August and September trip report in memory of of Rob

Dear Boardies,

I have mostly been lurking here, posting only occasionally, a bit more recently. This is my first ever attempt at some sort of trip report. Doing it for Rob!

Since my first visit in November 1995, all the way from Europe, Negril has always felt like my heart's home. That same year, Rob launched negril.com. In early 1998, he and I met - by chance - when I needed to send an email. This was quite an adventure back then, but who could have helped if not Rob! Our encounter at the Negril Chamber office, near the post office, led to a friendship rooted in our shared love for Jamaica.

Fast forward to August 2025: After over 40 trips to Negril - not counting those when I lived in Kingston from 2014 to 2018 - I could not have imagined that this would be the last time for me to see Rob. During our 2-week summer vacation, my son and I met up with Rob a couple of times, last on August 28. Rob joined us for breakfast. It was a beautiful morning on the beach. Plans for the night before at LTU had fallen through due to rain that did not want to stop. Around 10 am, we hugged good-bye and as usual, Rob wished us an uneventful journey back home. By 11 am we were on the way to Mobay.

On September 9, I received the heartbreaking call from Bnewb {Lisa} with the news of Rob's passing. We cried, kept in touch and got organised, met up in Toronto and reached Negril on September 18. Arriving at Rob's house and seeing his confused animals, Ginger the cat, and the dogs Kocky and Knosie, was devastating, but at least we were in this together. I pictured Rob watching over us and appreciating seeing his love and friend being there for each other and his fur babies.

For me it was a whirlwind of a trip, I was only able to stay 4 days, my teenage son and work waiting for me back home. I checked in at Kaiser's, which was my first time staying on the Westend again since 2011. Since becoming a mom, it had just been easier to stay on the beach. Had a lovely ocean view room at historical Kaiser's, which re-opened recently and keeps undergoing upgrades. Am curious to see if there will be concerts again one day. Our August vacation was divided between Charela Inn - now my favorite hotel on the beach - and cozy Country Country. I just wish I would have had dinner with Rob at Charela one more time! It was envisaged, but as mostly in the last couple of years, in the evenings, he preferred to be close to home on the Westend, not to miss feeding time and probably also due to his health deteriorating... I saw him getting weaker during the past 2 years, but sadly did not realise how bad it really was...

The animals were like children to Rob and Lisa. They had them from when they were puppies/kitten. When I saw all of them together, 9 days after Rob's passing, I fully understood why Lisa simply cannot leave them behind in Jamaica. Just like us, the animals were grieving on top of being confused that Rob was not there anymore...

The animals had meant the world to Rob, when Lisa was away in Canada, and even before. So this is why I started a Gofundme for them to be taken care of - without Lisa totally indebting herself doing what she has to do, on top of mourning the loss of her life partner...

When Rob needed costly cancer surgery in 2022, he stopped me from asking for help publicly. We figured it out privately. But I know he would not have minded me asking for help now. So if you want to honor him and give back for all that he has done for in Negril and its visitors, please contribute if you can. And a big heartfelt thanks to those who have aided already, financially and otherwise!

I cannot say more right now. Rob and Lisa, I love you!

Anke

2008 at Raggabones aka Red Dragon
Attachment 57607

2011 Rob and Lisa with my baby
Attachment 57608

2017 Rob visit in Kingston
Attachment 57609

2025 Fur babies
Attachment 57610

2025 Candle tribute
Attachment 57611

Anke, every time we met post COVID, Rob would always say, "Anke saved my life when I had Dengue fever".
Thank you for helping Lisa take care of the pets.
Thank you for helping Rob during is battle with cancer.
Thank you for helping with Rob's memorial.

Respect,

VVHT aka Happy aka Paul

Thank you too Paul for all you have done and are doing! Please represent me at the memorial as I cannot be there in person and have a few cold ones for Rob and me!