Dominos at the bar

Kingsley suckering me into thinking I stood a chance.

Id like to give a special shout out to 2 guys whom I plan to see again on future trips. Kingsly and Carlton (aka Needles). Needles, a sneaky cheat at Dominos is a fun guy. They both are, and I spent many hours just chilling with them, learning how to NOT be such a tourist. Here is the recipe for a great mid afternoon pause in between our various jaunts up and down the beach and around the western part of the island.

1. Step off our patio, onto the sand and head to the beach, just a stones through away.

2. Notice if either Kingsly or Needles were behind the bar, and if so, quickly divert attention from the water so that some good ole trash talk and high spirited games of Dominos can be played.

3. Order another Rum and pineapple juice.

4. Watch out for Needles tactics.

5. Leave in defeat.

Kingsley on the left and Needles on the right.

Now Id like to add step 6. It involves my daughter Gayle. 6 is humiliation. Its that sensation one feels when his, then 7 year old, beats Needles at Dominos. No joke. No "Ill let her win". Straight up beat him. So whatever humiliation I felt im pretty sure it was a shared sentiment with Needles. Oh and Needles, if you are reading this. Im not finished. "Me soon com!"

Canoe Beach Bar & Grill

Tyrone recommended that for dinner one night we try a local spot called Canoe. Its a small place. I want to say its on the side of the road, but in reality its pretty much ON the road. It quickly became a favorite spot of ours. I thought it was funny that their menu included Poutine.

I guess there really are alot of Canadians who travel to Jamaica if Poutine is on the menu. But alas, Im in Jamaica, not Quebec, and Im here for Jamaican fare plain and simple. With that said I ordered their Jerk Shrimp. This was wicked good. So much so that I quickly ordered a couple more plates for us all to share.

Some of the other food we've seen alot on menus was Escoveitched seafood, mostly snapper. Its for those who like the strong prominent taste of vinegar. That, along with slices of raw onion..... Its not my thing. The DO however have other great items, different fish dishes, and they all seem to be grilled on what I suspect is nothing more than a typical gas BBQ grill. Its truly good food. Again, its a MUST DO place while in Negril.

Snorkeling at the reef

Jerry Ann and Gayle on the glass bottom boat

Going out to the reef made for a great time. My father and our daughter Gayle enjoyed the glass bottom boat while Jerry Ann and myself went out to snorkel. While the snorkeling right off the cliffs was fun, going out to the reef provided greater opportunities to see various types of fish.
The one thing that I DON'T have a picture of was the moment that I cornered a Barracuda. A can describe it as a very humbling aquatic experience. lol.  Lets see....... Its a predator, has teeth, and it can breath water where I cant. Me? Im meaty, a feast, and im blocking its ability to get around me..... I will say that of all my experiences in Jamaica, THIS one I would like to never repeat again!

Jerry Ann at the reef

Some areas at the reef are very shallow. So much so that you can stand up. Jerry glides through the water with ease. Of course she found the "Pretty" fish. I found the ones with teeth or tails. 

Boat ride out to the reef

Heres Dad enjoying the boat ride out to the reef. Apparently his sixth sense about potential predatory fish served him well. He enjoyed the view from the glass bottom boat. 

Juicy Beef

While I love Jerk chicken, Curry Goat, Seafood, and Lobster (Sorry but lobster is worthy of existing in its own category). I like to try everything I can. From fine restaurants, to roadside stands, from Ital (Jamaican Ital is Vegan) to local fast food.

Juicy Beef Patty with Coco Bread

Ive had alot of Patties since going to Jamaica. Juicy Beef is to the Patty what Burger King is to the burger. Its a chain restaurant. Typically a patty is served along side Coco bread, most often one would wrap the bread around the patty and enjoy. Juicy Beef has both Chicken and beef patties. The beef has a subtle curry flavor to it. Curry, for those who didn't know, is a prominent component to much of Jamaicas dishes.

Juicy Beef Patty

Banana Bread

Jerry Ann makes one HELL of a Banana bread!

Im sorry babe, but the Banana bread in Jamaica is in another league. I think its the nutmeg, and certainly its those sweet small bananas. Its definitely something I could eat pounds of. 

This, some coffee, and a commitment to hit the gym, its "Allllll good".

Alfreds Ocean Palace

One morning we all decided to go down the beach to "Alfreds ocean Palace" for breakfast. My mother and father enjoyed having breakfast while overlooking the water. Less than perhaps 20 feet from the water its a hard thing to beat. 

Mom & Dad 2009

"When in rome..."

I ordered the national dish "Ackee and saltfish".

Jamaicans idea of breakfast is more savory than what many Americans are used to. While there are pancakes and french toast to be found on menus, this national dish is something I encourage everyone to try. Johnny cakes, boiled bananas, callaloo (a green leafy veggie akin to mustard greens), ackee & salt cod, and roasted bread fruit makes for a hearty breakfast. Definitely different!

Ackee & Salt Cod

Niahs Patties

One of the more common foods in Jamaica, that is akin to our "Burger" in the US, is the Jamaica Patty. And like our burger joints back home, there are fast food versions from chain restaurants, as well as patties made by those who make various renditions. On 7 mile beach there is "Niahs Patties". Ive had every patty on the menu. My favorite is the "Irish" which is potato (clever huh?) 

Making fresh patties

Niahs Patties 

Niahs patties are deep fried. He, his wife, and a few others, have got this down to being a well oiled machine. While youll never find a place like this to pass a health code in the US, its partly the reason I love exploring the abundance of what there is to experience.

Niah making patties

Lobster Patty

The lobster patty was different than I had expected. The lobster is more minced up with other ingredients, similar to a crab cake of sorts. Its good, not my favorite, but worth having.

Italian Patty

This is the Italian Patty, filled with peppers and onions. Its very tasty.

The Ackee Patty was far better than I thought it would be. Ackee, a fruit, is the core ingredient in the national dish "Ackee and saltfish". If you are stopping by Niahs Pattys, Id suggest this as one of the "Must Try" items.

Ackee Patty

First morning at Idle Awhile

 Its no suprise that Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee is among the more prized coffees in the world. Living in the greater Seattle are, where there is no shortage of fantastic coffee places, I have to say that when we are in Jamaica, Having a cup of this elixer is the best way to start the morning. Im particularly fond of having sweetened condenced milk in it. I never had that in my coffee prior to Jamaica. 

I grew up drinking Tropicana OJ. Ive had fresh squeezed too. It all pales in comparison to the OJ i've had in Jamaica.

Tensing Pen trip video

Tensing Pen is a great place. Its one of the only places that I can leave the rest of the world behind and "Get my chill on". The views are spectacular. My morning ritual included having my blue mountain coffee with condensed milk, toast with guava jam, walking across the bridge over the water, followed by a cliff jump into the warm Caribbean sea. 

Breakfast at Tensing Pen

Okay so its no big secret that i'm a foodie of sorts. That is to say I appreciate good food. It doesnt have to be over the top to be great. My daughter Gayle loves the french toast at Tensing Pen. Drizzled with banana syrup and fresh bananas, its something that even low carb dieters would have a hard time not diving into.

French Toast with Banana Syrup 

Most mornings however I like just a simple breakfast while staying there. A fresh pot of Blue Mountain coffee, toast with Guava preserves, some of the freshest tropical fruit Ive ever had, and Orange juice that must have crack or some type of narcotic in it because its addicting. Best OJ i've ever had, hands down!

Toast with Guava jam, fresh fruit, and Orange Juice

"Ain't nothin but a Ting"

Whats Ting?
Ting is a Jamaican grapefruit soda. Its awesome. I'm going to find a place back home and load up. Its made with cane sugar and not artificial crap. If I wasn't in the mood for alcohol I gravitated towards having one of these sodas. I'm not a big soda drinker but as they say, "When in Rome". I mean, this is vacation right? I worked out BEFORE my trip with the understanding that id probably gain 10 lbs upon my return. lol

And by the way... HUGE difference between cold water lobster and warm water lobster. Caribbean lobster, or Spiny lobster, don't have claws like the lobster you might be more familiar with. Its also got a much sweeter flavor. It definitely a fan. This plate of lobster was plate #2. We went to Chill Awhile cafe where they had an amazing buffet.

 

Sun setting over Negril

This night was particularly cloudy. Even thought the sky wasnt clear, the view was still breathtaking. The water was clear and you could see the white sand below. The hammock hut is a great place to hang out when the afternoon rain comes. Luckily even when it rains it usually passes fast enough.

One word...... Surreal

In all of my online research, and of all the photos (including these), the moment we walked the grounds of Tensing Pen I could instantly see why this place is a favorite destination for so many. When I walked beyond the bar and out onto the stone cut path, I saw the most amazing blue water. I thought to myself how the actual view surpassed anything I had seen in a magazine. The pics below serve more to show that we were indeed there, they don't do justice to the the actual experience of being there to see it with your own eyes.

Tensing Pen 2009

Tensing Pen 2009, The Hammock Hut

Serene

No matter where you are in Tensing Pen, there is serenity. If its lounging at the infinity pool , walking the bridge over azure blue water, or walking along the paths, the scenery and definitely can be described as paradise.  

Hibiscus 

Tensing Pen Lobby 

At night, when everyone is asleep, and the tree frogs sing their familiar song, I would often sit on the couch in the open air lobby, looking over the days pictures, while Tensing and Sugar (the resident dogs) would stroll by.

Errol Flynn Tours

After an overnight flight into Charlotte NC, and then a second flight into Montego Bay, my body was tired yet I was thrilled to finally be in Jamaica. When we got through Immigration, we went out front to find Errol, our driver. Jerry Ann, Gayle, my parents, and myself, were shocked to see a mini tour bus waiting for us. This wasn't a random group shuttle, this was for us. Errol was recommended to me from a fellow traveler I met in a travel forum. He was great, friendly, outgoing, and he offered us some cold drinks. What a great way to start off our trip that with an ice cold Red Stripe.

While there are countless drivers, and everyone has their favorites, I have a couple guys that I like above everyone else. Ive had my fair share of taxis and other transportation on the island, but like I said, Ive got a couple of my favorite guys whom I will call above and beyond others.

Errol has a great website and can be called on for both airport transfers and for excursions all over the island. Check him out:
http://www.errolflynntours.com/home.html

Errol Flynn Tours 

Errol

Preparing for Take off

In 2009 we took our first ever trip to the Caribbean. It was surrounding my fathers 60th birthday and it was also our 15th wedding anniversary. After much research, frequenting travel forums, reading everything I could get my hands on, I had narrowed our search down to Jamaica. Negril to be specific. Our daughter was 7 years old at the time. The trip was nothing short of fantastic.