Old Hits Party Night at the Ultimate Jerk Center
Last Saturday night, I went to what’s been called Old Hits Party night at the Ultimate Jerk Center & Rest Stop on Main Street in Discovery Bay, St. Ann, just opposite the Green Grotto Caves. When we arrived around 12:30 a.m., several hundred cars had already filled the large empty space that serves as parking lot and the attendant pointed us to an empty space where he said we could create a new row. As we exited the car, a…
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Weekly Photo Challenge: Windows
I didn't think I had any photos for this week's challenge, but then I found these. [caption id="attachment_7358" align="aligncenter" width="397" caption="Bath Abbey"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_7364" align="aligncenter" width="399" caption="Louvre windows"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_7359" align="aligncenter" width="403" caption="Lacock window "][/caption] [caption id="attachment_7360" align="aligncenter" width="399" caption="Bath windows"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_7363" align="aligncenter" width="398" caption="London windows"][/caption]
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Travel Photo Thursday: Flowers
I'm constantly surprised at the variety of flowers that grow, some wild or without much coaxing, here in Jamaica. These I took in the garden at my cousin's house. [caption id="attachment_7346" align="aligncenter" width="558" caption="Unknown plant"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_7351" align="aligncenter" width="576" caption="Onion Plant"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_7348" align="aligncenter" width="570" caption="Unknown flower"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_7349" align="aligncenter" width="406" caption="Bell Flower"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_7347" align="aligncenter" width="570" caption="Rose of Sharon"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_7350" align="aligncenter" width="575" caption="Orchid"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_7352" align="aligncenter" width="570" caption="Shrimp Flower"][/caption] This is my submission to this week’s Budget Travelers…
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Jamaica, The Land of Wood and (No) Water
Jamaica has long been known as The Land of Wood and Water. We're surrounded by water. In addition, more than 60 rivers and tributaries crisscross the land. But after waking up two mornings in a row, with no water coming from the taps, I've been forced to ask, Where's the water? [caption id="attachment_7340" align="aligncenter" width="617" caption="Dunn's River Falls, photo from the Internet"][/caption] Luckily for me, we also have a tank so we were able to switch it on and get…
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Jamaica: Still Searching for the Real Jerk
Getting real jerk pork is one of the things I look forward to when I’m in Jamaica. What's Jerk? Jerk is a style of cooking that originated on the island back in the late 1950-60s. Traditionally, spices such as garlic, mace (the outer shell of the nutmeg), thyme, cinnamon, scallion and Scotch Bonnet pepper were mixed together and rubbed into pork that was then slow-cooked in a pit fire of pimento wood. The pimento gave it its signature flavor. Jerk…
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Jamaica: Rastafari Indigenous Village
The drums are what drew me to the Rastafari Indigenous Village in Montego Bay. The sound seeped through the lush jungle of breadfruit, ackee, banana, coconut and assorted other trees and urged me to shake my feet. I decided to follow. Moving closer, I walk in rhythm to the boom, boom of the bass drum, then quicken my steps, dancing to the music that was meant just for me. [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="571"] Rastafari Indigenous Village[/caption] I push open the…
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Soulful Sundays: Gregory Isaacs
Another of the musicians I grew up listening to is singer/songwriter, Gregory Isaacs, also called the "Cool Ruler" for his soulful, heartfelt music. Isaacs' hit single, My Only Lover, is credited as being the first song recorded in the lovers rock sub-genre of reggae. He recorded with many of the top Jamaican producers of the 1970s including King Tubby, Freddy McGregor, and Lee "Scratch" Perry who also produced Bob Marley & the Wailers, and was one of the biggest reggae performers in the…
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Weekly Photo Challenge: Hidden
[caption id="attachment_7306" align="aligncenter" width="570" caption="A slightly opened bud"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_7308" align="aligncenter" width="568" caption="Hidden Guavas"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_7309" align="aligncenter" width="401" caption="Coconut tree berries"][/caption]
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Why an Airport in Jamaica is Named for Ian Fleming
Most people are puzzled when they learn that an airport in Jamaica is named after Ian Fleming. The airport, formerly known as Boscobel Aerodrome, is located in the parish of St. Mary where Fleming, a Naval Intelligence Officer lived and created the British spy, James Bond. [caption id="attachment_7297" align="aligncenter" width="549" caption="Ian Fleming, photo from the Internet"][/caption] Fleming fell in love with Jamaica on his first visit in 1943. The Jamaica of Fleming’s time was the playground for the rich and famous.…
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Travel Photo Thursday: Montego Bay Convention Center
[caption id="attachment_7291" align="aligncenter" width="567" caption="Montego Bay Convention Center, Jamaica"][/caption] This recently completed building is the Montego Bay Convention Center. Located a few miles outside the city, it is convenient to the Donald Sangster International Airport (St. James), the Ian Fleming International Airport (St. Mary), hotels and guest houses. I was fascinated by the curves and angles and their reflections and also by the colors of the sky and the Caribbean Sea. This is my submission to this week’s Budget Travelers…
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