I love to travel. It builds strong and special memories, and taking photos while you enjoy your adventures reinforces those special memories for years. Travel photography is a captured moment that will never happen again. And, that captured memory is now yours forever.
I enjoy photographing people and one of my most memorable outings was to Floyd’s Pelican Bar in Jamaica, May 2013. Floyd’s place is about six miles south of the Black River on the south coast of Jamaica – and not easily accessible. This unique bar and grill is literally mounted on stilts out in the middle of the ocean.
There are no street signs and nothing is marked so after convincing our somewhat dubious cab driver to turn down an abandoned road we finally arrived on a beach. Here we met two Rastafarians, Lincoln and Danny who offered to take us out to the bar for a half day adventure. We asked the cab driver (who was a bit astonished we were going to simply disappear with these strangers one mile out to sea) to come collect us in about four hours. As a side note, for guests staying at rustic and sweet Jake’s Treasure Beach Beach, the staff can hire a boat to take you to Floyd’s (we were staying at Sandals Whitehouse European Village & Spa).
After some light banter, we hit it off with Danny and Lincoln and they ferried us out to this magical, pleasant, and very laid back hangout. It’s sort of a bar, and sort of grill (bring cash because that’s all they take), but there’s no real organization to this place. Lunch is pulled from the sea on-demand and cooked in a cast iron skillet over hot coals. Beverage choices include ice cold Red Stripe beer and water. The best way to describe it is “funky”. And it’s relatively family friendly (we did in fact see one family with kids) as long as you don’t mind the somewhat constant smoking of marijuana by the Rastas – who were content to play endless hands of dominoes and joke with each other. Contrary to what one might think, they are some of the friendliest, most gentle, and generous people you might ever meet. They were thrilled with my photography and eager to share openly about their food, culture, music and lifestyle.
So many people travel to Jamaica and cloister themselves in a resort without meeting the real people who make this a wonderful country. If you want a truly unique experience and want to get off the beaten track Floyd’s Pelican Bar delivers. – Christian DeBaun
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Christian DeBaun is a local photographer, and married to Rochelle DeBaun – the travel manager of Peace Frogs Travel/Outfitters. He recently taught a class in our store: “Travel Photography Made Easy” -What to Bring, How to Bring It, Getting Great Shots, Safety, Smarts and Etiquette – on Sunday December 7th. We had 11 students and he plans to offer this class again in the spring. I can’t think of a better post to start off the new year. Here’s looking towards memorable travels in 2015! – Julie, January 2015
PHOTOGRAPHING MEMORIES
I love to travel. It builds strong and special memories, and taking photos while you enjoy your adventures reinforces those special memories for years. Travel photography is a captured moment that will never happen again. And, that captured memory is now yours forever.
I enjoy photographing people and one of my most memorable outings was to Floyd’s Pelican Bar in Jamaica, May 2013. Floyd’s place is about six miles south of the Black River on the south coast of Jamaica – and not easily accessible. This unique bar and grill is literally mounted on stilts out in the middle of the ocean.
There are no street signs and nothing is marked so after convincing our somewhat dubious cab driver to turn down an abandoned road we finally arrived on a beach. Here we met two Rastafarians, Lincoln and Danny who offered to take us out to the bar for a half day adventure. We asked the cab driver (who was a bit astonished we were going to simply disappear with these strangers one mile out to sea) to come collect us in about four hours. As a side note, for guests staying at rustic and sweet Jake’s Treasure Beach Beach, the staff can hire a boat to take you to Floyd’s (we were staying at Sandals Whitehouse European Village & Spa).
After some light banter, we hit it off with Danny and Lincoln and they ferried us out to this magical, pleasant, and very laid back hangout. It’s sort of a bar, and sort of grill (bring cash because that’s all they take), but there’s no real organization to this place. Lunch is pulled from the sea on-demand and cooked in a cast iron skillet over hot coals. Beverage choices include ice cold Red Stripe beer and water. The best way to describe it is “funky”. And it’s relatively family friendly (we did in fact see one family with kids) as long as you don’t mind the somewhat constant smoking of marijuana by the Rastas – who were content to play endless hands of dominoes and joke with each other. Contrary to what one might think, they are some of the friendliest, most gentle, and generous people you might ever meet. They were thrilled with my photography and eager to share openly about their food, culture, music and lifestyle.
So many people travel to Jamaica and cloister themselves in a resort without meeting the real people who make this a wonderful country. If you want a truly unique experience and want to get off the beaten track Floyd’s Pelican Bar delivers. – Christian DeBaun
______________________________
Christian DeBaun is a local photographer, and married to Rochelle DeBaun – the travel manager of Peace Frogs Travel/Outfitters. He recently taught a class in our store: “Travel Photography Made Easy” -What to Bring, How to Bring It, Getting Great Shots, Safety, Smarts and Etiquette – on Sunday December 7th. We had 11 students and he plans to offer this class again in the spring. I can’t think of a better post to start off the new year. Here’s looking towards memorable travels in 2015! – Julie, January 2015