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

The Seastar Inn maid whom I paid to fold up all my stuff noticed I had a small batch of reading glasses and asked if she could have one. I said of course and let her pick one out, then a few minutes later the other two maids came by and asked if they could have a have a pair, too. No problem, mon.

I took one last swim before reluctantly closing up my luggage, and Clives pulled up on time at noon. I settled my bill -- less than I thought it would be (god I love Seastar Inn) -- and had three big spliffs for the road.

A young Montreal couple from Tensing Pen was on the van with us. We were also supposed to make another pick-up from Mariposa Hideway, but they canceled; too bad, I was hoping to hear about how Mariposa was in light of the prices coming way down over the past year or so.

Speaking of prices, the Montreal twosome got an amazing deal on Priceline for Tensing Pen, only $138 per night, and being that they were the ONLY guests at the resort, they were upgraded to the best oceanfront room -- so the hotel gods were definitely smiling on them. They enjoyed themselves and were sorry to leave, but not as sorry as I was.

We made a few stops along the way whenever we could park near a nice spot next to the ocean for a little pay-tribute to Bob Marley.

This was a Saturday, and the Delta departure desk was mobbed because of earlier weather in Atlanta, so all the morning flights had been pushed back, and it took TWO HOURS of waiting in line to check in my baggage. God I wished I did carry-on only, but you can't make that happen when you're packing a spear gun on the way here. I was miffed because I had paid for the Mobay VIP service but was forced to sit in this slow line instead of noshing on appetizers and plugging in to the Net.

Oh, by the way, I had given Vincent the spear gun as a gift when we said goodbye. I think this is his fifth free gun, plus I had sold him one a couple of reaches ago, but that transaction proved such a hassle that it was more convenient to me just to gift it to him as a tip.

Stay tuned for some final thoughts, plus a few notes about the things I left out.

Gerry...

Does Vincent rent the guns? I'm not much of a killer but my GF would love to try one out.

Also, where do you rent your scooter and how much a day based on renting for a week?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Eco

Gerry...

Does Vincent rent the guns? I'm not much of a killer but my GF would love to try one out.

Also, where do you rent your scooter and how much a day based on renting for a week?

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Yes, Vincent rents the guns. I think he charges an extra ten dollars or so, but like everything in Jamaica, it's all negotiable. The scooter I rent privately from Garrett at Seastar Inn. He usually charges $30 per day, a little less for me 'cause we've known each other for so long.

You can also rent 'em at several places on the Cliffs and beach for about the same price, though I try not to spend more than $20 per day, and they usually say OK 'cause I make a deal for the duration of my stay.

Tanks/thanks...

The guns seem at a good price point.....catch a few fish=cheap fresh meal. If not fun

If Garrett can do under $25 and has helmets I'll look him up.

Thanks/tanks

A few more photos:

Attachment 33335

At Seastar Inn

Attachment 33336

At the Roundabout

Attachment 33337

Tensing Pen

A stop at Juici's on way to airport:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5F-i3mLdiU

Quote:

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Originally Posted by gerryg123

...then bumped into Bobo up the road – and of course like so many locals he begged for money. God I hate that. I gave him 500j,

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Not like 'so many locals' but by one who knows that some people will give him money if he asks! If you want the situation to change YOU must change! You just trained him to do it again. :)

Here is a little video of entering Half Moon Beach:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXb1ae40OtQ

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lola

Not like 'so many locals' but by one who knows that some people will give him money if he asks! If you want the situation to change YOU must change! You just trained him to do it again. :)

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Gerry trained him! LOL

Booger,

She didnt say that, Lola said he trained him to do it AGAIN.... which he has unfortunately done...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Rob

Booger,

She didnt say that, Lola said he trained him to do it AGAIN.... which he has unfortunately done...

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He will do it again regardless of what Gerry did.

Booger,

No one disputes that, but Gerry or anyone here does not need to perpetuate the problem. Gerry can choose to become part of the solution and not remain part of the problem...

WTF Is this?!?! Another argument over semantics. Bobo isn't a dog and I sure as hell bet nobody else on this site get's crap thrown at them for handing out money to a local...

Gerry you now carry the weight of Jamaica's problems on your shoulders because you gave Bobo 5 bucks, in case you weren't aware. :rolleyes: Ok ok, its getting Silly already, and I'm gonna go ahead and just stop there...

But it's good to see that Boog is allowed to come out of the corner already....that was a short time-out. Welcome back Bubba. I'm out.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TizzyATX

WTF Is this?!?! Another argument over semantics. Bobo isn't a dog and I sure as hell bet nobody else on this site get's crap thrown at them for handing out money to a local...

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I had a local woman give me crap for talking to someone that was begging up money the first year I was here & then proceeded to give him crap...

Tizzy,

Lola's point is that simply giving money to anyone perpetuates the practice of begging. Tizzy, I am sure you work for your money and dont expect handouts. You seem to me to be a responsible parent and can understand that if your children grew up expecting people to simply give them money what problems this would cause.

Gerry can choose or not choose to give people money, that is his choice. But to hand out money to people who ask for it, like it or not, does continue the idea that they dont need to work, but simply ask for money.

And if I am not mistaken, isnt that one of the most complained about aspects of travelers heading to developing countries? If people stop giving money to beggers, there will be less begging because they would no longer expect to be able live that way.

Really, this is not a very hard concept here....

My horoscope for the day.....
Try on a brand-new P.O.V. and see how it fits. It all should start to make more sense when you see things as others see them. Your amazing intellectual energy should help you make a real difference.

ironic

Or prophetic....

I gave him money because I've known him a long time.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by gerryg123

I gave him money because I've known him a long time.

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I guess Lola and I got the wrong impression when you said:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by gerryg123

...then bumped into Bobo up the road – and of course like so many locals he begged for money. God I hate that. I gave him 500j,

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Sorry about that.

I guess Lola and I thought this was something you hated doing, not something you did only because you knew him a long time....

Damn I should shut up but.....

Last year I bought stuff, paid workers and "gave" to the tune of 40K US

I say again "judge not..lest ye be judged"

I love this thread, you just never know what to expect. . .

Quote:

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Originally Posted by justchuck

I love this thread, you just never know what to expect. . .

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More like, never a dull moment ~~~

Gerry, when you wrote 'I hate that' I believed your words. It never crossed my mind that meant knowing him a long time LOL.


Yesterday I was at the wall in front of ValueMaster tasting a jackfruit before buying. Three school children honed in on me, one stood to my left, the 2 smaller ones to my right, none of them said a word. I turned to the tall one on my left and in a low voice said, "If you are thinking to beg me, don't start." The jackfruit vendor laughed and the children drifted away, no harm, no foul. I felt good about our interactions.


Here's a time when I did NOT feel good:


I was about to enter the ATM at HiLo. I saw a man with locks moving toward me, I heard the word 'Empress' and assumed he was going to make a hit on me for money or love so I turned away and ignored him. As I went into the ATM I heard him mention 'reggae cd's' to some people standing there, and he talked to them so nicely. I felt sad that I had blown him off with my assumption, shorting both of us a pleasant interaction. I looked for him when I came out but he had moved on.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lola

As I went into the ATM I heard him mention 'reggae cd's' to some people standing there, and he talked to them so nicely. I felt sad that I had blown him off with my assumption, shorting both of us a pleasant interaction. I looked for him when I came out but he had moved on.

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The punchline is it was Ziggy Marley.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by gerryg123

The punchline is it was Ziggy Marley.

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LOL at Gerry....

LOLA: nice story with a lesson to learn.....::o

Beggars are annoying, but when people flash wads of cash on this site or give them what they ask for it seems odd to complain...

Can I beg for some money to go to Negril to check out the begging problem??:p

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bnewb

I had a local woman give me crap for talking to someone that was begging up money the first year I was here & then proceeded to give him crap...

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I hear ya Lisa, I guess I just don't think of Bobo the same as I would someone standing at the roundabout begging money off strangers coming outta the atm etc....it really wasn't any of my business anyways. lol

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Rob

Tizzy,

Lola's point is that simply giving money to anyone perpetuates the practice of begging. Tizzy, I am sure you work for your money and dont expect handouts. You seem to me to be a responsible parent and can understand that if your children grew up expecting people to simply give them money what problems this would cause.

Gerry can choose or not choose to give people money, that is his choice. But to hand out money to people who ask for it, like it or not, does continue the idea that they dont need to work, but simply ask for money.

And if I am not mistaken, isnt that one of the most complained about aspects of travelers heading to developing countries? If people stop giving money to beggers, there will be less begging because they would no longer expect to be able live that way.

Really, this is not a very hard concept here....

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I did understand the general point, just was a little miffed at the tone and language.
Sorry for being a smartass, it doesn't come across well on a screen.

Anyways, on that note I think I should apolgozie for feeding into some of the drama lately (not related to this thread) I usually do my best to stay outta stuff when it doesn't even pertain to me and be neutral whether I am in agreement or not. So to anyone who has seen me act caddy or childish etc, I'm sorry. Not proud of it....and I'm not even gonna try to blame it on the fact that I haven't had a cigarette in 3 effin days. I'm a big girl and I'll go ahead and own it. ugh :p

and Gerry is grown, he certainly doesn't need me to defend him lol

Kumbaya y'all (hehe)

Here is video of a rainy day at Half Moon Beach:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvgLncdy8fI

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TizzyATX

I hear ya Lisa, I guess I just don't think of Bobo the same as I would someone standing at the roundabout begging money off strangers coming outta the atm etc....it really wasn't any of my business anyways. lol



I did understand the general point, just was a little miffed at the tone and language.
Sorry for being a smartass, it doesn't come across well on a screen.

Anyways, on that note I think I should apolgozie for feeding into some of the drama lately (not related to this thread) I usually do my best to stay outta stuff when it doesn't even pertain to me and be neutral whether I am in agreement or not. So to anyone who has seen me act caddy or childish etc, I'm sorry. Not proud of it....and I'm not even gonna try to blame it on the fact that I haven't had a cigarette in 3 effin days. I'm a big girl and I'll go ahead and own it. ugh :p

and Gerry is grown, he certainly doesn't need me to defend him lol

Kumbaya y'all (hehe)

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Tiz, you are a passionate lady with a solid BS meter, no need to apologize. The pot shots on certain peeps perpetuated by others is BS and needs to subside. Excepting differences takes a stronger person, talking $hit comes too easy to some. I choose to allow Karma to lead me to the light. However, we all have what drives us........... And peeps, just remember that pretty much anything posted on FB can be viewed. Just saying.....

so Gerry, looking forward to your next installment.......

Well said Booger, noticed lately how easy it is for some to take potshots but still want to talk about being Negril chill. Respect, either you have it or you don't.

actually you can have it both…a love/hate for a place..but there will always be one that wins out the most-thats the one you will follow..

Here is a video of Seastar Inn in the late morning hanging out with Marko and worker Barbara.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tawKFteC0FA

Here is another short video from Seastar Inn with Marko and Kevin from Norway:

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

A few more videos before I will call it a day. Here's some footage on Bloody Bay between the two RIU hotels.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2N5ZTEMuWd8

Here is a video of jerk chicken roadside in Negril with veteran cook Blue Dandy:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REwgLywd184

gerryg123, I cannot tell you how much I enjoy your trip reports and the videos...This will be my first trip to Negril and your trip reports really leave me with a positive attitude about Negril..they are awesome! Thanks so much!!

Some photos heading into the final stretch:

Attachment 33504

Little afternoon snack

Attachment 33505

Mom and daughter

Attachment 33506

Cool shot of the tree overgrowth making the road feel like a green tunnel

Here's a video on the way home:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HN8p8qA7z0

Love the jerk chicken video. "Don't have any bread?" Chef responds, "No, mon." And you in best form of Negril chill say, "Well, that's okay. It's the way it goes sometimes in Negril." Now, that's what Negril chill is all about.