JA - Back from all over the island

[hollyr]

Just returned yesterday from a great 2 weeks in Jamaica. I'll post details later, but here's a quick update: We spent a few days at the Blue Cave Castle in Negril, Jakes in Treasure Beach, and the Rio Vista Resort in Port Antonio. We visited YS Falls, the black river, appleton's, swam with manetees, went to the milk river mineral bath, hiked the blue mountains, saw Reach falls, ate jerk at boston beach, swame at long bay and Frechman's cove, and the blue lagoon.

We also took 10 rolls of film and i hope to scan some of these pictures soon to post.

Thanks again for everyone's help, it was a great trip and we were very sad to leave.

Holly

[SteveL]

Re: JA - Back from all over the island

Originally posted by hollyr:
[qb] Just returned yesterday from a great 2 weeks in Jamaica. I'll post details later, but here's a quick update: We spent a few days at the Blue Cave Castle in Negril, Jakes in Treasure Beach, and the Rio Vista Resort in Port Antonio. We visited YS Falls, the black river, appleton's, swam with manetees, went to the milk river mineral bath, hiked the blue mountains, saw Reach falls, ate jerk at boston beach, swame at long bay and Frechman's cove, and the blue lagoon.


We also took 10 rolls of film and i hope to scan some of these pictures soon to post.

Thanks again for everyone's help, it was a great trip and we were very sad to leave.

Holly [/qb]

WOW !!!!!


EXCELLENT two weeks! You must have had an awesome time. I can't wait to see all your photos.

Blessings and repect. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]
Steve

[hollyr]

Re: JA - Back from all over the island

I might as well get started on my report and post pictures after I find a place to scan them.

We left Toronto on Jan 2nd an hour late (5:30) and landed in Montego Bay around 9pm. It took us a little while to pass through customs but soon we were outside in the warm air and Errol (Carolyn's husband) was waiting for us. We got him to stop for some Red Stripe on the way to Negril and tried to sit back and enjoy the ride (which was difficult because we weren’t used to the driving yet and it was pitch black). We finally arrived at the Blue Cave Castle feeling a bit out of sorts. Luckily Pirate was there and took us under his wings. He asked if we were hungry and we both nodded. We walked across the street and ordered some jerk chicken—yum! Already we’re feeling better. Pirate asks us if we want something to drink and we nod. He takes us to Pee Wees where we happily spend a couple of hours drinking red stripes and playing dominoes with the bartenders. Finally ready for bed.

[Rose]

Re: JA - Back from all over the island

Holly, Sounds like an interesting trip so far. I'm curious to hear how you liked Rio Vista Resort..heard good things about it before.

[hollyr]

Re: JA - Back from all over the island

The next morning everything looks different—so much beauty we are amazed. The sun is shinning as we sip coffee and listen to the waves crash against the side of the cliffs. The grounds at blue cave are so nice and we are laughing at ourselves for ever feeling worried. Today we are being moved to the penthouse, where we will stay for the next 4 nights. In the meantime we do a bit of snorkelling and decide to venture out for breakfast. Outside the gates we are swarmed like mosquitoes: “I’m Peachy, the taxi driver, where do you want to go?”, “want some ganga”, “help me start my day our right” etc, etc. All of a sudden a man grabs my arm and begins walking with us. He asks where we’re going and we tell him “Jus Natural”. He insists that we go to “Mi Fathers Place” and takes us there. We’re feeling a little overwhelmed so we let him lead us there. After we’re seated he disappears and we order breakfast (our first akee and salt fish). Soon he comes back and sits down with us until finally he is looking a bit angry. It dawns on me that he wants a tip, which seems strange considering people offer advice all the time in Canada and expect nothing in return. We give him $2 US and he is very upset with this amount. He tells us that it is not enough money to buy anything and that he deserves more for finding this place. Considering that we didn’t really want to eat here and were just being polite, I was a bit put off by his ungratefulness. Finally he gives up and leaves. Breakfast was good and we head back to Blue Cave.

[hollyr]

Re: JA - Back from all over the island

Back at blue cave we are moved into the penthouse. Wowee! We have 2 floors and a huge room to ourselves. After unpacking we decide to check out the famous 7-mile beach. We have a taxi drop us off at the HiLo to exchange some money (so far everything has been priced in $JA) We walk up and down the beach happy to be here and pleasantly surprised that very few people are bothering us (just a few people asking us to buy ganga). We walk through Wistling Birda and really like the property—very jungle-like. We want to eat a candlelight dinner at Kuyuba but are so hungry that we decide to eat right away (about 4:30, lol). We order strawberry and mango daiquiris and curried conch…and then more daiquiris. Everything tastes great and we are really enjoying ourselves. Finally, back to Blue Cave where we relax until later and then decide to buy more red stripes at the small convenience store across the road and another late night snack of jerk chicken. All in all, a great first day.

[hollyr]

Re: JA - Back from all over the island

The next day we’re up bright and early (6am) and head to the top of the castle to watch the sky turn a coral colour as the sun rises. We begin our day with another cup of coffee and listen to the waves (an incredible sound). We stay here for a couple of hours reading, and taking in the warmth and beauty. A small fishing boat pulls up and a man leans over the edge, proudly holding up a large fish “you want fish?” It made us smile.
We did some more snorkelling—this time for a couple of hours and saw lots of fish. Feeling very hungry by now so we walk to chicken lavish and try curried goad—not bad!
On the way back a man selling fruit splits a coconut open for us and we drink the sweet water; we talk for a while and continue on our way. After relaxing for a few more hours we walk the other way on the cliff and spend some time talking to a man selling jerk who shows us a bat cave (there must have been hundreds of bats!). We walk back to blue cave again (we are getting pretty comfortable with dodging cars) and meet a young couple from the states on their honeymoon as well. We decide to have dinner together and head to 3 dives for some delicious lobster. It’s midnight by there time we’re ready to leave but we’re not ready to call it a night so we decide to check out “Mi Yard” together. We talk and enjoy more red stripes before walking back to blue cave at 2am. This may not have been the smartest thing to do, as it was a good 15-20 minute walk, but everything was fine(:

[Nanook]

Re: JA - Back from all over the island

Welcome back Holly, I'm enjoying your trip report.

The part about the man who insisted to take you someplace then demand a tip though, makes me Vex. I'm glad that he didn't seem to do too much harm though, as you didn't seem intimidated by him.

I'm glad to hear Pirate took you under his wing, he's a great guy, good friend. It's always great to read a "first timers" views, it brings back fond memories.

Lookin forward to more...

[img]/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

[ohliz]

Re: JA - Back from all over the island

Ooh holly, after all our emails before you left I am really looking forward to your report!!

Got one of those rude people right off the bat, eh? I hate that aspect of the tourist towns. Glad you liked BCC and met Pirate. I haven't seen Errol since 2001 when he took us to the manatees - how is he?

Can't wait to hear about all the adventures!!

[hollyr]

Re: JA - Back from all over the island

Liz, Errol and Carolyn are both doing well, we had so much fun with them. It was funny because Carolyn mentioned your name a couple of times during her stories and I said “I know who she is” lol.

Slept in a bit the next morning (8 or so, lol); the breeze off the ocean is phenomenal and we decide there is no better place to wake up. After our morning coffee we do some more snorkelling and this time we see jelly-fish (unfortunately one stings me and we have to cut our time short). We don’t do much today which suits us just fine. We walk to the hi-lo and stop on the way there and back for patties—they are so good and so cheap! We have a nap and walk to Jus Natural for dinner, which we loved. It’s a garden/jungle setting and the food and service is great!

The next day (our last day in Negril) we’re up early again and decide to spend the day on the beach. After our coffee we catch a taxi to “Selina’s” for some delicious banana pancakes and fruit smoothies before beginning our long walk. This time we walk a lot farther and eventually come to a spot that is pretty much deserted. We put our bags on the sand and play in the ocean for a while. Some point along the way we enter the all-inclusive zone and a guard asks us where we’re going. It’s ok for us to keep walking so we walk all the way to Hedonism 2. It felt different once we entered the AI’s-- quieter and not quite as fun. We missed the action back on the other side of the beach—the music, the little fruit stands and lively restaurants. On the way back we stop for a massage (2 for $20!—though the woman was definitely not a massage therapist). We swam in the same deserted stretch on the way back and stopped at a little hut for pina-colodas (can’t remember the name) and it begins to rain for a while. After the sky clears we taxi it back to our beloved patty stand on the cliffs and walk back to the castle where we snorkel again for the last time—this time we see 4 stingrays! We also bought a carving of the sun and moon that we had been eyeing for the last few days from a very nice man named Elvis just outside of Blue Cave. We walk to a jerk stand (the one with the bats) for dinner and check out Ixtabi on the way, which looks nice. After dinner (our worst one yet, lol) we walk to Rockhouse for drinks (it looked really nice here too). We gave some coins to a man trying to sell a carving and he is really upset by the small donation (like the man we met the first day). Another man approaches us selling shells and we only had enough money for a taxi back to blue cave at this point, so we tell him no and give him $50J. The man REFUSES the money, because he is insulted by the amount. I am shocked that someone would do this, isn’t this a 3rd word country? Too bad this happens on our last night, but it makes it easier for us to move on tomorrow.

[ohliz]

Re: JA - Back from all over the island

Oh please don't tell me I am part of her stories!! [img]/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

...re the shell guy that refused the $ - he may have wanted to SELL a shell only, not take a donation. There's a line between making a living selling stuff and taking charity that many Jamaicans (and people in general) will not cross.

[ohliz]

Re: JA - Back from all over the island

By the way...when you get a sec you should check out ReggaeVerallo's report with pics of his "all over the island" trip in Discover JA - you may well have bumped into each other!!

http://www.jamaicans.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=18;t=004037

[hollyr]

Re: JA - Back from all over the island

Yes Liz, I suppose you’re right about the shell guy but since we didn’t have enough money with us for a shell (which by the way he wanted “just a likkle bit”--$30 US!!) we offered him what we could because we thought he might appreciate it. No big deal though!

The next day we enjoyed our last cup of coffee on the cliffs and were a little sad to leave the castle, but excited at the same time. Carolyn picked us up at 8am and we liked her immediately. She is so nice and knows so much about Jamaica. We went to the Black River first and enjoyed our boat ride (we were the only boat at the time), and seeing the crocodiles. Next, onto YS falls. It was a bit more crowded here but the falls were beautiful; we have never seen anything like it. We swung from a rope into one of the pools and swam under the falls. It was really nice. Finally, onto Appleton’s. Carolyn took us the long way there so that we could drive though bamboo avenue, which was really pretty. The drive there was beautiful, lots of rolling hills (it’s on the outskirts of cockpit country). It was about 2:30 or so when we went on the tour (just us and another couple) and we really enjoyed it. Afterwards, our tour guide left us in a tasting room with about 30 different rums and told us to have fun. We almost sampled all of them!
The drive to Jakes was breathtaking—charming little villages nestled in mountainous hills. We arrived just after sunset and were so happy to be there. The atmosphere was great, there were little huts scattered around a restaurant, a pool, bar, and a small private beach. There was music playing and the grounds were lit with tiki lights. We were staying in the smallest room, not directly on the ocean (Jakes is a little pricey) called the Blue Room. We loved everything about it accept for the lighting (it was so dim we could hardly see at night) and we only had cold to luk-warm water because it was solar heated. We ate dinner at Jack Sprats that night (really good pizza) and began to settle in to our new home for the next 4 nights…

[jenn24]

Re: JA - Back from all over the island

Holly,

I'm really enjoying your trip report so far. Can't wait to hear the rest!


Jenn

[CardBoardBox]

Re: JA - Back from all over the island

My guess is the guy who escorted you to Mi Fathers place (shame you did not reach Just Natural for BREAKFAST) disappeared in an attempt to get a "referal fee" from that resturant owner/cook. Sometimes they get it, sometimes not.

It's a shame so many have become so unfriendly in the name of money so that others come home with an experience such as your first day. Makes me be insistant to politely refuse casual offers which might grow to a "hard sell". As for the $20 shell; ouch. Reminds me of the "special price" I was given for a walking stick, having heard the same line (US$50) given to other tourists the day before. LOL