my trip to jamaica 24th jan - 7th feb 2009

[jellybean]

Setting the scene

This was the first time I was going to be travelling on my own. I was quite nervous because I hate flying.

The night before it was my sisters birthday and we went to see Thriller so I decided that I would not go to sleep and finish off my packing so that I would be able to sleep on the plane. How wrong I was.

I had to be at Gatwick at 5.30am and I was picked up at 4.15am.

At 4,15am my phone rang and it was Ian to say he was waiting downstairs for me. I struggled down with my 2 suitcases and got in the car the journey to the airport went very quick.

I arrived at Gatwick and it was quite empty - the virgin queue wasnt very long so I got through quite quickly.

They searched through my hand luggage because I had put my clear plastic bag with my liquids into it - they swabbed my camera and then let me go about my merry way.

The wait in the airport lounge seemed hours - I didnt even find anyone to talk to. I was physically sick a couple of times just thinking about boarding the plane. I have a terrible fear of heights.

Anyway, before I knew it I was on the plane winging my way to Montego Bay. I stayed awake most of the time .

Eventually we landed at Montego Bay - I felt so excited because I was going to see my partner and I hadnt seen him for a while. Would he be at the airport? we had had a big argument on the phone on the Friday night about him picking me up (that's another story for another thread).

It seemed like an eternity for my cases to come on the carousel but they eventually did - went through customs and was asked the usual question ANY GIFTS - this was the first time I could say no and really mean it.

Once I was through customs the heat of Jamaica just hit me. I made my way to the exit and they were there waiting for me. I was now on my way from Montego Bay heading toward Ochi - it felt great - I had changed on the plane into my T shirt and shorts - so I was ready for anything. On the way we decided to go to a friends restaurant to get something to eat and drink - near Priory Beach - so I had my first real Jamaican food in a few months - curry chicken and rice washed down with a Ting and very nice it was too. The next stop was to the villa.


I will continue and try and get my photos up

[jellybean]

this was just a test pix - but it was the view over ochi from coyaba gardens.

[ECO]

Other than you getting sick it sounds good so far.

[jellybean]

I arrived at the villa it was just near Shaw Park Gardens - all I wanted to do was have a shower and go to bed.

I was woken up in the morning by the rain - it was like a herd of elephants stamping on the roof it was absolutely relentless. I went out onto the verandah and took these photos - they were taken within the space of about 1 hour and you can see how dark it was with the rain.







The rain just continued for the whole day so I never really did much apart from unpack my suitcase. Lucky enough the villa had a restaurant so at least I could get something to eat.

[Lillywight]

I want more!!! Nice report -- keep it coming, please!

[LadySizzla]

these trip reports really take you there don't they? I love them. At work now so for some reason pics don't show. will check the thread when I get home tonight.

[jellybean]

My partner decided he was going to take me for a walk up the hill -( I did ask him if we weren't going to get in a taxi because he dont walk anywhere )and we ended up in Coyaba Gardens -the view was lovely.

This was before we started by the time we had walked all the way up I wasn't too happy - my legs were aching. So I wasnt smiling by the time we came back down.





[img]

[jellybean]

i don't know what happened there!!!!

[jellybean]

[jellybean]

This was taken on the way to Trelawny going through Brownstown.

[jellybean]

Trelawny trip

The guy in the villa downstairs invited us to go with him to Trelawny to visit his ex mother-in-law. He said we would be leaving at 8am because it is a 3 hour drive, well I was up and waiting 8am, 8.15am, 8.30am. 9am ( I hate waiting for people) all passed by without a word at 10.15am he appeared with the driver and asked if I was ready because they wanted to leave immediately, I just had to bite my tongue.

Anyway the journey there was quite eventful through a couple of towns Clarkstown and Brownstown and then it was through the hills and gully’s , well at one point I thought we were going to drop into the ravine, he was driving so close to the edge my heart was in my mouth because I don’t like heights and every time I looked down we were getting further and further away from any solid ground, it was like going up an helter skelter.

When we eventually reached Trelawny it took another 30 minutes before we found the house because we had taken a few wrong turns and eventually had to ask somebody.

The MiL was very welcoming and immediately gave us some tea to warm ourselves up and then said she will make us some curry goat (yummy) and rice.

They grow their own yams, irish potatoes, have pigs, chicken and a donkey. They seemed quite self sufficient. They were very proud to show us the second storey that they had built on their house and showed me all around I even had to go into the chicken pen.

There were 3 little boys who were washing and sorting grapes to make some juice and another little boy who was extremely happy playing with an inner tube and a piece of wood.

The view was spectacular from the house – on a clear day apparently you can practically see most of Jamaica.

[ECO]

I love Browns Town, after spending days in the hills it looked like New York City with a Jamaican twist! Keep the report coming, it looks great!

[jellybean]

Loving it Judey! xx

aaaah only my family usually call me judie most people call me Jude

[jellybean]

you can call me judey you are my angel family

[jellybean]

Trelawny

This young man's family were so proud of him because has just started building his own house - he was working very hard.





One thing I forgot to mention it was cold - as you can see - it was a good job I took my hoodie with me - my feet were like two little ice blocks.

[jellybean]

Sugar cane anyone?




See how proud chicken is - didnt know they were planning chicken soup - chicken curry - fried chicken





Obligatory man at the bar

[jellybean]

LOL.. Did you carry that glass with you?
Explain that photo to me Babe! LOL

Can't you see the size of my bag - I am like Mary Poppins - I just happned to have some glasses, red bull and wray and nephew in my bag.

Only joking - it was - wine.

[jellybean]

LOL.. Did you carry that glass with you?
Explain that photo to me Babe! LOL

Can't you see the size of my bag - I am like Mary Poppins - I just happned to have some glasses, red bull and wray and nephew in my bag.

Only joking - it was - wine.

Yeah, but how come you were up in the middle of the bush with a wine glass!

that was about 2 mins from the house - they live way in the bush



That old man was dressed up crisssssssssss!!!! Suit to go to the bar!

He told me he just finish modelling for GQ

LOL

[jellybean]

I was asked to take this photo to bring back to UK - because he is looking for a wife - any takers!

I AM NOT KIDDING

[jellybean]

I was asked to take this photo to bring back to UK - because he is looking for a wife - any takers!

I AM NOT KIDDING

I think I took photo at bad angle