Treasure Beach IS a treasure
 

It's taken awhile, but I thought I should post something before I leave again :-) If not, I wouldn't have wonderful "welcome home" messages waiting for me.

I spent one week at Windsong, outside of MBJ, and 10 days at Noble House (right on the beach). Both are villas represented by Linda Smith. Noble House is wonderful, especially the staff, and well worth the *splurge*. Certainly it is worthy of the name Noble and is probably what many people envision when "villa" is mentioned. As a solo traveler, interaction with the staff is very important to me. I was well-schooled in horticulture by the gardeners and introduced to coconut water and jelly by a gardener wielding his own machete :-) I learned that almond trees do produce almonds...well hidden in what I thought were figs.

Tiverton House (aka as Sasha ) had arranged for the 2 plus hour trip to Treasure Beach. I was apprehensive about the long trip and I think Sasha was apprehensive about my reaction to the more modest villas in Treasure Beach :-) Ahhhhh....apprehension is forever gone. For me, Treasure Beach was like coming to a magical place...a hidden jewel, and realizing I was going to be able to stay there for two weeks :-)

It's a little piece of the country that somehow stands still in time. For those of us lucky enough to have had summer vacation homes or vacations with Grandparents in a country setting, it was that kind of deja vu feeling for me. The flowers, the birds, the incredible number of butterflies and the sounds of the goats took me back to MUCH younger days.

It is the best of small town living...where everyone seems to be related. I asked about some of the local crops and was delighted to hear that peanuts are grown. Almost moments later, the niece of the woman who cooked for me, arrived with a bag of freshly dug peanuts. And so it was, always...if the fruit wasn't picked from trees on property, a relative arrived with a fruit or vegetable from her garden.

It is a shame that I don't eat fish, because the boats went out early and the nets were pulled around noon, and *catch of the day* was steps away.

My time there was more of a cultural immersion than a typical vacation. I went shopping in Junction and Black River with the women who take care of guests at Blue Marlin and Coquina. I did go on the boat trip to Black River and felt like I was on a family trip rather than a tourist excursion.

My days started with a beautiful sunrise vista and each night there was an amazing sunset. The kind where you watch so closely before it drops into the ocean.

Maybe this is why it's taken me so long to write this ;-) I understand that this is not a typical trip report....but then I am not a typical traveler.

I would just encourage anyone with an interest in an authentic experience in Jamaica to consider Treasure Beach.

Sasha often closes his private posts with "walk good, travel better" . I'll simply add, you might want to run to Treasure Beach.

Now, if there are specific questions, I'll be happy to answer. I'm usually better at specifics, without the ability to ramble, with sentiment thrown in :-) Yes...there's a whole lot of sentiment here !

Marion

Marion, Your trip report was a treasure.

You have made up my mind that a trip back to JA is a necessity! :)

Whew, it's a good thing I'm alone at work today, as I just had to do my Yippy Skippy dance. Thank you, Marion, for a wonderful report!

May I inquire how you spent your Christmas? Did you find any children to read to, or learn new carols from?

Nice! I am wondering...did you stay at Noble house solo? I note it's a 4BR house.

I feel you on TB...we'll be there again in April :)

Marion you are wonderful to do this thoughtful post. Why don't you write a book for the lone traveler. Thanks

Diana,

I really should make notes before I type...but editing was never a strength.

I intended to tell you that Treasure Beach certainly has the "Irie factor" that you search for :-) !

If you liked Negril and Jamaica Inn.....you will LOVE Treasure Beach !

I spoke of you during my stay, and your reference to "under de counter" drinks :-) I think most anything would be available.

Find that suitcase and go :-) !

Marion

EJ,

I made the Black River trip on Christmas eve day....and there were some political issues regarding the traditional bonfire and carol singing. I don't think it was my *karma* ;-)

Sasha had booked guests from Austria in the house next door, so I did have a chance to have a 6 year old read a Christmas story to me in German :-) It was a lovely role reversal.

I was treated to a Jamaican Christmas feast, prepared by the three Parchment sisters....served outside, under a flower bedecked pergola, with the sea view right there.

I had shopped with one of the sisters the day before. I handled the grocery cart and she had her list :-)

It will be a forever memory that these women chose to include me in their Christmas celebration. Jamaican people are gentle about their religion and I was blessed to join hands with them while the eldest recited grace and welcomed me to their family.

It doesn't get much better than that :-) !

Marion

Liza,

Yes, I did stay at Noble House solo. Most of Linda Smith's properties have price breaks according to bedrooms occupied. I also got in under the *rate change* wire....but it's still a splurge :-)

Marion

Marion,
We were in Jamaica in early Dec and loked at Noble house to possibly rent for our wedding. Can you please tell me more about the villa and the grounds. We were not able to look around becuase it was rented. Now was the beach by the villa...when we ere there it looked a little brown...I think do to the rain. It was my first time in MBJ...we usually go to Port Antiono. Where did you stay in Treasure Beach...it is an area we have wanted to check out.

Hi Jennifer,

If you toured Noble House in early December, I was the guest :-)

Unless it's a coincidence. Were you there with a wedding coordinator ? I would have been lounging under an almond tree, close to the sea and had given my OK to let you wander at will and approach me with any questions :-)

I guess you'll need to be a little more specific with your questions now. What are your concerns ?

In Treasure Beach I stayed at Coquina for two weeks. I return to Treasure Beach on 1/29 and will be staying at Driftwood, Blue Marlin and La Casa Duna. All properties described on jamaicaescapes.com.

I'm happy to help with Noble House questions.

Marion

Marion,
We were there with a planner...that is very funny that you were probably the person staying there. Nicky did not want use to tour around because the guest (you) were outside relaxing and did not want to bother you. Thank you for letting us visit. Here are a few of my questions:
Were the bedrooms nicely furnished? Was the food good? Did you go into the water off the beach? We love the grounds...thinking of having a tent and there are plenty of areas for that. I loook forward to hearing from you. Do you know is Treasure Beach is on the way to Port Antiono?

Hi Jennifer,

I'm assuming that you have looked at the photos of Noble House on Linda's website...www.jamaicavillas.com

All of the bedrooms are beautifully furnished and the master bedroom has quite a spectacular bathroom.

The staff at Noble House is very professional and I know they will do everything possible to make your day special. They LOVE a chance to celebrate :-) !

Is Nicky the wedding coordinator you have chosen ? Or are you still in the planning process ?

I would have some other suggestions for you, unless you are under contract to Nicky.

I'm geographically challenged....but Treasure Beach is 2.5 hours from MBJ and I *think* Port Antonio is another 5 hours from Treasure Beach.

I'm hoping the Jamaica experts will guide you with the travel time/distance :-)

Marion

Marion,
I will look at a map regarding the distance...we were thinking about traveling around the island after the wedding.
I am not under contract with Nicky...if need be I can just pay for her time when we were there. Any suggestions would be great. We also visited Coyaba(50 roome hotel)...closer to the airport and the resorts...that was very nice. I have been going with Linda's villas...also looked at GreatView...very nice but not alot of grounds. Please feel free to send me any info/names. Thank you! This can be a hard process!

Marion,
Thanks for sharing your trip report.Sounds like you had an amazing time.:) Aren't you going back at the end of January?? You lucky woman!;)

Have fun AGAIN on your next trip.

Christie

WOW!!!

that is an amazing villa. Do I read it right that 3 villas share that beach?

Is the beach private? It looks amazing - well chosen.

I feel guilty if I book anywhere with more than one bedroom because it makes me feel bad that we left our 'little darlings' at home!

Thanks Marion and have a wonderful trip back to the island! :)

Marion....thanks for the report. It brings back my fond memories of Calabash Bay. Treasure Beach is truly a little enclave to be treasured.

Jennifer....TB is on the southwest coast of Jamaica....Port Antonio is on the Northeast coast. I would say PA is probably a 3-4 hours drive east of MoBay. In February 2005, four of us encircled Jamaica over 2 weeks. If you click on my name you will find the trip report I wrote upon our return.

Porty's a 6 hour drive from MoBay and about the same from TB -- a tough drive unless you can leisurely wend your way along, stopping here and there. Looks like we'll be opening up 2 new posh villa there soon. Port Antonio is best reached by flying into Kingston and having a driver/car meet you at airport for the 2-3 hour drive around the coastroad -- then, the car's yours to explore with at will.

Thanks all for the info. We have done the drive from Kingston...Derrons rentals have picked us up...our driver James was great...he has picked us up afew times. I was hoping after some time in MBJ we could do the drive...we want to check out Treasure Beach and then visit our friends in PA. It might be too long...we will have to see how much time off I can take. Thanks again. Marion - if you have any other suggestions for planner/anythign please let me know.

Jennifer,

If you would post your email address, I'll offer some thoughts/suggestions about villas in MBJ.

Marion