Seeing the Forest Thru the Trees

[trelawnysmall]

Re: Seeing the Forest Thru the Trees

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Nylah</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

TSmall

This is the Jamaica I am used to and grew up knowing.....how people stay. Not constantly asking you for this or that. But rather them going out of their way for <span style="font-weight: bold">you</span> and all the want is a smile and a thank you, and they go on there way. Some were borderline offended that I thought I needed to give them something in return for their graciousness.....That is what I knew and experienced from my parents and it was nice to recapture this spirit of Jamaica once again!

I know things cannot remain the same...the only constant in life is change....but somethings are worth holding on tight to, IMO. Kindess and dignity should never go out of style with the passage of time.

For the longest while because of the probate battles, I never felt -safe- in JA....both physcially and mentally. But this time around I felt protected at every turn....Even when I cussed out the police officers I knew they werent gonna do me a thing And even if they tried, I knew that I had the power to put a quick end to it based on the ppl I had met over time. but once upon a time I would never have done felt so.

Angels are everywhere

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: TSmall</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Looking through your photos and comments this morning, it hit me, you were in love at the time,passionately in love, in love with Jamaica and the people you met, I feel it, it's oozing out of each page.

Congrats on your love affair.

Nah tru? </div></div> </div></div>

[Nylah]

Re: Seeing the Forest Thru the Trees

<span style="font-weight: bold">Somerset Falls</span>

Had another rough night sleeping b/c of the nasty ant bites.

Even ater a couple o Benadryl I still couldn’t sleep comfortably.

I tried to wake up early and get packed but I didn’t move until 8am. I figured an hour was enough time to shower, dress, pack and eat breast since B told me the drive to Buff Bay was about 25 minutes.

I was ready by 9am but breakfast wasn’t. I wasn’t too hungry but thought it best to have some carbs in my system to do the bicycle tour. I ate most of my breakfast. Sorry no food shots

No one was on the property to check me out but thankfully B was there to help me get my suitcases down from the tree house to the car.

I had to meet the tour company at the Texaco gas tation in Buff Bay. Since I couldn’t find it the first time I drove thru the town I had asked B the day prior to drive me a keep the car or the day and then pick me up when they returned with me.

The drive was beautiful but what B didn’t make clear was just how long it takes to get to Buff Bay.

As we passed thru Orange Bay I looked at the clock and it was 10:15am. The tour bus is to depart from Buff Bay at 10am. We still had another 15mins of driving to do beore reaching the meeting spot.

I start to get upset b/c I know there is no way the bus has waited or me. I mean, I wouldn’t have waited or me either. Everyone else on the tour pre- paid good money too so waiting on one member wasn’t gonna cut it.

I didn’t have the phone number handy of the tour company so I called my friend to google to number and when she texted it back. I then got Michael at Kanopi House to help.

He got ahold o the company and sure enough they were long gone.

I started to have a mini meltdown due to my own stupidity but they were accomodating. I could go on the tour tomorrow – as long as I get to Buff Bay on time. Whew!

B still wanted to chase after the bus and catch up with them but I had no energy or all to do that.

So, we turned around and headed back to Port Antonio. It was just as well that I missed the tour that day because I was falling asleep in the car on the way back.



I think b/c B thought I was mad at him he wanted to pursue the bus……………but I wasnt and it just wasnt worth all that effort. There is a reason I missed it that day and needed to go another day. I have learned not to push fate.

From what I could see when I was awake the drive thru the Bays are gorgeous. Lovely scenary and windy roads to navigate.

Working backwards from Buff Bay to Port Antonio, you pass thru Orange Bay, Hope Bay and St Margarets Bay. All are pretty little towns.

In Port Antonio, I was trying to get a shot of the house and this guy stops right in front of me when I pulled out my camera











This is <span style="font-weight: bold">Dickies Best Kept Secret Restaurant</span>. Again, another good restaurant that is named in the Lonely Planets guide. I ate there later on in the week and got the good lobster I was hoping for
More on the restuarant later.

[Nylah]

Re: Seeing the Forest Thru the Trees


By 11am I am feeling really tired again and just wanted to check into <span style="font-weight: bold">Ivanhoe’s Guesthouse </span>and take a short nap.

I meet <span style="font-weight: bold">Mrs Burke </span>and she looked surprised to see me! I had told them I wouldn’t be checking in until 7pm b/c of the bike tour so they weren’t expecting me. I told them what happened and they of course had to laugh after me.

Again, thank God or B because I couldn’t have managed my luggage up the stairs to the second level by myself.

The rooms are small but clean with your own bathroom with hot and cold water. I had asked for one of the 3rd level rooms that have Air Conditioning but I think they forgot my request. By time I realized the room didnt have AC I didnt have the desire to move again. I only regretted this towards the end of the stay when it got WELL hot in town The fan simple was not enough to break up the heat.....

I tell B to keep the car and do his thing since his car was still at Kanopi House and I would need to drive out there with him to trade cars.

Sleep was really knocking me on my butt and desperarely needed a nap. B said to just go lay down and not to worry about a thing. He really has become a blessing in disguise.

I go down or a nap or the afternoon.

I get up a few hours later and change my clothes and wander around the place to take some pix.






Front Gate




Shot of the main level where there is an outdoor sitting area and dining room.



Stairs up to the second level

[Nylah]

Re: Seeing the Forest Thru the Trees


Inside the main level and dining area



Outside sitting area






Views from my 2nd level balcony











Ocean Crest Geusthouse next to Ivanhoe



Titchfield High School in the distance



Ivanhoe is nestled in a residential neighborhood. It looks rundown but it is only because the beautiful older houses in the area need some love and attention. No matter what time I came in I never felt a way. And there is a security guard there to open the front door at night.

The JDF compound is also directly across the street and the Demontevin hotel is around the corner. It is a lovely neighborhood with so much character and charm. I could have stared at the houses in the area all day and just day dream about how they must have looked a century ago.

[sistactry]

Re: Seeing the Forest Thru the Trees

(((Nylah)))) great report,

&quot;my little friend&quot; mek me BOAL,

more, more,

i always luvvv Portland, so lush, green and some very good memories of Portland~~

[Nylah]

Re: Seeing the Forest Thru the Trees


I settle in with my new favorite drink Yard Shandy






I call B. A couple minutes later he is at my table. He was already on his way so the call wasn’t even needed.

I decide that I want to see <span style="font-weight: bold">Somerset Falls </span>which we passed early on the way to Buff Bay.

My tummy is beginning to grumble so we stop at his breden’s restaurant or some food first.
I cant recall the street it is on in Portie A but it is tucked in off a side street. Maybe from the picture someone can tell where it is.



I had some nice fried chicken with breadruit and a coleslaw salad.




Lord I cant tell you how happy I was to eat some ruffage. :izzy:

The dumplings and boiled bananas just wasn’t doing the job and I was feeling a bit ill for it all.

B asked I I had ever tried <span style="font-weight: bold">breadruit juice</span>. Not only I hadn’t tried it, I also couldn’t imagine what on earth it taste like…

but I felt adventurous to try it. Richard makes it himself to sell at the store. I did taste nice. I sucked it all back. He puts condensed milk, nutmeg and vanilla in it.

[remo]

Re: Seeing the Forest Thru the Trees

The difference between Portland and Trelawny is striking
(vegetation wise)

[goldilocks]

Re: Seeing the Forest Thru the Trees

This is wonderful! Thanks Nylah!

[Nylah]

Re: Seeing the Forest Thru the Trees

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: remo</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The difference between Portland and Trelawny is striking
(vegetation wise) </div></div>

yes very much so. Given that it rains almost everyday in Portland you can see why. Trelawny got very little rain this year overall, so I think it looks drier than it normally would as well.

But the rain brings worse bugs IMHO

Thanks Sistactry I wish I thought earlier to record those 2 mad little men chatting And I love how daddy was so patient with them. <span style="font-weight: bold">ee-hee </span>and <span style="font-weight: bold">a tru </span>is all he ever said to all their endless chatter

[Hush Darlin]

Re: Seeing the Forest Thru the Trees

u notiss how Portland full of Bays

[sistactry]

Re: Seeing the Forest Thru the Trees

i can just picture dem, he was driving, and yeah yeah, and a listen tru one ears~~

very nice Nylah, u did good,

[sistactry]

Re: Seeing the Forest Thru the Trees

like the south coast, i feget a wha dem say, but dem too, full a de same ting, i waan tink is bay dem say to u know~~

[Marilyn]

Re: Seeing the Forest Thru the Trees

Never had it, but adding to my to do list

[Laurel]

Re: Seeing the Forest Thru the Trees

I am a bit slow with the tag along ... just finshed taking in the still views round Kanopi House ... must go back and check the video ...

but I HAD to chime in ... WOW ... what an awesome adventure so far!!! Love all the shots of JaJewel ... and I had not known about Kanopi ... OH MY GOSH!!! Place is AWESOME!!!

what FUN this is!!!

[Jazz]

Re: Seeing the Forest Thru the Trees

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Nylah</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: TSmall</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: A_lil_Jazz</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
THANKS A LOT! OVERACHIEVER!!! </div></div>

True, true!!!


</div></div>

look here....please to not encourage that scandalous woman named Jazz

Jazzy, nevermind I still want to see *your* trip report </div></div>

Waddevver man jus gwaan troo wid yuh video diary, roads less travelled, travel channel wannabe chrip repoat ***cutyeye***

<span style="font-style: italic">***wan peece ah badmine***</span>



Nuh mine mi yaaah dawling - I am loving the journey along wid everybody else.

Mi do have ah question dowe - how comes inna de pickcha weh yuh showing us yuh ants bite - yuh arm look so white an den wen yuh ah show awf yuh bracelet yuh arm brown???
wat is really goin on???