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+----- Thread: Portland day 9 (I think) (/showthread.php?tid=70623)
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Portland day 9 (I think) - Tim - 12-31-2013
<P>Lost internet connection just as I tried posting a long winded post last night. Will try again this evening as we await the New Years parties to get going.
Re: Portland day 9 (I think) - Tim - 12-31-2013
<P>Today was our rio grande rafting day. There was a bit of a mix up as when we arrived at the bridge near where the tour ends, Albert, our guide was not there, just a few other guys claiming to be rafting guides. They were quite willing to accommodate us, but I insisted we were going with Albert one guy got on his cel phone and after a bit of banter I couldn't understand buddy handed me the phone. It was Albert and although the reception was terrible I learned he was at the starting point of the tour, although I am very sure we had agreed to meet where we were. We drove down the road a bit to what seemed to be an empty building but when we pulled into the yard a security guard came out and showed us where to park. In the office a reception person called the office at the starting location and let them know we were on the way. We would take a taxi, 1800J. Not bad as it was about a 30 minute trip up in the hills where I would not take our rental car, very rough and narrow.<BR>After dropping us off we met Albert, an older guy, very professional. There were plenty of people around, we waited for Albert to get his raft from where it was parked on the shore upstream. One of my first observations was how wide and swift the river was. I was thinking a large stream, but it was a true river although not very deep in most places. Alberts raft was very nice, almost new. During the ride we learned Albert had built his own raft, something he really enjoys doing. It was very stable and fairly comfy with a good back rest and seat cushions. Thankfully there was a guy selling refreshments out of a cooler right where we started as although I had brought our small cooler, I forgot to put anything in it, duh. As Albert used a long length of bamboo to push us along and keep the raft away from rocks, we had some good talks about him growing up around PA. We learned the history of people using rafts to carry bananas downstream to the railway, which eventually transformed in carrying tourists around the time the railway was damaged forever in a hurricane, can't remember which one. The ride itself was great, it rained a bit just as we started but Albert had brought an umbrella for us. But after the short shower the sun showed itself the rest of the trip (and the day). There were several short sets of small rapids where we really got some speed. My wife asked if Albert had ever fallen off a raft, and he laughed, sounds like it had happened many times. He told us there have been times when the river was 20ft higher than it was today. Once it was up to the building where the rafting office sits, well up on a hill and several steps from where we got in today. Wow. Obviously there are no rafts operating when the river is raging like that. He also told us how there are guys who have to pole the rafts back upstream, dragging them thru the rapids, every day. I couldn't imagine how hard that would be. About 2/3rds of the way, we stopped in at Belindas, a cookshop set up on the river bank. She has very positive reviews on tripadvisor, and we were not disappointed. It was kind of funny, Belinda was taking an order from these 2 ladies when she says to one of them, "I recognize your face". Turns out one of the ladies is a TV personality on Jamaica's version of Project Runway, a show I have not heard of. Well after eating I talked to her for a bit and had my picture taken with her. You never know, she might be famous one day. We took lots of pictures, it was a great way to spend a few hours. I would recommend this trip to anyone wanting to relax and see some awesome scenery.<BR>We eventually pulled up on shore at the end of the tour. Now the yard where we parked was full of vehicles, when we parked we were the only ones there. We offered Albert a ride into PA, otherwise he had to pay for his own cab ride.<BR>That evening we started to walk to a park somewhere beyond the marina, there was some kind of motorcycle racing/stunt show happening. But honestly, it was dark and after being well into the downtown core, I started to get a bit concerned about what it was going to be like coming back to the hotel hours later. Although we have mostly been ignored, it only takes one asshole to turn things ugly fast, and we definitely stand out. Maybe I was a bit paranoid but I feel better hanging out closer to out hotel. There is a good lineup of stores/bars/cookshops (the tiny local style) really close, and now that we have been here a while, we recognise many faces and are on a first name basis with more than a few locals. We have really enjoyed hanging neat TJ's tiny little cookshop, he is a genuine good guy and treats us like real friends. I know he gives free food to some people that have nothing, and he doesn't have much himself. Before we leave I am going to help him out with a few things. He needs a better table for food prep and I am going to get him either a wood or steel one. I thought I saw a welding shop just need to find it again. And besides being a good guy, his food is fantastic. He takes great pride in everything he cooks, even his rice, which is different every day, is better than I get anywhere else. And on top of that, he's a dog owner. That pretty much seals the deal.<BR>I am falling behind on these reports, internet has been iffy. Downloading pictures is really slow, so please be patient. Next report will be Reach Falls, will say now, best outing yet....<P>
day 9 - suzengrace - 01-01-2014
<P>yummmmmy. those cook shops near the water in downtown are superb….great reporting Tim….carry on<BR>
Re: Portland day 9 (I think) - kylake - 01-01-2014
<P>Thanks again Tim for taking time from your vacation to post
Re: Portland day 9 (I think) - Tim - 01-17-2014
<P>The starting spot for the Rio Grande rafting. There's the guy I was looking for - buddy selling beer out of the cooler LOL.<P><img class="refimg" src="http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh155/browntroutking/Jamaica20122013199_zps4ef6733d.jpg" border="0" alt="">
Re: Portland day 9 (I think) - Tim - 01-17-2014
<P>Albert, our guide, moving his raft into place for us...<BR><img class="refimg" src="http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh155/browntroutking/Jamaica20122013202_zps3bb31408.jpg" border="0" alt="">
Re: Portland day 9 (I think) - Tim - 01-17-2014
<P>Shortly after leaving the starting point. You can see Albert has traded his ball cap to a shower cap, as it started to rain lightly.....<P><img class="refimg" src="http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh155/browntroutking/Jamaica20122013205_zps21ce74dd.jpg" border="0" alt="">
Re: Portland day 9 (I think) - Tim - 01-17-2014
<P>A few shots of the Rio Grande scenery....<BR><img class="refimg" src="http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh155/browntroutking/Jamaica20122013223_zpsaeb6c440.jpg" border="0" alt=""><P><img class="refimg" src="http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh155/browntroutking/Jamaica20122013225_zps59ff929f.jpg" border="0" alt=""><P><img class="refimg" src="http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh155/browntroutking/Jamaica20122013226_zpsc205ce01.jpg" border="0" alt="">
Re: Portland day 9 (I think) - Tim - 01-17-2014
<P><img class="refimg" src="http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh155/browntroutking/Jamaica20122013228_zps863714fc.jpg" border="0" alt=""><P><img class="refimg" src="http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh155/browntroutking/Jamaica20122013220_zpsa2eb16d8.jpg" border="0" alt=""><P><img class="refimg" src="http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh155/browntroutking/Jamaica20122013231_zpsfdd30350.jpg" border="0" alt=""><BR>
Re: Portland day 9 (I think) - Tim - 01-17-2014
<P>Some small rapids. It was surprising how much speed we would be travelling when going thru these sections. There were 4 or 5 sets similar to these...<BR><img class="refimg" src="http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh155/browntroutking/Jamaica20122013248_zps9bcb9ef0.jpg" border="0" alt="">