gomiki

ninasdream, I have been following your report. You had a much better attitude and resiliency than I could ever imagine. I think you should post a review. It doesn't have to be nasty but a brief telling of the biggest issues could save someone else from an unpleasant experience. And great job with the new knees!

ninasdream

Suze and gomiki - thank you for responding frankly to my question about posting a review. And yes, I would want to impact their business, Not out of malice, but so people can find the best fit for them. The reputation of the place was way overblown. I would choose a tone that is not nasty, just specific as to what I experienced so that travelers can make up their own minds. For me, they got not one thing right, and this was supposed to be me doing a "reset" on my vacation by choosing premium accommodations. It was not only disappointing, it was more frustration.

mlgb

I absolutely would leave a review about the bird guide not showing up as scheduled. And if there was an emergency, there would or should have been a call. Do you have his name?

As far as clothing on the bushes, that wouldn't have bothered me nor would the plastic container for coffee. Did you smell it to see if it was fresh?

So go ahead and leave your review, but some people may find it a little "Princessy". As long as you are factual, and not throwing in judgements, like "unhygienic" the reader can decide if they'd have the same objections. I think it's especially helpful when people leave reviews of off the beaten path locations.

E.g., say that there are no facilities for drying clothing other than laying them over vegetation on a sunny day. Or that coffee is in the form of grounds stored in a plastic container. Or Room # x is underneath the dining area (if that is what was the case) and noise travels to the room.

PS the plant you want to ID is Shell Ginger.

jubilada

I would probably do a review, but as you state in your last reply the way you felt about the hotel was colored-by your earlier disappointments. Because of that I would be extra measured.

suze

If I were reading a review you would have lost me after the coffee container complaint. And about the laundry on the bushes.

Sorry but I believe at least some of what you encountered was you being unprepared for Jamaica once your friend did not show up as planned and so not having researched as you might have in advance. I do agree if you want to go ahead with doing a review, keep it to the facts without emotional responses, as much as possible.

The coffee complaint made me laugh because it brought back memories of the "continental breakfast" provided "poolside" my last trip to Negril

ninasdream

Suze, mlgb and. Jubi, I'm sure you can tell I was getting really cranky. I am going be careful how I post the review, and then when i post it, I'm going to do like in those meditation exercises and release the balloon! ( eg let the feeling float away).

On the coffee container, let me just say this. I volunteered
at an outdoor education center for 4 years. When we did maple sugaring and put out samples for comparison, we had so many double-dipping issues- from the ADULTS. So a communal container like that sets off alarms.

I mau also be cranky because I am sick Again. Usually I get sick once every 2 years now it's within 2 months. Sigh. Thank you all for the perspective - I appreciate your taking the time to try to keep me circumspect in my review.
I'm m going to bed with a good book.

suze

I am sorry you are sick. That never helps anything Maybe write up the review, but let it sit awhile before posting it anywhere? See how it reads to you in a few days. Make sure it is truly information that would help (warn?) others not just trash a local business because they weren't up to standards you were hoping for or expected?

I know you did not care for how you found the coffee provided for you. I just don't think it's a big deal is all, what you describe. Would you like to hear my story about continental breakfast? Or dining alone out on West End Road? Talk about a woman alone experience.

ninasdream

Hi Suze, that's a great idea, to sit on it, and the coffee thing wasn't going to be part of my review, I was just venting. I'm not even going to expend energy on the review right now. The cold has moved into my chest and I will be focusing on resting and getting better. I'm getting into bed with a tall elegant blonde (F. Scott Fitzgerald). I'll probably have to call out from work tomorrow. Eveyone bundle up and dont catch cold!

schnauzer

I could feel my blood pressure rising just reading all the things that went wrong.. so many guides not turning up etc..

i did like the mention of the Blue Lagoon.. we used to take a little row boat to the middle and swim in the ‘cold deep water’. Not to mention swinging off the trees into the water when we were kids.. thanks for bringing back some good memories.

Moderator1

This thread began as a return to the forums after an absence. However, from post #55 on January 28 it became a Trip Report about Jamaica, including many photos. Therefore we have moved the thread to the Caribbean Forum and tagged ti a Trip Report.

mlgb

Thread killer

ninasdream

Dear Moderator, Thank you and apologies.

ninasdream

schnauzer -thanks for the commiseration. what a lovely memory! Thank you for sharing that. I did that too at Blue Lagoon! I swam out to the middle looking for those cold spots, out of habit I guess from swimming in spring-fed ponds and lakes in Vermont and Nj.

suze

ninasdream, I was very much enjoying reading it in the lounge, not so much because it was about Jamaica, but about your own personal and unique experiences which seemed more like a personal visit with "family" and the crazy dynamics that ensued

ninasdream

Hi Suze, thank you for your comments, as well as sharing iinformation before my departure. I will be posting my bird list, but I wanted to take a minute to just talk about what tje day felt like. I didn't have a camera capable of taking the photos of birds. That meant that I could live in the moment, concentrate on watching for the birds, spotting them and enjoying their motion, markings and observing their behavior.

One of the first things we did was to focus on a valley in front of us and watch parrots come from the left and fly down the valley, usually in 2, 3 or 4 birds at a time. Since the vegetation was a bright spring green, and the parrots were predominantly green, it was fun when I found them as my guide pointed them out and a real thrill when I spotted them on my own! I do have to find out whether they were black billed or yellow billed in the valley, as we saw both that day.

We also got to see a pair of parakeets together on a limb, billing and cooing, so sweet. Another thrill for me was the walking. A loose-limbed, free and easy motion. Of course the path was flat and easy to walk, but still from 6:45 to 2:30 was great for me and my new knees. I had on just the right clothes. Lightweight pants my favorite white cotton button front shirt, and a travel hat with the chip cord. Being out on the road waving to locals as they passed, nodding and calling "Blessings", and having them smile and nod in kind, having groups of goats skip past, and then a flash of a bird you'd been waiting for. A half-wall of stone situated at a bend in the road and in the shade was welcome.

Ok i am at a one day writers conference, time for the keynote. Enjoy your day.

ninasdream

Well, today is my birthday, and it is a milestone one. I usually travel on or near my birthday, which won't be happening right now. So a little virtual travel through my trip report seems fitting. The woman who did my pet-sitting while I was away is a co-worker, and she stopped by my office on her way in this morning to drop off a card and a balloon, and a gift which was so sweet and thoughtful. She is also an avid birder, so it has been fun to tell her about how the twists and turns of my impromptu itinerary revision found me in a bird-watching mecca, and led to this day. Here is my bird list from January 5. As I mentioned I was unable to take photos, but I am pasting a link below for a picture of the national bird of Jamaica, the streamertail, so you can see how vibrant and beautiful it is. https://neotropical.birds.cornell.ed...ream1/overview. and a stock photo.

Here is my bird list. I went to search for images and info, and found just how renowned and respected is my guide Lyndon Johnson, photo of me with him below. I will be back to post about my visit to The Blue Lagoon, and my final days in Montego Bay. Ecclesdown Road and San-San Port Antonio Jamaica

1. Turkey Vulture

2. Banana Quit

3. Sad Flycatcher

4. American Redstart

5. Loggerhead Kingbird

6. Jamaican Oriole

7. Greater Antillean Bullfinch

8. Vervain Hummingbird

9. Green-rumped Parrotlet

10. Black-Billed Parrot

11. Jamaican Spindalis

12. Rufous-tailed Flycather

13. Yellow-billed Parrot

14. Red-tailed Hawk

15. Jamaican Lizard Cuckoo

16. Jamaican Tody

17. White-chinned Thrush

18. Black-billed Streamer-tail

19. Common Yellowthroat

20. Jamaican Woodpecker

21. Ring-tailed Pigeon

22. Olive-throated Parakeet

23. Smooth-billed Ani

24. Mourning Dove

25. American Kestrel

26. White-winged Dove

27. Caribbean Dove

28. White-eyed Thrush

Fly-by

1. Orange Quit

2. Jamaican Euphonia

3. Jamaican Vireo

4. Arrow-headed Warbler

5. Jamaican Blackbird

Heard only

1. Chestnut-bellied Cuckoo

2. Jamaican Mango

3. Jamaican Pewee

4. Rufous-throated Solitaire

5. Ruddy Quail Dove





Lyndon Johnson birding guide extraordinaire left and me. Jan 5 2020

red billed streamertail

mlgb

Nice list. Too bad no photos. Happy Birthday.

ninasdream

Thanks. Mlgb.

annhig

Happy Big Birthday, ninasdream.

great birding list.

ninasdream

Hi annhig, so nice to see you. And thank you for saying so- I'm such a novice that I don't really know if it is an acoomplishment. The guide laughed at me when I didn't want to list the turkey vulture as the first bird we saw. There were so many amazi g moments, though.

I am pleased to say that I had a lovely evening.
I had a quite challenging day at work, but people stopped by to see me, which was nice. The Arts Group I had belonged to was holding a general membership meeting about the progress and future. It was held in my go-to local spot. They had the usual popular nibbles that I love, snap peas, raw cauliflowrr, those mini raw orange peppers, cheese and fruit. I met new people, heard about classes, volunteer opportunities, got to see someone I know through the poetry workshops , two of our art faculty from the university where I work.

I met one of the new marketing volunteers for the art space who bought me my birthday drink- a pomegranate daquiri. It was very refreshing. He has lived and travelled all over the world, which was exciting to hear about. I got to chat with the woman who taught the shore bird watercolor class I took this fall at Ward Waterfowl museum, where I am a member.

She is going to send me the birdwatching group newsletter and their next hike date, which is in a few Saturdays. The group used to meet in the church next to my local outdoor farmer's market then Iost track, plus it conflicted with the pool class, which I really needed for my knees.

Since we're off work next Tuesday, I plan to go to the morning hike at the waterfowl museum. I'm so happy to be movin again! I totally forgot I was going to go to the bar where I do open mic and get dinner and a drink. The whole downtown is torn up with construction, so a chellenge to navigate and park. Maybe I'll go Fri or Sat night, and check out some music. I sm picking at some roast turkey breast and black olives. I may not have the piece of mocha cream cake tonight. I will work on posting the rest of the photos and Montego Bay this next week.

Oh, for those who asked, I have still had no contact with the person who invited me to Jamaica. I was driving back to my office yesterday afteroon, my assistant and I had done a Women's History Month display window at the library, and I saw them walking in front of me. I reflexively did that thing where you look down and pretend you're looking for something in the car. So ridiculous of me, but I didnt want an interaction. He never turned, so didn't see me. We'll see- can I get to June without contact?. Now with the scool going remote until April, maybe. No rigorous effort on my side.
Happy walking & safe travels everyone.