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Trip Report - Portland 2017
I can’t think of a better way of planning for upcoming reaches during 2018 than reflecting on the past 3 from 2017. I will share my “reflections” of those visits from March, August and November in this report. Not sure if this thing will be any longer or shorter than previous posts as I will focus on highlights/updates around Portland. But I’m sure it will contain more pictures, more emotion and more Portland praises than the others…feel free to take that as a warning.
Let’s see…all three visits involved, of course, an arrival. Two were through Montego Bay and one landing in Kingston. I prefer Kingston for the 2-hour ride to Port Antonio, but there’s a layover in Miami. Montego Bay is always direct, but travel time on the road is 4.5 hours. So my arrival airport choice is based on what crazy items I decide to bring. Getting through customs in Kingston is a breeze.
The only flight issue was I kept loosing those blasted neck pillows either coming or going. I never seem to get it home. I lost this one in the Miami airport on the way there so that meant no pillow on the flights home. I find I can’t sleep without it.
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Up…up…up in the clouds! This is when and where I slide the US life to the back of my thoughts and anticipate my weary mind, over-worked body and battered soul being healed in Jamaica. I give thanks for the means to afford to go, the health to enjoy it with few physical limitations and the people who seem to be happy to see me when I return.
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Re: Trip Report - Portland 2017
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Re: Trip Report - Portland 2017
Port Antonio
Where to begin??? Since I won’t be posting what I did from day to day, I’ll do it by location starting from down town and work my way eastward.
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The below vendor is set at the corner to the entrance to the Musgrave Strawmarket. The entire side walk is lined with folks selling their weirs. I prefer to go into the market and buy from as many vendors as I can.
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My little friends who hang at the market with their mothers after school. The princess to the left is a feisty and fearless four-year old. She ah run tings!!!
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Marina / Bikini Beach
After visiting with a few folks in the market area and if I’m not too loaded with fruits and vegetables, I’ll walk to the marina & beach. Make a left out of the market, up two blocks on Musgrave Street then turn left at the corner. The entrance to the marina is on the left, across the street from the Royal Mall.
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Walking through the marina leads to Bikini Beach
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Re: Trip Report - Portland 2017
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The Bikini Beach grill is closed. This guy was selling coconuts and warm bottled drinks from a little wooden table. I wasn’t about to buy any of the drinks but I did purchase a coconut. I tell him to pick one with meat in it. Well it didn’t have a lot of jelly, but the water was oh soooo good.
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I was standing next to the table watching him chip at the coconut. After he opened it for me, he lined the 2-foot long machete upright against the leg of the table while he went on a search for a chair for me. Yep, you guessed it, the machete came down, blade side up thank goodness, right across my big toe. The sight of the little speckle of blood and my squeal, thru him into a panic and he ran off. I was calm only concerned with cleaning the cut as soon as possible. Here he comes back with the lifeguard who was carrying a first aid kit from 1999. None of the band aids stuck to my skin and the alcohol wipes had dried up. I thanked him for the attention and promised I would bring him a new kit with supplies that could actually help minor cuts and scrapes.
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Vendor dude asked me if I was going to sue him.
I told him no, but I wanted something for my pain & suffering.
He gave me a banana. However, I still had to pay 150JA for the coconut.
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Re: Trip Report - Portland 2017
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Re: Trip Report - Portland 2017
Lovely!- Your photos bring back so many good memories of our trip there 2 years ago. Very much looking forward to hearing/seeing more of your visit(s). Thank you!
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I'm so glad I got to see this before I trip! Keep the report coming please!
Awesome pictures!
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Great pictures and narration *vi*! I am reminiscing back to a year ago when we visited Portland :cool-new:
It's 10F out here at home and we just received 6 inches of snow, but fortunately we'll be in Jamrock soon! We won't be visiting the east end this year though, we're sticking to Negril :excitement:
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Re: Trip Report - Portland 2017
Quote:
Originally Posted by
sunchaser
Lovely!- Your photos bring back so many good memories of our trip there 2 years ago. Very much looking forward to hearing/seeing more of your visit(s). Thank you!
sunchaser! Has it been two years already??? I remember your magnificent slide show of Port Antonio. You showed places and details that I have yet to capture. In fact, you inspired me to do a video report but I forgot about that promise until now. I’m so glad you gave me a shout because now I’m writing down the reminder to make that project happen for my August visit. I have a quick question…were you able to use your own music or did you have to select from their library?
Sooooo when are you two lovebirds going back?????? Portland misses you!
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Originally Posted by
Maralunatic
I'm so glad I got to see this before I trip! Keep the report coming please!
Awesome pictures!
Maralunatic, I’m on a mission to get as much posted before you take off. You should search sunchaser and find that slide show of their visit. You’ll appreciate the piece on rafting and eating at Ms. Belinda’s place.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
agregory
Great pictures and narration *vi*! I am reminiscing back to a year ago when we visited Portland :cool-new:
It's 10F out here at home and we just received 6 inches of snow, but fortunately we'll be in Jamrock soon! We won't be visiting the east end this year though, we're sticking to Negril :excitement:
Hello there agregory!!! Thanks for joining the ride! I’m happy to hear you’re returning soon. Those temps are no joke. No worries about seeking warmth in Negril, Portland will be there when you’re able to return. Heck, it’s been a couple years since I’ve been back to Negril. So do me a favor and post a report when you get back to motivate me to break off Negril a piece of my Jamaica time.
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Piggy’s Jerk Centre is on the right side directly across from the foot of the narrow sidewalk. IMO this place has the best jerk chicken I’ve ever had. Okay the comparison list is not that long because I’m not a great fan of jerk chicken, but I loved theirs because it was super moist and seasoned just right for my taste. They also have excellent festival.
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The road splits at this point. The left leads to many businesses, cambios & banks, immigration office, grocery markets, straw market, restaurants, pharmacies, hospital, police station, the entrance to the marina/Bikini Beach/Knutsford Bus Station, library, gas stations…no wonder those few blocks are filled with a steady flow of people.
The right is the taxi stand nucleus with a multitude of cars & vans transporting people from Port Antonio to other parts of Jamaica. Titchfield is in that direction. Oh and the ever present glorious sea which I call the visual tranquilizer.
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Now on to check out Mr. Rock Bottom.
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ALL of the carvings on the walls...floor and hanging from the rafters are what cannot fit in his little shop.
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Mr. Rock Bottom A true gentleman,
He with his gentle massiveness greets me with a smile just as huge….
“ahhhh welcome back! welcome back and how is my friend?”
Then a hug and an invitation to have a drink is how our visits always start. After our brief chat, I’ll hop down from the tall bar stool and go to his tiny shop packed with his art to pick out pieces that catch my eye. I always buy a lot of turtles for gifts and a jewelry box for myself.
Rock Bottom should be a part of a visitors Portland experience. He is more than just a gifted and dedicated woodcarver, he’s an excellent representative of his beloved country, Jamaica. The man has stories that I long to listen to. On my next visit I plan to bring him an Eagles World Series jersey in exchange for one of his winning anecdotes. I hope others try to do the same.
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This is one of the two restaurants located at the end on the market. It's a poplar place especially at dinner.
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This is my breakfast from a previous visit. It was very good. I haven’t made it back but will try the pizza when I return.
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Looking for a really nice place to have a drink? Just to the right side of the market is a bar. If I remember correctly, Red Stripes 150J and shots 130J
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Re: Trip Report - Portland 2017
Aww Vi..
You're so sweet to do this!
I will check out Sunchaser's report ASAP!
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No problem, Maralunatic…like I said, my posting is driven by your enthusiasm about being there. Besides, I’m sure anyone else interested in my ramblings will appreciate this being completed before the end of the year….lol
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Re: Trip Report - Portland 2017
Traveling left out of the market yard you’ll see a line of cookshops with the ocean as their backdrop. On the right side of the street are more businesses. At the end of that half mile stretch and across from Folly Field is Ramtullas market where I do 95% of my shopping during my stay. I like it because it’s roomy, they have everything I need and I know where everything is. Well, they don't have a cambio...yet. Yes there are quite a few stores down town, but they are always crowded. Tight isles and folks squeezing by IN THAT HEAT kinda unnerves me so I rarely go in those.
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I feel like I'm taking a virtual tour! This is awesome! Keep it coming Vi!! :encouragement:
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And please, Maralunatic, feel free to ask questions along the way...
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Winnifred Beach
Now on to my favorite chill places…the beaches of Portland…well some of them. The first beach you would come to from Port Antonio is Winnifred Beach. It used to be a hassle to get to the beach because the narrow unpaved road was horrible. A lot of drivers wouldn’t even take you if there was a recent heavy rain. But the new route and repaired road makes going down either by foot or car so much easier.
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The beach is maintained by the vendors who do an excellent job keeping it clean and safe. There is no set fee to enter, but a person sits at the foot of the road to collect donations. Once you get down there you will see how whatever you give is put to good use.
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After securing my space and getting that first drink in hand, I spend the first hour listening to my reggae tunes and journaling. Thanks Sammy!!!!!
You can always find me perched in front of I-Cliff’s beverage stand. He, the guy on the left, also rents lounges for $5/day. Great guy who keeps and eye on me and my belongings whenever I roam around.
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Here is some roasted breadfruit I-Cliff’s friend shared with us. I tell you, this hit the spot. It was tender, moist and full of flavor. This and a small cup of soup kept me satisfied until dinner.
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This is my adopted nephew, Shane, who came to keep me company one day. We always hook up on Boston Beach so it was nice chilling with him in different surroundings. He’s an excellent young cook. When he’s not working construction, he’s cooking for folks on the Boston Beach. I decided to have him cook for me during my August reach. I will share how that turned out when I get to the Boston Beach part of this posting.
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Awww... hamburgers. Just in time for me to have to catch a flight instead of reading this whole thing! Ah so it go.
Oh, the Eagles won the Super Bowl, miss vi. World Series is baseball. But we still love you.
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Thanks so much for all of your labor doing these trip reports *vi*. If I ever run into you in Jamaica, dinner is my treat!
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Oh TAH, you always know how make me smile even when embarrassed. :p Can you tell sports are not my forte? Soooo flight to where???
Missy Sam I Am, we just have to make that happen. I have the perfect place in mind. You pay for dinner and I’ll pick up the beverage tab and transportation. Now all we need to do is get you there!
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There’s an adequate variety of places to eat here. Two or three tables selling souvenirs and occasionally a boat will be available to take folks around the bay or drop them off in Boston. A visit to this beach is highly recommended. Safe, clean and hassle/hustler free. The only time I would not come to this beach is when there’s a special event held here. People arrive by the bus load so getting out is a nightmare…otherwise you can count on having a perfect time at Winnifred Beach.
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Trident Castle
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Ever since I’ve been coming to Portland, I’ve wanted to see the inside of the Trident Castle. I mean the view from the road is impressive and can’t be ignored. But like all castles, it’s protected by high walls, guards and surrounded by water.
Over the years I’ve asked drivers to arrange for me to tour the massive structure, but none of them could get me in. Well on the ride from town I happened to mention how I wish to see the inside. A voice from the back seat said, “I can get you in.” Turns out the young man sharing the taxi with me is one of the castle chefs. He took my number and said the front desk hostess will call and set up the tour and dinner reservation. I got a call two hours later and made reservations for Vi, party of one for the following evening.
The Trident property is split. The castle is the building in the foreground and the hotel & restaurant are in the background.
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My driver gave the guard my name and the twelve-foot tall gate door swung open so we could enter. Of course the grounds were perfectly manicured. Not even a fallen leaf could be seen on the endless rich, green lawn. My guide and a female hotel rep greeted me and thanked me for coming. They invited Mr. Walker, my driver, to join the tour.
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Designed by Architect Earl Levy, castle construction began 1979 and took nearly a decade to reach completion. This remarkable edifice contains a banquet hall, a ballroom, two spacious living rooms, 8 huge bedrooms and a plethora of terraces and courtyards. A view of either the Blue Mountains or the magnificent ocean can clearly be seen from any window. In 2009 Levy sold the castle to billionaire Michael Lee Chin for a reported $2.1 million who currently rents the castle out as an expensive weekend getaway.
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You have either the best luck or really good contacts to be able to get into that fancy place. Thanks for the pictures, it's beautiful. I'm sure it will be the only way I get to see it. Pretty sure not gonna win the lottery!
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I read on one site that the entire castle can be booked for $2,800US a night…breakfast included. But when you think about it, that’s not a bad price for an intimate wedding day. I know couples who drop three times that amount for the day. Why not exchange vows in a castle? Speaking of weddings, the guide said they usually do 2 weddings a month.
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A lot of the original décor is still in place, including the flooring.
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Re: Trip Report - Portland 2017
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Maralunatic
You have either the best luck or really good contacts to be able to get into that fancy place. Thanks for the pictures, it's beautiful. I'm sure it will be the only way I get to see it. Pretty sure not gonna win the lottery!
Maralunatic, I knew I could never afford to stay there but I figured it wouldn't hurt to take a peek. I've gotten braver when it comes to getting on properties that strike my curiosity. The Trident was a challenge because not many drivers enter the gates or know anyone who works there. My driver lives near the chef so he was giving him a ride. It was finally being in the right place at the right time.
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