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A Tale of Two Seasons
Vacationing in the winter as a Minnesotan always involves two emotions: anticipation and anxiety.
The anticipation part goes without saying. Of course you're dreaming about the sandy beaches, ocean waves, cold Red Stripes and warm weather. Weather..WEATHER, OMG are we going to have a snow storm before we leave??
What if we can't make the 2 1/2 hour drive to the airport?
What if our flight is cancelled?
Yup, there's the anxiety part.
Well, we did have a snowstorm and our 2 1/2 hour drive turned into 3 1/2 hours. Getting up at 2:00 am and being on the road by 3 is not my idea of a picnic.
My mind always goes to the worrying place on the trip down. What am I forgetting?
Passports? Check
Money? Check
Luggage? Check
Hmmm.. maybe I'm good this time...hmm. Crap. I forgot my jean jacket. No way an I wearing my big winter coat, and of course I have a sundress on. Which by the way looks pretty snazzy with the winter boots.
Hey, maybe I can steal Mr. Lunatics coat.
Okay, practice the sad expression and the puppy dog eyes.
Finally make it to the airport, check in and we're told we're preapproved for security. Really? Apparently you don't really know us!
Bloody Mary's for breakfast and then to the gate.
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Apparently our plane has decided to sleep in since it's not at the gate. I wish I could have slept in also.
A delay of one hour. *sigh* Should have had another Bloody Mary.
Finally able to board, and just as we were about to step into the plane we hear
"Excuse me, do you mind waiting so the mechanic can go first?"
WHAT??
Why is there a mechanic going onto the plane and shouldn't he be looking at the engines and stuff?
Finally touch down in MoBay and through customs fast. Out the door and we take our first breath of the unique smell that is Jamaica to me....gas fumes, salt air, jerk and ganja.
We're taking the Knutsford Express to Port Antonio and they have a new office right at the airport, drop our bags off and grab some Red Stripes.
*sigh* I'm in my happy placeAttachment 50786
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GREAT start Maralunatic!!!!! This is gonna be an epic report...I can feel it. Yes that first smell of Jamaica is all the "welcome" greeting I need. Thank you soooo much for posting. Just what I need on this day full of ice, cold falling snow!!! URGH! Please keep it coming.
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Thanks *Vi*
I'll keep posting as much as my work schedule will allow and yes it was interesting as all get out.
Does anybody know why my picture shows up sideways?
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We decide to have a few more Red Stripes, and then head over to catch the bus only to be informed that "the 5:00 bus will be delayed for one hour"
Noooooooo.....
Luckily the buzz from the beer keeps me happy.
I wish we could have enjoyed the scenery on the way to Port Antonio, but tiredness and the fact that it was dark ensured I napped on the way. We finally pulled into PA at 10:30 at night, grabbed a taxi and FINALLY arrived at Tim Bamboo. Thank God someone was still at the desk so we could check in. Needless to say, after traveling for so long it was right to bed, and looking forward to our first day on this side of the island.
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So excited to hear yours!! My short trip was PHENOMENAL thanks to VI. Keep it coming !!
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Maralunatic, I hear you on the lonnnnnnng day of traveling. That's why whenever possible I fly into Kingston. Cuts out a little over 2 hours of traveling time. I hope that bed was super comfortable for you and Mr. Lunatic. Yes, keep it coming!!!
Really Vacatonlovaa??? Phenomenal?!?! Great to hear! So that means you'll treat us to a phenomenal trip report...pleeeeease!!!!
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*VI* the bed was super comfy!
Yeah, Vacationlovaa, let's see your trip report!!! Please! I'll keep plugging away at mine also.
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I totally Would do one but i left My phone on the knutsford express so i literally Have about 3 pictures from our jam packed day there 😢 still trying to convince my bf to take me back in September. I do Have an amazing review about San Sky BnB!
@maralunatic were you guys able to leave your luggage at the knutsford station ?! I always fly in MBJ because it’s 2hrs vs 6hr flight with stops to Norman but my flight usually arrives 1230 so about 115 after customs just wanted to get some lunch at scotchies before the long ride. Is it possible?
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Vacationlovaa, in answer to your question, I have left my luggage at the office many times. Once you check-in, your bags are tagged and put to the side. I usually go to Pier ! until it's time to leave.
So sorry about leaving your phone. Did you contact them to see if it were found?
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After a surprisingly good sleep, we woke up to the sounds of the roosters crowing, and our stomachs growling. Gotta get some breakfast in there!
While we wait we make our way to the roof to watch all the schoolkids on their way to classes. Most of them see us up there and wave and say "good morning". I love seeing the kids in their uniforms!
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Jamaican breakfast for me!. Yum!
Stomachs satisfied, we start our day by walking into town to see the sights get the lay of the land and to find a cambio.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by
*vi*
Vacationlovaa, in answer to your question, I have left my luggage at the office many times. Once you check-in, your bags are tagged and put to the side. I usually go to Pier ! until it's time to leave.
So sorry about leaving your phone. Did you contact them to see if it were found?
Thanks Vi! Yes i was able to finallyy pick it up thank the lord. I’ve never had pier one food. I’m in love with scotchies. Just wanted to do a quick trip to eat and exchange my money before the ride.
@marulunatic loving. The report so far !! Keep it coming
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I love the old architecture that's in this town. Always makes me think what the walls would say if they could talk.
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We spent most of our first day just walking around and seeing what the town is like. Ok, we actually did get lost (sort of) and I practiced my best "Captain Ron" and just asked for directions. I could tell they were just waiting for me to realize that what we were searching for was practically just in front of us.
"Do you need a guide?"
"Yes please, cuz I'm a dumb a@@ tourist!"
We finally found the marina again. You'll remember, we were just there a few hours ago....
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I really wasn't standing on my head...I can't for the life of me figure out why my pictures are showing like this. I hate to not post any photos, but I may have too..
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Originally Posted by
Maralunatic
I really wasn't standing on my head...I can't for the life of me figure out why my pictures are showing like this. I hate to not post any photos, but I may have too..
They're not showing up at all for me, Mara.
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Maralunatic, If you're uploading from a phone, you may have to view the photos through a picture manager program or paint and flip them before posting.
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The marina really is beautiful. We met an interesting man who showed us how he harvests coconuts by climbing the tree and dropping some down. Luckily I stayed out of the way.
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The juice was sweet and so was the jelly.
Since we build boats for a living, I couldn't resist getting a picture of the JDF boat that was docked. Mr Lunatic didn't think it was such a good idea for me to ask for a boat ride.
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Yes, I'm all proud that I figured out the picture situation. Now I can keep going on the trip report..
Sometimes I have to be dragged kicking and screaming into the digital world
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Lunch was Red Stripes at Maybelles at the Pier. We had a lot of fun with the girls working and met a couple that had drove up for the day to visit Port Antonio. We walked with them to the craft center and introduced them to Rock Bottom so they could pick up some souvenirs.
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ahhhhh your pictures take me there!!! Please keep them coming. So glad you met Rock Bottom and fantastic on bringing him more business. Maralunatic, did you get to Bikini Beach while at the marina?
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We did get to the beach! After we found it (lol). I'll be posting more pictures of that since we spent a large portion of one day just chilling there. Sand gravity you know!
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Oh I can't wait!!!! Looks like you have great weather that day!
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We decided to go rafting on the Rio Grande on Monday, so I called Devon and shamelessly dropped Vi's name to arrange to have him take us around for the day. The drive to the river was beautiful, and along the way we picked up a captain (Capt 26). Now he isn't a captain with the rafting company, but I liked him, and we didn't mind having him take us. Plus, Devon vouched for him.
The river was gorgeous and the weather was perfect.
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Attachment 50912I brought my little speaker along, so we were jamming to some music with the captain singing along. I did forget to bring a cooler with beer...dang.
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Just when I was kicking myself for not bringing some liquid refreshments, we came around a bend and saw this
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Now, for those of you who have rafted down the river, you know that means....Belinda's food!!
I almost jumped in and ran to shore because this is the type of food I love. Plus there was beer!
Attachment 50914This woman is an absolute sweetheart and one of the best cooks I've met in Jamaica!
We had a great lunch and while we were hanging out, we finally saw some other rafters. A couple from California, and another from Georgia. Oddly enough, after talking to them we realized that not only did they both have MN connections, but ones that were very close to the place we live.
Two years ago, we met a doctor that was from the next town over from us. This may not seem strange to most people, but we live in a town of 450 people, and the surrounding area is about the same.
Jumped back onto the raft and continued down the river until right before the official end. Remember, our captain was rogue. Devon picked us up and we headed to do some more exploring.
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Maralunatic!!! What a wonderful, bright sunny day you had rafting the Rio! Your pictures are fabulous. Plus you met Belinda!! And how funny you met folks that live near you. I've been to Jamaica many times and have yet to cross paths with anyone remotely close to me and I live in the tri-state area. But anyway...carry on PLEASE...your audience is awaiting :encouragement:
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We had wonderful weather the entire time we were there. Every morning it would rain right around 8:00 am, then the sun would come out and it turned hot and humid, just how I like it!
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We decided to walk into town and try Yousch Café at the craft center for dinner. Along the way we came across some schoolkids gathered around a drainage ditch. Two of the boys were down trying to catch some of the small crabs that had gathered. We chatted with them for awhile. They're always so shy at first, and then they open up and start asking all sorts of questions.
When we were leaving, one of the boys asked for J$50, and before I could even answer his sister grabbed him and started banging him against a fence yelling at him
"No! Momma said to never beg from people!"
Kind of reminds me of my sister always kicking my butt when I did something wrong. (Not that it happened all that often..Hee hee)
Had dinner and then chilled awhile with Rock Bottom at the craft center.
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The man is truly talented and I love what he does with driftwood. I never got any pictures of him, we were having fun just talking to him and to the other vendors.
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oh my....I'm soooo glad you got to talk to him. He's a sweetheart and a wealth of history. Sounds like Portland did you proper!!! What did you have at Yousch's? I've only had breakfast from there and it was good.
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We just had a small supper at Yousch's, and it was...meh. Looking over the menu, breakfast looked like we should have come back and tried it. Maybe next visit!
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We decided to go to Reach Falls the next day, so we arranged another outing with Devon. He picked us up and away we went to see Portland on our way..
Attachment 50923Apparently this is the tallest bridge in Jamaica according to Devon, so we jumped out to take a quick picture of the dropoff. Now, I don't know if it is the tallest or not, but I'm pretty sure I wouldn't jump.
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Love looking at the ocean!!
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On and on we went, around curving roads when we suddenly stopped and a young man jumped into the back seat.
"This is my schoolmate. He's a guide at the falls."
Ok, cool. We were pretty early so maybe we're giving him a ride to work.
Nope...
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Quote:
Originally Posted by
Maralunatic
On and on we went, around curving roads when we suddenly stopped and a young man jumped into the back seat.
"This is my schoolmate. He's a guide at the falls."
Ok, cool. We were pretty early so maybe we're giving him a ride to work.
Nope...
lol. Curious what happens next here.
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oh no.....please don't tell me I've got to take Devon OFF the list...after I tell him off!!!!
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We drove on a little further then pulled over to the side of the road. Devon and his mate got out and said "We're here".
Now keep in mind while I've never been to Reach Falls, I have seen pictures of it on Vi's trip reports, and this did not look like that. But, who knows? Maybe that's what the place looks like at first.
We proceeded down a trail in the woods, and came out to the river.
"Reach Falls closed today".
What? Huh?
What are we doing here then?
That's right, we had our own private tour of walking UP the river to the falls.
Two things you need to know:
1: While I admire people who exercise, I don't want to. Call me lazy if you want.
2: We had no way of changing into our bathing suits, and I was wearing a sundress. Not a normal outfit for rock climbing.
But we'll try anything at least once. (I really gotta change that policy..Soon or later someone's going to make me eat brains or something yucky.)
Started out, and I thought "hmm this isn't too bad. I can handle this."
But as we went further on, it got harder and harder.
"Put your foot here and push off"
Umm...that's all fine when you're a foot taller than I am..
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Midway up I starting thinking about what would happen if I fell and hit my head (don't laugh, I have a history)
How long would it take for an ambulance?
Is there an ambulance?
Would they find my body washed down the river?
My mind goes to the weirdest places!
But it was beautiful!
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oh my...that's a sight I've got to experience!! Those pictures are glorious!
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It was beautiful......until I fell into the river!
I moved fast though, and saved the phone from a dunking. I wasn't so fortunate.
We were almost at the top and I thought
"Yay! I can see the steps! This isn't so bad!"
"No, you can't go any further. The falls are closed, and the security guards are sitting there."
"Can't we bribe them so I can walk up the stairs and you can just pick me up on the road?"
"No no no. We have to walk back down like we came up."
I was going to argue, but then I thought Devon's friend might get into trouble doing a tour on his day off, so back down we went.
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