Alligator Church Ride

I have always heard that there are no alligators in Jamaica, nevertheless, I went off with Fun and Thrills yesterday to see if any had turned up in Portland and and take a look at their church.

While I saw dozens of churches on the way and even a funeral in progress, I never saw any alligators and not even a crocodile (thank God).

Nevertheless it was a great day out organized by the dynamic team of Charles the 1st and the other Charles, aka ayatollah.

While we the lowly pretenders (to riding) drove to Port Antonio, the dynamic trio made up of Terr-Ann, Johann and John decided that it was too dibby dibby a ride for them, so they opted to ride all the way from Kingston, leaving at 3.40 am yet they arrived in Port Antonio minutes after us who  drove out at around 6am.

The folding bike on the left

(Incidentally, John is a British man who is pursuing doctoral studies in the USA and is visiting Jamaica to do some research. He brought along his folding bicycle and since Larry told him about us, he made contact with Howie. )

In Port Antonio, we were treated to 5 star restaurant reception with mento band and all. Not only was the ambiance impressive at Anna Banana, but also, although the breakfast was morish, the mackerel rundung that I had was absolutely delicious.

And this place is on the beach just outside of port Antionio, a lovely little place indeed discovered by Charles 1st.

There we were joined by another Foreigner, this time from Ireland. 

His name is Colin and he is in Jamaica riding around and getting to know the culture. He too was told about us by Larry (Larry seems to be our greatest admirer!)

After breakfast we warmed up with a coast ride to San San, on a suggestion by Howie. On the return journey I told Pat about the  cute little church at Trident hotel and coincidentally, saw the security at the huge closed gate, peeking over the wall. We asked him if we could come in an see the church and not only did he oblige but also he took the picture of us with the church in the background.

On returning to Anna Banana we regrouped and headed toward our destination, Alligator Church Bridge.

It was  a pleasant ride on a reasonably surfaced road until we got to Friendship and made the left turn. The roads in that southern area leave a lot to be desired but the ride was not strenuous and the scenery refreshing.

 When we got to Alligator Church Bridge, some riders opted to continue on  up to Millbank while others waited until after they had  tested the river and eaten . The rest of us just stayed there the entire time swimming, playing dominoes and lyming.

 Of course I had to play dominoes with my now regular partner Chris and we dropped the big one on Carolyn and Fatman. Then Chuck came for his share and but after a few "bruks" (we were  playing bruk an spoil") we were warned by Simpson that the food was being rapidly consumed so we needed to get our share. So Chuck was saved from the same fate that Fatman had suffered with Carolyn!

While we were there, who arrived but the entire Assam family, baby and all and we were told that Penny and Stefan had alternated on the ride up to Alligator Church Bridge!

Monique, Chully, Carol

 The food was absolutely wonderful except they had no ground provisions and just a little green bananas which was all consumed  by the time we arrived. The only alternative was plain rice.

The janga run dung, busu soup and busu and janga stew with pigs tail was out of this world, almost as good as the first time I had maroon food in Milbank. 

The river was warm, deep and inviting although it had a slight current  but we all had a wonderful time and I know this trip will be spoken of for years to come,  as we relive the fund memories.