WOW, it has been nearly one month since I returned home to California from my first visit to Treasure Beach! Goodness, I have never felt so distracted and helpless! I have felt vacation high before but this is different

I was already absolutely enchanted by Jamaica from previous visits but after my week in TB I am head over heels! I know California is nothing to shake a stick at! I am not complaining! Just warning you all - Get ready for NEW LOVE!

What can I do to shake this - other than planning my return visit - cuz I have already planned that and I don't want to wait that long! I don't want to work, I am really not wanting to clean my house (and I am crazy clean and organized). I walk around with the fog of TB floating in my head. WHEN IS THIS GONNA PASS?

SO LOOK OUT NEW VISITORS, GET READY FOR NEW LOVE! CRAZY LOVE THAT YOU WILL CONSUME YOU HELP

Love and Respect - Lisa

Sorry... it will never pass. It's all over for you I'm afraid. When it gets too much, all you can do is take some of what you've found there into your own life and to the people you see each day. A little bit of calm in the face of trouble, a little bit of joy in the face of tedium....

I guess I have to agree with Suzanne. Despite saying there are other places to visit in the world and saying I'll be back someday but no time soon I'm already planning on August 2009 and I haven't even left yet
Not to say that something couldn't happen between now and then but I've been coming to Jamaica off and on for several years and despite being all over the world and despite and few hardships along the way here, there is a certain draw to this island that I really can't explain. TB has varied vibes at least for me and perhaps that is what keeps it interesting.

Going in 3 wks. Where did you stay? What all did you do?

We talk about the runnings of Treasure Beach EVERY DAY! Their is always something that reminds us of the people or places we have seen. I do not expect to EVER get Treaure Beach out of our hearts. Nore do I want to. I learned so many valubale lessons while visiting there. We also DREAM of someday having a small place of our own in Treasure Beach. We do dream big!

Well howardmonty, You asked…..

We tried to do EVERYTHING but there was just not enough time in one week! When I come back - I will be staying much longer so I can do it all over and add the things that I didn't get to do! Being three women traveling alone I did a lot of research before we went. There are so many things to choose from you really have to write a list of your priorities. I’m a bit of an organizational freak but I think we got the most out of the trip because of this. Our days AND NIGHTS were JAM PACKED with FUN and EXCITEMENT!

Lets start with our warm welcome from Sylvan (Treasure Tours) at the airport. I think we startled him with our hugs when we saw him waiting there with his sign. We had the pleasure of his expert driving for many road trips and the return trip to the airport. He is warm, friendly and informative and made sure we saw every important thing along the way! PERFECT SERVICE WITH TREASURE TOURS! Later in the week he took us to YS FALLS (gotta do that!) and Little Ochie /Lovers Leap (Gotta do that!)


We stayed at Taino Cove. The proprietress, Ms. Winnie immediately made us feel as though we were staying with friends. The accommodations were immaculate, comfortable and picturesque. Winnie, Angie, Anna, Henry and the others working there became our immediate friends. They served us up a perfect breakfast each morning to get us going. The hotel is just a little farther from the main part of town but super quiet and a really nice walk whether you take the road or the beach route! OH, A LITTLE FLASHLIGHT IS THE RIGHT TICKET HERE - MY FRIENDS WERE VERY THANKFUL FOR MY BAG OF TRICKS! The roads are very safe to walk but if you have been drinking and its dark, its always nice to have a little light on Anyway - I can't say enough about our fantastic accommodations! Highly Recommended!




My Gosh, make sure you hit the local stores, see the Women’s Center Gift shop and buy a tealight, I love mine! Visit Diane at Calabash house and try her coffee. She roasts it fresh and it is fabulous! I only purchased two pounds (generous, more than a lb. each bag) and it’s already gone. Visit the Culloden Cafe for some breakfast! The lemongrass iced tea hit the spot and we talked with lots of interesting people during our meal! YOU HAVE to eat at Oliver’s Dutch Pot! We indulged there three times during the trip! Our last night I was craving some fruit juice (after drinking 1000+ Red Stripes all week) and Oliver said “Oh, it’ll take a minute but I have some great Fruit Punch for you”. He grabbed a couple of the bananas hanging there in the restaurant, went into the back and after much banging and crashing came out with the most incredible tasting and looking fruit punch I have ever had. Not to mention the awesome food and host, Oliver! IT IS A MUST! I think you can’t really go wrong with any restaurant! The entire food experience is unreal! I kept taking pictures of my meals. Jack Sprats is great! Jakes is great, the little restaurants in the shopping centers are great! The café (without a name sign) just at the end of the road where fisherman bar is, is fantastic for breakfast! Check out the M&D Grocery on Friday or Saturday night for some nice Jerk. Little Ochie is amazing. Go there in the afternoon and then catch Lovers Leap for sunset on the way back! We did the opposite and it was dark when we got to Ochie, made it hard to see everything, but the food made it worth the trip whatever time you get there!!!



Be sure to get Ted and Flora to take you out to the Pelican Bar. The day we went we were the only tourists on the bar with a bunch of locals. One of my favorite days! They made us a memorable meal, great company and we met some super cool friends who we hung out with later that evening at the bars in town! Pelican Bar IS A MUST DO! Floyd, the proprietor rode out on boat with us and made us feel at home on his little piece of paradise in the ocean! GREAT VIBES!


Be sure to see Andy…………..oh sorry I got distracted - at Jakes. He can plan an amazing day trip for you to snorkel, bike ride or whatever. He took us to a very memorable Street Party one night! A trip I did not get the opportunity to thank him for appropriately . I wish we had done more with his guidance but there is always the next trip! Definitely next trip!!!



Sylvan from Treasure Tours took us up to YS Falls. Absolutely amazing! Each waterfall I visit in Jamaica is better than the last! This one is so pristine, gorgeous and refreshing. GO early in the am! When we got there we were nearly the only tourists. By the time we left the place was packed! The stud farm near there is beautiful and the scenery on the way up and back is very entertaining!

If you have room in your suitcase load up some books for the local grade school! We brought a bunch of books and teachers supplies for them. Very nice experience taking them over to the school and Ms. Zane was gracious enough to give us a tour!

Enjoy the goats, the sunsets and the scenery! Flowers, cactus, little creatures all around! Keep your eyes and ears open every second and you will discover something new and interesting!



There was so much more about the trip that I can’t describe well enough with words. Magical is the best way to put it! Everyone was extremely friendly and accommodating! It was amazing that everywhere we went people seemed to know us - those crazy chicks from California! Ms. Winnie seemed to know what we did all day before we arrived back at her door for the evening! People we met and hoped to see more of kept popping up when we least expected it! Just when we were looking for something to do a new friend would invite us for a cocktail or a party sprung up when we needed it most. Hard to explain other than saying timely and MAGICAL! Right down to the ride back to the airport! MAGICAL!



I would love to share more! I could write a book and I have probably taken too much space here in this forum! My best advise is to read all of the information you can find, have a little plan so you know what you really don’t want to miss! Be friendly and respectful and you will receive the same in return! Say HI to everyone! I am working on getting back there as soon as possible but I may have to wait until next year, bummer for me! Enjoy
Love and Respect, LittleMamaLisa

Thank you littlemamalisa. I miss Treasure Beach so much! Only 280-ish days till I get to go back.

Wow! Thanks for the trip report. Looks like Treasure Beach is going to be just right for us!

We have booked a cottage at Calabash House for one week starting Jan. 23rd.

Only 276 days, 4 hours and 2 minutes to wait. But who's counting! Smiles......

You experienced and took in more than most of us 'dry land' tourists (Jamaicans on local holiday) Lisa. It's so easy to get stuck in a routine and be blind to the marvels around.

i guess you answered howardmontey's question

thanks littlemamalisa

great report and your pictures are excellent
you have brought me sunshine on an otherwise very dreary day here

keep your focus and visualize yourself where you want to be
watch it will happen before you know it - just keep your focus sista

soon come

Thanks for the kind words everyone! Glad you enjoyed my gushing. I haven't put a number of days to my next visit cuz I am hoping to get that number down to two digits! Its unbearable to think of it in terms of hundreds of days and hours!

I hope our paths cross sometime de twisted sista! I've enjoyed your posts and you sound like a super cool lady! Thanks for your positive vibe

What can I say Turey, I have a ton of energy and am in LOVE with LIFE!

I hope to see TB again soon soon soon! YES Soon Come is in my every thought lately - I am visualizing myself there throughout my every day, I am visualizing the extra money coming my way and the vacation time from work is already stocked up and ready to be used!

Love and Respect, Lisa

Husker John - My advise is to make it TWO WEEKS, you won't regret it. Look, you have 275 days to make it work
Lisa

Thanks for bigging me up littlemamalisa.
I am sure that we will cross paths as I spend a lot of time in Treasure Beach and plan to spend even more in the near future.

CU lata

Lisa,

You are making me home sick. I am from Treasure Beach and I am hooked on this website. I try to check it daily, where possible.
Thank you for the beautiful pictures,trip report and the positive vibes about TB. I guess I have to plan a trip to TB soon and stay at least a month, so I can visit the places that I had visited as a child and enjoy new adventures.
I am so proud to be born and bred in a place like TB.
I wish you and your friends many more trips to TB and hope you will always have a grrrrreat time. Continue having fun. You may have met some of my relatives. Sheila Hamilton is my father's niece, among a hosts of other nieces, nephews and cousins on both my parents side. I know Sheila is very involved in the community.
Thanks for taking books for the school and encouraging others to do likewise.
Take care. Soon come.
Carol Reynolds-Saunders, Atlanta, Georgia.

Nice trip report littlemamalisa!!!
Husker, we KNOW you guys are going to LOVE it in T.B.!!!!

Wow Carol! I hope I get to stay a month! Workin on it. Well at the moment I am working on a Red Stripe Light (brought some home-they don't have light RS in Cali). It is giving me a smile after a very busy and stressful week! Thanks all for your kind words!
Lisa

I agree littlemamalisa, two weeks would be perfect but We are already booked for Blue Cave Castle in Negril for the next two weeks after our stay in Treasure Beach. Kinda just looking at the lay of the land before We bring a larger group to T.B. in years to come....

im sure you find tb perfect for you yearly gathering of the tribes, lol

Wow!! I have been to Negril several times in past years and always wanted to check out that castle! Well it looks like you will get the best of both worlds on your trip - the crazy hedonistic vibe in Negril and the sweet laid back relax your cares away in TB! Have a fantastic and safe trip! I am envious - 3 weeks, nice

littlemamalisa - We've been staying at the Castle for the last 8 years. I guess We found our little niche on Negril's West End.

Jim-Donna - Following your trip reports convinced us that Treasure Beach was definitively on our list for places to visit in Jamaica! Good memories of that afternoon at Rexy's!

nige - I think you're right LOL!

Hey Husker John. I stayed at Blue Cave back in the day when I used to go to Negril. Cool place. You will like it. Enjoy walking the streets in TB at night while you are there. I am sorry to say you will not feel at ease after opening the gates of the castle to venture out.. You will have fun, but just be a little more aware of your surroundings.

littlemamalisa. Hello! What a great report! Thank you. I have done so much research on finding a place to stay and transportation, that I am just now getting to figuring out what we want to do. So I will follow your suggestions. Right now, just being back in Jamaica sounds wonderful. I am anxious to see this part of the island. Your pictures are great, it looks as if you had a blast. I can feel your smiles! Two more weeks. Thank you again. howardmonty

mnken - I never feel ill at ease outside the Castle, even at night. Like I said above, We've stayed at Blue Cave for the last 8 years. I know all the business owners and most of the people in that neighborhood. I'll have to admit, things are not the same as they once were. I never walk back to the Castle from Mi Yard alone a 3:00 A.M. anymore. LOL! We tend to move around in a group. 8 or 9 people. Don't even walk much anymore. We have several friends who live there that have cars and they hang with us all the time. So I guess we're getting lazy in our old age

What I'm looking for in T.B. is a very laid back atmosphere. No constant traffic, no personal water craft and naked people on boats cruising by. Just peace, quiet and a nice place to sit in the shade.....

I am laughing out loud Husker! I may have been one of those nude bodies crusing by in years past! OOpps, it was an experience though! I much prefer the atmosphere WITH CLOTHING in TB - I wish you a very beautiful vacation I am kickin' butt every day so I can get back to TB asap! I never felt that strongly about Negril.
LOVE AND RESPECT, Little Mama Lisa

hey husker, this visit of yours will really be like stepping back into old negril, back in the the days when you first went , no overbearing hustle, just laid back good vibes.

from de twisted sista:
"keep your focus and visualize yourself where you want to be
watch it will happen before you know it - just keep your focus sista"

Looks like my focus and visualization is gonna work SOON COME - Before I know it too! Julys end for sure :0

guess that i will see you then

Hey Howardmonty - I would love to hear about your experience!!! Hope to see a trip report soon!

Leaving in 2 days.Staying at Shakti Home. Will report. Thanks for your help!

howardmonty
nice choice for accomodations - enjoy your stay

Wow! Have a great time my friend! I am so envious Can't wait to hear all about your experience.....