW, love your pictures....Keem em coming!~!!!
great trip report so far and your photos are exceptional!
thanks for sharing.
Enjoying your report. Especially pics of Tensing Pen! Headed back there in May, its been about 8 years since we stayed there and I"m sooo excited to be going back! I'll never forget my first morning there.... got up early, before sunrise, and sat on one of the outcroppings. It was so peaceful and beautiful that my eyes started to fill up. The guard on duty came over to me to ask if everything was ok.. haha..Yep... just overwhelmed with how lucky i was. :)
Ask cook to make you mackerel run down with boiled banana for breakfast.
So jealous seeing these pics. Won't be back for months.
Thanks everybody, glad you like the pix and report! Shell, totally know what you mean - such beautiful surroundings, it's easy to break down in gratitude. Hussy, I'll get boiled banana breakfast on the menu next time for sure.
Here's a quick vid of that stroll across the bridge and over to the chillout zone, so nice:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fy95B1I0alk
Hi Shell!Quote:
Originally Posted by shell
We would be happy to welcoming you back in Jamaica on your next trip in May. Please call us if you need to arrange for your airport transfer to Negril. One or our drivers will pick you up and take care of you, bring some cool Red Stripes to welcome you and will cheer your trip to Negril with some good reggae music.
You can learn more about us checking out our website and facebook pages.
Owen
Phone (876) 3624906
email: crossjamaicatours@gmail.com
www.crossjamaicatours.com
Very nice report Mojomatic, love the pics. ;)
Love the bridge walk video :)
Yes indeed. Got my mouth watering. Can't wait for my "first breakfast".Quote:
First breakfast in Jamrock - "ev'ry time" - has gotta be ackee and saltfish.
So many firsts of everything to enjoy, every time you come back! Glad you're enjoying the report.
Well, the first full day was awesome, just being there - exploring many blue tones, deep seas and blue skies. Drifting deeper into a crystal blue transformation, we floated for hours. Slowing down and breathing deeply. Didn't matter that the clouds rolled through mid-afternoon... the fish keep on swimming, we do too. We ran into a huge school of needlefish, swarming and surrounding, flitting all about. Home base was always the orange ladder upwards. Words.
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Throughout the swims, we bobbed and weaved across the cove. Amazing how you can stay relatively still, even with all the sways and swells. The very end of the cove beckoned, it looks like there might be a cave inside? We were tempted to enter. But it was nice just to float in the deep crystal blue.
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It was Palm Sunday. According to the Bible, the day of triumphant return, a moveable feast. Much like today! It doesn't matter what religion you are, or none at all, it's natural to have the spirit of gratitude when you are blessed with the sights and sounds of Jamaica.
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The evening hour rolled around and jerk was called for. I fixed two XL roadies - Tanqueray & Sorrel with a splash of soda - and called in a massive order at Three Dives to go. Me and the Curator took off on a jerk quest, walking down One Love Drive, with drinks in hand. We stopped off at Barbara's shop for a quick review of her goods, then as we rounded past Pushcart we smelled the signature jerksmoke. Lovely! Grillman hooked us up with an entirely free lobster as well as extra orders of plantains to go with our feast. Nice tips for him & the cook. Nuff Love!!
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Quick ride back to Tensing Pen... Miss Amber had fixed up ozark-spiced callaloo and ethiopian-spiced sweet potatoes to accompany the jerk chicken & lobster. A massive feast - greatly enhanced by spices, herbs, fine wine, many smiles and gentle beats.
A fine first full day in Jamrock!
Monday was brilliant! Bright blue skies in the morning as we dug into fresh fruits from the Mobay farmers market and a big glass of iced blue mountain coffee on the front patio of the Long House. Something about those Jamaican bananas - makes me swear I'll never eat the boring old Cavendish bananas again.
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The view from the Long House patio was especially pristine today, although that doesn't differ much from other days. Peep it:
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Love that bridge, so iconic! Here's another view from sea level. Floating along, the water along the cliffs seems more buoyant than other oceans I've swum in. Not sure if that's really the case, or if it's just my mood while pon de rock, but it just seems so easy to float effortlessly, quietly, peacefully.
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First trip at Tensing we were hesitant to jump; this time, we were constantly taking the plunge. I had the video running a couple times, here's one of my faves:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZB4uiXT-1c
The deep blue of the sky, the bright shining sun, the crystal clear waters... Monday saw many jumps, endless floating, lots of letting go of everything.
Bless up!
Love me some Bluefields, got married at Villas of Bluefields amazing propertyQuote:
Originally Posted by booger
Monday afternoon continued on the chill theme. The weather moved quickly, with a changing mix of clouds and sun bursting through. The air was warm and filled with the sound of gentle waves.
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At one point a lovely young Costa Rican practiced yoga on the bridge. A fine sight. There was a rush of guys from around the resort taking notice - never seen so many males suddenly become interested in yoga practice! :)
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Her name was Julianna and she was there with her boyfriend, very friendly folks. They said they have plenty of beaches in CR and wanted to try out some cliffs. They certainly made great use of them.
We made the rounds to catch up with Tensing Pen staff and meet new team members. Some familiar faces and new ones too. Niney is doing his thing keeping the grounds beautiful. I don't remember any lifeguard staff from last reach so it was nice to meet them; Keno and Kim were a constant presence. Ruth, Palmer and Webster on the housekeeping staff shared recipes, hooked us up with ice, generally kept everything well in order.
Love Tensing Pen, really a very special spot.
Just after sunset, we received a special package of local herbs and spices. Always nice to get a touch of local flavor and enjoy the bounty of Jamaica!
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Dinner was at Pushcart; enjoyed well-made cocktails, steamfish, curry goat, oxtail and sides, as well as kickass house-made rum cake and Devon House rum raisin ice cream for dessert.
Around 10pm the skies opened up entirely and it was the most crystal clear night I'd seen in a long time. Jupiter was aligned with the moon, two very bright objects directly overhead Negril. Sirius - the dog star - was rising in the west. (Shuga Mama stopped by again to say hello.) Betelgeuse was glowing red over on the northern horizon. And Pollux was visible. Really nice to take in the vast distance of stars amidst the deep black-blue of space.
I was identifying these stars using the Sky Guide app, a great little tool if you're interested in the night sky.
Bless and good night!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and photos.
Thanks for bringing the telephoto lens, MOJO. Yoga is a beautiful thing.
Great report! keep it coming.
Tuesday we decided to light out of town for a minute, check out some scenery and also the greenery. Bluefields and Zimbali were our destination; figured it's a nice step outside Negril, without too much time for transport.
The Tuesday morning sun was bright and again I woke up earlier than expected. Unable to fall back asleep, I put on some clothes, went downstairs and poured myself an ice coffee. I went for a walk to occupy myself until the others awoke, ended up on a nice stretch of the legs. So nice to get out in the early morning when things are still so quiet.
I walked for a while and wound up at Out of Town Pastry; loaded up on fish loaf & veggie patties. Shared a route taxi back with Harry, the owner of Catcha; small world. Picked up a six-pack of Red Stripe at Wise Choice and by the time I arrived back at Long House with beer and patties, the others were up and ready to rock. Another very special Jamaican breakfast.
We packed up our gear and driver Peter Morris of Reggae Tours arrived in his pristine mini-van. No disrespect to the many other great drivers on this board and on the island, but Peter is one of the best! He informed us it was his birthday, we vowed to make it a good one. And on the road we went...
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Always enjoy rolling through Jamaican countryside. Can anyone name the Toots tune this pic reminds you of? :)
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We got into Sav-La-Mar and it was bustling as always. I love the inventory at this roadside haberdashery:
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We took a left at the KFC and proceeded down through the market. This proved to be a false path as the road dead-ends, but we loved all the sights and activity. The scene was more pushcarts than stalls; tons of great-looking fresh fruits and veggies:
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The vendors were boisterous, quite a busy Tuesday morning. You could hear small snippets of conversation and the occasional sound system as we rolled through the market.
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Every other pole had a sign for the Westmoreland Curry Festival, this Sunday April 26th. If anyone on the board will be in the area this Sunday, please attend the curry festival and report back! I bet it's amazing.
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Eventually, after a couple other turns, we made it safely to Bluefields Beach. Breathe deep! Yet another opportunity to take in the deep crystal blue tones of Jamaica. Amazing.
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The sun shone brightly as the waves lapped quietly ashore. We bought spoons from George the woodcarver and settled in with some sand between the toes. The beach was almost empty, save for a jerk barrel, some guys playing dominoes and a guy selling red stripe. Beautiful.
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The storm clouds up the coast looked menacing, but little did we know what was in store... Stay tuned... :D
Ten points to Sam I Am! Yes indeed - a classic.