Here are some more pics before we get ready to rewind the adventure:Quote:
Originally Posted by negrilaholic
1, Great ocean view at Westender
2, Brasi did a great job with the Flop contest
3, Dummerboy, a really good guy ....
Here are some more pics before we get ready to rewind the adventure:Quote:
Originally Posted by negrilaholic
1, Great ocean view at Westender
2, Brasi did a great job with the Flop contest
3, Dummerboy, a really good guy ....
It's Tuesday morning, another beautiful day in Negril, but the ocean again is a bit choppy.
Suzie Q jumped on the scooter with me, and we headed down the hill. It's so nice early in the morning before most of the shops and restaurants have opened, and One Love Drive is nice n quiet. We took it slow, leaning into the turns, and made our way to Scotia Bank. Suzie Q needed some cash, and just by chance we ran into Clarity and bunch of other boardies who were headed on a bus to YS Falls for the day.
As I made my hellos to Clarity and Hubby Man, a hustler approached us: "Wow, what a surprise, someone is trying to sell us something!" I said, and we all had a chuckle.
Since it was windy on the beach with little waves, I figured it might be nicer and more calm up past the beaches, past the RIUs, all the way to Rhodes Resort. We made it there in about 15 minutes, and we brought along our rafts to float around. Everywhere we go, SuzieQ gets lots of attention from the Rastas, and at Rhodes the security guards were very attentive -- so much so, that SuzieQ even bought a little piece of jewelry from one of them (she is too nice to say NO!).
The beach was nice nice nice. I floated around a bit, ordered a few fruity drinks, got into Bob Marley mode .... It was still early but the sun was shining bright. Combined with the nice wind, it was a perfect Caribbean day. We had more plans, but it was hard to pull ourselves away from Rhodes. There were peacocks roaming about, and there was just one other couple enjoying the property at the time.
Thanks man!!! I enjoyed meeting you Gerry!!! This trip was a life changer for me. I will write a report of my own soon. I just a letting it all settle in, post reach style....and not gonna lie....been in a funk realizing it's back to the grind. I cannot say enough how great it was meeting all of you fine people!!! You ALL are amazing and I am proud to share a common bond with you......JAMAICA!!!
Very nice to meet you Gerry, what a week! Thanks for the help when things went south and the resurrection on Saturday night was extremely appreciated!
GerryG! It was good to meet you. Love the pic with Jodi, thanks for sharing. :)
By paying a very reasonable $5 entrance fee, you have full use of the property at Rhodes.
We took a swim in the infinity pool, which is actually a salt-water pool that pumps in water from the ocean. It's pure bliss, floating there and enjoying the sights, the sounds, the smells. If you want a 5-star experience for $5 dollars, look no further. Plus, the rooms are VERY affordable, and the food is good, too -- particularly the pizza, and that's an uncommon find in Negril.
Suzie Q and I formed an instant friendship -- nothing untoward -- and it was here we shared our life stories. There's a bond that often forms among travelers in Negril, an instant one, the likes of which I've never seen anywhere else. Let's just say we've both had our ups and downs through the years -- triumphs and tears, miracles and mistakes, etc. -- and we're both divorced parents with an everlasting passion for Jamaica -- and both with plenty of spending money, so we got along GREAT.
I was already getting a bit red from the sunburn, but what the heck -- let's keep rockin. Next stop, Half Moon Beach.
I think we are all feeling the same way right now dude....a FUNK is an understatement! ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by drummerboy13
Here are some more pics (top to bottom):
1, Makin' a big splash at seastar Inn
2, Suzie Q at Rhodes Resort
3, Sweetie Pie and gugiray
4, Jodie laughing it up at Bentleys
Ahh,Rhodes Hall!!!!!-Picture taken right by the small beach all to yourself and the changing rooms-I assume ya'll went up to Bayview and see Shane and Kemp and wonderful staff?You like the snorkling there?~Bless!
GREAT pics gerry! IT was awesome meeting you , and I dont think I told you Im also from cali born and raised ~Here are some awesome Gerry G photos and dang near my favorites! Love to ya! Thankful that we all made it out alive!!!
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AWESOME GERRY!!!!!
oh wow I love those pics, especially the one in mid jump, lolol! I really wish I could have been there for that party, it looks like it was a truly awesome one and everyone had a ball. :)
Jerry 5 dollars wow I must go there next time for sure!!!!!Quote:
Originally Posted by gerryg123
Half Moon Beach was just as I remembered it -- like a beautiful scene from a masterpiece oil painting. The colors, the textures. The place is among the most picturesque you'll ever see.
We set our stuff down and ordered lunch. Chicken for me and crab for Suzie Q with plans to share a bit .... Both dishes were really good.
There were two other couples, one from Italy and the other from .... drumbeat please ... Los Angeles!
The chef, Delmar, came out and introduced himself. It took all my constraint not to stand up and applaud for the great man.
We took a little tour, checked out the little cottages. Nice place but no AC, and you know me: I am too pampered not to have AC!
I hit the water and splashed around a bit, floating on my raft. I love love love floating on the Negril ocean in my raft. That alone is worth the $732 plane ticket.
Ya mon.
We headed back toward seven-mile beach, stopping at a little shack where a nice lady was selling drinks and fruit. The lady said she had been ordered not to sell Red Stripe but managed to pull one out for 400j for Suzie Q.
It was still early in the afternoon, so we figured why not keep things going. I called my cabbie friend, Chunkey (that's the proper spelling), and we met in front of Legends to be picked up to go to Roaring River. I wanted to see the Blue Hole Gardens and to reunite with Robert, a long-time friend who has hosted me many times at Blue Hole Gardens -- which, if you've never been, is a secluded, spectacular natural spring that's about the size of an Olympic swimming pool and is breathtakingly beautiful.
Chunkey arrived and agreed to take us, rountrip, for 60 dollars -- a good deal because it's a long way including some dicey unpaved roads for the last mile or two.
The drive is stunning. You make a left at the roundabout and head up the hill, through all the little towns just past Sav La Mar. This is real Jamaica. It's bustling, especially at around 3 p.m., as all the kids are just getting out of school. We took a few photos of all the street action, stopping for an ocassional drink.
I thought I had my phone, but suddenly I could not find it. I told Chunkey it might have slid under the seat, and we pulled over on a little street near Sav so i could find it. I got out, opened the door, checked under the seat. Not there. Then I realized -- duh -- it was in the side pocket on the door. Relieved, I said OK let's take off.
As we pulled away, I heard something plop. It was my pouch that I had carelessly left atop the taxi, and as we accelerated it tumbled onto the street behind us. I barely noticed, but Chunkey was all over it. The contents spilled out -- money, wallet, keys, camera, etc. -- and Chunkey skidded to a stop and backed up. Some of the locals came out to their front yard to watch all this with a WTF expression. Embarassed, I gathered my stuff, and off we went again. I am always doing things like this, and folks are always chasing me down to hand me back things I left behind like my keys, my phone (I go through countless pairs of reading glasses, both in Negril and in Los Angeles).
I was relieved I got everything back. I told Chunkey OK we're up to 70 dollars now -- plus tip!
I called Joy, who runs the Blue Hole and operates a little shop just in front of it, and she remembered me cause I go to Blue Hole just about every reach. I had her cook up up two yardie plates with chicken and rice, and she said it would be ready for us when we arrived. The lady is a great cook, so I was really looking forward to this.
Side note: Lots of locals don't understand the concept of to-go food the same way Americans do. Not that it was a big deal, but Joy did not start cooking until after she actually saw us in person. I had a similar situation later in the week when I ordered a chicken lunch to be picked up exactly at 3 p.m., but alas there was no action at all until the cook-shop owner actually saw my face once I arrived.
I can understand: There are lots of flakey vacactioners, and economically it's too tight to risk wasting food. However, to all you Negril food operators who might be reading this: gerryg123 takes his food VERY seriously and will ALWAYS show up even in emergency circumstances!!!!
Enjoying the report! Will have to go to Blue Hole Gardens. How far is it from Negril? I was cracking up imagining you in the streets getting your things that fell off the taxi, looking for your phone, loosing your glasses. Sounds like my travel partner D&L, she loves travelling with me because I take good care of her,making sure she always has all her stuff. I have to keep her organized at times. I cant wait to see pics of you guys at Blue Hole. :cool:
It's about a 45-minute drive to Roaring River, and that's where Blue Hole Gardens is. One tip: Beware of hustlers offering to escort you in, as they WILL be expecting a tip, and sometimes there can be more than one of them. Command your cabbie to find his own way to Blue Hole and to not accept a guide -- otherwise you're the one who will pay, lol!
Here's a few more pics (top to bottom):
1, My long-lost friend, Nicky, enjoys a drink at Seastar Inn
2, Suzie Q chillin at Bentleys
3, Early in the morning at Seastar Inn
I guess at Blue Hole they switched Robert to working out front at Roaring River where the Cave is, so he no longer regularly guides tourists at BLue Hole. But since we've known each other a long time, he readily agreed to meet us, along with regular guide K.C., a nice guy, too.
There were two youngsters, 8 and 11, that shared the lagoon with us, and both were very excited about a chance to float on Suzie's raft, which was a really nice floater. The kids were really nice. We gave them a few dollars.
The food finally arrived, and it was GOOD. Joy had to make special extra trips for the drinks -- and ketchup -- and that was nice of her. We frolicked around the place for close to two hours, longer than we had first told Chunkey, who did not seem to mind. He's been a cabbie for 30 years and has friends everywhere, including Blue Hole.
On the way back, we visited a snack stand. One of the ladies there was quite interested in joining us, particularly me (lol), and though we politely declined by saying we were in a rush and it was a long way back, the lady then called me cell phone several times a day until i finally left the island a week or so later. Her name was Bam Bam, and she was beautiful -- but she was faraway from Negril, and guess who would have had to pay her cab fare????
Gerry Your reports are so full I get tired! You should do one just on your culinary adventures. I would follow you anywhere. You are my Negril food god!!!
Here are some more pics of Blue Hole:
cool pic of you at the Blue Hole Gerry....I'd like to check that out next time. how far is it away?
It's about 45 minutes from Negril. Not too many tourists know about it.
I'm so there next trip. Thanks for sharing.
Ya, in a little ways it is a similar experience to YS Falls or Mayfield Falls, but MUCH MUCH MUCH closer and more affordable -- and PRIVATE.
Miss G and I used to go over there to picnic. I those days there was nothing there at all but the little falls and the pool.
I think we'll pay a visit next time we're home. It's about 20 minutes from the yard.
Here's a little video of Rhodes Resort:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p48FFm6lzGo
^^^^^^Our newly home away from home:)-Looks like a breezy and chopping day at da beach~Bless~gerryg
Love it Gerry!Quote:
Originally Posted by gerryg123
As we headed out in front of Roaring River, I couldn't believe who I ran into: It was a local gentleman named Lightning, who had guided me through the area about five years ago, but in the interim I had not seen him since. I had asked several times about him -- Lightning was an incredible host who literally CARRIED my two toddler daughters through some of the tough terrain back then -- but never had a chance to see him again until now.
Lightning did remember me -- how the heck do Jamaicans always remember peeps when sub sandwiches are supposed to hinder your memory??? -- and we made a quick hello. It was nice to see him again, and the chance meeting was among a series of reunions this reach that brought me back in touch with some of the original locals I had grown so fond of. When I first met him, he had a very bad limp and had never seen a doctor (that's what happens when you can't afford good medical help, I guess), but this time he had a bicycle.
Now the challenge was on: It was twilight with still a lot of road to cover before we made it back to the coast, but Chunkey swore up and down we would make it back by sundown. Sure enough, he didn't even have to speed, and we made it!
I spent a good part of the evening with Tattoo Charlie at Canoe, then I headed back to Seastar Inn and crashed early. At least, that's the story I'm going with, lol.
When is your next getaway Jerry and are you still in the record biz?
Soon come. Music biz, yes, but if I keep disappearing to Negril, who knows???? lol ......
gerry you really get around! Just from reading about your adventures I have more gotta check this place out than I could do in several trips.
Thanks I appreciate them
If my intro psych class from back in the day is to be believed, as long as you are in the same state as when you learned it, your chances of remembering are good. Of course being students, there were certainly those who wished to apply the theory right away. Subs with studying therefore meant subs with exams. I'll admit wasn't prepared to test the theory then and I wouldn't recommend the strategy now. Still, I kind of think for some Jamaican's, the steady sub diet is their key to keeping the memories intact.Quote:
Originally Posted by gerryg123
In the morning, I was greeted at breakfast by Gugiray and Sweetie Pie, a fun couple from Michigan. I got along especially well with Gugiray, who is simply an incredibly cool guy.
And Suzie Q, of course. We'd grown quite close, and after spending most of her time with me she decided she wanted to extend her vacation! She had done a package through Expedia with no free changes allowed of course -- rookie mistake, lol -- and according to one of the agents, to change the flight they were going to charge her something ridiculous like 500 dollars. Plus, her nightly rate she was paying at Seastar Inn was higher than it would be if she already had two feet in Negril, which of course she did now.
She asked for my help, and I found a one-way flight that was affordable. Then i implored Chris to give her a SICK rate for staying on, and of course the great hotelier came through as he always does for his loyal returnees, and so it was settled. Suzie would stay for as long as I was there, until Sunday, a huge move because it was only Wednesday morning, so four more glorious nights and five glorious days.
Suzie Q flipped her credit card out like an old Western gunslinger .... Ya mon.
We hung out for a bit at Bantons and with my friend, Keith, from Philly. He lives right near Banton's, and he's always doing something fun. The house he built overlooks the sea but was a bit of a project when he first bought it, but Keith and his live-in assistant, known simply at Rasta (great guy), have built the place up nicely.
My project for today was to find a Rasta named Bobo, a good friend of fellow boardie Negriloholic from Oklahoma. She had recommended Bobo strongly as just a great guy to hang out with, a really trustworthy soul, and my only clue was that he worked in one of the craft shops near Rockhouse.
I had tried to find him last reach, but alas it was harder than I thought because someone said there was more than one Bobo. But this time, I just yelled "where's bobo?" a few times as I whooshed by in my Scooter, and eventually the Rasta yelled out "Here I am! Ya mon, I heard you were looking for me!"
Here are some more pics from Roaring River (top to bottom):
1, Little shop where I met Bam Bam
2, Same shop, this is another nice lady
3, Robert, loyal guide at Blue Hole Gardens and Roaring River
4, This is the real Jamaica
5, Little shack on the outskirts
6, Lightning, the elder Roaring River guide
7, Bam Bam, what a great Jamaica smile
Here's some video of HALF MOON BEACH ....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4A3uEcfg_nw
Irie report!!!!!!!!!:D
WOW! Loving this report.
GERRY!!! I just wanna hand with you next reach. Seriously, you know everyone and have sooooo much fun. You should offer tours. :o
Gerry, you're so funny, "Don't tell Bentley you're having crab!" LOL! Half Moon Beach looks so great. Would definitely like to visit there if we get the chance.