Virtual Jamaica: Tryall Plantation/Golf Club and Resort

 

It is Friday, and we're back to Jamaica...

Amazingly, although Hanover is tiny, it is home to 20 former plantations.

Some are completely gone or reduced to ruins.

Some are preserved as historic places.

Some are completely repurposed. 

Tryall is a bit of all three.

 With ruins of the former Great House.

 Preservation of the (still working) waterwheel.

 https://youtube.com/shorts/MI6yuGN5JeU?si=U3PK86TJcm7t4MWX

and the modern golf course/hotel/resort.

2,200 acres overlooking the Carribean Sea.

A walk back in time to the 1680's...and forward to 2026.
 

It has catered to the elite since 1950.

The golf course immaculate...the rooms sumptuous...

 This is one of those places that, if you must ask the price, well...you can't afford it.

It has tennis courts...90 rooms all personally decorated...fine dining and multiple pools.

The historic ruins/waterwheel lies in the outer jungle-like greenery. 

 

The day is hot and although there is shade, the bugs are relentless...so we break for one of the restaurants...and are not disappointed.

The Tryall Beach Bar and Grill

A wonderful way to spend a summer's day!

 Until Monday!

 

22...We're Getting Closer and Closer

 

to half-way!!!!

Doesn't that just make you feel warm and fuzzy.

 

This month we've seen:

...18 dead and over 700 injured in the war that has been declared over least 108 times...and a President who desperately needs to learn the difference between allies and adversaries...threatening to bomb an ally while snuggling up to Putin...the installation of Todd Blanche as AG...primary elections going completely off the rails...Mike Lindell losing his primary...then blaming it being rigged...by his own party...a bombing causing sailors in the strait to not get resupplies of food and other critical stuff...The Harp Affair...and Orange Chicken hidden in a food cart...

I am convinced, at this point, that the midterms are going to be a tidal wave.

And many of the rats are already beginning to leap off the sinking ship.

About Miss Harp...mental health isn't taken seriously enough in this country...and that is sad.

I could not care less about the Orange Guy...and if he feels he is loved by her...well...good for him.

Hog's Breath needs to go.

Glad to see Levitt leaving.

Miller needs a stake to the heart.

But, as we near the blessed half-way mark...I find myself caring less and less about the lot of them.

This is temporary.

We will get through this.

Eventually both he and MAGA and this administration will only be a bad memory.

November is coming and we must vote!

 

Virtual Jamaica: Hanover~ Bamboo Rafting

 

Our adventure today begins at the banks of a lazy river.

The bamboo rafts range from the ornate...with flags...flowers and umbrellas...

 To the unadorned. Simply a bamboo raft with a poler.

The tour is an hour long relaxing trek down-river.

They do offer 6 hour trips with an optional limestone massage.

These run from $15. to $119. depending on the hours and amenities...some offering drinks..fresh fruit or meals...massages and the like.

Today, our bamboo raft is ornate but not gaudy, and poled by Phillip.

The sunshine is already strong overhead and the temperature may reach high 90's by noon....so I have opted for an umbrella...

 
 Okay...and chilled coconut milk...served au naturale.

It is silent...gliding...reflective.

The glorious morning calm only broken when Phillip points out an interesting plant, rock formation, animal or tree.

 What a peaceful way to start the day!

 All too soon, the hour is over and we're back.

 

https://youtu.be/lBClhBqNvn0?si=c1akhcutj7M4XFBc 

By now it is approaching noon...and there are many on the river...glad I started early when it was quiet.

 Now there are the hum of voices...shouts...laughter and even music. You can bring your own and they have players.

 

 But our silent early morning glide was perfect!

 

Until next time.... 

 

 

Virtual Jamaica: Hanover Parish and Princess Senses Resort

 

Welcome to Hanover Parish!

 

Parish 11 out of 13 we will explore.

A tiny parish. The second smallest on the island. 

Our hotel for the time spent here will be the over-water, all inclusive bungalows of Princess Senses Resort & Spa.

It sounds grander then it actually is...but vastly better than some of the guesthouses we have encountered.
 

Overview::

https://youtu.be/oEwzUlUgwCQ?si=t9aXPsqR-E2FKdUK

Each bungalow with a private pool...on stilts over crystal clear water. The decor is a bit austere...but the privacy and view is spectacular.

Come with me this week and we will explore what Hanover has to offer!

 

 

 

 

 

Later... 

Regrouping...Rain...Football and More

 

It has to stop raining...I'm getting mossy, over here!!!!!

 

Unbelievable amount of rain! 

And more this weekend.

Falling back and regrouping after being sick. The house is coming back together. Making a game plan. Have to step up PT/OT in order to remain independent. Increasing Amber's time/duties. Minimizing and making more use of energy-saving/assistive devices.

It's a PROCESS.

Football (preseason) is back!!!! John and I watched the Colts/Patriots Game this week. A tie...but AR looked very good. If they use Indiana Jones for his contracted 2 years and take the time to develop AR...we might have a great QB waiting!

Fall is already creeping in at Brooks Falls...and starting to see the first colors in Alaska. 

Gully has assumed the position.

 Walker is living large.

 And 907 was photo-shopped with a fedora and old-fashioned by one of the bear-folk and is now being called Beary Grant.

...we may have too much time on our hands... 

Most of the bears are off and foraging for ripened berries...but they will return for the Fall Salmon Run and the die-off.

 

More after today's game... 

 

 Chiefs/Rams first half...summed up in one photo...

Will catch up after the game.  

 

 ...flag...flag...flaggity...flag...

 

it is 6-6 going into the second half and...wait...there have already been 2 flags called.

 

Both sides.

 

Will catch up after the game. 

 

And we got within 1 score...but we lost.

 

sigh

 

The refs were the clear winners...I've  never seen so many penalties!!!!

 

The preseason has started!

 

 

 

And Then There Was More...

 

So...yeah...it has been kind of like this...

Sick for a couple of weeks...culminating in a trip to ER and injections of both pain meds and muscle relaxants.

Feeling pretty washed out...but better today. 

Thanks to James, Chris, Nicole,  My sister-Tina, and John for all the help and moral support!

Amber will be here later, and we are going to gather the trash and scrub the carpet...as well as installing the new riser toilet seat.

The extra grab bars have been a life changer.

Looking forward to a deep bubble bath tonight.

It's a process...and I am nothing, if not adaptable.

Probably won't be getting back to virtual Jamaica until Monday.

 

 Somebody did a compilation of Scuba Steve fishing...which is pretty funny.

In the last couple of weeks we have lost 2 cubs...the remaining 909 cub...and sadly, one of the Jolly Beans #335 triplets. 

 

Just one of those horrible freak accidents.

335 and her triplets and 132 and her triplets were playing together on a bank...something spooked both families and they treed all the cubs.

132's cubs stayed together.

Two of 335's cubs ran up a nearby tree...but the littlest would scamper up the tree that the 132's  were at.

Instinct took over...132 believed this to be a threat to her cubs and instantly killed the little one...

Because he/she ran up the wrong tree.

It's a tough life being a baby bear.

 Jimothy is still all the rage...with stuffies...tattoos...and now...

 

 ~laughing~

  

Looking forward to The PreSeason starting tomorrow with John and snacks!

Yay! 

Football is back. 

And who has the most beautiful grandson in the whole world?????

 

 Yeah...I do....

 

 

Human Again...Bears...Jimothy...Football is Almost Back

 

The (big) Boys are back in town...

And we now have 5 sets of triplet cubs!!!

 #273 brought these three back yesterday.

Soooooooooooooooooo many babies this year!!!!

 

Finally feeling almost human again, after a bout of food poisoning (which was shared with the Tux-Cat).

For the record...I definitely do not recommend...zero stars.

And who's going to clean up this mess???

...it looks like a Cinderella Day...

 

Lost another of the single cubs last night.

Swept over the falls and into the big boars...killed immediately.

...it's a tough life...being a tiny bear...

 Jimothy is going strong!

Even though the Parks Department reminds us that the average raccoon lifespan is 3 years...and he is 2 now.

And Seattle has immortalized him in bronze.

 

 Which is kind of neat!

Jimothy reminds us that maybe being different IS your SUPERPOWER!

 

And the pre-season is almost upon us....and with everything else...aren't we ready...really really needing this.

Summer is winding down...the fireflies are gone...the hummingbirds are working over my morning glories in a frenzy.

John is doing great...finished in home therapy...gaining back weight and muscle...playing Euchre and beating the guys in pool...looking forward to the State Fair...and...yes...I think we've made it, hon!

Now, to reclaim the house!