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Thread: If you love Jamaica let me see your hand - A Trip Report

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  1. #1
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    Re: If you love Jamaica let me see your hand - A Trip Report

    Chapter 7

    "I believe the nicest and sweetest days are not those on which anything very splendid or wonderful or exciting happens but just those that bring simple little pleasures, following one another softly, like pearls slipping off a string.”
    ― L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Avonlea

    I'll start this day by saying we had a perfect day. Not a really good day, an actual perfect day. As with beauty, perfection is in the eye of the beholder but to us, this was one of those days where everything that happened did so in just the right way and at just the right time. Every little detail of the day was just exactly right. I figure if we are lucky, we all might get ten perfect days in a lifetime. Sunshine and I both agree this was one of ours.

    We awoke that morning in the cool darkness of the Gatehouse well rested and rather amazingly, not hung over. With no plans to move beyond the walls of Catcha that day, we got into our swim/lounge wear and headed to the cliffs. Our same loungers from the day before were still open, so we staked our claim and then wandered into Ivan's for breakfast.

    This was the view from our table. I look at this picture and I know I was there because I took the darn thing. Somehow though, it still doesn't seem like a place that beautiful and serene could actually exist on this earth. It seems even more amazing that they'd let me in.


    I did not understand the brilliance of having no outside guests until 5pm until I experienced it. It creates a very relaxed and comfortable atmosphere. So many of the cottages and rooms have such lovely porches and balconies that I think a lot of people actually spend most of their time in their private space. This leaves a lot more lounging spots on cliffs than people who want them. This picture was taken at 10:30 in the morning; no need to get up early to reserve a good spot here.

    So getting back to Ivan's, did somebody say stuffed johnnie cake? Well we will be having a couple of orders of those please and a fruit platter to share. We are totally worth the extra couple of bucks for the freshly squeezed juice. I think it is food like this that had me waking up fresh as a daisy each morning, despite my indulgent behaviour the day before.


    It was so nice to just sign everything back to the room. We never tipped that way though. I had gone to our bank before leaving home and got a wad of $1 and $5 bills. We made sure to always have small bills on hand so we could tip the staff throughout the day. It seemed the surest way to make sure that the money got into the right hands the moment is was earned.

    Happy and full we settle into our loungers. It isn't long before the heat of the sun had me seeking a bit of relief. I love that little pool. They must be chilling the water, because it is just so refreshing. My comfort completely restored it was back to the loungers, our books and the view.


    Breakfast was pretty satisfying, so we opted for a blended lunch. I don't know what Sunshine picked, but it was yummy. It might not have been the only one.




  2. #2
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    Re: If you love Jamaica let me see your hand - A Trip Report

    Great report and pix...quite the adventure so far...many similarities to our two previous trips...looking forward to more...please!!!
    Always be yourself. Unless you can be a pirate. Then always be a pirate.

  3. #3
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    Re: If you love Jamaica let me see your hand - A Trip Report

    i don't see a picture --- and i'm craving that view lol

  4. #4
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    Re: If you love Jamaica let me see your hand - A Trip Report

    Quote Originally Posted by Seveen View Post
    i don't see a picture --- and i'm craving that view lol
    How's that for quick service?

  5. #5
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    Re: If you love Jamaica let me see your hand - A Trip Report


    The whole vibe at Catcha changes at 5pm. There is a different energy in the air as business in the restaurant and the bar picks up. I think after the calm of the day it is a welcome change. It is fun watching the first time visitors walk out to the cliffs with wonder in their eyes. I recognized the look from such moments as the two of us the day before.

    Sunshine was eager to sample some of the funky fungi he had picked up from Connie. We agreed that they were unlikely to hurt the sunset any, so when we went to back to the room to clean up a bit, we munched on a few.

    One of the nooks a bit lower down on the cliff had been vacated and we made ourselves at home. Sunshine had the sudden need to take my picture from just about every angle imaginable. He did get some good ones.


    I know they aren't even remotely Jamaican, but I do love me a good frozen margarita. I had promised myself at least one on the trip and tonight was going to be the night. Sunshine left me with the setting sun and headed up to the bar.


    He returned with this glorious mountain of margarita in a beautiful hand blown glass. It was perfect. I was terrified I was going to break the glass, but it was so worth it. A swear the lovely presentation made the drink taste that much better. It was so good I had another.


    We could hear the buzz of the dinner rush up above us. I know from a few back-and-forths to the bathroom that is was really pretty busy. It was like we were in our own little universe. There were all these diners above us staring out at the sea with no idea we were lurking one level down on the cliff face, totally obscured from sight. We'd found our groove and were having a ball. At one point I was laughing so hard I had tears streaming down my face. I had resorted to using the hem of my dress to mop the tears away, which seemed to only make me laugh harder. Laughing until it hurts is good for the soul.

  6. #6
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    Re: If you love Jamaica let me see your hand - A Trip Report


    I think it was about 8:30 when we finally wandered up to get some dinner. The bar was still busy but things had slowed in the restaurant. When we walked up the stairs together, one of the waitresses simply asked "Are you ready?"

    With a nod, she led us over to the high table by the pool which was all beautifully decorated. It sure felt like the best seat in the house. It also totally suited the 'lost in our own little world' day we'd been having. It felt like we'd gotten the elements of the Night of a 100 Candles we'd appreciate most without have asked for a thing.


    Sunshine had the pineapple chicken. I had the seafood linguine. He let me have a bite of his. Yummy, but nothing could have possibly been better than that bowl of linguine. The pasta was perfectly cooked and though the sauce was rich, it wasn't overwhelming. I loved that there was fish in it too, not just seafood. He thought his was the best, so I guess we each chose really well.


    Though we absolutely didn't have room for it, when our waitress came to ask if we wanted to desert we couldn't say no. She was about to turn to get us menus when instead I asked, "If you could only have one, what would you chose?"

    Without pause, she replied, "Peanut butter swirl cheesecake."

    "Sounds perfect; one slice and two forks, please!"

    As we waited for her return we looked around. We were the only people in that half of the restaurant. So we pulled out a sub and lit it up. When our waitress returned with our cake, we clearly caught her off guard. For a moment that perfectly composed wait staff veneer dropped and a genuine laugh bubble out. She caught herself quickly and with an "It's all irie," she placed the cheesecake slice between us and left us to our dessert. She'd made a good choice, it was so good we almost licked the plate.

    When we finally returned to the Gatehouse, we sat out for a bit on our patio. The street was hopping and we really enjoyed listening to the locals coming and going. There seemed to be a bit of a gathering at the base of Seastar lane, at least that is what is sounded like from our vantage point. It was nice to hear but not be seen. When we eventually called it a night, it was the happy sounds of the neighborhood that lulled us both to sleep.

  7. #7
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    Re: If you love Jamaica let me see your hand - A Trip Report

    I can relate to all of this. Great report so far!

  8. #8
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    Re: If you love Jamaica let me see your hand - A Trip Report

    you definitely GET IT! and you all have so much more to do --- lol --- gotta get your own driver for the day

  9. #9
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    Re: If you love Jamaica let me see your hand - A Trip Report

    Great report! Thanks! Riding me over until our trip perfectly!

  10. #10
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    Re: If you love Jamaica let me see your hand - A Trip Report

    Ditto that Kikn!!

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