Eco's Fall 2010 Trip to Jamaica

[GhettoGurl]

Awesome pics Eco!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Totally luvin dem.. well except for the dead dog

[ECO]

Pictures of Day #5 up in Roaring River

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[ECO]

Awesome pics Eco!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Totally luvin dem.. well except for the dead dog

I debated about including that one but since I had so many close calls with dumb dogs in Jamaica I felt people should know that yes the dumb ones will die and it's no big deal. The goats are smart enough to deal with traffic but some/most of those dogs really want to go to doggy heaven and that is why they play in the road.

[ECO]

Day #5 part #2

A random thought, rereading my report so far and my other reports I've noticed that I've pointed out some negatives in 100 words while focusing on some really positive things in only a few words. Reflecting back over my 5(?) trips to Jamaica I can see a trend of where I distance myself from people and events that can lead to negative experiences. While I love the country and some of the people some stuff does get under my finger nails like shoots of bamboo in a prison camp and I mention them in hopes that others do not follow my exact foot steps. This trip was one of my best trips in many ways but I guess the search for a picture perfect trip without being locked up in an all inclusive is a pipe dream.....then again looking at the bitchy reviews on trip advisor no place is perfect and no trip is perfect. As I've mentioned before, my first and last impression of Jamaica is the staff at their customs and this trip they put a smile on my face when I both landed and departed.

So anyway, part #2 of day #5.......

After leaving Roaring River we headed over to the road to Negril to turn left on the marl (stone?) road leading down to Likkle Bay. Having turned on that road a few times and knowing the road between Sav and Negril like the back of my hand I knew I would find the road yup, I passed it and figured it out when I reached what I call the base of Orange Hill. Since I also knew my way around Orange Hill fairly well I knew we could still go up the mountain and back down and end up in Likkle Bay....I cheated and confirmed my directions a few times.....

Once we reached Likkle Bay I called "Boot" (the tour guide I know/contact me for contact info) and told him that we were waiting next to the bar and the dug out canoe.....oops, I forgot that he mentioned that he was going to meet us up at the main road....miles away. I felt like a complete ass not figuring out that he was too shy to ask me to drive up there to pick him up......he walked down to meet us. Oh well, he knew that I reviewed his tour on our blog and have handed out his contact info to several people so all was cool with him. This time he started the tour of Bob Marley's summer home over by the main entrance instead of the walk on the beach for some reason but it was even better since we wanted to swim in Bob Marley's mineral spring bath/cave. After a short walk through a rocky path (bring good shoes) we were at the mineral spring.

With Boots instructions to walk down the step rock and just dive in I took my time getting my shoes off to allow my friend the chance to jump in first Once he surfaced alive and without injuries I jumped into the nice warm mineral water. We spent maybe 20 minutes swimming around and just taking in how cool the cave area was.....another one of those picture perfect moments but nobody took a picture of it. We got out a few times to jump back in and really got the feeling that this mineral bath would see us again before our time was up. When it was time to leave......I guess when we got bored since nobody told us to leave my friend got out on his own while Boot felt the need to help me out......not sure why but setting my pride aside the help was I guess needed.

After a 3-5 minute walk we arrived at what is left of Bob Marley's summer home-- see my blog post from this spring http://www.jamaicatravelforum.com/bob-m ... ay-jamaica

Since I was sort of bored of the whole "see the ruined home tour" I took some pictures while my friend talked to Boot about the home or some business interest. This would be a good time to note that my travel companion for this trip is my childhood friend that introduced me to Jamaica for my first time in 2008. Since I've stayed with him in Jamaica and spent most of my time in the past exploring what he has discovered on the island I felt this would be a good trip to show him what I discovered on my own. If you are in need of a tour guide in Jamaica I can link you up with my friend.

After the Bob Marley tour "Boot" suggested seeing the motor car speed way on the way back to the road to Negril. At first I was thinking "really a redneck sport exists in Negril" but no kidding they do actually have a drag strip of sorts and they are building a full race track! We were able to walk right into the "pits" and watch the cars take off and were also able to go up into the look out tower or whatever it's proper name is. A few times I was thinking about racing the SUV just as a life experience but for some reason I never asked <---insert a regret! After a while we got bored and with a bunch of stops planned in Negril we were on our way. I gave Boot $1000J compared to the $500J this spring since he (unlike others) does not milk tourists for beers/money/gifts......he is a straight up good guy in my book. In hindsight the $1000J ($11.50 USD) is sort of a crummy tip for 2-3 hours worth of work but then again I do bring him a bunch of tourists.


Day #5 part #3 soon come.......

[Rose21]

Beautiful pictures ECO. Except the one with the lizard YUCK I hate them EWWWWWW! OMG I want to go to Strawberry Hills soooo bad! If only my sister would say yes. I just don't want to go by myself.

If you have the money to stay there I'll go with you.....but I might steal your money on the way and spend it on a new car or something really good That place is a few hundred dollars USD a night, IMO one of their expensive beers is well worth the view for an hour or so but the per night price is for the rich folks.

Since lizards are all over Jamaica, did they bother you growing up there?

Yes they bother me. I remember there was lizard in me and my sister bedroom my father went on a mission to catch the lizard... lol it was crazy. The lizard disapared somewhere in the room never to be found. I had sleepless nights just thinking about the lizard wondering if it's in my bed ugh. I take great pleasure as a kid throwing little rock at them.

[Rose21]

Lol at the shack/home. ECO, I think its a road side shop not a home

[Rose21]

Yeah, you have a soft spot for goat lol.

[ECO]

Day #5 part #3 funny how the end of a trip seems to slow down....

Along the drive to Negril I made another attempt to find my road side veggie place that I under paid this spring. Rewind 6 months.....I only had a $100, $500 and $1000J in my pocket and my bill came to $160 (ish I forget) the nice lady took my $100J and gave me credit for the balance. I tried a few times to find her shop again without any luck. One of my goals on this trip was to find her shop and settle up my debt with some interest...I failed. If you have ever watched the Show 'My name is Earl', I have a list like him but my list only has a couple of names. I guess I can add repaying my debt to my April trip.

Once we reached Negril a swim at the Xtabi was in order! Even though I get bitchy at their tourist prices they are very fair when I factor in the caves and the great swimming. This time I noticed that the main swim platform was missing it's ladder.....wonder where it went since I was there in April? The water was nice and warm and unlike April I did not notice any sea urchins in the sand when I swam into the caves After a cup of coffee and some water it was time to leave to make a bunch of small stops. Heading down One Love Lane (or whatever the road is called this week/year) we stopped at Ever'ytime Cafe (spelling?) for another cup of coffee but it was closed I have no clue who Aubie thinks he is closing up shop when I'm in town, hopefully he had a good reason! As I was pulling on his front door telling my friend how good his coffee is and how chill the place is, it dawned on me that Aubie was not going to magically appear and we would have to search for some fresh coffee. Down the road we stopped at Selina's....yes, she has great coffee as well.....but the place was empty

I ended up pulling over at Miss Sonia's to get some comfort (Miss Sonia lends a good ear and has a big heart), after a few minutes of catching up with her we drove down the grass and pulled in at Jah B's. I forget Miss Joyce's "son's" name but he ran out to greet me. I knew as glad as he was to see me return he was hoping for some business (he cooks great food) but my clock was clicking and I only had another hour in town. We walked down the lane and talked to Miss Joyce and she had her son show my friend one of the rooms in case he was interested in bringing his tour clients over for a stay. Entering "my home away from home" (the Mickey room) was sort of sad since it was like visiting home without being able to stay.

Leaving my SUV at Jah B's we walked across the street to Herbie's----my favorite spot to chill in Negril (Miyard comes in at a close second). As soon as we rounded the front of Herbie's shack his eyes and mine met and there was a pause until he formed a smile on his face and came over to greet me. This spring he seemed to keep his distance from me when he asked if I was a soldier and did not like my answer. Lol, I could swear Herbie thinks I'm a DEA agent <---talk about someone reading me wrong! We did a quick 30 second catching up session and I tried to explain why I vanished this spring after introducing his place to a couple of farrin women who would never leave (killing the chill vibe for me)..... During this time "Bobo" came over and we did a quick catch up as well. Bobo sort of works at Herbie's from when the first person shows up until the last person leaves. This spring I both opened the place early in the morning and closed it the following morning as the sun rose. Note- generally I tip like a Jamaican in Jamaica but Bobo service is an exception and I tipped him well. We spent a little time playing in the ocean and relaxing with a spliff while noticing that the beach was completely empty....no higglers...no tourists....nobody....sad but calm at the same time.

I was hoping to catch up with Jah Earlelock (Charles)...my wood carver and guy who plays the music for almost all of my YouTube videos but his shop was closed up as well. Weird how Negril was so dead this September compared to last year.....

more soon come......

[ECO]

Yeah, you have a soft spot for goat lol.

Reading a trip report on another forum from this spring, a couple from the UK unpacked their stuff at home and found an alive lizard in their bag

Keep that in mind when you reach again

[Wahoo]

Memorable quotes from Eco's Fall 2010 trip to Jamaica:

I know what you're thinking. "Did he have six shots or only five?" Well, to tell you the truth, in all this excitement I kind of lost track myself. But being as this is white overproof rum, the most powerful rum in all Jamaica, and would take your head clean off, you've got to ask yourself one question: Do I feel lucky? Well, do ya, punk?

[ECO]

Fact: I've never done a shot in Jamaica.

Fact: After my skin thickens I drink overproof at a 50% + mixture which makes the drink just about as strong as a straight up shot of normal booze.......but I drink it by the cup not it girly shot glasses.

[Emmiamericavoyage]

Great pictures~!!!!!.... i loved them....
Thanks for sharing...