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Printable View
The tour was very interesting and I’m glad I finally got to see what’s inside those blinding white walls. I don’t like castles. I see them as cold, uninhabitable lifeless rooms and hidden chambers. Yeah, story book impressions. However, although the Trident does have that “castle” feel, the sunshine streaming though the many windows, the tasteful furnishings and kindhearted staff gave this place the warmth I didn’t think existed in castles.
I enjoyed listening to Mr. Lester share facts about its history. Now that I’m writing about that visit I wished I had my notes about Mr. Lester. I do remember he was there before Mr. Chin took ownership. So between the two owners he has seen/met a lot of famous people. Both he and the rep were extremely patient and considerate. They made sure I was aware of where I was stepping if the area was shadowed or if levels changed. They never hurried the tour, instead allowed me to linger to take pictures or enjoy “ahh” moments. Unfortunately I wasn’t extended the same treatment when I went to the hotel & restaurant.
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The plan was to tour the castle then the hotel. After the hotel tour, I was to have dinner. Mr. Walker and I took pictures of our host & hostess and each other. We said our goodbyes and drove to the hotel. I didn’t want to eat alone but Mr. Walker had business to look about so he dropped me off at the door. I would call him when I’m ready to leave.
Well the front desk rep greeted me.
“Good evening, Miss Vi”
“Good evening.”
She informed me a group will be there soon and had to check them in. She escorted me to the pool and said she would come for me to begin the tour when she’s done. That brief interaction was cordial but not friendly. So different from the greeting I received at the castle. I felt like I was a task on her to-do list she didn’t want to deal with but can’t avoid. Surely this can’t be the same sweet, social voice that called to set up the visit.
The bartender came out to take my drink order. I requested a glass of water. We chatted a bit.
"Yes, it’s slow right now. We have two guests and more aren’t arriving until Friday."
"Friday? That’s nice…"
"Yes, it’s going to be quiet until then. Would you like to see the menu?"
"Oh, no thank you. Not yet. After the tour…maybe.”
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He went back to the restaurant and I sat thinking about what he just said. Thank goodness I have my music with me. Thank goodness I have my flask. Thank goodness I have the view of the ocean.
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An hour later she still hasn’t come for me. It’s getting dark and my flask is empty. I concluded she forgot about me. That was a big disappointment not to mention unprofessional. And to think I complimented her crooked eye brows. I'm out!
I walked back to the lobby. She was standing behind the desk tapping on the computer. Clearly no signs of the arrival of guests.
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Her reaction upon seeing me confirmed she did push my presence out of her mind. She half-heartedly apologized and grabbed the log book so I could reschedule the tour. I declined. Having toured the castle satisfied my original curiosity about the Trident property. She didn’t say another word to me during the 15 minute wait for my ride. I was going to write a letter to management, but honestly after including the experience in this post I can put it behind me. After all, the good experiences always outweigh the bad in Jamaica.
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Frenchman’s Cove
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This is the first time I walked to the beach from the road. I didn’t think I could do it because in a car it feels longer. But it was fine. I survived and will most likely always walk down and back in order to enjoy and appreciate the scenery. The road branches off, just remember to stay to the right.
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This is what you see before even reaching the beach. Absolutely beautiful.
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Frenchman’s Cove should also be on a visitor’s “must do” list. The last two times I was here I got lunch and it was delicious both times. They give you enough food for two. And the prices are reasonable. I’ve always been curious about the rooms. While the beach grounds are immaculate, the reviews I’ve been finding express the complete opposite regarding the units. At an average of $79US/nite, that’s not good. If anyone has stayed there lately, please post your experience here. I would love to your opinion.
Ahhhh, lovely pictures *vi* :encouragement:
We loved our visit to Frenchman's and it was even a bit gray and gloomy out when we were there. I appreciate your sunny, blue sky pictures! I agree that it is a must visit for the area, along with hiking/wading/swimming up Reach Falls and bamboo rafting on the Rio Grande!
Thanks for your trip report! Only 6 sleeps until we land on the rock :excitement:
And I have to add that your story about Trident Castle is sad :( Looks like a beautiful place though. Thanks for the wonderful pictures!
THANKS agregory! Now it's only five days for you! How can you contain yourself!!!??? The only thing better than a single digit count to landing is actually landing LOL So what's first on the agenda besides having a drink for me???
Yeah, I was annoyed with the frontdesk chick. It's not the first time I was treated like that at a Jamaican business, but it was the first time happening in Portland. I'm glad I didn't have dinner first. No worries...I plan to drop off "thank you" gifts to Mr. Lester and the other rep. Who knows, I might have an opportunity to share the incident with them.
Boston Bay & Boston Beach
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This is the little vegetable/fruit stand in between the Boston jerk center and the beach. The gentleman who owns it is a nice, cordial man. His produce is always fresh and I feel his prices are low. I buy out his grapefruit because they are sweet and hard to find.
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I call this place my “go to” beach because I can get to it quick. I love how they continue to make improvements on the area. I was told they are going to build a proper stage for the weekend DJ and maybe a stage show. To be honest, I prefer no music because it’s always way too loud. Louder than it needs to be. So hopefully they will keep the music on weekends.
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ahhhhhhh look at that water!!!!
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One of the very handsome lifeguards. He's also a sweetheart.
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Shane has time to cook for me today. He loves to work his culinary skills either in the kitchen or over an open fire. I’ve only met one Jamaican man that does not cook. Not even for himself. But anyway, we decided on the dish, I gave him the money for the ingredients and he brought everything to the beach! Oh this is going to be good…
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The "kitchen" is a waist-level clearing beside the lifeguard shack. He also cooks on the other side of the beach to the far right of this view. You can enter the beach free from that side but you have to pass through rocky waters to get around to the paid side. Shane is always trying to get me to walk with him to that side. He said it's more "chill" around there. People sit on the beach...smoke...drink...smoke some more...eat a little...then smoke again. The young visitors love it over there...I guess so LOL
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I take a few pictures while Shane adds the finishing touches to our meal.
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To the upper left is a shot of the rocks you have to pass around to get for the other side of the beach. The water isn't deep, but the current that swirls around the rocks can be strong. If you don't time it right, you'll...of course...will go down.
So…he rinses off his hand with clean water from a plastic container. Lights a spliff and takes a puff…exhales. Take another deep puff and exhales. He than turns and smiles at me.
“You ready to eat, Vi?”
“Hell Yeah! Bring it on man!”
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Fresh Conch Soup and it was outstanding!!!!!!
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After he filled my aluminum bowl served on a leaf platter, he asked if it was alright to give some to the other guys who help maintain the beach. I told him of course. Five people enjoyed a meal that cost 2,100J, or less than $20US.
Trying to start packing, which always means I'm looking for passports and trying to figure out what I need vs what I think I need. Decided a rum and coke was in order along with a short break and hit up the forum and lo and behold new stuff from Vi! Yay!! Loving the pics and the conch soup looks amazing! I'll take a second helping of both the soup and the trip report! Loving this:encouragement:
This is a beautiful story, Vi. I just perused it, but i’ll Come back and read thoroughly when I get the chance. It’s been 18 years since I was there, and your pics and narrative bring back so many memories.
Maralunatic, a rum and coke helps me think clearer too when packing. Only a few days to go and all my pictures will come to life for you two. I was getting extremely jealous of your approaching arrival to Portland, but as of last night, when I submitted my time-off request, I can again be overjoyed about your first visit. You see, after posting pictures and remembering the moments, my moods are out of sorts. The only thing that gets me head right is an arrival date. The soup was delicious. Deep down inside I regretted giving it away.
LOL how I adore your name, Kritter. Thanks for giving me a shout. As you can see, a lot has changed since 2000, however that “laid back” vibe still thrives there. But wow, 18 years?? Time flies, don’t it?? I would love to see your pictures from that year. Please tell me that you’ve at least been to other parts of Jamaica.
A couple of videos from that afternoon
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*vi*
So nice to hear you booked another visit, so now you won't be sad! Your help has been invaluable to us in planning our trip, and for everyone else who is thinking/planning on going. Plus we can look forward to another trip report from you!. When are you planning on going?
Two more days until we hit the airport, and it's soooo difficult to get anything done at work because Jamaica is on my mind constantly!:)
So basically, Maralunatic, you are already there!!! In two days your body will catch up with your mind and all will be irie! *sigh* I don’t have long to wait, early April, but it still feels like forever. Not too sure if I will do a report on that visit when I return, but there definitely will be one from my july reach. There’ some special events going on in Portland this summer. Speaking of reports, we hope to get one from you…pretty please!!!!!!
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After eating, I refilled my empty plastic rum cup and Shane rolled and blazed up another spliff. We talked about the food and the possibility of doing it again. I was all for it. Maybe a big pot of steamed vegetables or even fish if conch can’t be found.
I had a few dollars set aside to give him for shopping and cooking. But he wouldn’t take it. He said eating was all the payment he deserved. "Deserved? As in earned???" "Yes", he confirmed. To me, it wasn’t enough because I know a little about his financial situation. I told him to take it and purchase phone credit for his grandfather. He liked that suggestion. He’s a good kid…I should say young man.
“Shane, why do you sit with me for so long? I can’t possibly be that interesting.”
“Yeah….yeah you are. You’re like a bigger (older) sister for me.”
“Honey, I’m old enough to be your mother. Let’s say auntie.”
“Auntie??? What? Vi, you about 40? 42?”
“Oh aren’t you sweet.”
I just smiled and sipped my rum. hmmm 42 was a good age…think I’ll wear it again for the rest of the week.
This excellent day was gradually evolving into a delightfully beautiful evening. The sand beneath my feet maintains the warmth from the sun. Heavens it feels good. And goodness! I’m completely memorized by the ocean’s seductive dance.
“I better get going, Shane.”
“Why? You’re on holiday so you don’t have to work. Stay a likkle longa.”
“LOL that’s true. But I need to catch a taxi and that might take a minute. They are always full this time of day. “
“Call one of your drivas to come for you. Dem all pon the road this time of day.”
My phone rings and it’s Michael. I tell him I’m at the beach and ask could he come for me. Said he’ll be here in 10 minute. Michael is a dependable (red plate) driver. When he says he’ll be there at a certain time, he does. Only thing about him is he keeps the car AC set to deep freeze. Says he MUST have it cold like that in his car or he’ll becomes irritable from the heat. I’m not an air condition person so I won’t ride long distances with him. If you LOVE traveling in a freezer-on-wheels, then Michael would be the perfect driver for you…lol
“I’ve got to pack up and get to the road. Michael’s on his way.”
Shane lets me sit in silence to soak up the remaining minutes of this perfect afternoon.
Then the scene to cap off my Boston Beach day caught my eye…I watched a toddler sitting on her daddy’s lap slowly surrender to sleep. So intimately precious It was time to go with a smile.
“Shane…”
“Yeah?”
“I’ll check you tomorrow.”
“Okay Auntie Vi…tomorrow.”
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One morning I decided to roll out of bed and make my way to Long Bay for breakfast here. This place has gotten very popular with the drivers.
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My meal was very good. Would have liked more ackee...it was perfect.
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The place next to the restaurant on the left is a nice bar. Oh, there's a tiny bar inside the restaurant too. But I prefer to have a drink and chill on the deck of the other especially when they start the music.
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UGH....4 more hours of work, and then I'm on vacation!..
Watching a storm making its way to the twin cities and hoping there's no flight delays tomorrow morning
Oh my...Maralunitic everything is going to be fine. Portland is ready to roll out the red carpet for you two so you are expected to arrive on time :encouragement:
You go to Negril first, right? Well, check in to the report daily. Safe travels and have a blast!
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The waters of Long Bay are the most active in all of Portland. Beautiful and energizing to watch. I love it here for that reason. In the past I was hesitant to swim here because I was cautioned about the undertow. So I would sit and just watch her beguiling performance…taunting me…daring me to come in to play. I love the water so staying out of it here was torture. Well my thoughts changed when I saw this group of youngsters diving in without a care. Now I plunge in at least twice during my visits. With that said, if you are a basic swimmer, you’ll be fine.
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House in Long Bay...if I have the cash this would be mine.
Later that day, I had Michael, one of my drivers, take me to Soldiers Camp restaurant. This place is very poplar, but not all drivers know how to get there. It's not on the main roadway, but tucked away in the neighborhood. Thankfully Michael did so we went with empty bellies to find out for ourselves if all the raving about this man’s food was on point.
Michael and his ice mobile
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Soldier Camp
Mr. Everold Daley, owner & chef
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Short story even shorter, the restaurant is closed on Mondays and of course that’s when we went. So no food. However I did have a pleasant visit with Mr. Daley. I plan to go back and try the snapper he spoke highly about. I guess you’re asking, why even post about the place if I didn’t get to eat??? It was a nice experience just going there, checking out the digs and meeting Mr. Daley.
After leaving Soldier Camp, our bellies demanded food. I let Michael select the place and without hesitation, he said KFC. This was my first time ever doing KFC in Jamaica and I gotta say the recipe is not only different from the US but tastier. I wanted more, but the line was ridiculously long and slow. Fast food is NOT fast food in Jamaica...lol
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