JOURNEY TO JAMAICA
Jamaica – and the One Year Anniversary of Launching my Blog
February 2023, after spending the holidays in rainy California with my family, the Rogue (my post divorce traveling companion) and I craved some sunshine before heading back to the U.K. Cut to nearly three weeks in the Jamaica sun! (And challenges and anxiety in starting my blog!) This is two years post divorce finalizing, pandemic ending, and embracing my Empty Nester status.
https://www.expedia.com/shop/second-chapter-nomad/caribbean (I receive a small commission if you book these hotels through me 🙂
February 2, 2023 Santa Barbara
Challenges of a traveling nomad: Day before departure. Anxiety. Conflicting emotions as usual. So much to do and a gravitational pull to be here (SB) while my Son is living here (still with his dad and T2 in family home), Mom and Dad, my sister, Daughter. BUT I can come back any time. Mom off for pre op for breast cancer. Brings me sadness and stress. Want it done for her and for her to live many more years healthy. I’m worried though. Don’t want to miss precious time with her.
I need Jamaica. I need time to myself. Chill with the Rogue. Deep breaths. I will come back to SB in a positive manner with a plan. With success.
Feb. 3 LAX United Club
What a relief. Goodbyes done. Sitting in lounge. What a nice “office”. Working on my UK company and other film projects. Motivated to launch blog. This is going to be good. I’m going to succeed. I’m going to get healthy, physically and emotionally. Make decisions. Continue nomad life or not. We shall see.
LATER – In the air. Polaris first class. A crazy loophole upgrade including free bags. Not much more than Economy. So over the top decadent. Own ‘cubby”. So fired up to be Second Chapter Nomad. This is the right decision for awhile then can land in SB again with my family. I feel success. It is coming. Must help my kids and others.
Onward to Jamaica… Bahamas. Almost four weeks haha. Not a bad nomad life.
RUNAWAY BAY
Feb. 4 Grand Bahia Principe, Jamaica – RUNAWAY Bay – appropriate name for destination!
Made it! So tired. A bit cranky. Beautiful spot though. Will be happy in the morning. Reggae blasting. Feeling of spiraling out of control, no plan B. I think stability will be in order after this nomadic round. Time to think…
Feb.5, 2023 – Don’t Worry Be Happy
Last night arrival Jamaica! Interesting journey to Runaway Bay where the driver kept trying to talk us into “detours”. Gorgeous sunset, delicious Jamaican food buffet where I sampled much of the cuisine. I’ve always loved jerk chicken but this will be next level. Huge sizzling pans of the National dish Ackee and salt fish. I didn’t try “manish water soup” but the name intrigued me.
Blaring reggae tunes til after midnight.
Music – Don’t Worry…Everything’s Going to be Ok…Today’s mantra.
Unwinding in Jamaican vibes. Last year this time it was Dominican Republic filming the pilot for a reality series. I forgot how soothing to the soul it is. Started strong day 1 at the gym and choosing healthy food at the decadent buffets (jerk chicken and fish, fresh fruit and veggies… tomatoes to die for). A little beach action. The hibachi restaurant Jamaica style. Live music tonight. Tomorrow starts a little work in this chill environment.
Perfect weather. Gorgeous views. I prefer quiet to the rowdy party scene. Most people on their one week holiday so understandably going crazy.
Feb. 6 – Working Holiday
Nice fresh start to day with small breakfast then gym, then a swim. Jerk chicken lunch again. Chilled at pool. Then to room to try and work a little bit. I think a working holiday is just what the dr. ordered. Worried about mama. Need the surgery done for her! And good results.
Bob Marley’s birthday while in Jamaica makes for a fun celebration! A young woman loved my dress and I ended up giving it to her. Funny enough, my daughter had given it to me as a cast off from one she bought on our Finland trip to wear in Albania. Now THAT is an international dress!
Feb. 7 – Chill vibes
Yay – Mom’s surgery done! I was so worried for her. So glad it’s over. Now pray for good results and pain to diminish.
Fun day with the Rogue. Beach chill vibes. Didn’t get any work done. But living life. And messaging fam re mom. Most important. Steak house for dinner. Fun vibes. Need to find next places to stay. Came here on a wing and a prayer. More expensive and booked than I had anticipated. People finally traveling post Covid.
Feb. 9 -Luminous Lagoon
Fun day yesterday. Frustrating “work” day, not getting much done. Blog always on back burner.
Had a blast in the Luminous Lagoon with the Rogue. Swimming in the dark sea, lit up neon blue. https://www.glisteningwaters.com/luminous-lagoon-tour/
Pedi this morning. Working away. Italian dinner tonight. Went to the Club for five minutes.
Feb. 11 – Rogue’s unfortunate Cornrows and Lobster on a Floating Raft
Rogue promised me a surprise and I had visions of a sweet gift in mind… then he swaggers up with full on cornrows in his head. I didn’t give the hoped for response and he scurried back to pull them out. LOL
Beach day. Lobster cooked on the bamboo raft floating in the ocean. (Reel on Insta). Then the Big Bamboo drink in a personalized bamboo cup. Island vibes. Came back, hot, salty, and sun kissed.
So happy. Feel like there is hope in this crazy nomad life. Just need to sustain it.
Last day at Bahia Principe Runaway Bay
Hung out with Larry and Karen, new friends from Canada. Super Bowl party at resort.
Feb. 14, 2023 – Montego Bay
Only a few nights at the all-inclusive Riu Montego Bay. Relax.
The Rogue surprised me with a glorious private morning boat ride with champagne for Valentine’s Day! What a treat. I adored it. Mama Simba (my nickname in Africa) back in action. Wild and free.
Feb. 15, 2023
So close to launching blog. My dream. Working on lots of projects. Mom has dr. appt. follow up – please be good news!
Feb. 16, Last day Riu Montego Bay.
My blog is really coming along! So excited.
Pool, sun, beach walk. Fab.
Feb. 17 Journey to Negril
Leroy drove us again, this time from Montego Bay to Negril. 2 hours or so accompanied by 1980s music videos overhead in the minivan (much like my minivan mama days entertaining the kids with overhead DVDs). What a contrast, these music videos with Jamaica out the window. Loved seeing the countryside, colorful life.
“White Lotus” – the Seedy Edition
Got here to Beachcomber “resort”… straight out of White Lotus, the Seedy Edition. As we speak, power goes out. Faded beachfront “resort” which is frozen in COVID time. Suspicious characters. Creepy old men with very young Jamaican girls. Very few guests and staff. Said cash only now for the stay. The paper sign in the bathroom is cause for a giggle. Bar and restaurant permanently closed. Pool closed. Ghost town feel. BUT right on Seven Mile Beach, next door to Margaritaville, and writing material galore. Maids accompanied us into room offering massages (suspect!) and to do laundry (yes please). Ate dinner at Fireflies on the beach.
LATER:
Power outage all night to add to scary factor. But today’s a new beautiful day. Wonderful breakfast down the beach. Off to explore.
Feb. 18, 2023 – Negril – Rick’s Cafe
Sooooo humid.
Ate peaceful breakfast at Country Country next door. Work calls. Blog work.
Ate lobster and jerk chicken pasta at Rick’s Cafe https://www.rickscafejamaica.com/. I so wanted to swim but no one to do it with. Hired the housekeeper’s mate Patrick to drive us in his dumpy car. Loved seeing Negril. The boats, the locals. The Caribbean vibes.
Came back to gorgeous swim in rainy sky, perfect water. Good for the soul and body.
Dinner at Country Country again, with best pumpkin soup of my life. Ended up back at bar. Then a bonfire.
I’m loving traveling again. The edginess. Tropical flavor.
Feb. 19 Negril – Blog Going Live!
I launched the blog live out there in the universe even though I haven’t announced it. Excited and nervous.
Full free day. Still a lot of work to do, even in paradise.
Feb. 20 – Last day in Negril.
Got day passes at Country Country. So nice. Makes up for our weird place with no facilities open. I worked a lot. Went for a swim. Packed. Last dinner at Lily’s, then found a bonfire on the beach. https://www.skylarknegril.com/eat
Feb. 21 Negril to Kingston, and the Ultimate Jerk
Long day’s journey from Negril to Kingston with Leroy at the wheel again with his 1980 music video collection accompanying us again. A lunch stop at Ultimate Jerk (gotta be a joke there) before crossing the interior of the island at top speeds on the toll road before coming to a screeching halt in Kingston. Horrendous traffic.
Then all of our maps led us astray and the hotel was nowhere to be found. An hour “tour” of the city ensued in standstill traffic before finally finding the historic colonial hotel. Apart from the traffic, I enjoyed the slice of life vignettes out the window. (By the way, in London I was the Cat lady of Kingston… British influence is on every street… Waterloo, Trafalgar, Surbiton…).
Ended up at such a lovely hotel, the Terra Nova all Suites hotel. Dinner in colonial restaurant. https://www.terranovajamaica.com/
Feb 22 – Kingston to Nassau
Up early for drive with Steven today to Kingston airport with quick tour of Kingston on Ash Wednesday national holiday. Emancipation Park among other things. (See photos above). Lovely mellow flight once 5 suitcases were dealt with (opening and redistributing weight). Business class (again sometimes to get bags included, the price difference is worth the splurge). Champagne. Gorgeous aerial view of Caribbean waters. Over Cuba to Nassau.
Continued in Blogging from Bahamas!
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