Jesus and Snoop Do Negril...A Trip Report

First the back story…..


2 weeks before our trip:


We find out that this guy we know from around town is going to be in Negril during the same time as us. We knew he was Jamaican but we had no idea he was from Montego Bay or that he had worked in Negril for many years. What are the chances? Since he rents a car and is very familiar with the area he says he'll look us up at the Blue Cave Castle.


1 week before our trip:


Flu! Not just “a bug” or “a cold”. I'm talking about full fledged F-L-U! Flu so bad and persistent that we started to discuss backup plans should I not be healthy enough to travel. I all but banned Beth Ann from the bedroom so I would not infect her. Meanwhile Mr. Wigglesworth (our cats new boardie name) stood guard over our luggage hoping we wouldn't go. It took two trips to the doctors but I was finally feeling well enough to return to work to wrap things just one day before the start of our vacation.

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Away we go….
By the time we land in Montego Bay I’m feeling 100%. We work our way through immigration and customs without much delay and out into the warm Jamaican air to look for our driver. We see a group of other drivers that are from the Negril area and ask around for Chicken but he wasn't around. Seconds later one of them is on the phone and informs us Chicken will be at the airport in 5 minutes. We decide to grab a drink at the bar and just as we get our drinks Chicken finds us.

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Even though this was only our second trip to Negril the ride in was very familiar. We made one quick stop at Digicel for a SIM while Beth Ann popped into the Cambio to exchange some money. Next thing we knew we were at the Castle.

We stop to take a look at the view from our room before starting to unpack (I suspect this is pretty common). The first time I ever saw this view it seemed unreal but this time it all seemed very much real. As we get settled in we find that the TSA turned everything in our bag inside out and upside down. We assume it was punishment for just barely making our flight. It took us only a short time to get things settled in at the Castle and we were off to get some provisions for the room.

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On our way to the store we make a quick stop at PeeWee’s. We said hello to the familiar faces and asked around for a few others that weren’t currently present. Before long we were reacquainted with just about everyone.

Both Beth Ann and I quit smoking cigarettes. Beth Ann uses an e-cigarette and I use a vaporizer (same basic concept). Leading up to the trip I wondered how much attention this would draw because it can prompt a lot of questions at home. Well.....

It wasn't long before someone comes over and asks “what's in there?” I would be asked this MANY times during this trip and a look of disappointment usually followed when I explained that it only contained nicotine. “So nothing is burning” this guy continues to ask. I explain further.......“What about her?” they ask, pointing to Beth Ann. I explain that she is using the same thing. After grasping the concept they confess that the reason they came over and asked was because they were worried Beth Ann's bag was going to catch fire. Here he had thought she put a lit cigarette in her bag!

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After a couple of drinks we head over to L&M and then back to the Castle for dinner at Teddy's. At the Castle we recognize more familure faces. It seemed like we had never left. Even some of the same guests where there. As we eat dinner we hear some lively guests enjoying good music behind us. We sit there for a little while after dinner listening to the music before heading to the room for the night.

The next morning we decide we had have breakfast because it was pub crawl day. Out of curiosity I order the Chicken Sausage with my eggs.

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After breakfast we spend some time getting settled into our room a bit more and soon it was almost time for Lenbert to pick us up. As we get to the gate to wait for Lenbert we see two other guests waiting. Turns out one of them was going on the crawl. I asked if they were the ones playing the music last night and sure enough it was them.

Pics please sir need work. No show and it's killing me.

Should be all fixed now

Great start - looking forward to more :)

Keep it coming. Pics are clear and sweet. Love the story about the e cigg

This is awesome, so far! Looking forward to another one of your reports.

Woop Woop
I'm excited already! And I can't wait to hear the story that explains the title!

PARTIIIEEE great photos...

:) this is going to be good!

Lmao about the e-cig

First of all, the Respiratory Therapist in me wants to say congrats on not being a future patient! ;)

And like Marley, I can't wait to hear the reason for the title!!!! More TR please....

Crawl Time....

We were among the first to be picked up by Lenbert but just when I started wondering how many more the bus could possibly hold we were off to our first stop....Mi Yard. As we wait in line for our first drink we joke about ordering the E99 sandwich. We spend enough time there to finish our drinks before heading off to “On the Rocks”. Another drink and then off to C&D/Jenny's. As we pull up Lenbert offers a warning about the cake….“It will knock you down like bull cow!”

Next stop was “No Limit” where we cross the street to PeeWee's to beat the crowd. We grab a quick drink and head back across the street. We start to stroll up the lane towards Bentley's and run into Marko. We recognized him from videos posted by Gerryg123 (Ya Mon!).

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We have just enough time for introductions and a brief chat with Marko before Lenbert arrives to take us to Choices. At Choices this guy walking by proclaimed.....“It's Jamaican Hash Wednesday....!”. It was actually “Ash Wednesday” so we were certain that was what he was talking about.

As we arrive at Xtabi (our 6^th stop for those keeping count) I mention that I had heard they make a really good dirty banana and the next thing I knew the bar was lined with them. Yes....they do make a good dirty banana. We both really liked it at Xtabi and agreed we should return at some point.

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Woah! I just missed you, I was staying at Xtabi but left that day,"hash wednesday" !!!

Your pub crawl sounded like ours
My husband was still standing after 10 rum punches
At bar #5 he was taking notes and asked me how to spell KKKkkkkkKKK. Kkkkkkkkk
I knew I was in trouble for the night and that was Bob Marleys birthday

Yeah! A new trip report! :) Thanks and keep it coming!!!

We arrived at Seastar in time for 2 for 1 specials. I decided to abandon the Red Stripe and have a Rum Punch with Beth Ann. I learned last year to respect the rum punch and anything with overproof. I had paced myself well on the crawl so I knew with one last stop to go I'd be just fine drinking just this one. We load back into the bus for our final stop at Firewater Love Nest. One look at the place and I knew this was going to be another place we would be visiting again this trip. We perch ourselves to watch the low hanging sun slowly fade into horizon. This was to be not only the best sunset of this trip but probably the best sunset we've seen yet.

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After sunset we load into the bus and make our way back down One Love Drive. Our ride was short because we were the first to be dropped off . As we step off the bus it hits me...I quickly dive back into the bus and give Lenbert his much deserved tip. We make our way through the gate of our hotel and make plans to meet back up with our new Castle friends.

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We run out to get some chicken from the local barrel guy but he wasn't out on this night so we head over to PeeWee's to discuss alternate dinner plans. We decide to eat at Teddy's and then meet back up with our new friends. We meet some more new friends that had just flown in and we all make plans to go to Canoe the following day for the webcast.

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We eventually head back to the room for the night and think...What a great day. As we get to our room we run into these guys who were nice enough to pose for a picture....

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I'm so hype right now!!!! my wife and I will be there in 2 weeks. cant wait

Thanks so much for the view and the vibe from the under appreciated Blue Cave Castle!

Happy Travels,

Skb

Nice report so far. Getting stoked for April.

YEAH!! keep it comin Kevin

so funny bout the e-cig, can just see it

Thanks for all of the positive responses! I'm trying to get the report cranked out as quickly as possible.

Won't be long before you'll find out where we came up with the title of the report. Don't get too excited though.

PGW....Too bad we just missed you. It would have been nice to meet another boardie.

Smokin Kevan.... We LOVE the castle! We have an even greater appreciation of it after this trip....a little more on that to be reported yet........

Great report, can't wait for more. Love the sunset pics and congrats on the no smoking....just think how much you are saving for Another trip to the rock plus your health!!! win/win

I think you missed an update.

great reading this trip report today! snowing like hell here in boston! thanks!

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As we step off the bus it hits me

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at first I thought the bus hit you....I can just see it, "hey Lenbert, roll back off mi foot"

Great report, loving it. Great pics from the castle.

Ekfa51...you too? It's coming down hard here..got a half day from work due to no power :-).
Kevin,PA, nice TR & pics...congrats on getting rid of the cigs...you'll thank yourself later...now get writing, we want more :-)

It's another easy going morning at the castle. We skip breakfast and decide to do an early lunch instead.

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We take to the street and head to Chicken Lavish which was on our to do list last year but we never made it. Beth Ann orders a Rum Punch and I stick to Red Stripe. Beth Ann takes a sip of her Rum Punch and I can tell by the look on her face that it's a strong one. This drink was beyond strong. It was basically overproof with a splash of something red.

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As we watch the passersby coming and going on the busy street we start to hear the song “Gangnam Style” playing in the distance. Beth Ann and I look at each other wondering where it was coming from as the music grows louder and louder. Soon we see a large pickup come into view. Inside the truck blaring ”Gangnam Style” was an old rasta. Beth Ann and I were nearly in tears laughing at this site as we were not expecting this to be the source of the music. Our fried chicken arrives and it did not disappoint. Beth Ann continues to sip at her drink long after our meal in order to maintain the motor skills needed to navigate the road back to our room.

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Yay! More trip report! Love the pics from BCC...Rum PUNCH is no girlie drink...is it?...and, I want that fried chicken :p

Later on we meet back up with the gang to go to Canoe. Since this was the last day in Negril for most of our new friends group photos were in order. One thing lead to another and before we knew it other guests were joining in on the photos while another guest comes running from his room to play photographer.

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In the meantime someone had arranged for a driver with a van big enough to carry us all down the road. There was some safety concerns about traveling by foot in our current state so it was probably a good call.

We arrive at Canoe and the place is packed with guests enjoying their Valentines Day dinner. Our group quickly splits up as some head to the bar and others head for Rob's camera to make contact with loved ones watching for them at home. I secure a table but the evening turns out to be more of a drinking event so we give it up to others who would like to enjoy a meal. In the meantime we had a nice chat with a couple of fellow boardies, Sandgravitygirl and Craig123.

Eventually we start to gather to head back to the hotel and I head to the bar to pay my tab. “What table were you at?” I was asked and explain what happened to our table which seemed to cause some confusion with the staff. After a few minutes I'm asked “what did you have?”. We list everything we had consumed as they write it down, add it up and present us with a total. We load back into the waiting van and make the 1 minute trip back to the hotel.

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Since we still haven't had dinner Beth Ann and I decide to head out to see if the Jerk Barrel guy was out, suspecting he was by the fact we could smell the distinct aroma of cooking jerk. We place our order and head over to PeeWee's to wait for it to finish cooking. After dinner we meet back up with the gang for another night of laughs before heading to bed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAQQGGZ1RUs

LOL..nothing better than a good case of the "giggles"!!! Seems like giggles and smiles in Negril are a national dish in Jamaica like ackee and saltfish! :) Really enjoying your reports and pics. Thanks...

Great report, keep it coming!

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Originally Posted by Lorax2

Yay! More trip report! Love the pics from BCC...Rum PUNCH is no girlie drink...is it?...and, I want that fried chicken :p

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It sure wasn't no girlie drink...I think they added some pink food coloring just to fool me! ;) Chicken Lavish was excellent...fun time!

Day 4



I wake up early the next morning and take a cheese quiz in a food magazine Beth Ann had brought along. I find out I'm “Very Gouda” when it comes to my cheese knowledge. A little later Beth Ann wakes up and notices our friends from home finally found us at the castle! We scurry to get presentable and head down to meet up with Snoop and his wife. They introduce us to their friend and we find out that they had already been all over checking out different hotels.

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They tell us about this beach hotel they just booked at and wanted us to take a look. We gather a few things and head out. First we take a quick detour to find the Westender which is way further out there then we ever imagined. On our way to the beach I stop to use an ATM but for some reason it wouldn't process my transaction? We stop at another.....same thing?

We decide to try again later and they take us to Boardwalk Village. They lead us to the beach where we take some pictures for our friends back home......

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Then we go take a look at the new rooms they were still in the process of putting the finishing touches on. Next thing I knew we were booking a few nights for next year with Snoop and his wife. Now we needed to deal with the ATM issue since we were nearly out of money. We make a quick stop at Rooms to drop off Snoops wife and friend and head off for NCB, Red Stripes in hand.

We try the ATM again at NCB but still no luck. Snoop takes us into the bank while I call my bank at home. My bank sees no issues with my account? I walk up to the receptionist at NCB and explain my issue. She hands me a number and directs me to a waiting area. I see two windows with customers and one guy waiting. I look at my ticket...#83. I look at the number currently being served....#73???

We sit and wait while we watch what seemed to be an endless process of signing papers, stapling them together, stamping them, more signing followed by more stamping and on and on and on. An hour later they call out number 74 and I'm thinking we're in for a long wait. A few seconds later we hear..... ”Number 75”! Then “Number 74”? The bank teller looks at us and asks what my number is and waves us up to the window. We find out that Visa's communication lines were down preventing all Visa transactions from completing. I handed over my MasterCard and they were able to get me money using it but not before more writing, signing, stamping and money counting and recounting.

During all of this Beth Ann got to hang out with Snoop which is always an experience. For starters he likes to share knowledge and stories so there is never a lack of good conversation. Second, everywhere you go you hear people calling “Snoop'!. Many actually know him as Snoop but he gets strangers calling him Snoop all of the time too.

At this point we decide to head back to our hotel to get showers and cleaned up for the day which is already nearly halfway over. After cleaning up we head over to PeeWee's to wait for sunset. As the sun starts hang lower and lower we head back over the Castle to catch the final rays.

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As the sun goes down I hear Beth Ann say “Oh good...I don't have to slather anymore today” (i.e. apply sunblock) as if it was such a horrible task. I point out she wouldn't get much sympathy at home.

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We walk to Ciao Jamaica for dinner which was really really good. On our way home from dinner this guy comes peddling up to us on a bike. He looks at me and says “I know you......you look like Jesus”. Beth Ann and I get a good chuckle out of this and I assure him I am not Jesus but that he wasn't the first person to tell me this. With that he peddles off into the darkness never to be seen again.

Back at the castle we miss our castle friends who had departed that morning but look forward to an early evening. Before falling asleep we browse through some of our pictures. When we get to the pictures of me and Snoop on the beach we get a good laugh and agree we should title this one....”Jesus and Snoop do Negril”

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LOL! He really does look like Snoop!

do i see you wearing flea collers on your ankles?

Thanks for the report Kevin, props. Right in the heart of it all in my book. Surprised I haven't heard you mention Spyda's yet, the MOST convenient stumblebump from BCC :) Any day of the dead photos this reach?

Sweet report. I was wondering about that title.

Mud - Nope...just socks in those pics.

Guirigay - Nope we have yet to hit Spyda's. Not sure why? As you can tell we always head to PeeWee's...A) we like the view and B) We have "friends" there. No day of the dead photos. We were really well behaved this trip. In fact we both agreed....too well behaved. But at least I didn't lose a whole day sick in bed :) Just getting over the flu and being on antibiotics for the first few days didn't help either. But it probably really came down to respecting the overproof this trip..again...I probably respected it a little too much.