Jamaica: Day 5

I began this day with another cup of coffee and another flavorful omelet. Lancel, a neighbor and former caretaker of our home for the week, stopped by for coffee conversation. (He also visits to eat the rest of breakfast, when there are leftovers.) If I had to guess, I would say Lancel is 80+ in age. Our conversation ranged in topics including hurricanes, American history, his family, and his favorite television show--Deadliest Catch.

We explored Treasure Beach a bit after breakfast, stopping at the Treasure Hunt Craft Shop and to pick up more roadside fruit. Then it was time to get my suntan on. I munched on heavenly frozen peanut butter stuffed chocolate covered bananas and continued reading until late in the afternoon.

When I was finally getting "schoochy" as M.R.B. would say, Boyfriend and I took a stroll along the beach. This was my favorite part of the trip! The way the shoreline is structured is one after another small bays or coves. Just when I thought I'd found the prettiest, most gorgeous, never want to leave cove, I was stunned by the next one. This goes on and on and on as far as I've walked in both directions. Because the sun was only a few hours from setting, the colors were incredible--turquoise water, green seaweeds growing on yellow, coral-ly rocks mixed with tan sands.

I will let the pictures do the rest of the talking. 

Note: Trip HIGHlight.

The walk ended just in time for us to change clothes and head next door for sunset pictures. So clearly this day was awesome! We went to Jack Sprat for dinner afterwards. I opted for the estovietch snapper. I have zero idea what estovietch is, even after consuming my meal. Once I had enough with the bones, I moved on to the delicious jerk veggies smothering Boyfriend's mountain of crab. My meal was served with bammy, a cassava flatbread. Think a dense corn tortilla. Boyfriend opted for festival, so I proceeded to steal (more of his goodness) in exchange for the less exciting bammy. His festival were the best I've had yet.

At the ripe age of 27, I have a true appreciation for how I was raised. My parents always encouraged me to try new things. The best part of traveling, for me, is the exposure to new cuisines. As I walked to the bathroom to wash my hands after filling my tummy, I was appalled by the number of people eating french fries and chicken wings in JAMAICA. To each their own, of course. But when I'm sitting at dinner overlooking the ocean (and being consumed by mosquitoes), I certainly think seafood. And this is coming from someone who formerly went on several missions with Boss Man to track down the best french fries in Northern Virginia; I love a good fry.

Lest I fail to mention the drinks accompanying my dinner. There was a piña colada, strawberry banana daiquiri, and planter's punch to sip while conversing and munching.

Dinner (and drinks!) left me in a food (i.e., sleeping) coma. Another successful island day!

Jamaica: Day 4

I began this day with a run--the way I should begin each morning, given the amount of food I've been eating. The humidity or the hills or the slick gravel road made the run a lot tougher than it needed to be. Oh well. I came back and a rain storm rolled right in, consuming a larger part of the morning.

On this lazy day, I'll include some observations on Jamaica thus far. There is rain, lots of rain, though it's said that this has been one of the driest periods in a long time, following a rainy season that lacked the normal rain. As I'm writing this with some perspective, I can say that Day 5 is the first day I saw no rain on this vacation. The rain is wonderful. It comes in fast and hard, then migrates over the hills and dries up very quickly. There hasn't been thunder or lightning with the rains, but I'm told Jamaica can produce incredible storms. Here's to hoping.

And with this rain, comes pretty rainbows!

A rainbow over the hillside on Day 2.

The rainbow on Day 4 loomed over the ocean for sometime. 

For breakfast, the cooks were off duty, so we migrated to Smurfs for some good eats. I had a callaloo omelet, which was divine. The omelet was accompanied with a side of "dumplings"--just another way of saying festival, the doughy deliciousness I described on Day 1. The only difference being the dumplings were ball shaped as opposed to the oblong form the festivals are prepared in. Regardless, breakfast went down as a big win. I also discovered PickaPeppa Sauce--YUMMY!

We meandered back to our home base after breakfast, stopping for some roadside fruit along the way. When we made it back poolside, I don't think I left the sun for a second until it set.. and left me. I read quite a bit of my book, swam happily in the pool, and even squeezed in a brief nap.

For lunch we munched on grilled cheese. Afterwards Boyfriend and I took a dip in the ocean, the water was very refreshing, but with the wind I didn't last too long; I'm growing wimpy with age.

It was time for another meal, while the sun set in front of me. A white fish of some sort was on the menu. The fish in Jamaica reminds me a lot of the fish served in Ghana. Each fish I've been served is incredibly bony. While the fish is delicious, it's a lot of work. The reward has always been worth the effort; it's certainly an activity meal though.

Things got rowdy after dinner with a game of tequila-infused Phase 10. I hit the sack past even my non-vacation bedtime.  

Jamaica: Day 3

This day started much like the previous day--and hopefully what will become the morning trend for the next mornings. We lazily lounged while reading, drinking coffee, and pondering our next meal--breakfast. Like all that had come before, the food did not disappoint. There was fruit, pancakes, cheesy eggs, fish sausage, and the always favorite fried plantains. I definitely overate.

After breakfast, we hurried around collecting our belongings for our day at sea. Our captain, Terrbit, picked us up and we were on our way to the Black River. Having no idea what to expect, I was stunned by the river's beauty. First, before even making it to the Black River, we rode along the coastline admiring coastline homes and private beaches while riding on turquoise water. I was--shocking--most interested in how much the shoreline has moved following the hurricane damage, namely Ivan in 2004.

The Black River is very dark in color, in a way that is hard to describe. The sides are lined with a variety of green vegetation, from tall grasses to mangroves. I am not sure if it is this vegetation or a result of the bluest skies that causes this dark--but not dirty--coloration. There were several species of birds and enough crocodiles along the banks of the river to keep the journey interesting. At our turnaround point we stopped a Rudy's, a local bar, for swimming, drinks, and rope swings. Our captain promised me I was not going to be consumed by crocodiles because they don't like white meat. He also thought my concern with becoming crocodile meat was humorous, after he pointed one after another out on our trip upstream. The humor was lost on me.

When it was finally time to say goodbye, we migrated to the Pelican Bar--an "in the water" bar built on a sandbar off shore. Has this been done before?! All bars should have such perspective! We had white fish for lunch with a yummy, almost Chinese-like sauce served with white rice. The fish, as most seem to be here, was very bony, providing a slow-paced savory meal. When we were through with lunch, we took one last dip at the Pelican Bar and then headed to our vacation home, where the rest of the afternoon passed lazily by.

The chefs prepared yet another delicious meal as we watched the sunset. Boyfriend and I strolled the beach for a short while after dinner, and I nearly dozed off--around 7:00 pm--in a lounge chair immediately after. For the record, I made it until 8:00 pm before officially calling the day over. 

Jamaica: Day 2

The second day was a slow one, after a long day of travel, I think we all needed it. I started the morning with freshly brewed coffee and a short walk on the beach. As our wonderful cooks prepared breakfast, I was able to read in an Adirondack chair overlooking the ocean. I'm still marveling in Jamaica's beauty. The colors and foliage are so pleasing on the eyes.

Lyric: Home for the Week

A breakfast of over easy eggs, toast, fruit, fried bacon, and fresh squeezed orange juice was served, and the meal in its entirety was delicious. I'm not hard to please at breakfast. And following breakfast, we got our lounge on in chairs by the pool, the soundtrack of the ocean playing in the background. I nearly wrapped up Amy Poehler's Yes Please as the day passed before me. An afternoon rain rolled in and we took the time to munch on lunch and play cards. Afterwards we strolled through the town, winding up at Jake's for fancy drinks. My piña colada--topped with a cherry--was heavenly. Figuring I had started, I spent the rest of the afternoon sipping M.R.B.'s sangria and anticipating our lobster dinner. The meal did not disappoint.

This is sort of a dream vacation, in that I'm generously being treated to a trip I would have otherwise overlooked. It's dreamy in that I'm outside from the moment I wake until I call it a day, living for good food and sunsets. I've been rising shortly before 7:00 am and find myself heading to bed some thirteen hours later, happy and at ease.  

Jamaica: Day 1

I was up at 4:45 am for a shower, and Boyfriend and I were out the door by 5:15 am. We arrived at Reagan National via Uber and were in Jamaica a short four hours later, with a layover in Charlotte, North Carolina where we met Boyfriend's younger brother, D.M.B. Tiffany, our Mobay Greeter, welcomed us to Montego Bay after we deplaned and expedited us through Immigration and Customs. Boyfriend's parents were waiting for us at the Mobay Club. After a quick drink, we met our driver Kevin and were on our way southeast. We made several stops along the way, including one at Border Jerk for delicious jerk pork and chicken and festival. Festival is a wonderfully delicious dough ball, comparable to hush puppies. Hello, carbohydrate delights! We hopped back on the road to continue to Treasure Beach.

Jamaica surprised me! I am clearly unaware of my Caribbean geography. The country is lush, colorful, and full of character; dotted throughout were houses and stands to keep us company. Our drive traversed winding roads through jungle-esque groves, climbed up over a mountain, followed along  the coastline, and then down through valleys.  

The winding road got the best of me, and with about 30 minutes left in our drive I was feeling the effects of the road. We arrived just before 5:00 pm, and then I proceeded to empty the contents of my stomach all over the property.

When I restored myself to decent health, we further explored the house and property. After enjoying the sunset, we gobbled down a delicious dinner and we shortly off to bed--at the wild hour of half past seven. 

New Year, New Plans

I have slacked entirely on the blog front, so much so that I have a list of blog posts I would like to write. I also have a folder of pictures waiting to be uploaded. And some scattered notes that will bring me way back to when it was Thanksgiving 2014, which I have essentially otherwise forgotten.

Before I close the the previous year, I thought I would post my plans for the upcoming year in a series of groups: first, physical, personal, reading, spiritual, travel and couple; then yearly. Last year, I also made monthly goals. When I did not forget about these goals, I truly enjoyed the process; some of my monthly goals even became habits after the 30-day repetition! I did not have an organic list of goals I wanted to tackle, so I'm opting to omit them this year. I might have something I want to tackle when March or July roll around, and I will focus on that challenge then.

So without further ado, here's to 2015 and all that could be!

Personal

• Continue cooking. LOTS. The measurable task: Make one new recipe each week. This is the method I used last year, and it seemed to be practical for life as it was then and is currently. I'm ahead of schedule as the date reads now. This year I've made: a heavenly, wonderful corn chowder paired with a decent corn bread; a huge batch of minestrone to freeze for winter lunches; a meaty, porky chili; and two pasta sauces--vodka sauce and a creamy leek and pancetta topping.  
• As an added bonus, I want to expand my palate, so I'm going to try to add a unique ingredient to the shopping cart weekly. In 2015, I've tried a prickly pear and made two meals with leeks.

Physical

• Run 50 miler - MAYBE. I ran a marathon, and have another 15 months before I can run the Boston Marathon. I need to stay in shape in between, right? My fans have not exactly approved said goal. I’m apt to run this thing anyway. This is the race I have my eye on, pending the brutality of winter 2015. Today, I learned (or recalled? ) running in snow is fun and peaceful and pretty (and, yes, cold).
• Abs, abs, abs! And more strength. In an ideal world, this would entail 30 minutes of core per week and an hour of strength training a week. I shall try.

Reading

• Read 40 books. This is an ambitious goal for me! I read a lot, again for me, in 2014 and I’d like to keep the trend alive.
• Read at least two 500+ page books. I'm one-third the way through Hard Choices by Hillary Clinton. And Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand is on the docket. I’m taking recommendations though. 

Spiritual

• More days of solitude. I'll aim for a day of solitude per month. This is going to be easy to knock out in the beginning of the year. Boyfriend will be out of town for two weeks, and I have ample time off work in the first two months of the year.

Travel

• Visit two new states. The line up is set for Connecticut and Delaware. I already have my ticket to CT booked, and DE is a jump, hop, skip from my location in the mid-Atlantic. This is part of a greater goal to reach all 50 states before I’m 50. Though I’m way ahead of schedule, I was unable to hit a new state last year; I’m doubling up this year! 
• Travel internationally. I'm more than ready to leave the United States for vacation. Last year, I renewed my passport to do so. Thanks to Boyfriend’s generous parents, we’re booked for a B Family vacation in less than a month. I’ll knock this one out early. Though I wouldn't be disappointed with late in the year plans (or plans at all) for another adventure abroad.

Couple – 15 plans for 2015 + one bonus plan for a truly thrilling year.

Together, Boyfriend and I made a list of 15 things we'd like to accomplish this year. We threw in a bonus ideas to keep life interesting. 

1. Spend a weekend in Richmond, Virginia. My youngest brother has completed three of eight college semesters in Richmond and we have yet to visit. I'm a bad sister, I know. The eating, the surrounding hiking, the college basketball, and the music scene are all supposed to be incredible. I'm not sure what we're waiting on. I'm have my eye on the Richmond Half Marathon in November; this trip is looking as though it might happen then.
2. Go the the Green Bay Packers/Kansas City Chiefs game in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Boyfriend claims the Packers. I love the Chiefs. The two will meet in 2015. And as soon as the schedule is released, we'll likely know if we'll be there to see.
3. Pirates Stadium – I'm on a baseball stadium mission, and with Pittsburgh a short four hours away, and the Atlanta Braves visiting on a 2015 weekend, we'll be making my way to PNC Park this year. 
4. Mets Stadium – I have been to Citi field. Boyfriend has not. He'd like to do this one together. And if we can see the Braves, I'm in. (This is a bonus goal.)
5. Yankee Stadium – Boyfriend has been to Yankee Stadium. I have not. I'd like to do this one together. And he's in, if the Boston Red Sox are in town. 
6. Delaware Overnight – As mentioned, I (nor Boyfriend) have not explored our nation's first state. 
7. Book of Mormon; Once – We like musicals. And both these are coming to the Kennedy Center in 2015. Tickets are to go on sale soon, and we have our alarms set; these shows will not be missed. 
8. One Restaurant/Month – Food is good. The end. 
9. One Book Club Book/Month – We have our first three books of the year set: Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand, Yes Please by Amy Poehler, and Boys on the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics by Daniel James Brown. 
10. Pentagon and Air Force Memorials – Starting in March these memorials will be in our backyard, and we'll have no excuse not to visit. 
11. Participate in the Spring and Fall Book Sales – This is our favorite volunteer opportunity. We didn't get to participate in the Fall, so we're looking forward to being on the schedule in the Spring. 
12. Overnight Kayaking – Why not?  
13. Backpacking Trip – For the great outdoors, our home away from home. 
14. Hike 120 Miles – I opted for closer to 1,200 because #hardcore, but Boyfriend equated that to hiking half the Appalachian Trail while maintaining full time jobs and marathon training. I'm still unsatisfied with the number we agreed on but compromise; I'm learning. 
15. Chincoteague Pony Swim – On Wednesday, July 29, 2015, Saltwater Cowboys will swim ponies across the Assateague Channel from Assateague Island to Chincoteague Island. This year is the 90th year for the annual swim made famous by Marguerite Henry's "Misty of Chincoteague. This is where you'll find us on that Wednesday in late July. 
16. Dog – Maybe? Bonus, big bonus. 

With 11 months remaining, I'm confident I have lots of doing and discovering ahead of me. 

2014 Book List

I met my goal this year. I managed to finish (more than) 30 books in 365 days and enjoy almost all of them. May 2015 be as promising.

• The Tender Bar: A Memoir by J.R. Moehringer
• The Cuckcoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith
• The World's Strongest Librarian: A Memoir of Tourette's, Faith, Strength, and the Power of Family by Josh Hanagarne
• My Story by Elizabeth Smart
• Room by Emma Donoghue
• The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom
• A House in the Sky: A Memoir by Amanda Lindhout and Sarah Corbett
• Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom
• Divergent by Veronica Roth
• Slim for Life: My Insider Simple, Fast, and Lasting Weight Loss by Jillian Michaels
• The Antelope in the Living Room: The Story of Two People Sharing One Life by Melanie Shankle
• I am Malala by Malala Yousafzai
• And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini‎
• Born to Run by Christopher McDougall
• Twelve Years a Slave by Solomon Northup
• Super Sad True Love Story by Gary Shteyngart
• The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
• Me Before You by Jojo Moyes
• Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay
• The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty
• Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen 
• The Invisible Mountain by Carolina De Robertis 
• The Dog Lived (and So Will I) by Teresa Rhyne 
• Fragile by Lisa Unger
• Easily Amused by Karen McQuestion 
• Matilda by Ronald Dahl
• A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry 
• Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead by Sheryl Sandberg
• The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd 
• The Weight of Silence by Heather Gudenkauf
• What I Know For Sure by Oprah Winfrey
• Blue Christmas by Mary Kay Andrews
• Rare Bird by Anna Whiston-Donaldson

"Every book is a miracle. Every book represents a moment when someone sat quietly--and that quiet is part of the miracle, make no mistake--and tired to tell the rest of us a story." J.R. Moehringer (The Tender Bar)