You're far more Precious than Diamonds and Pearls

A Father's Love-Jamaica

My father took a good look at us. Then he sat me down on his lap and said something that I will never forget. He looked me straight in the eyes and said, "Hana, everything that God made valuable in the world is covered and hard to get to. Where do you find diamonds? Deep down in the ground, covered and protected. Where do you find pearls? Deep down at the bottom of the ocean, covered up and protected in a beautiful shell. Where do you find gold? Way down in the mine, covered over with layers and layers of rock. You've got to work hard to get to them."

He looked at me with serious eyes. "Your body is sacred. You're far more precious than diamonds and pearls, and you should be covered too."

Source: From the book, More Than a Hero: Muhammad Ali's Life Lessons Presented Through His Daughter's Eyes by Hana Ali

Beaches of Jamaica

 Boston bay Beach Jamaica

Your beach vacation to Jamaica could be spent in the all inclusive hotel however exploring beaches across the island is one of the things to do in Jamaica. While your stay may be Ocho Rios just over an hour east is Portland with some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, the first beach is Somerset Falls and beach at Hope bay.

There is also Frenchman's cove Beach a more private upscale beach on the property of the Frenchman's Cove Hotel, San San beach near the Blue Lagoon a fee for entry Beach serving the Villas of Port Antonio with a Grill and Bar quiet with white and is surrounded by rich shrubbery, vines and tropical palms.

About 1 mile from Blue Lagoon beach is winnifred beach jamaica one of the premier public beaches in the caribbean with its white sand rustic entrance road, tropical rain forest surrounding, 40ft hanging vines, fruit trees migrating birds and a sanctuary for Turtles winnifred beach at Fairy Hill is rated 4* of the best Public beaches of Jamaica.

Mysterious Blue Lagoon Port Antonio

 There have been folktales, stories of beautiful mermaids swimming the shores of the Blue Lagoon.

A mystery The Blue Lagoon

Since the Blue Lagoon in near Port Antonio became famous when Errol Flynn first tried to dive to its bottom  this Portland wonder remain a mystery. Its solid teal color is not really colored with die, the continued bubbles at one end is not the breathing of Manatees or giant Crocodiles or the warm waters to the northern  end of the pool is not from mermaids cooking under the water.

 There have been folktales, stories of beautiful mermaids swimming the shores of the Blue Lagoon or mermaids climbing into yachts and on Rafts kissing its occupants and disappearing  into its waters the mysteries of the Blue Lagoon near san san beach continues, visit Jamaica's blue Lagoon mesmerize yourself. 

Port Antonio Beaches

Boston Beach near Port Antonio

In the North Eastern end of Jamaica are some of the island's most beautiful beaches, Port Antonio Beaches offer visitors and array of different beaches catering each visitors comfort.

The rare black sand beach of Somerset Falls beach makes the curious and inquisitive mind wonder along the beach for its 1 mile stretch along the Hope Bay coast, then walk across the main road to Somerset Falls and explore its Gorges caves and dive in one of its magnificent Pools.

Brayan's Bay Shan Shy Beach at Boundbrook just outside Port Antonio is one of the best kept secrets as a beach restaurant and entertainment center. Inside Port Antonio at the Errol Flynn Marina is Bikini Beach a waterfront restaurant Bar and Grill on the main harbor of Port Antonio. Bikini beach with its adult all night entertainment great music exotoc dancers, beach basket ball and volley ball can keep even an uninterested guest entertained.

The Blue Lagoon Jamaica in Decay

Visitors who now go to the Blue Lagoon wonder in dismay why such a beautiful part of Jamaica is left to rot while its surrounding is gushing with construction of some of the finest waterfront properties in the world. 

In Decay Blue Lagoon Bar and Restaurant

Once the hub of  Portland's Tourist attraction and pride of the community "The Blue Lagoon Jamaica" is now in disrepair and a state of decay.  The Blue Lagoon was purchased by Portland Holdings in 2009 with a promise that it would be restored to its former glory after it suffered damage in an Hurricane and was never restored. Since its purchase six years ago the new owners have for reasons not of the interest of the Portland community have kept the property closed. The vendors that were located there and the people who worked at the Blue Lagoon the once #8 wonder of the world continues its downward spiral and now in decay.

Once a 4 Star Bar and Restaurant

The Blue Lagoon property is owned by Michael Lee-Chin founder and Chairman of Portland Holdings Inc., a privately held investment company which owns a collection of diversified operating companies in sectors that include media, tourism, health care telecommunications and financial services. Mr Lee -Chin also own the Trident Villas and Hotel and one of the palacious beach front properties on the Blue Lagoon yet the public facilities that for more than 50 years serve and attract visitors is left in ruins.

 The Blue Lagoon property is owned by Michael Lee-Chin founder and Chairman of Portland Holdings Inc., a privately held investment company which owns a collection of diversified operating companies in sectors that include media, tourism, health care telecommunications and financial services. Mr Lee -Chin also own the Trident Villas and Hotel and one of the palacious beach front properties on the Blue Lagoon yet the public facilities that for more than 50 years serve and attract visitors is left in ruins.

Visitors who now go to the Blue Lagoon wonder in dismay why such a beautiful part of Jamaica is left to rot while its surrounding is gushing with construction of some of the finest waterfront properties in the world. 

Homes and Villas along the Blue Lagoon

The buildings that once house the Blue Lagoon public facilities a Bar, Restaurant, gift shops, scuba diving training facility a floating barge where you enjoy "Blue Lagoon the cocktail", ingredients - 1 part Blue Curacao, 1 part Vodka, 4 parts Lemon juice with some of the best Jamaican cuisine that is all gone, taken by those with power and means, the buildings left to rot in front of our eyes. The Blue Lagoon is one of many attractive beach getaways like San San beach, winnifred Beach and water falls. Reach falls Jamaica one of Portland's premier falls with it natural pools with slithering rocks and Somerset Falls west of Port Antonio with its caves and thunderous falls. With all its difficulties Portland remain one of the great vacation spots in the world with many places to stay in Jamaica.   The decaying Blue Lagoon  Public Facilities is an enormous loss to tourist and tourism in Jamaica however the natural beauty of Portland especially San San area where the Blue Lagoon is Located continues to attract local and foreign guests.  The loss of jobs and potential jobs as a result of  the continued closure of the Blue Lagoon in Jamaica is devastating the Portland community that has adapted and transformed itself over and over again to make ends meet.

 The buildings that once house the Blue Lagoon public facilities a Bar, Restaurant, gift shops, scuba diving training facility a floating barge where you enjoy "Blue Lagoon the cocktail", ingredients - 1 part Blue Curacao, 1 part Vodka, 4 parts Lemon juice with some of the best Jamaican cuisine that is all gone, taken by those with power and means, the buildings left to rot in front of our eyes.

The Blue Lagoon is one of many attractive beach getaways like San San beach, winnifred Beach and water falls. Reach falls Jamaica one of Portland's premier falls with it natural pools with slithering rocks and Somerset Falls west of Port Antonio with its caves and thunderous falls. With all its difficulties Portland remain one of the great vacation spots in the world with many places to stay in Jamaica.  

The decaying Blue Lagoon  Public Facilities is an enormous loss to tourist and tourism in Jamaica however the natural beauty of Portland especially San San area where the Blue Lagoon is Located continues to attract local and foreign guests. 

The loss of jobs and potential jobs as a result of  the continued closure of the Blue Lagoon in Jamaica is devastating the Portland community that has adapted and transformed itself over and over again to make ends meet.  

Somerset Falls Port Antonio a Jamaica Secret

Somerset Falls Port Antonio Jamaica

Along the North Coast 15 miles from Port Antonio between St Margaret's Bay and Hope is Somerset Falls like Reach Falls another of Jamaica's popular Jamaica destinations and opportunity for cheap holiday in Jamaica. Somerset Falls is lush with tropical vegetation its hanging vines coconut palms and Ginger Lilly with their bright colors welcome visitors every day spring summer or fall.

In the falls area, there is a shelter with some picnic tables situated above the lower cascades just downstream of a large and colorful pool into which the main Somerset Falls flow is a platform. A short boat tour past the main falls into a narrow gorge that turned before revealing Hidden Falls. Prior to boarding a boat tour you may leave your personal belonging in a locker by the dock. If you would like you may take s swim in the large pool area at the start of the boat tour as well as beneath the Hidden Falls.

To do List Jamaica Vacation

Swim the Blue Lagoon

Jamaica has its mysteries foremost its every day 85 degree year round temperature a presumptive laid back population notwithstanding the daily hustles of the communities to make end meet. This proud population is always eager to charm its guests foreign or local to embrace some of the most scenic vacation spots in the world. The Parish of Portland boasts the top 5 destination in Jamaica with the Blue Lagoon #1 and one of the top ten wonders in the world, Blue hole with its natural vegetation unexplained the changes of the water temperature as you swim from one end of the Lagoon to the next the color of the water and mineral springs are just some of the Blue Lagoon Experience.
  
01) "Blue Hole or the Blue Lagoon" Near Port Antonio! Undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places in the world #1 on your vacation, "to do list in Jamaica".

Camp and Ride, Cinchona Botanical Gardens Jamaica

Cinchona Botanical Gardens 

Cinchona Botanical Gardens, located at 5000 feet above sea level in Jamaica's Blue Mountains, is surely a suburb of heaven. The gardens is home to several types of orchids as well as other rare flowers Plants and trees, all set among well-kept lawns or gardens or just along the main roads.The views from Cinchona are spectacular, including both Blue Mountain Peak, Catherine's Peak and the Yallahs River valley leading down to the St. Thomas coastline. Cinchona gardens is one of many places to see while backpacking in jamaica, cheap accommodation in the vicinity of the Gardens allow backpackers to spend the overnight. 

Winnifred Beach Jamaica

Winnifred Beach 

Just as the road with its rocks an dirt become too much for the feet having walked about 1/4 Mile with Winnifred Beach in sight, I started to wonder, are we there already? that wasn't so bad after all, and the Beach is beautiful through the trees.

Cheap Accommodation near winnifred Beach?

Rain Forest along Winnifred Beach

Planning your vacation in is always interesting when you choose Portland Jamaica you may find your vacation maybe cheaper than you think. Portland has some of the cheapest accommodations for the Backpacker trying to stretch those accommodation dollars.

Find cheap hotels from Long Bay to the villas near Port Antonio including Fairy Hill  near Winnifred Beach new cheap hotel rates are available especially from private properties offering studios and self contained one and two bedroom accommodation

View of the Caribbean Sea 

While you find cheap hotel reservations near Port Antonio that may be the most insignificant part of your Portland Jamaica Vacation. Portland Parish by the main road has the most beautiful view of the caribbean sea for its entire length. She is mountainous rising to its highest level the blue mountain Peak.

Trident Villas and Hotel, Jamaica

Trident Villas and Hotel has been there for years but was recently given a complete make over by the owners and now include the luxurious Trident Castle the result is an airy, relaxed, completely private environment over rocks on the caribbean sea. The villas are well appointed, complete with apple tv, ipod docks, a huge 2 person rain shower, outdoor bath, walk in wardrobe elegantly decorated. The bedrooms are beautiful and spacious with all white decor and minimalist design. 

The mini cinema at Trident Villas is a wonderful idea is well staffed and are happy to reserve it for a private movie showing. Mike's Supper Club provides a great evening's jazz in a cool space with lovely jamaican dishes international cuisines including french american and japanese food options. 

Trident Hotel Port Antonio

They have created an atmosphere to cater to your every needs at "the trident" total perfection and top notch service,extremely friendly and helpful staff.The hotels are both impeccable...and perfectly maintained  perfect place for a Jamaica vacation or just a weekend getaway for you and your special someone  service at the Trident is divine.

"Blue Thursday families ripped apart by Retailers"

Joe Contento thinking about Black Friday!

Families are now being ripped away from their thanksgiving Dinner on "Blue Thursday" a glass of wine in hand, mouth full with sweet Potato pie, their children screaming as they hasten toward the door at 5:00 PM during thanksgiving dinner, relatives who travel from more normal places where workers are not forced to work on thanksgiving day "Grey Thursday" sit dismayed with open mouth wondering, what next?. Will what next be if this mother of 3 young children or single father or grand mother does not yield to the demand of her Retailer Employer and does not show up for work on thanksgiving day, will the Store Security show up with handcuff?. Wow!

Think about it! a few short years ago thanksgiving was a cherished Holiday for Family and friends travelling brave distances to huddle together, giving thanks for and including the prosperity we enjoy sharing memories of the immediate past and then some. The tables were well decorated the food sometimes was more beautiful than tasty but always well received, conversation most often straggled into unintended directions unearthing old feelings best kept ---------, but that's thanksgiving old wounds get open the old uncle or the disgruntled brother again promise not to return to another thanksgiving dinner again. But, a year is a long time and wounds heal and here we are again because Grandma is 85 years old this year and will not be around much longer to remain in her Will presence at thanksgiving is a must.

There are young ones meeting the next generation for the first time making friends and lifetime enemies at age's 5-7 that never lasted until the next thanksgiving, those were the old days. Girls for the first,second or third time see grandmother make the famous Potato pie that their mother tries at home and never get right, having a chance to set the silverware only used at thanksgiving for the past 40 years always reminded by grandmother, be careful, I cannot replace those things now!.

Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner

There is football and horseshoe the beer and other boos in the Den, the Thanksgiving tradition open family discussion and occasional whispering among family favorites.The thought about Black Friday shopping was

only a second thought after dinner with the Table clean Grandmas silverware all washed, dried and stored and the women with a glass of wine, a cup of tea the occasional cranky aunt with a Brandy gather to talk about black Friday.

Some places that we knew before hurricane Sandy have washed away and will never be restored, one home in a Family on Staten Island for over 80 years is gone and not even the spot where the house was built no longer exist.This year 2012 may be the binning of something else the Death of Thanksgiving day as we know it. Retailers have signaled the death of an American Tradition. 

In the United States, the modern Thanksgiving holiday tradition is commonly, but not universally, traced to a poorly documented 1621 celebration at Plymouth in present-day Massachusetts. The 1621 Plymouth feast and thanksgiving was prompted by a good harvest.

In later years, religious thanksgiving services were declared by civil leaders such as Governor Bradford who planned a thanksgiving celebration and fast in 1623. The practice of holding an annual harvest festival like this did not become a regular affair in New England until the late 1660's.

Pilgrims and Puritans who began emigrating from England in the 1620's and 1630's carried the tradition of Days of Fasting and Days of Thanksgiving with them to New England. Several days of Thanksgiving were held in early New England history that have been identified as the "First Thanksgiving", including Pilgrim holidays in Plymouth in 1621 and 1623, and a Puritan holiday in Boston in 1631.

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thanksgiving_(Canada)

Other countries that celebrate Thanksgiving Day includes Canada, Germany,  Korea, The Netherlands, Japan and others.............  

Winnifreds Beach

Winnifreds Beach

Located between the Blue Lagoon and Boston Bay just a mile on from the closed beach where Tom Cruise once juggled his bottles in Cocktail, Winnifred Beach is one of the most appealing beaches in all of Jamaica. Found in the Fairy Hill community in Portland on the island’s lesser traveled east coast this beach is home to a delightful reef just offshore that’s not only perfect for snorkeling  but for its clear, calm, bright-blue water justly popular with locals.

Restaurant on  Beach

Even on the imperfect day winnifred beach offer the tranquility beach goers yearn for, winnifred beach is 1/2 mile from the main thoroughfare, the path to the Beach is unpaved road with natural green shrubs along the way. These shrubs include fully grown tree when in bloom offer delightful scents with Bees and Humming Bird in abundance transporting their pollen from one plant or tree to the next. This most tranquil walk sets the tone for natures experience for a lifetime as your half mile trek to the beautiful winnifred beach is now crowded a swash of "the Jamaica experience".  

Having sex and making Love - Dating websites

I now know it doesn't work that way!

Natural fruit

Don't fail to say am sorry

Speak with your mouth, not with your body or the things you do, prepare to be confrontational " let that someone know what you feel! that you feel and how you feel. Remind that someone to say, am sorry! and don't fail to say am sorry too being in Love is a serious thing. It is an Interview for a serious undertaking that will affect every facet of your life, the best outcome could be lifelong and how you start could determine how and where you end up in life.

Demand I love you, from your man.

Say, I love you every time and demand I love you back from your man. It reminds him, it reminds you, your relationship is about Love. Just as when a man says I love you, you think about it all day long, it works the same way with your man. It makes him want to come home, he want to nurture those words he want to hear them again and again.

 Making Love replenishes your relationship,

Love nourishes the mind body and soul

The words "I love you" does not come easy for a man, most times he say, "I love you" out of expectation rather than wanting to do it. For men I love you is a commitment, it is the next thing say, it is the next step forward in a relationship. Men do like commit themselves until they want to, not because the have to. Men need to be practiced how to express what they feel  Have less sex! Find time to make Love, more often! big difference! Making Love replenishes your relationship, making Love satisfies and nourishes the mind body and soul. Making Love is the physical affirmation why you are together over and over again. The satisfaction of making Love lends itself to allow and overcome difficult conversation and solutions are easily achieved. life will seem to get better everyday. Love Babe!

People who are in Love have sex too

Having sex and making Love are two distinct different things, Sex satisfies an emotional and physical arousal a burst of adrenalin. This could be the result of affection through touching, admiration, or other physical contact, when we loose sight of these feelings and circumstances things can go off the rails and go wrong, this is not Love. It takes time to bring ourselves to understand what happened and accept the fact we were just involved in a sexual intercourse however satisfied and rewarding it was we must move on however difficult it is. People who are in Love have sex as well, yes! and its important. Making love takes time, its like preparing a good meal, and that takes time, the ingredients are important. People who are in love sometimes are busy and do snack and having sex then is like snacking on your favorite thing. Having sex for people in love is and keeping the fire burning is a wonderful experience for them its called catching up. When sex ends you can put your clothes on and say goodbye and wait for the next time.

A sexual partner is someone you have sex with

Often there is grave misunderstanding about having a sexual partner and being in love, a sexual partner is someone ( friend with benefit) with whom you have sex, like to spend time, and yourself together without commitment. When sexual partners are new to each other, emotions get involved and they will always do. For some women this could more difficult than others, especially after an orgasm the ultimate satisfaction for a woman. Studies have shown for some women orgasm are rare during sexual intercourse. Some women have gone through their whole life without an orgasm, spending their whole life with the same person having children and never been sexually satisfied. The more serious part of this is that her Partner have no idea this is going on, they never spoke about it, the woman lives in that darkness unsatisfied always taken to the cliff sexually and left there high wondering whats next!. She live in self inflicted misery unable to express her feelings trying save her partners ego, he having failed to meet her expectations over and over again.

Making love to that someone embodying all your dreams

Looking at your beautiful body touching

Having love and making love is the ultimate human satisfaction, love the true feeling that embodies the mind, body, soul, nature, the future the dream of love fulfilled and unfulfilled. Love is what every man and woman think about and wonder, is there my love somewhere?always wanting to experience love. Love is what we think about when we gaze at the stars. love is the imagined and unimagined as the world turn around us wanting to share our thoughts, the thought, at that moment. 


Love is looking yonder on the beach into the blue sky as it touches the sea, at the churning waves as they then disappear on the sand and can only let that experience disappear in your thoughts. Love standing naked in front of the mirror looking at your beautiful body touching and wanting to be touched hoping that, that someone was there, and be touched. 


Love is watching flowers burst through their buds at springtime and their petals morph into beautiful bunches, the beautiful scents of lilies escape into the fresh air and wanting to ask, how beautiful is that smell? and no one is there to ask. Love watching birds kissing on the branches or tending their mate or animals affectioning each recognizing they are in love! you wonder and ask, where is my love?. Love is having that someone, making love to that someone embodying all your dreams the smells, the waves, the stars, the birds, the animals,and their dreams too. 

"Another Song of Freedom"

 

Freedom of a Community to Gather on Independence Day 2009, 

Free of Fear.

Freedom is courage to accept ourselves for who we are, freedom to appreciate that we may be a bunch of flaws, stitched together with good intentions that deserves love exactly as we are. Freedom means the freedom to see and recognize beauty in others without feeling the pain of our own perceived inadequacies or the resentment for someone else being different. Freedom is, accepting that we have a beautiful soul that isn't limited by labels. Labels like, Beautiful body , Educated, pretty, clever, fit, talented and artistic. Be courageous, because we deserve the freedom to be the wonderful soul we really are, rather than our society's interpretation of what we should be. Freedom is, to be the responsible Citizen of a  Nation, respecting the right of  each other to live Free of fear. Freedom is, our ability to see each other as equal rather than someone affixed with Political Labels that impinges us the acceptance, we want the same thing, a better Nation for us and our children.  Freedom to be you!

Guide To Family Re-Union

Family Rafting on the Rio grande

Most Families discuss family reunions when they Gather at Funerals, Christmas Dinners or thanksgiving those soon become only discussions that never happen. In this global community the logistics involved in getting all Family members together always appear impossible. The truth is,  it is impossible to get all the relatives in one place all at he same time.

To overcome these obstacles I have discussed this in a lengthy article at at my website www,bloggerythmjamaica.com ,my family since 1984 have had a family reunion the last week July through the first week of August. It is always difficult for everyone to be there at this by-annual event however this event has never been postponed since its inception.

In its 27 years this re-union has only helped us to strengthen and hold our family together. Our Celebrations this year will be the biggest in its history family members will travel from all over the world to be there at our Family Home in Islington, Portland, Jamaica one of the most beautiful places in the world.

Our website facebook.com/carr.allenreunion  reflects our extremely proud family the,"celebration of our Past and the optimism of the future".

Jimmy Cliff - Viet Nam.wmv

Early life and career

Cliff was born in Somerton District, St. James, Jamaica. He began writing songs while still at primary school in St. James, listening to a neighbor's sound system. In 1962 his father took him to Kingston to go to Kingston Technical school where he ended up sharing his cousin's one rented room in East Kingston.

He sought out many producers while still going to school, trying to get his songs recorded without success. He also entered talent contests. "One night I was walking past a record store and restaurant as they were closing, pushed myself in and convinced one of them, Leslie Kong, to go into the recording business, starting with me," he writes in his own website biography.

After two singles that failed to make much impression, his career took off when his "Hurricane Hattie" became a hit, while he was aged 14. It was produced by Kong, with whom Cliff remained until Kong's death from a heart attack in 1971. Cliff's later local hit singles included "King of Kings," "Dearest Beverley," "Miss Jamaica," and "Pride and Passion." In 1964, Cliff was chosen as one of the Jamaican representatives at the World's Fair and Cliff soon signed to Island Records and moved to the UK. Island Records initially (and unsuccessfully) tried to sell Cliff to the rock audience, but his career took off in the late 1960s.His international debut album was Hard Road to Travel, which received excellent reviews and included "Waterfall" (composed by Nirvana's Alex  Spyropoulos and Patrick Campbell-Lyons), which became a hit in Brazil and won the International Song Festival.

"Waterfall" was followed in 1969 by "Wonderful World, Beautiful People" and "Vietnam" in 1970, both popular throughout most of the world. Bob Dylan called "Vietnam" the best protest song he had ever heard.Also during this period, Cliff released a cover of Cat Stevens' "Wild World" as a single, but it was not included on his Wonderful World, Beautiful People album.http://youtu.be/b4V9AYhtKkg