What’s With The White?

Lovin’ Yachts

Casey and Mima

Tree House Decorations are Always Perfect

Beautiful Transformation

Enjoying My Ocean View

That Would Be Kat in the White Swimsuit

Sakari and King

Lovely Ladies

Richard Gettin Down

By Ms Margaret Myrie

Sakari with her Sparkly Shies

Sakari and DeeDee

Me, Cousin James and Joyce

Tisha and Nicole

My 4 Js: John, Justine, James, Joyce

My Table

Sakari, King, Casey

Beautiful Gina

June’s Tee From 20 years ago. I’m Still in Suite E

Tisha and Margaret

White is reflective and stimulates openness and creativity.  Spiritually it signifies light, goodness, brilliance, illumination, understanding, faith, beginnings, cleanliness, sincerity and purr-fection!  You will find so many wear white in Aswan, Egypt “ Home of the Nubians”;  where you will find our relatives, the blackest of the blackest, so close to the Sudan. They see me in my white and say, “Cousin, are you Nubian”?  Now with my Upper Egyptian husband, I will really fit right in.   White gives me energy and I love being surrounded by it and those wearing it.

My All White party was a hit. Everybody enjoyed themselves, some a little too much.  DJ ORANE gave them all they needed to work with, even giving those from the Bay, TOO SHORT! And they got down,  So I was told.  I cut out early, I never stay anywhere til it’s over.

All in all, a grand time was had by all and rooms for next year are already going quite fast.  The dates are July 23-30, 2020.   Paperwork will be ready sometime today.  Suites are so in demand. If you requested one, You have 30 days to get your deposit of $400 pp in to us. We have a waitlist already for the oceanfronts.

Thank you to TREE HOUSE owner, Gail Biggs Jackson Brooks and her awesome staff. Also a big  Thank you to all that joined in to help me celebrate my birthday. When is it?  EVERYDAY THAT GOD SENDS IS KAT’S BIRTHDAY!

I’m About That Yacht Life

June Hill About That Life

Lovin’ The Life

Jenell & Kat

Kat & Margaret

Nicole

Tisha, Glenda & Positive

Our Yacht

Kellea

What a Sunset

Richard, What a Guy

Tisha & Kat

Reflecting

One of 3 Bedrooms

After the 2 yachts last year for my birthday in Mykonos; I just had to have another one.  Although it’s going to take a lot to top that unforgettable experience, it gave me great joy to share this one with friends in Negril.  She is a 58’ Flybridge of Italian design, equipped with 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms.  The first 20 that signed up for this year’s Getaway were treated to the Yacht  (she only accommodates 20).  Our food was delivered first, then a bus picked us up and transported us up the beach to BOARDWALK where we were then shuttled out from the shore to the Yacht.  We had 2 lovely ladies as our cruise directors who made sure we had everything we needed. Our lunch was  prepared by Tree House chefs.  We dined on chicken wings, fish fingers, pasta salad, coco bread,   patties,  freshly sliced pineapple, watermelon,  mango, and papaya.  The drinks were free flowing and of course, up on the top deck was smokers delight were those that indulged.  DJ DeeDee (a new name for my daughter) had the hottest music on the Kat-a-Maran Sunday and duplicated the sounds this day that kept everybody dancing or like yours truly….toe tappin’.

We cruised over near Booby Cay then down to Ricks Cafe and at a point several jumped into the crystal clear water for a swim.   We had a brief shower but that didn’t stop a beautiful sunset.  Wow! What an AWESOME day!

Next year’s dates are in: JULY 23-30, 2020.  These guys are already calling out and claiming favorite suites and Rooms.  Of course we will have the Kat-a-Maran and maybe even the Yacht again but remember she can only take 20.

Last night was my All White Birthday Dinner, we roll out of here this morning but stay tuned for the party  pictures.  It was a beautiful affair.

 

Negril, It’s Good To Be Back

The Cliff Hotel

Black Forest Birthday Cake #1 at Zest

Nuk, Margaret, Dian and Victoria

Tisha Enjoying This Place

Sleuth, Lisa, Stephanie

2nd Birthday Dinner at the Cliff

Richard Greer Chillin

On the Katamaran

Me In Suite E

The Group

Sandra Phillips Last Year…We Miss You

Carmen “Caviar” Thrower

Margaret & Kat at Breakfast

St Louis, Chicago and Monterey Connection

Casey & King at Breakfast

On the Katamaran

The Cliff Hotel

My Family, The Bilani’s at the Cliff Hotel

Going to the Katamaran

Tisha, Stayed in the Water

The trip is almost over and I haven’t blogged 1 time.  Well, for one, it’s been a busy past 6 weeks; Colombia, my Egyptian journey and marriage to my handsome husband Mr. Nazim  and now here on the beautiful paradise island of Jamaica.  I must say, It’s been different. First of all,  Here part of  4 generations: Me, daughter DeeDee, granddaughters  Casey, Marshell & Sakari, grandson Donte’ and last but definitely not least; great grandson, King who is more than a handful.  I’ve babysat him through 3 activities: Waterfalls, Katamaran & Cooking School so Casey could handle the business. Growing up here from the age of 6, now at 24 she does a fantastic job as my assistant,    She says Jamaica “Yes”, all the other destinations, “No”.

Sadly, Sandra Philips lost her mother a few days before this trip.  Let’s keep her and the family in prayer.  So glad Sandra joined us last year and had a marvelous time.  God willing, she will be with us next week in Italy and then on to Fiji.

A few of us came before the group.  I say upon arrival for $50, make it easy on yourself, skip the long lines and opt for the VIP service. You will be escorted through the Fast Track lane of Immigration, to collect luggage then to the Lounge where you can freshen up, eat snacks,  have drinks and charge up your devices before being escorted outside to your driver.  Just an FYI world travelers; in visiting Jamaica travel with your Yellow Fever card if you have traveled to certain countries 6 weeks prior.  That nurse at the health desk before Immigration ain’t no joke and will give you the blues if she can.

Wow! Being back in Negril is just what the doctor ordered for me and a lot of others who have had trying times and a lot of stress these past several months. The white  sandy  Beach, the pristine, crystal clear turquoise water, the beautiful people and the delicious well prepared food is a combination difficult to match anywhere in the world.   It’s been so good to see so many repeaters from previous KATTRAX adventures which always turn into KATTRAX reunions.

The  Meet and Greet in the lobby with the reggae band and awesome vocalist, Dragon was a great kick off.  It got everybody in a proper “Jamaica state of mind” and hostess Janice had the ladies on the floor trying to teach them to Dollar Whine.

Our Gospel Brunch was all that with Elrick’s Crusaders, Lady Tanya and  15 year old singer Jay.  He was with us 8 years ago.  He is truly gifted,  Nicole Robinson-Hamilton who read about me in Essence early 90s and has been half way around the world with me gave us an inspirational message from Jeremiah 23:23 “I am a God who is everywhere and not in one place only”.  Her words were truly food for our souls… “soul food”.

The day at YS Falls was enjoyed by all in and under the swirling waters and I understand Casey swung from the rope and dropped down 20 ft.   I guess that’s where King, at almost 2 gets his fearlessness from. SMH🤦‍♀️.

I wasn’t on the Kat-a-Maran but I’m still getting thumbs up from so many on how awesome it was and such a highlight of their trip.

Mr. Bilani of  the jewelry store, 3B’s is going out of business after 27 years.  He sent complimentary transportation and the ladies had a great time shopping for silver bangles, gold & diamonds.  Last night after Ricks Cafe for the sunset. Mr Bilani and wife Neeta surprised me and my family with a lovely seaside birthday dinner at ZEST which is located inside the very laid-out and gorgeous  CLIFF HOTEL, located past Ricks Cafe

20 years ago, right here at Tree House Resort, I celebrated a week of events for my birthday. Because I’m 20 again,  In commemoration,  this afternoon,  the first 20 that signed up for this year’s trip will be on the private 58ft Flybridge yacht of Italian design.  They say Robert DeNiro has rented  it so it’s got to be an AWESOME experience. Last year’s birthday in Mykonos, Greece I got hooked on yachts. Yes, Mykonos was Dope!  a must do again!    Tomorrow will be my All White Dinner party, with DJ and Open Bar.   Stay tuned for pictures!

 

 

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STOOD MY GROUND

Greetings Travelers,

From sunny Antioch, soon to be Negril next week, immediately followed by Italy, followed by Egypt. Yes, My husband, his family and the over 600 villagers patiently await my return.  Sometimes in life, no matter what the consequences one must stand their ground, hash it out and come to an understanding of which we have reached.  Yes, Shonda, there will be the wedding ceremony and you will see some of the most beautiful Muslim wedding dresses and unbelievably gorgeous custom made  embellished hijabs (head coverings).

I couldn’t believe how many of you were interested in my Egyptian journey. Some of whom I hadn’t heard from since I actually started blogging in 2013. (Smdh).  At any rate I’ve got everybody’s attention now.  Before I give you some Kat’s Kibbles and Bits of upcoming travel; I will take this opportunity to educate and share a bit of the culture.

It is the right of the bride to dictate the weight of gold of her wedding ring.  In my case, I didn’t care about weight, only what I liked. I was given 5 rings to choose from. I made my choice, one designed by the owner of the gold souk.   It was delivered to the family home and great grandmother is keeping it safe until my arrival.

Whatever the wife owns, cannot be touched by  the husband. This includes the top floor of the family home in the Village that was gifted to me by my father-in-law, Ali baba aka The Pope; completely retrofitted to my specifications and my comfort and put in my name.  The husband has to show he has a comfortable home for his wife. In my case, I have 2, a penthouse in Cairo with a small view of the Nile and the one in the Village. The husband must show receipts of gifts purchased for his bride and In keeping with his Islamic teachings, no sex until after marriage.

What about multiple wives? In 2007 it was ruled polygamy served no purpose. Only 3% of Egyptians practice it these days.   No one in my husband’s family practices it. In our marriage contract it states that he and I agree he will only have 1 wife.

Lastly, what about Sharia law? A big concern of some.  As long as the messenger, The Prophet Muhammad, (peace be upon him) is respected, there is no need for concern. My husband and my husband’s family respect The Prophet – peace be upon him.

Kat’s Kibbles & Bits – GHANA 2020.   There were enough interested for me to create a tour for 2020. Deposits were due April 30th. No deposits came through.  I reached out and found all had a change of plans. Therefore….Cancelled it.   Accra is beautiful and the Slave Castles most interesting, including the Door of No Return. In my opinion that’s all that is needed.   We went to Togo and Benin this year but I removed it from next year. Benin is the voodoo capital of the world and out of 8 million inhabitants 50% practice it.  No, my friends, not going back there. I prefer not to deal with the dark side.  This year 3 visas were needed – extra expense.  A yellow fever vaccination is required and costly- $325. Also needed: Hep A, Hep B, Typhoid and Malaria pills needed.  Been there, done that, don’t have to do it again.

2021 Australia and New Zealand May be in the works.  We’ve done it twice already. We can certainly do it again. In any case, I’m always open and receptive to new destinations.  Any ideas?  Let me hear from you.

Until next time….