It is an absolute honor to have this special post dedicated to me! ❤️ I LOVE the pictures you shared and I've been to the Pelican Bar only one time but it's an experience I have never forgotten. My favorite part of this story is that Harald wasn't at all enjoying Jamaica until you showed him the magic...I've had similar experiences with people here and I've dubbed myself an unofficial ambassador for Jamaica. While the island has a questionable reputation in the eyes of many, my experience of living and being here has been nothing short of transformational on every level of my being. No matter where I go in the world, there is just something about this likkle island that holds a special place in my heart and soul like no other. I can't wait to read more from you, Kristi, about your adventures here! I first came in 2015 so you've got many years on me in terms of experience here and oh the stories I know you have to tell! One love and a big, big hug to you! (oh, and there's a bottle of rum here in Portland with your name on it...come! 🇯🇲)
This reminds me of my trip to the Azores last year.
I had signed up for a evening food and wine tour in Ponta Delgada. The ultimate goal was to find some hidden gems in the culinary world of this historical town during my week long stay. A side goal was to meet other like-minded travelers at the same time.
There were 10 in our group, mostly couples.
There was a young girl , late 20's, also solo. We had a brief chat at the beginning of the evening.
After stopping at the final stop of the tour, the guide left and the group continued to enjoy the bar.
The girl and I got talking. SHE HAD A CAR.
That got my mind wandering. After a few drinks, I got the courage to ask her. "Can I join you on your day trip tomorrow?" She said "yes" but I didn't really think she was serious. Or perhaps she didn't think I was serious.
Either way, we met in the morning at the designated spot and had a great day.
I never saw her again.
It just goes to show you that sometimes all you need to do is ask or go through with an invitation.
I have a future post in my back pocket about learning to be human at the dog park. I've had some of the most worthwhile conversations EVER with absolute strangers walking dogs.
this is a tale for the ages. what a GREAT story. guy has only the clothes he is wearing and a SNORKEL!
on a less exciting note - the US just issued a level 3 travel warning to Jamaica! This is sad news. I know you are Canada based, but, how are you feeling about this?
Honestly, I'm not surprised and i don't really feel any way about it. I made my last voyage in 2018 and it was already pretty bad back then. In fact, on that trip there were military checkpoints on both sides of Montego Bay.
In my time there I've watched violence and crime get progressively worse in many areas. Fortunately most of those areas aren't places tourists would ever end up EXCEPT Montego Bay. It's terrible outside of resort gates.
Absolutely delightful. I don't know if I changed his life, but I know that he changed mine when he safely delivered me back to my apartment when I was convinced I would be murdered.
Hahaha Ida, I can totally relate to that! Before I drove my own cars in Jamaica I accepted rides from plenty of people. I'd always ask them, "Is this the part where you chop me up and throw my body parts in the ditch?" 😂😂
The connection and humanness is so reaffirming. I think we need these stories more than ever.
One time on a family trip to Mexico I had to sit apart from my sons and husband so, while he tended to them, I engaged in soul searching, meaningful conversation with the woman sitting next to me. She was from my tiny little valley and we’d known of each other but never met.
We connected so deeply on that flight and never saw each other again (she no longer lives here) but I have never forgotten her.
When I got off the plane I felt like I’d had a life-altering experience, my husband not so much🤣
That's amazing!! I love those random moments with strangers on airplanes. And knowing you, I bet she felt the same way ❤️
One time when I was leaving Jamaica I sat beside a Jamaican woman who had never left her country. She was going to live with family in Toronto and she was TERRIFIED of flying, so much that she had tears rolling down her cheeks. I held her hand in the beginning of the flight, kept her company the whole way, and then walked with her out to the arrival area and stayed with her until she found her family. Obviously never saw her again but I felt so good to be able to be her ambassador into Canada 🇨🇦 ☺️
I wish I had a story. The only strangers I get to know for a few hours are on a long flight. I always like to know who I'm sitting next to. We bond over something great or silly, exchange names before landing then there’s that awkward good bye. “Have a nice life.” But then it gets awkward again if you see them in baggage claim. “Have a nice life… again.” Or you turn away and pretend you’re already onto that nice life.
Bahahaha! I totally get it! I had a "have a nice life" moment with a lady flying to a destination. Then, 7 days later who did I see in the ticket line getting on the same return flight as me? I think she had a nice life for those 7 days. She was coming home engaged to a dude she just met 😂😂
I love this story!!! I live and work at a tourist destination, and I treasure the times I can make a tourists trip better by letting them in on the “secret local spots”. Thank you again for sharing!
I’ve lived in Hilton Head for 10 years, and I can’t see myself living anywhere else. If you head my way, hit me up, and I’ll let you in on all the “secret local spots”😉
What an adventure. I just gotta ask, why straws in the ears lol. Is that some Norwegian thing? I mean, candles, yeah. But straws?
😂 I actually cannot remember for the life of me why he did the straw thing! I forgot all about it until I was going through photos for this post lol!
That’s an awesome story and I’d bet money that Harald has told the story of being kidnapped in Jamaica many times.
I can hear your humor too. 🤣🤣🤣
Hahaha yup! It's behind everything I do!
Beautiful story!
It is an absolute honor to have this special post dedicated to me! ❤️ I LOVE the pictures you shared and I've been to the Pelican Bar only one time but it's an experience I have never forgotten. My favorite part of this story is that Harald wasn't at all enjoying Jamaica until you showed him the magic...I've had similar experiences with people here and I've dubbed myself an unofficial ambassador for Jamaica. While the island has a questionable reputation in the eyes of many, my experience of living and being here has been nothing short of transformational on every level of my being. No matter where I go in the world, there is just something about this likkle island that holds a special place in my heart and soul like no other. I can't wait to read more from you, Kristi, about your adventures here! I first came in 2015 so you've got many years on me in terms of experience here and oh the stories I know you have to tell! One love and a big, big hug to you! (oh, and there's a bottle of rum here in Portland with your name on it...come! 🇯🇲)
This reminds me of my trip to the Azores last year.
I had signed up for a evening food and wine tour in Ponta Delgada. The ultimate goal was to find some hidden gems in the culinary world of this historical town during my week long stay. A side goal was to meet other like-minded travelers at the same time.
There were 10 in our group, mostly couples.
There was a young girl , late 20's, also solo. We had a brief chat at the beginning of the evening.
After stopping at the final stop of the tour, the guide left and the group continued to enjoy the bar.
The girl and I got talking. SHE HAD A CAR.
That got my mind wandering. After a few drinks, I got the courage to ask her. "Can I join you on your day trip tomorrow?" She said "yes" but I didn't really think she was serious. Or perhaps she didn't think I was serious.
Either way, we met in the morning at the designated spot and had a great day.
I never saw her again.
It just goes to show you that sometimes all you need to do is ask or go through with an invitation.
That's so awesome! And I bet you two had a fabulous day, regardless of whether you would ever see each other again.
I swear, travel just does something magical to humans. You'd never ask a random stranger at home if she wants to go hang out for a day 😂
There is a similar mentality when you go camping or boating. And how do you lock a tent?
Somehow fears of strangers are put aside.
It is refreshing that basic humanity still exists if you look for it.
What a great comparison and you're totally right.
I have a future post in my back pocket about learning to be human at the dog park. I've had some of the most worthwhile conversations EVER with absolute strangers walking dogs.
this is a tale for the ages. what a GREAT story. guy has only the clothes he is wearing and a SNORKEL!
on a less exciting note - the US just issued a level 3 travel warning to Jamaica! This is sad news. I know you are Canada based, but, how are you feeling about this?
Honestly, I'm not surprised and i don't really feel any way about it. I made my last voyage in 2018 and it was already pretty bad back then. In fact, on that trip there were military checkpoints on both sides of Montego Bay.
In my time there I've watched violence and crime get progressively worse in many areas. Fortunately most of those areas aren't places tourists would ever end up EXCEPT Montego Bay. It's terrible outside of resort gates.
oh gotcha! I appreciate hearing your perspective and info. thanks my dear!
Absolutely delightful. I don't know if I changed his life, but I know that he changed mine when he safely delivered me back to my apartment when I was convinced I would be murdered.
Hahaha Ida, I can totally relate to that! Before I drove my own cars in Jamaica I accepted rides from plenty of people. I'd always ask them, "Is this the part where you chop me up and throw my body parts in the ditch?" 😂😂
The connection and humanness is so reaffirming. I think we need these stories more than ever.
One time on a family trip to Mexico I had to sit apart from my sons and husband so, while he tended to them, I engaged in soul searching, meaningful conversation with the woman sitting next to me. She was from my tiny little valley and we’d known of each other but never met.
We connected so deeply on that flight and never saw each other again (she no longer lives here) but I have never forgotten her.
When I got off the plane I felt like I’d had a life-altering experience, my husband not so much🤣
That's amazing!! I love those random moments with strangers on airplanes. And knowing you, I bet she felt the same way ❤️
One time when I was leaving Jamaica I sat beside a Jamaican woman who had never left her country. She was going to live with family in Toronto and she was TERRIFIED of flying, so much that she had tears rolling down her cheeks. I held her hand in the beginning of the flight, kept her company the whole way, and then walked with her out to the arrival area and stayed with her until she found her family. Obviously never saw her again but I felt so good to be able to be her ambassador into Canada 🇨🇦 ☺️
Exquisite story! Loved it. Seize the day indeed!
Thank you Jeanine!!
I love love love this story, Kristi. So much kindness, so much trust, so much life. Thank you for sharing the pictures. The plastic straw is a hoot!
Awww thank you Heather! And Harald WAS a hoot! Such a great 24 hours 😁
What a great story. Harald! He looks happy on FB.
I wish I had a story. The only strangers I get to know for a few hours are on a long flight. I always like to know who I'm sitting next to. We bond over something great or silly, exchange names before landing then there’s that awkward good bye. “Have a nice life.” But then it gets awkward again if you see them in baggage claim. “Have a nice life… again.” Or you turn away and pretend you’re already onto that nice life.
Bahahaha! I totally get it! I had a "have a nice life" moment with a lady flying to a destination. Then, 7 days later who did I see in the ticket line getting on the same return flight as me? I think she had a nice life for those 7 days. She was coming home engaged to a dude she just met 😂😂
Haha!
OMG! I saw this title this morning and couldn't wait to read it. It did NOT disappoint!! What an epically good time!
It certainly was!!
What a wondrous story. Abundant living in action!
I love this story!!! I live and work at a tourist destination, and I treasure the times I can make a tourists trip better by letting them in on the “secret local spots”. Thank you again for sharing!
That's awesome Michelle. There's certainly something to be said for knowing you can change an experience for the better, isn’t there!
For sure. Travel is all about experiences. Have you ever been to Hilton Head Island?
No, I haven't traveled a ton in America but the Carolinas have always been on my radar. My dream is to road trip all through the USA someday.
I’ve lived in Hilton Head for 10 years, and I can’t see myself living anywhere else. If you head my way, hit me up, and I’ll let you in on all the “secret local spots”😉
That's amazing!!! It would be a long ass drive from western Canada but I'd be up for it!