Trip Report July/August 2016

[*vi*]

…. Our "armed" guard sound asleep in a hammock with his holster visible and an almost empty Red Stripe in his hand.

LOL! MilwaukeeMike, all I can say is I’m even more sadder you weren’t able to recover your pictures after reading your post. But on the other hand, I’m grateful for your great memory and willingness to share such wonderful details. I remember getting a glimpse of these cylinder rooms. Not sure how much of them are still there. Now I’m curious so I’ll charter a boat ride around there to see. Great story about the passed-out, bulletless guard the cook grocery shopping for your meal. I love your phrase “liquid moonshine”. I posted pictures of Navy Island in a past report. Did you see them??

Vi I have to chime in on what you said to Vince about positive comments. I find the Port Antonio board refreshing. It is way less political than other parts of the board. Its about vacationing and experiencing the culture. Thats what I thought this was supposed to be about. So post as many pictures as you like. Tell all the stories you like because we like hearing them.

Thank you so much for your kind words of encouragement, Takinitslow. Sometimes I write and write and write…then chop and chop and chop because I think I wrote too much. But I guess if the viewer is not a reader then they can just flip the page, nuh true?? You’re right; this forum reflects the virtually drama-less culture of Portland.

He said''' Here went to Port Antonio quite a bit ago, he stated '' locals treated us with a curious aloofness, like why are the =y there? while they were polite and hospitable they really didn't care to have us there..''
This isn't verbatom but close........
So I was just wondering your tthoughts !!!

JoJo, I don’t know where this person stayed or how much they got out, and it’s sad they came to such a conclusion about Port Antonio, but to imply that the community is stand-offish is not true at all!!! In all my visits, I have NEVER felt unwelcomed by anyone at any time while in Portland and I’ve been all over the parish. Do they mind their own business? Yes. Do they stay out of your face? Yes. But I would never label that as being “inquisitively aloof”. From the folks in the neighborhood where I stay to the wealthy business owners, everyone I’ve connected with has been friendly and accommodating. Sometimes they go out of their way to fill a request. After my first visit when I traveled with two other ladies, I knew I could do Portland solo from then on. It was mainly because of the people I met. The interactions were brief and not that many, but they were genuinely warm and kind. I’ve been traveling to Jamaica 2-3 times a year since 2003 and this is the only parish that makes me feel welcomed and at home. In fact, JoJo,one of the guaranteed places you will experience that true hospitality is at those small, local establishments, to have a couple cold ones, and chill with the locals.

^^^ Keep it up *vi*!!

Come here Vince so I can give you that daily cyber hug. Today was a typical Monday, crazy busy, so I’ll post the finale tomorrow.