Top of Jamrock! - The Blue Mountain Peak, Kingston, Negril and Ochi.

[QK13]

Re: Top of Jamrock! - The Blue Mountain Peak, King

No Thom!!! it's not you. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/70388-shameonyou.gif[/img]

Still in the process of reviving the photo parts of this report.
With the new software the webmaster is using, we are limited to hosting sites at this time.
Transferring is a little time consuming. And I didn't get much done over the holidays and due to recent events, I haven't dedicated much time to this project.
But check in tomorrow. I wil have more pics showing by then. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/70409-waytogo.gif[/img]

[LThomCole]

Re: Top of Jamrock! - The Blue Mountain Peak, King

Q.K., Thanks a lot, I can hardly wait. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/bannana_purple.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/graemlins/70371-jump.gif[/img]

[QK13]

Re: Top of Jamrock! - The Blue Mountain Peak, King

DONE!! [img]/forums/images/graemlins/70367-help.gif[/img]

Ok Magic... all pics restored... let's get a move on man!! [img]/forums/images/graemlins/bannana_purple.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/graemlins/bannana_purple.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/graemlins/70371-jump.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/graemlins/70371-jump.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/graemlins/bannana_purple.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/graemlins/70371-jump.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/graemlins/70459-hugs.gif[/img]

[QK13]

Re: Top of Jamrock! - The Blue Mountain Peak, King

I just want to say that while this report was being written, I was working huge amounts of hours and really didn't have a chance to take it all in.

Restoring the photos was like having a whole new trip report to go thru!! [img]/forums/images/graemlins/70371-jump.gif[/img]
What a wonderful adventure. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/70409-waytogo.gif[/img]

[Magician]

Re: Top of Jamrock! - The Blue Mountain Peak, King

Q.K. Thanks so much for doing this. Without the pictures it just wasn't working. Now we're back in business.
(((QK)))

[QK13]

Re: Top of Jamrock! - The Blue Mountain Peak, King

I totally enjoyed it (((((Magic)))))

Now, more please. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[Magician]

Re: Top of Jamrock! - The Blue Mountain Peak, King

Part 23 - Saturday Sail

We meet “cool Jazz” on a whitewashed pier in Ochi. It is very easy to imagine that we’re rich and famous, and we’re boarding our private yacht for a Saturday Sail on the Sea. Doesn’t that just sound good? Well, it’s just as nice as the name would sugest.

The catamaran is spacious and fast. If Santa is listening, I’d really like one for Christmas! We take up residence in the mess, and dig into our breakfast from Fisherman’s Beach. After belly full and we happy, it was time to move topside and bask in the warm sun and the cool breeze as we sped across the waves.

We get acquainted with the wonderful Swedish who we’ve just met this morning. As is the case with most Boardites, it seems as though we’ve already met. Our Ochigal who used to work for this boat charter company knew the entire crew and made a great hostess on her yacht. Later on we picked up a boatload of tourists and had to share our ship with the rumbunctios bunch as we steered for the reef on a snorkling expedition. In the meantime Swedish took over and started serving tourists drinks, rearranging thier possessions in an orderly fashion, and generally running the vessel. I think, Captain Swedish, that you’ve found your true calling that day!


L. Ochigal and Swedish.


Yours truly with Ochigal.


Swedish and L.

L. Has never snorkled before, and unfortunately this was not the best time for a first lesson. The water was quite choppy and just as we got into the water a tundershower broke loose right overhead. The conditions were definately challenging for a newby, and we’ll have to practive some in the pool first. I must say though that I must command L. For giving it her best shot. A highlight of that snorkel trip for me was a giant 5 foot grouper that failed to yeild at an intersection and boldly cut me off as I was swimming about. A fish that’s your size and cutting in 1 foot in front of you will definately get your attention!


The carves statue on the front of "Cool Jazz" was the envy of all Spanish galleons!


Seaside waterfalls.


Skycastles from the sea.



The tourists were let off at Dunn’s River Falls for the climb. As we headed back to port, we reasoned and enjoyed the rest of our voyage. What made it even better was the fact that we were in great company. That same night we went together to White River to have some jerk chicken. Marilyn would not be pleased to find out that we didn’t have the energy to sampole any of her favorite Ochi nightlife spots. All that fresh air and excitement had the bed call our names.


Heading back to port.

[Magician]

Re: Top of Jamrock! - The Blue Mountain Peak, King

Part 24 - Sunday Best


Reading the Sunday morning paper.

We managed to get up on time this morning and make it to church. I love the seaside church in Ochi. The setting is beautiful, and the congregation is very welcoming. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/70459-hugs.gif[/img] When we get there it’s hot and the ceiling fans are off. Powercut! No worries though. Whatever the ampliefier was lacking in volume was fully replaced by the vocal cords of the people. As for cooling, the sea-breeze combined with the fanning action of that week’s newsletter worked just fine.

After mass we had a patty lunch and then headed East. Before heading to Port Maria, we stopped at another one of L’s relatives along the way, where, of course, we were given more mangoes. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/704555_dwl.gif[/img]

You will find my photo albums at home full of images of the view from Firefly. Ever since my mom brought me here for the first time many years ago, I have fallen in love with the spot perched high up in the hills above Port Maria. Nestled high above the bay, and originally the site of a pitare’s lookout point, Firefly’s location is priceless. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/70377-loveeyes.gif[/img] Writer Noel Coward’s house sits here surrounded by spacious grounds of the rolling hilltop. I just had to show this place to L.

We drive up the narrow and badly pot-holed road up into the hills. A turn into the thick of the trees leads up a spiraling driveway, where we are met with a view of a closed and padlocked entry gate and a sign proclaiming “Closed Sundays”. Noooo! [img]/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img]

[Magician]

Re: Top of Jamrock! - The Blue Mountain Peak, King

Part 25 - When there is a will...

I couldn’t believe it, Gate locked, access denied. Dem a lock off my beloved Firefly, with my view, and altough [technically] not my house, per se, but the exact location of my dream-house, non the less. I quickly convinced myself that I am fully entitled to visitation rights of my favorite spot, regardless of the circumstances.

I gave L. A lift over the fence, and followed right behind. We asked Mr. Noel’s bronze statue for permission, and he didn’t seam to object, at all! As a matter of fact, he assisted us in taking our picture by lending his shoulder to our self times camera. I take that as his blessing. We frolic around the yard and peer into the windows of the house. The only company we have is that of Johncrows circling overhead. It is so nice not to have to share the space with anyone that day. Might just as well keep the grounds closed!


Mr. Coward lending his bronze shoulder to take our picture.


His picnic table did the honors on this one.


Even on a hazy day she's a beaty.


A nice wedding site, nuh true?


Love to have the place to ourselves.


I have multiple copies of this exact shot, the only variable is my age.


My Queen.


Two watchful Johncrow guarding the grounds.

I tell L. About my dreamhouse here, and show her the ideal location for the wedding vows. I think she’s feeling this place too. There aren’t too many people that don’t. You can leave Firefly, but it never leaves you.

[Magician]

Re: Top of Jamrock! - The Blue Mountain Peak, King

Part 26 - Mi nuh waan fi go a farrin!

I guess I’m not yet a master in the art of living, because I haven’t figured out a way (yet) to eliminate this day. The day of going back to reality. Back to the US. I try to convince ourselves that we are just going on a brief visit to ‘farrin’, and sonner than later we’ll return ‘home’.


Managed to squeeze in another mango at the beach.

With all bags packed, and L. Dragging my by force away from my perch on the verandah overlooking Ochi, where I was sipping coffee-tea, and reading my Gleaner. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/70456-eyebrows.gif[/img] Time to push out, MoBay-bound. Highway 5000 makes the trip much quicker, and soon we reach Falmouth for some last minute shopping and patties for lunch. From there we start to feel the hustle and bustle of MoBay, manifesting itself with a traffic jam at Ironshore.

We go over to my friends house to change into travel gear and head out to the airport. As I mentioned in Part 1 of the trip report, there are strings attached to standby travel and while we cruised right in southbound, we got tangled up on the return. The flight to Memphis was full, and we weren’t going on it. This would have been music to my ears 8 years ago (another day in Jamrock is but a blessing from above), but since both L. And I have to be at work the next day, staying wasn’t an option.

AirJ had the best fare to Ft. Lauderdale that afternoon and L. Booked a flight. Turns out my best standby option was AirJ as well and we hop over back to Kingston. One of the flight attendents on the flight was a wife of a friend of mine and by the time we land at Manley my phone is going off: “Hear seh yuh back inna Town again. Wah appen?” Small world. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/704555_dwl.gif[/img]

Flying over the 'Cockpit Country' on the way from MoBay to Kgn. The site of the Next adventure!

We land in the rain in Florida and find ourselves at the end of a long line at immigration. I try the crew lane maneuver again, that worked so well in Jamaica. The cold stare of the US immigration woman was followed by a gruff: “I’ll let you pass this time, but she must wait”. So I retreat back to L. At the end of the line saying: “Latty, I don’t like this farrin already>” [img]/forums/images/graemlins/70400-talktohand.gif[/img]


THE END.

[LThomCole]

Re: Top of Jamrock! - The Blue Mountain Peak, King

My greatest thanks to you M&L for such a wonderful armchair journey. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/notworthy.gif[/img]

[QK13]

Re: Top of Jamrock! - The Blue Mountain Peak, King

[img]/forums/images/graemlins/70394-bawlout.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/graemlins/70394-bawlout.gif[/img]

[Ochigal]

Re: Top of Jamrock! - The Blue Mountain Peak, King

BRAVO BRAVO.... [img]/forums/images/graemlins/70371-jump.gif[/img]

[ohliz]

Re: Top of Jamrock! - The Blue Mountain Peak, King

Beautiful magic!! If you hadn't hopped the fence you could have gone down the hill just a short way and had this view:

[Magician]

Re: Top of Jamrock! - The Blue Mountain Peak, King

THanks Thom, QK, Ochigal.

Hey Ohliz, that's a nice view too. How you get there again?