Back in Negril!! November 2012 Trip Report

Back again, finally. Our flight arrived at 12:15 on Wednesday. After an unevenful flight, we made it through customs quickly, met the Clives rep, and we were off.

We had a quick stop at Bigga's for jerk pork. I had heard a lot about Bigga's, and had been wanting to try it, but really, I was not impressed. Very fatty, and way too spicy. Maybe the chicken is better, but I can get jerk chicken at dozens of restaurants near home. Jerk Pork doesn't seem to exist outside of Jamaica, so far as I can tell, so my goal was to try as many places as possible. Aside from Red Dragon and Dean on the beach, I was generally dissapointed. Don't get me wrong, Bigga's wasn't bad. Just not comparable to Dean or Ragabones. Had to eat very slowly because of the spicyness, but managed to get a little bite to eat before we checked in to our room around 2:45.

We quickly dropped our stuff in the room, and immediately headed out. We were on vacation, in Negril, and ready to start or trip in style. And I can't think of a better way to get into Negril mode quickly than to head straight to the Drunk Bus!

At this point, we're veterans of the One Love Bus. I think we went three times on our two trips last year. But always a great time, and still generally see some places I am not familiar with. "On the Rocks" was a new one for me, nice place! And all the usual stops. Dominoes at No Limit, Sunset at Sir D's. But always a great time. This trip, we knew we were cutting it close for time, so we met Lenbert and the Bus at Mi Yard, the 1st stop. Within 15 minutes of checking in to our hotel, we had met the bus and I was drinking the 1st of many Appleton & Ting's for the trip.

What a great way of starting the trip! By the 2nd bar I was in full Negril mode and ready to go. By the 6th or 7th bar, things were getting ugly. Details get hazy at this point. I know we ended the bus by getting droped off at C&D to see Connie and have a few more, and things got a bit hazier. Grabbed some chicken from Tayon's to take back to Catcha, where we are staying for the first two nights. Unfortunately, at this point we were apparently too drunk to operate the door key, and needed help from security to get into our room. Felt like an idiot the next morning when we realized that there are 2 room keys, one for the front door, one for the back, and we were simply using the wrong key. Oh well, the hazards of the drunk bus!

Direct from the Airport, and on to the One Love Bus!

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The Usual Stops

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I get better at dominoes every trip. I'm challenging some people next trip!

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Ahh, Sunset at Sir D's. Is there a better place in the world to grab your wife's ass?

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Beautiful Sunset

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Things start to get hazy after that

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And very hazy towards the end of the night

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Nice!!! Love that hazy feeling in Negril! Nothing better than to hit the ground running as they say. Anxious to hear more...I am chomping at the bit right now with only a few days before we reach. I have a feeling that by Thursday evening...that hazy feeling might be present. Thank Jah for security! LOL

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Originally Posted by Kiknback

Is there a better place in the world to grab your wife's ass?]

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Big _ss grin!!!!! :)

I have felt the haze of the love bus more than once. Mix in a couple subs and the haze gets real thick. Love the key thing good stuff.

This looks like it's going to be a good report ....

Looking forward to more - need something to get me through the next 4 nights! What a great way to start your vacation! I'd love to do that, but we don't get in early enough:(

Keep them coming Kicknback,loving the report so far,Definately not the Nov.21st Bar Crawl cause you couldn't take a picture on our bus,way to packed with partiers!!

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Originally Posted by yetta

Thank Jah for security! LOL

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Amen! They saved my ass on more than one night!

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Originally Posted by gerryg123

This looks like it's going to be a good report ....

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Uh oh, high expectations from Gerryg! Not sure if I'm worthy!

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Originally Posted by billndonna

Definately not the Nov.21st Bar Crawl cause you couldn't take a picture on our bus,way to packed with partiers!!

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We went on November 7th and the 14th. It got pretty crowded as well, but not the craziness of the zoo bus!

The next morning we wake up and finally get to check out Catcha Falling Star. We are staying in the Pisces room, one of the cheaper rooms. Room itself was ok. Nothing special, but not bad. Loved the balcony. Great place to chill out in the morning, relax in the hammock. And Catcha was very nice. Beautiful property. Only ate breakfast there, but it was very good. My stuffed Johnny Cake was by far my favorite breakfast of the trip.

It was a great day on the cliffs, water was super calm, swimming was easy, so we had a nice, relaxing day. The cliffs are a bit quiet for me, but a few days to relax and check out someplace new is always nice. And I had heard so much about Catcha that it was nice to finally see it for myself. Two nights was perfect. For dinner, we tried Ahhbies. Good burgers, but a little too expensive for a roadside shack kinda place.

After another good breakfast at Catcha, it was time to go home. White Sands on the beach. Love the place, and, really, it does feel like home at this point. We know everyone, and everyone treats us well. And I don't think there is a better stretch of beach in Negril, or anywhere else for that matter, then in front of White Sands. When we checked in at Catcha, it was only minutes before we headed to the drunk bus. When we checked into White Sands, I think it was less time than that before were were in the Ocean. And yeah, I'm calling it an Ocean. It would piss friends off everytime I said it, which is probably the main reason I do. But really, "Sea" just doesn't sound the same. The water is all connected. Yeah, technically it's the Caribbean Sea, but I'm calling it an Ocean. Sue me.

Great report. I love that stretch of beach too, wee stay next door at Nirvana
You can call it an Ocean if you want. I won't use you :p

Another White Sands believer. If you have not been there you dont understand how good it is. Cant wait for my feb reach.

Stayed at White Sands last year. I agree it's a great section of beach although a very narrow property and therefore gets crowded when fully occupied. All in all I would definitely stay there again.

View from our balcony at Catcha

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Tough life.

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Great view of Rick's and the Lighthouse

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Seas were a bit rougher the next morning

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Pool at Catcha

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Breakfast

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Back to White Sands

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Sunset at White Sands

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Perfection!! Can't wait till arrive day after tomorrow!

Nice report and pics... what is that in the breakfast picture? It looks awesome!!!

Mmmmmmmm Johnny Cakes!
Yum

Johney cakes stuffed with what? They look yummy

You can stuff them with anything you want
The one in his picture looks like eggs, bacon and cheese....which I have had before and it is delicious!
Hands down my favorite choice on their breakfast menu

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Originally Posted by marley9808

You can stuff them with anything you want
The one in his picture looks like eggs, bacon and cheese....which I have had before and it is delicious!
Hands down my favorite choice on their breakfast menu

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That's it, the bacon, egg, and cheese stuffed johnny cake... so good! They don't let non-guests in for breakfast, do they? I'd love to have it again, but not staying there next trip.

Yea... thanks for the trip report Kiknback, you know I was eagerly awaiting it :)

Lovin' the Catcha pictures! 3 more sleeps!

Drool.....Johnny Cake (done with my best zombie voice)

Nice report! You have me cracking up with the drunk bus story. Please continue.

The majority of the next few days just kinda blend together. Relaxing on the beach during the day, beach bars in the evening, usually either Sun Beach or White Sands. We would rarely make it out to the late night places, and that was usually a good thing. When we did stay out later, it usually ended up badly. That was the case the first night at White Sands.

It was a fun night. Bar hopping between White Sands and Sun Beach, seeing all our old friends, and meeting several new ones. Unfortunately, last call at White Sands, and time to move on. My wife, and our friends that were also there, took this as a sign to go to bed. I, on the other hand, decided to keep going. We were hanging out with a guy from Colorado, his name escapes me, it was his last night, so me and him head out to Alfred's.

How was Alfred's? I really don't know. Things got hazy at that point. (surprise, surprise.) I have no idea what happened to Colorado dude. I don't think I stayed very long. I head out towards home, see the barrel chicken guys, and decide to get a quarter chicken to take home. Out of Jamaican money at that point, I pay with a US $20, and he hands me my chicken and change. As he is doing this, some guy reaches in and takes $1000 J of my change!!!! Pretty much right in front of my face, but with all of the people around, and in my state of mind, I can't positively identify who did it. So I just start freaking out. Making a scene, who the f stole my money???? Someone saw something, dammit!! What the hell???? I eventually walk home, everyone's asleep. I'm still pissed, and no one to talk to. So what do I do? Go back to the Chicken guy, and b*tch some more. Generally, people are on my side, trying to calm me down, but I defininitely make a scene there on the road. I think I made my point, and finally go home for good.

I really do think most everyone was on my side there. I was recognized several times around town later in the week by people who saw me and told me how wrong it is that it happened. The next night I made peace with the chicken guy, who I really think was innocent in the matter, but bore the brunt of my complaining the previous night. And really, I made my point, and I think everyone was with me. Everytime something like this happens, more people go to the all-inclusives and lock themselves at the resort. Or skips Jamaica all together. Yeah, someone got my eleven bucks. Big deal. That's not the issue. It's more than that. You're giving a place I love a bad name. F**k you, a**hole, whoever you are.

Oh well, still having a great time in Negril. Lost 1000 J, eleven bucks, but got a good story to tell. Seems worth it. And really, seeing random people come up to me on the street saying "we are on your side" made it totally worth it.

Incredible the Jerk chicken guy did not stand up for you right at the time. He probably got paid five dollars later.

Andrew Tosh was playing Bourbon Beach the following night. I am a huge Peter Tosh fan, so I was really looking forward to it. We were "good" the next day. A lazy beach day, no early drinking, a nice nap. We were actually ready for a late night, rare for us.

Tickets at the door were $1200J. VIP Tickets were $2000. I'm generally not the VIP type. I was thinking we would get close seats or something like that. No, VIP means all-you-can-drink. For an extra 8 bucks, all you can drink all night???? Hell yeah!!! The best deal in Negril! While not a "full" bar, they had plenty of Red Stripes, Several flavors of Smirnoff, Rum, and Mixers. It wasn't Appleton, some cheap brand, but it worked. Overproof was also there, but I will avoid that if at all possible.

Since we were doing the VIP, we showed up early, right at 9:00 to start the night off. It was a fun time. The VIP area is the 2nd floor, a nice view of the bands. There were several openers, all very good. However, even with the nap, my wife and my friends were fading as it got close to 1 am. I am really the only big reggae fan of the bunch, so they decide to go home. They missed the headliner, but still certainly drank there money's worth.

So again, like last night, it is very late, I'm on my own, and pretty intoxicated. This night, however, everything works out great. Fantastic show!!! He really does sound like his dad. I quickly left the VIP area upstairs to find my place front row center on the beach. Had a wonderful time. Dancing to Peter Tosh music on the beach in Negril. Doesn't get much better than that. In contrast to the previous night, everything was perfect with the world. Good music. Good friends. (Yeah, they went to bed, but had fun all night) Got to say hi and shake hands with Andrew Tosh. On the way home I even had a nice, friendly chat with the chicken guy from the night before. Mutual Respect mon. A great night of music in Negril.

View from the VIP area

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Duet with "Mick Jagger"

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Andrew Tosh Live

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Great report on your Negril adventures . On the night your 1000 J's was taken should be A lesson to all, If you walk around Negril drunk the target on your back gets bigger . Hope the chicken was good . Soon Come Limo Mon

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Originally Posted by Limo Mon

Hope the chicken was good . Soon Come Limo Mon

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Hell, I don't remember, lol... ditto with the next night ;)

We bring friends every year when we come to Negril. Last year, for my wife's 40th, we had a big crowd. About 20 people showed up, family, friends, big party on the beach, all that. This year was more chill. We were in Negril for two weeks. Another married couple joined us for the first week, and we had two singles with us on the second. One newbie. A nice way to spend the vacation, finding new things for the veterans to get into, and seeing all of the must-do's as well with the newbie.

Most of the first week was just general "chill on the beach" type days. We brought a couple of floats with us, and with another float we found at the resort, established what we called the "Beer Barge." We saw another couple do this last year, set off with a float and a cooler, only to return hours later with a whole lotta empties. What a great idea! We brought a soft-sided cooler in our luggage, filled it up with beer, rum, and ice. Put that on one float, and the women got the other two floats, nice chair-like floats I bought from amazon for about 6 bucks each. The two guys were the anchors, to keep from drifting too far. We barged several of the days, a floating happy hour, watching the sunset from our own little barge. Next year, two more floats, and we taxi up to the end of the beach, and simply drift back to White Sands. Maybe even one of those fancy Canoe floating coolers. It was a steady barge this year, but next year, the beer barge will sail!

Obviously, if you spend an afternoon on a beer barge, or a bar crawl, which we did again that Wednesday, it's not going to be a real late night. And really, there weren't a lot of late nights at all the rest of the trip, although we usually closed down White Sands or Sun Beach, so it wasn't exactly early nights either. And just because we didn't make it out to Alfred's or Roots Bamboo, didn't mean we didn't get a little crazy. But no more encounter's with late night chicken guys. Well, mostly. White Sands was closing at 10 one night, we were close to done, but wanted one more round. Went across the street to Best in the West. Had a few more, until they were ready to close. Got a quarter chicken to go, and wend back to the room. Woke up the next morning, and the chicken was sitting right there on the dresser. I was drunk, and had forgotten to eat the chicken I just bought. Doh!

:) Sounds great so far...

We have been coming pretty regularly for the past several years, and definitely have our favorite places. As soon as I land, I am trying to make plans to go to Red Dragon. My favorite food in the world, period. I just love their pork. So damn good. And really, it may be my favorite bar, as well. Just a great way of spending an afternoon. Gordo, the bartender, and most of the regulars are just great to hang out with. No one has ever tried to sell me anything there. No one tries to bum a cigarette. Just good food, good drinks, good people.

Connie, of C&D Country Western Bar, is one of our favorite people in the world. Nice, and genuine, and a friend. We have spent many nights on the picnic table outside of C&D for hours on end. We were curious to see how things were now that she had taken over Jenny's, her Mom's old place, and combined it with C&D. We were not dissapointed. There still is a nice picnic table outside, and a nice hang out area, so still the same kinda place. A couple of expat musicians were holding a little jam session out there the first night we were there, that was a lot of fun. So the fun of the old place seemed to still be there, now I wanted to try the food. Whoa. The absolute best Mac and Cheese I have ever had. The fried chicken was excellent as well. We ate there twice, wish we could have more. Ordered the same thing both times, so didn't try anything else. But damn, I'm still craving Connie's fried chicken and Mac & cheese. Oh, and the special cake is wonderful for breakfast. Nice, relaxing day on the beach!

Back on the Beach, Sun Beach has always held a special place for us. I first remember this from a few years ago, when my hockey team, the Capitals, were the best team in hockey. Huge favorites, playing Montreal in the first round. We were in Negril. And for games 6 and 7, we were at Sun Beach. And we took over. We had the entire bar, Jamaicans included, getting into it. C-A-P-S- Caps! Caps! Caps! Cheering, Yelling. Fun crowd, fun times. Until the end, when all hopes of a Stanley Cup ended with a first round loss to the eighth seed. I am still remembered at Sun Beach, years later, as "that crazy french-fry throwing guy." Anyways, we always have fun at Sun Beach. Neil is one of my favorite people to see, as well as Sophia, Dennis, and the rest. And this is the bar that we usually find our old friend Andrew sitting in his usually corner bar stool, waiting for a challenger. He will take on all comers in a game/wager for a Red Stripe. It only works on the smooth bar at Sun Beach. Each person gets on the opposite side of the bar, and a new Red Stripe is opened. The object is to slide the Red Stripe accross the bar, with its edge landing over the lip of the bar. If you throw too hard or too soft, the other guy catches it, and now its his turn. Back and forth until someone wins. Winner keeps the beer, loser buys. We've had some epic battles over the years. This yeah, it went in streaks. He couldn't lose the first night, to anyone. But my wife went on a nice streak near the end to just about even things up for the trip. And really, the best way of ordering a Red Stripe anywhere.

And if I am talking about our favorite places, White Sands is home, of course. All of the people are just wonderful, from Francis, to Ledon, to the whole staff. And the bar is always fun. Tony and Paul are two totally opposite personalities, but I really like both of them.

One place that I might be adding to the list, from this trip, is the soup stand accross the street from the jungle. What a great deal! The have full meals, baked or fried chicken when we were there, very good and super cheap. I got the small fried chicken for I think 250J, and it was huge! The large for 400J must have been crazy. But very good. I'm not a soup person, but others said the soup was very good. I did finally get to try the Mannish Water, which I had been wanting to try. Also called Goat Belly soup. Not bad, but I just had a small taste, more just to say I have tried it. But the standard soup, chicken noodle or something like that, got rave reviews. And we swore we would wake up to get porridge from there in the morning, but always overslept passed 9:30, when they move on from breakfast. Next time!

My Wife with Neil of Sun Beach
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Tony at White Sands
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Fried Chicken from the Soup Stand. Pictures of styrophone boxes don't do it justice. My favorite meals are served in styrophone boxes, but pictures for "food porn" really work better with a nice plate. But either way, it was delicious!
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Mannish Water (Goat Belly Soup) - Not as bad as I was expecting!
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Our Favorite Security Guard
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opc9Odyu128

Wow! Great report! I have to try the One Love Bus Crawl. I been in all those bars and I've ridden of the bus with Lenbert. But never did the crawl. LOL!

Johnny Cakes from Catcha. Yum! We stay at Catcha Gardens so We eat breakfast at Ivan's or LTU a lot . Tough life on the cliffs.

If I were you, I'd be very careful of late night chicken ;) Chicken dinner on the night stand. LOLOL!

You must have met Bill and Elmer at C&D. Some of my long time friends in Negril. Interested to see what changes Connie has made by combining Jennie's and the Bar.

Thanks for the Report!

bravo, thanks for the report

My wife, winning a free beer in "Redstripe Football" at Sun Beach
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One of those crazy nights at Best in the West...
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Time is just flying by, and on Friday we welcome in a new set of friends. Our other friends are leaving the next day, so we have one day together as a big group. We do the usuals. Best in the West for a quick bite, Sun Beach, White Sands. Another fun night with good friends in Negril.

Saturday, time to storm the castle! We were a little nervous about this. RastaRich posted a message inviting everyone to a pre-sunset happy hour at the Blue Cave Castle penthouse. But, that was about a month before. Nothing since. Never met the guy. Do we just show up and crash the place? Our friends thought we were crazy. We decided to play it by ear. We took a taxi to the Spida Bar, across the street from the castle. That way, if others showed up, we would join them. If not, we'd just head to Pee Wee's for sunset. Well, after a few games of Dominoes at Spida's, we saw a group heading to the Castle, all with big insulated beer mugs. I think we found our crowd! I send the wife over to confirm that we aren't the only crazies, grabbed a few drinks from Spida's, and we head up to join the party at the Penthouse.

What a great place! There was a nice group there, friendly people, with King Richard himself presiding over the fun. The view from the top, the tallest point in Negril, was amazing. I had always wanted to check out the Castle, and was not dissapointed. This may be on my list to stay on a future trip. Had a great time, met some nice people, and definitely glad we decided to show up. Thanks again, RastaRich!

From there, walked up to C&D/Jenny's, where we had one of our delicious Mac & Cheese / Fried Chicken dinners. So damn good. And after a nice meal, off to Seastar for the show.

Seastar is becoming a 50/50 thing for me. I like Steven West and Fernando, and the drummers are good. A little too cheesy and touristy at times, however. When they start doing the reggae version of the Electric Slide and crap like that, I just want to throw up. But the good generally outweighs the bad, and we had a nice time. Got to meet some boardies, my friend discovered the Purple Rain, and all was good.

What a view from the Castle!
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Happy Hour with the King of the Castle
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My wife and I on top of the World... or at least Negril
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Exploring the cave a bit
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Sunset
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And darkness descends on the Castle
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Thanks for the Castle pics! Gonna be there the end of next month.