Gerry G's TRAIL OF ASHES TOUR Final Chapter -- The Mighty Californian's return

gerryg123

Finally read the whole TR, love the way you put yourself out there, very open and honest. Negril is theraputic, kudos for adding it in to the healing process regarding your dad.

so glad i tackled your TR. makes me feel like i'm there. congrats on the significant weight loss, i'm in the process of dropping a few too. keep it up, we'll get there, ya mon?

Gerry G, tell us about the donkey ponies again. It's my favorite.

Get ready for TRAIL OF ASHES -- THE EPILOGUE! .... I have just pushed the button, see you pon the rock for two weeks beginning on Dec. 31, just in time for Luciano. ya mon, ya mon, ya mon.

Hey Man,

I'll be at Seastar for five nights starting the 5th. Let's have a drink.

You're invited to the yard too.

Cap

See you soon!

Yay!! Ready to hear of your tales!!:)

I got the fever on this one. I was innocently popping up numbers on matrix, just checking for a good flight as I do all year long, and to my shock there was a 550 dollar flight from California with just a nine-hour duration that popped up, and just like that I pushed the button.

Based on my considerable experience, I would say that airfare deal is about 35 percent off for booking within 11 days for Christmas week/New Years. Usually the ones with shortest durations are close to a grand this time of year.

I only have nine days, barely enough time to have some official gerryg123 rafts shipped to me (they're hard to find in stores in winter), and then I will rush-order another spear gun this morning.

I guess I saw Tizzy and Booger and Brasi all booking trips, and I got caught up. I don't like to be away from Negril more than six months at a time. I feel like I'm missing something.

Already confirmed my scooter. Garrett from Seastar Inn has been care-taking my helmet from last time.

I called Marko, who is in Negril now, and it will be great to reunite with the legendary tourist from the east coast.

Working on my airport transpo and arrival service.

This could be the last reach for a really long time. I plan to do it big.

Sounds great Gerry. So glad you pushed that button. I just got back last night, very late but the beach is starting to pick up now. Ran into Booger, his wife, his mom and daughter as well as Tizzy and her kids at Nirvana. I knew them from pics on here, they didn't know who I was. We had an awesome time drinking some Red Stripes etc. Great folks

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Originally Posted by Lady Jane

Sounds great Gerry. So glad you pushed that button. I just got back last night, very late but the beach is starting to pick up now. Ran into Booger, his wife, his mom and daughter as well as Tizzy and her kids at Nirvana. I knew them from pics on here, they didn't know who I was. We had an awesome time drinking some Red Stripes etc. Great folks

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You're sweet Lady Jane, and understand the pleasure was mine.

MC,
make sure you check out Las Vegas. Curious to hear your take on it.

GerryG awesome report just finished I hope to meet you @ SS we will be at the Luciano show as well and probably a few times during our reach. we where at SS first week of nov 2012 and my daughter was hanging out with Tattoo Charlie and his fiancé at the time. I want to say you look familiar maybe we already met.

Official Negril packing list:

CLOTHES

Five bathing suits
Four shorts
10 t-shirts
Five button-down shirts
Socks/underwear
Three baseball-style hats
Light windbreaker jacket
Tennis shoes, sandals, slip-ons
Fanny pack (I am SUCH a tourist)
light backpack

ELECTRONICS

Cell phone w charger
Alternate cell w charger
Lap top w charger
Alternate lap top w charger

PAPERWORK

Passport/ID
Money
credit cards
Copy of passport
Business cards

SUNDRY ITEMS

Toothbrush/paste
Shampoo/conditioner
Baby powder
Ten chapsticks
Three sunblock bottles
Misc. bathroom products
comb

SUPPLIES

Spear gun
Zip-lock baggies
Sunglasses
Two scissors
20 lighters
Paper plates
Fruit roll-up snacks
Book (Jackie Collins)
Two pads/10 pens
Flashlight
Tin foil
Two big pool towels including my lucky RIU towel

You forgot shaving cream!

Good memory. That's covered in the "miscellaneous bathroom items." .... Just talked to Percy and told him I want him to be my personal valet just like he does for Charlie. He just hangs at Seastar Inn for Charlie for when the West Virginian tourist wants to go somewhere, and Percy is the BEST I'VE EVER seen at fending off beggars and hustlers. That right there is worth $50 per day.

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Originally Posted by gerryg123

Good memory. That's covered in the "miscellaneous bathroom items." .... Just talked to Percy and told him I want him to be my personal valet just like he does for Charlie. He just hangs at Seastar Inn for Charlie for when the West Virginian tourist wants to go somewhere, and Percy is the BEST I'VE EVER seen at fending off beggars and hustlers. That right there is worth $50 per day.

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Percy is a good man...... Only saw him briefly this past trip, at Seastar of course.

When is you exit from the island? We get in on the 14th

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Originally Posted by gerryg123

This could be the last reach for a really long time. I plan to do it big.

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Yeah right. I'm sure we will log-in next year to find the "TRAIL OF ASHES TOUR - The Appendix".

Have fun, MC! I am looking forward to reading about your adventures.

Weather report says it will 85 degrees when I land in Jamaica. Ya mon.

I'm inside seven days now, but my mind is already in Negril. It's all I am thinking about right now. Never before have i started packing so early, but I already have some items in a suitcase.

I set up my transpo and arrival service, and I've been talking to a bunch of Negril friends like Shayne and Marko and Famous Vincent and a few others -- most of whom want me to bring them something from Los Angeles.

My bad for tellin folks in advance. Next time, I will just drop in and surprise everyone, ha ha.

There are a few little things I need to buy for the trip. My mission when I wake up every morning from now on is, what can I do to prepare for Negril?

I will be at Luciano on New Years Eve and can't wait to see everyone.

Found this little beauty in the bottom of a drawer while packing for Negril.

Attachment 32194

" . . . last trip for a long time . . ."
WTF?
Say it ain't so Gerry.

By the way, I hereby openly invite Popcaan to hang out with me anytime in Negril. And his bikini girls from his videos are welcome, too.

Well, it's that time again. Here I go to Negril. Getting ready to board the plane. I plan on REALLY doing it up this time. I am not responsible for any behavior that happens after midnight. See you pon the Rock.

Mi soon come.

Attachment 32379

*pulls up chair* I'm ready!! :D

The hat explains the "behaviour after midnight quote" 123! Look forward to your pictures and report over the next while.

Safe travels Gerry.Looking forward to some good reading

Gerry travel quick but safe, really enjoy your sense of humor and your videos.

Hope you have a blast on your trip and hoping we are graced with some on-site intel and updates of your exploits.

Take care,

Jamb

Have a good flight, GerryG! Safe travels and fun holiday! I guess this trip means we won't see you in Feb? Sad about that. Say hi to all and happy landings1

Curious about what flight option you take out of LA as everything lately I find sucks...
Loved the red eye with the Charlotte stop but $900+...can't do it!

Kim - look at American connecting through MIA or DFW (redeye). I live in AZ, but that has been cheapest for me now. I used to do the flight through Charlotte but those prices have increased lately.

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Originally Posted by kim in socal

Curious about what flight option you take out of LA as everything lately I find sucks...
Loved the red eye with the Charlotte stop but $900+...can't do it!

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American is the only non red eye flight as of late, and the cheapest too. US Airways has jacked their prices way up, and United has reduced their flights. I'm almost certain that the MC is on American.

Have fun my friend.......

Avoid Miami if at all possible,we went through there once on the way to jamaica and I swore to Jah never again!

Got a really good flight through Atlanta on Delta, only 550 which is quite surprising this time of the year.

I'm sitting at Seastar Inn with Marko. I'm having an amazing time but already found some trouble on the strip. Stay tuned.

How was the spaghetti

After flying through the night with a layover in-between, I was a bit wiped out by the time we readied to land at Sangster Airport in Montego Bay, and when I took a glimpse of the beatiful ocean -- that FIRST glimpse -- I was re-invigorated.

I did the VIP Mobay package, and a nice guy with a sign was waiting for me. The airport was not crowded. The service will be more worth it on the way back, when you can chill for a bit in the VIP room.

Clives guy was waiting for us. It was me and a nice young couple from New York City. By the time we hit Green River, we were all great friends. It was their first trip, and I got 'em all pumped up.

They're staying at Samsara. Rookie mistake IMHO, but I am sure they will enjoy it. I called Marko on the way there. The legendary tourist from the East Coast is a good friend, and the plan was to loan me a cell phone.

By the time we hit the RIUs, I was ready ready ready.

Will update soon. Stay tuned.

PS: Chickster, the spaghetti was spectacular. Food from Seastar Inn is the nectar of the god. Ya mon, ya mon, ya mon.

Thanks mon,for keeping us updated!!-let's get this party started!!!!!!!

It was New Years Eve. For this first night, I was scheduled to stay at Pure Garden, then switch to Seastar Inn. For an extra ten dollars, I made a deal with the Clives driver to let me check in real fast to Pure Negril, then tote me up to Seastar Inn, where my scooter was waiting.

It was nice to see everyone. I love coming back after I've been gone a bit and seeing all the smiling faces. The Seastar Inn employess are a really nice group, and you tell that they all love their job.

Chris said he had a room for me, but it was too late. I was going to take it anyway and just stay in two places, but since Luciano canceled, it was a good idea to take it easy despite it being the biggest party day of year.

re: LA flights....American been the cheapest (last two reaches around $550.) -and I never had a problem in MIA or DFW airports-I just hate getting in at 8pm at nigth when its dark and the day almost over-rather do those US airwasy red-eye and get in before noon (not waste day traveling)...Yeah, US has been nsane with their rates....check out American and United...

Shout-out to my fellow Angeleno ..... Hello Gerry !!!!!

Two of our favorite things Grand Funk Railroad who we have seen in concert many times and even
hung out with a few time they are great to their fans. And Negril our fav vacation spot!

I reunited with Bentley, the great chef with whom I' ve enjoyed many meals in the past, though he has been battling some health problems, so he is not up and running as usual.

But he was in good spirits, and Bentley is trying to bring the business back. He hugged me like a brother, and we caught up on things. He is skinny now, but he seemed happy. He has had his ups and downs through the years -- big time -- and Bentley will always have a special place in my heart. He is big on sauces and large portions, and so am I. It's a natural bond. And his tales of early Negril put him in class by himself, especially the way he tells them. He is just a fun guy to hang out with.

Check-in at Pure Garden went well. I had talked to Carie-ann beforehand to confirm my reservation, and by the time I arrived the place was soldout. There is a good vibe there, very quiet and safe-feeling with security upfront. I had an upstairs room w cold AC -- same kind as Seastar Inn, nice AC -- and after giving the doorman/security guy 500j to help tote my luggage and kind of set my ground, it later occured to me that he never fulfilled his promise to bring towels. So I had no towels and no blanket, either, just a sheet on a sheet, but I managed OK.

The hot water and shower pressure worked well -- that's an automatic bonus in my book if you know Negril -- but there was no in-room safe, and that put me in a quandry. Do I trust the office safe? Will someone maybe steal my money and stuff if I leave it in the room? Or should I just bite the bullet and carry ALL my cash and cell phones and credit cards and bank cards ON ME until I get to Seastar Inn, where I know I will be secure?