It’s hard to believe that just two days ago I was laying in a sun lounger, rum punch in hand, staring at this…
Now I’m cold, landlocked, and surrounded by laundry! I guess I can’t complain…
That said, LET ME TELL YOU ABOUT JAMAICA!
In case you missed it, here’s the first update I posted from our hotel in Negril. It was all sun, rum, and relaxation for the first couple of days, as we quickly learned that there are truly no worries when you are on vacation in Jamaica. I repeat, there are no worries in Jamaica!
At first it was kind of unnerving. I mean everyone’s all, suuuure, mon. No worries, mon! Respeeeect, mon, to pretty much anything you say, and there are no clocks – anywhere – even in your room. We’ve never experienced this kind of laid-back lifestyle! It literally took us 2 days to just…submit. Surrender. Enjoy.
Then we got antsy and booked ourselves an all day tour of the island. ;)
As awesome as it is relaxing in the sun and sand, Ben and I still love to explore so we contacted Talk of the Town Tours and hired Omar and Delomar to show us around for a day!
Choosing to go with a private tour company, instead of a larger one, gave us the opportunity to go places that a large tour bus can’t – and won’t – go. For an extremely reasonably price, Omar and Delomar spent the entire day showing us more of Jamaica than we could have ever hoped for. We stopped off at dozens of places during our time together to splash around in secret streams,
stare in awe a trees that were as old as the island itself (and wider than a bus!)
pick fresh flowers right from the vine,
and stare at sea views that made our jaws drop.
We did more that day than I could ever type out, so let me show you a few of the highlights, starting with the fresh coconut stand we visited right out of the gate!
Jobs in Jamaica are very limited (which I will talk about in another post,) so a lot of people have to make their own jobs.
The owner of this coconut stand purchases coconuts from a farm, then sells them on the side of the road for about $2 US – all day long.
We purchased just one coconut, as Ben claims to loathe them, and I immediately started sipping out the pure coconut water inside. IT WAS SO GOOD! So refreshing, with just a hint of coconut flavor. It only took a few seconds before he was asking for a taste. ;)
The coconut we were drinking from was a jelly coconut, so after all the water was gone, the stand owner hacked off a piece of the shell with his machete to use as a scraper/spoon, then sliced the coconut in half, leaving us to scrape out and eat the hard-jelly-like coconut flesh inside.
Due to the fact that I am quite inexperienced in the art of jelly coconut scraping, I needed some help with my half. Ben, on the other hand – Mr. I Hate Coconuts – had no trouble with his, and was literally inhaling it in seconds. I. Love. Coconuts! he declared as he finished.
Later that morning, we were cruising through the Jamaican countryside when Omar stomped his foot on the brake and took a hard left into what appeared to be a random field.
2 bumpy minutes later we come across a secret, “only Omar knows about” bridge – which we were to jump off into the mountain fed spring below it!
At this point, my mother’s voice rang fairly clearly in my ear, If all your friends were jumping off a bridge, would you do it too?
Sorry Mom!!!!!!!
It. Was. Awesome!!
Our adventures continued into the morning when we stopped to descend into some caves,
which included jumping into a 160 foot deep body of water inside the pitch black pit of the cave (EEK!)
and stopping at one of the dozens of fruit stands that dot the sides of the roads in Jamaica.
At this fruit stand, Omar bought Ben and me a couple of Neesberries to snack on. OMG MY NEW FAVORITE THING IN THE ENTIRE WORLD!! Neesberries are the size of kiwi, and you kind of split them in half, then pull out the segments inside with your teeth. They taste like straight up brown sugar. I shall crave neesberries ’til the end of my days.
Next we headed to the Black River to find some crocs!
Guides by our side.
The boys and I jumped inside a boat where the Black River meets the Caribbean Sea, about 1.5 hours southeast of Negril, and headed into the mangrove tree covered river. The water is actually crystal clear, but a thick layer of peet on the bottom makes it appear black.
Oh yeah, there’s also 350+ crocodiles that inhabit the area!
Our boat driver got us upcloseandpersonal with several of these pre-historic looking creatures which don’t move a muscle when you come close, but would most likely snap your face off in a second if given the chance.
The one we saw on the banks of the river near the dock was the biggest.
He was at least 7 feet long.
Squeak!
As we wrapped up our Black River tour, we picked up a couple more tourists, and headed out to the spot I’d been waiting MONTHS to see. It is truly Jamaica’s hidden gem, as it’s not advertised anywhere.
I can’t remember how or where I learned about it, but I’d been dying to go since we booked our trip.
I told Omar at the beginning of the day that our itinerary was up to him as long as it included a stop at…
The Pelican Bar!!!
Ok – here’s the scoop! The Pelican Bar is located on a small sand bar about a mile offshore. Story goes that it used to be a popular spot for fisherman to stop at on their way home from a day at sea, but then Hurricane Irene came along and blew it to bits. The owner didn’t have enough money to get it back to 100%, so he patched it up and opened it up to tourists instead! (Please notice the Hawkeye flag in the ceiling!)
It is the COOLEST!!!!!!!!!
After climbing up the driftwood stairs,
and leaving your stamp,
you sit out on the dock,
take a sip…
or a dip…
then dig into the dish of the day – ie whatever the owner has caught from the dock, then prepared in the small Dutch oven he’s got bubbling over a one-burner stove.
When we arrived, he had just put the finishing touches on a plate of Heaven knows what, but it included lobster and it was sweet, creamy, spicy PERFECTION. Mmm, I will never forget it!
You can stay at the Pelican Bar for as long as you like – or until the cold Red Stripe in the cooler runs out. Boats come and go…
and eventually yours will too.
By far the best day of our trip!
More recaps to come, including the hotel we stayed at, additional important information on what to expect when visiting Jamaica, and pictures from our underwater camera – whee!
lauren @ sassy molassy 04.17.2012
Oh MY Kristin, your trip looks amazing. I’m curious how much you guys paid to get the tour guides for the entire day? LOVE the blue ocean and white sandy beaches. And that coconut…glad BEn came to the other side about that.
Lori 04.17.2012
What a great recap from your trip! You and Ben always find a way to have amazing adventures. Good for you!
As for the pasta recipe…I’ll be adding that one to my list for sure. I’m a sucker for recipes with coconut milk.
Julie 04.17.2012
I always LOVE your vacation posts! I was so engrossed that when I finished reading I was disappointed to realize I was still at work! :( Can’t wait to hear about the rest of your trip!
Faith @ For the Health of It 04.17.2012
I loved everything about this post! All of the sights are gorgeous, and that coconutty pasta looks absolutely amazing! I can’t wait to try it – especially with those really fun-shaped noodles!
Emily 04.17.2012
Both the trip and the inspired dinner sound fantastic! I have added this meal to my inspiration folder for next week – thank you! :)
Alaina @ Fabtastic Eats 04.17.2012
Your trip looks gorgeous! Im so glad you guys had so much fun..you’re tempting me!! This pasta looks delish! I love the island flavors!
anne 04.17.2012
Amazing! We’re going to Negril in May and have been talking about The Pelican Bar. Definitely worth the trip, eh? Maybe we’ll have to contact your tour buddies. Thanks for sharing! Awesome photos – I can’t wait for May!!
Melissa 04.17.2012
What an amazing trip! I love that the Hawks were present on your trip, Iowa fans really are everywhere :) Love the pictures. Sounds like you had the best tour guides and what a great way to see the island!!
Ryan @ Spicy Richmond 04.17.2012
Looks like y’all had a great time! I went to Negril a few years back and loved it too. Your pics make me want to go back!
Tonya 04.17.2012
Wow! Wonderful post, with such awesome tips! I think I cannot get there fast enough ;) Beautiful photos as well!
CJ - Food Stories 04.17.2012
Looks like a fantastic trip. Thx for sharing with us!
Kimmie Ciccone 04.16.2012
Im a recent reader on your amazing blog. I look forward to my email daily from you.. I have tried so many new recipes! Thank you so much. Looks like u enjoyed your Jamaica trip ;) I can’t wait to try rasta pasta
Maria W 04.16.2012
Your vacation pictures are amazing and I’m glad you shared so many of them with all of us. I laughed out loud at the one where you and Ben were standing on the bridge and you remembered your mom’s voice in your ear. I have memories like that, too. My mom doesn’t like to fly anywhere and I’ve been on several trips by plane and had tons of new experiences! Vacations are refreshing!
Tina 04.16.2012
Loved looking at the pics! It looked like you had a cool adventure-I would have been chicken to go exploring:) Thanks for posting all the beach pics!
Lindsay 04.16.2012
I can’t wait to hear where you stayed. I’m getting married in September and I need honeymoon ideas :-)
kellyo 04.16.2012
Looks like a fantastic trip! Welcome home…
Maria S 04.16.2012
We leave for Negril in a few weeks! I was already plenty excited, but your recent blog posts have me over-the-top giddy!!! I’m definitely tracking down Omar and Delomar for a private tour — thanks for the recommendation!
Regan 04.16.2012
great pics…welcome back!!
Carrie @ Season It Already! 04.16.2012
Your pics are gorgeous and your story-telling – fun. Did I tell you that you have put Jamaica on my bucket list now? Thanks for sharing your vacay with us!
Cheers~
Najla 04.16.2012
Your trip looks amazing! Thanks for sharing! Glad I found your blog- great recipes :)