Take Me With You...: August 2012

Well I have been gone for quite a long time...

Between work and healing emotionally after the breakup, I eventually needed a vacation. August 2 the ladies of my family (plus cousin's boyfriend and his mom) and I were destined for Negril, Jamaica. This weekend was apparently ideal as it was Jamaica's 50th Anniversary of Independence.

The scenery was perfect. Jamaica was HOT but serene and each night the sunset was perfect. But what was more amazing (besides the dark, shiny Black men of the island hmm) was the food and drink! We truly enjoyed each day with amazing cool beverages and each night with amazing, gluttonous dinners.

First of all I must say that I am a huge fan of anything with jerk seasoning slathered on it! But my favorite meal was definitely jerk pork accompanied with rice and beans,rinsed down with a ginger flavored Red Stripe light beer. And I didnt have to go to a fancy schmancy restaurant to get this delight. It was easily found on the side of the street for about $5 and easily a meal enough for two. Dinner at restaurants located along 7 mile beach can run expensive - $20/plate - but are equally delicious.

$10 plate: BBQ jerk chicken with rice, beans, pasta salad and coleslaw

$1.50 for 2 fresh mangos - juicy, sweet and delicious! Perfect! There is a side of pineapple. This pineapple was the best pineapple I have tasted in my 33 years #justsayin'

Fresh salad with homemade dressing (lime, oil, vinegar, salt and pepper)

$20 plate: BBQ jerk braised short ribs. Meat was tender but sauce was a bit sweet. I had to add Tabasco :)

$15 plate: Jerk chicken with rice, beans and fresh veggies

$5 plate: Jerk pork, rice, beans and coleslaw. I could have eaten this every day if my blood pressure was not a concern LOL

The food is as delicious as the beverages offered on the island. My favorite "discovery", hands down, was the ginger flavored Red Stripe light. It is cool, refreshing, light and with a delicious ginger flavor - it was perfect during the extreme hot and humid days in Jamaica.

Various other delights included a refreshing, slurpee like daiquiri spiked with Appleton rum. And of course no trip to Jamaica would be complete without sipping (slowly) on the super strong rum punch.

Do you want to know HOW strong this rum punch can be? Take a look at the ingrediants:

Myers Dark Rum
Malibu
Pineapple and Orange juices (I have pineapple juice removed from mine)
Lime Juice
Grenadine
Topped with a shot of Bicardi 151

Needless to say you are not walking down the beach in a straight line after consuming a glass of this rum punch!

The younger cousins decided on another adventure: Flaming Bob Marley shot.

Due to the varying densities of each liquor, layers are created in this flaming shot. Here is how to make it:

Fill the lowest third with grenadine syrup
Middle third with creme de menthe,
Float the 151 on the top
Our waitress took a lighter around the rim to light the drink.

My cousins submerged a straw into the shot and enjoyed the drink through the straw in one long sip. #youth

As I mentioned earlier in the blog, this was a much needed vacation. The room did not have a TV or phone (or hot water, but I digress) and I did not use my cell phone the entire trip. Instead while in my room I enjoyed reading selections on my Kindle Fire or enjoying rum/coke and laughing with my family. During the day, while out and about, I walked the beach, or sat with my mom and cousins at "Mama Flos and Papa Cocks" beach side restaurant. Some of the scenes I absorbed with my eyes and through my camera lens are seen below. It was my first trip to Jamaica and I was surprised at how much I truly enjoyed the island. Going back is quite a high possibility!