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

Well, the video cut off before I kicked over the stand, ha ha, JK.

Ha! Well, I know. That bread is an important part of it!

At Sangstar airport:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NI3hwITQjJI

Gerry,thanks for the info on the VIP departure concerning the checking of bags! Great visual on how long the lines can be sometimes.

Wow! So many people!! Its never that crowded when I'm departing.

Some of the other departure desks were not crowded, but Delta was. For one, it was a Saturday. For two, there was some inclement weather in Atlanta (Delta's hub), and that forced a delay in some of the morning flights.

Also, anyone who was running late got to cut in front through the special needs line, so not only was the line long, it was slow. The guy in front of me had waiting in another line first, and he was going on three-plus hours.

That said, I won't fly Delta again. They charge for bags (American is free international), and on a past trip to New York, I had left a pouch under the seat on the plane with my business cards and flight stubs in it -- easy to figure out whom it belongs to -- and was never able to get it back; I was mad.

Try holding up a twenty dollar bill.

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Originally Posted by brihinds

Try holding up a twenty dollar bill.

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Are you kidding? I had totally ran out of money three days prior.

That's what it was like when we flew out last year.

Here's a little footage from the Mobay VIP club departure lounge:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4GtIaU0h2E

That VIP club looks boring too me :p

Not even bein a hater lol, you don't get bored in there?

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Originally Posted by TizzyATX

You don't get bored in there?

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Compared to the thrill of sitting at the gate?

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Originally Posted by gerryg123

Compared to the thrill of sitting at the gate?

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or the bar lol

Good point tho

The drinks are free at Mobay VIP. Plus hot food and snacks (I stole a lot of packages of peanuts!), plus the Internet (not available in gate areas), plus comfy chairs and even a shower area. Also a kids area.

It's worth it, plus you save time by being escorted through security. And finally, they escort you to the gate and carry your carry-on for you.

And god forbid your flight gets delayed three hours (which happens a lot), where would you rather be???

Actually that sounds badass. Didn't know about the escort bit...pretty cool. They should decorate it JA style and have some good tunes playing.

gosh, I was just trying to make myself feel good about not being VIP hahaha. ;)

It is so worth the $30. I drank at least $30 worth of wine waiting for take off. The food isn't wonderful but it isn't in the restaurants either.

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Originally Posted by gerryg123

The drinks are free at Mobay VIP. Plus hot food and snacks (I stole a lot of packages of peanuts!), plus the Internet (not available in gate areas), plus comfy chairs and even a shower area. Also a kids area.

It's worth it, plus you save time by being escorted through security. And finally, they escort you to the gate and carry your carry-on for you.

And god forbid your flight gets delayed three hours (which happens a lot), where would you rather be???

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Actually Gerry there is WIFI free in the gate areas now. I used on my way back from Montego a couple of weeks ago.

The drinks and stuff sound good though.

I love club mobay.

what do you mean "the food isn't wonderful?"... you dont like American cheese sandwiches? hahaha

Oh yes Murph the cheese sandwich is my favorite.:p

Some pics between Negril and the airport:

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I guess I have a few more pretty good photos, after all:

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Nice day at the beach

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Nice piece of chocolate cake, a highlight of the vacation

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Eddie De Bar

My flight was delayed a bit, so I got to enjoy Mobay VIP club for an hour or so before getting on a plane. I was sad to leave but also eager to get back home, like always. On the connection in Atlanta, the Delta flight back to Los Angeles was running on time, and they had no intention of waiting a few minutes for me to make it through customs -- as other airlines would do as a courtesy.

I literally made it by five seconds. They were just closing the door as I scurried down through the terminal and screamed "hey!" from about fifty feet away, and so they waited for me. Had I not yelled out, that would have been it, and I would have had to stay in Georgia until the next morning -- what a friggin' nightmare that would have been.

My luggage didn't make it home, and god was was I tired upon arriving at LAX (3:30 a.m. Jamaica time) and waiting for it. Delta said they would deliver it the next morning or early afternoon, but my bag did not arrive at my doorstep until 1:30 in the morning the following day. Delta, Delta, Delta. The gift that keeps on giving.

It's been nearly four weeks since I've been home. I still think about Negril every day, even when I'm off the board. I have a patio in front at my condo in a suburban neighorhood about an hour's drive north from LAX where I like to enjoy my meals, and every time I see the trees swaying, I make pretend I am back at the Seastar Inn.

It's always going to be that way.

At least you can pretend. It is pretty hard to do that here in NY when all we see is snow snow snow and temps in the teens. Can't wait for April to get here. Nice report Gerry. Thanks for taking the time to do it.

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Originally Posted by MoFromMonroe

At least you can pretend. It is pretty hard to do that here in NY when all we see is snow snow snow and temps in the teens. Can't wait for April to get here. Nice report Gerry. Thanks for taking the time to do it.

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SAME THING HERE IN BOSTON!..but thanks Gerry for the great photos and report...i cant wait for April either!

WOW, that was a longggggg day of travel. Thanks for the report Gerry. Fun as always

By the way, here is proof they do indeed sell shaving cream in Negril:

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Originally Posted by gerryg123

By the way, here is proof they do indeed sell shaving cream in Negril:

Attachment 33577

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The Hi-Lo comes thru. I had a hell of a time one trip getting shaving cream at the smaller places. I ended up with a product that I thought was shaving cream, however it was more like a Nair(sp) for men. It was HORRIBLE.

Gerry, how much time did you have in Atlanta between landing and then your next flight out? I've never been through that airport before and have a 3 hour layover between flights and am wondering if this is going to be enough or if it's going to be a push. I know different days and hours of arrival may influence things a bit (I land at 5pm and my next flight leaves at 8pm) but am trying to get a ball park figure for things in general. Delta was my only option for this particular trip so I'm stuck with it.

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Originally Posted by Olivia

Gerry, how much time did you have in Atlanta between landing and then your next flight out? I've never been through that airport before and have a 3 hour layover between flights and am wondering if this is going to be enough or if it's going to be a push. I know different days and hours of arrival may influence things a bit (I land at 5pm and my next flight leaves at 8pm) but am trying to get a ball park figure for things in general. Delta was my only option for this particular trip so I'm stuck with it.

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We leave in the morning. Delta out of MSP connecting in Atlanta. Our layover is 1 hour 15 minutes. Thankfully no weather delays tomorrow. We should be on time and good to go. You should not have to worry with a 3 hour layover.

Soon come can't come too soon!

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Originally Posted by Olivia

Gerry, how much time did you have in Atlanta between landing and then your next flight out?

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I only had like 45 minutes after being delayed in Jamaica -- plus I had to clear customs and re-check my bag. The whole scene definitely got my heart pumpin' ....

thanks again for taking us on another journey with ya!!

Atlanta is hectic! We used to have a short layover in Memphis, which is an awesome airport and so easy to get around, but unfortunately can't take that route anymore.

Enjoyed your TR, Gerry. Hope you can get back soon!

A little video from Ahh Bee's:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8U0n99a0KM8&feature=youtu.be

To Gerry and the others who responded about Atlanta, thank you. I long ago chose to give up the OJ sprints through the airport in favor of a relaxed Jamaican type stroll. I kiss off the first and last day of a trip anyway so don't mind too much more time spent in airports if need be. Am feeling much better now. So many people rate Miami as a miserable airport experience but I've always loved it and found it so easy to deal with. Atlanta seems to be the second worst from what I have been told - am hoping to find that for me at least, it turns out to be another smooth sail.

Here are a few more photos:

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Eddie De Bar

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These fries come with an ocean view. Not bad.

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Lively party at Seastar Inn

Here is official video of former Vincent first mate Roger's first-ever snorkeling trip on his own new boat:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6UJSngBEd0

A few more shots:

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Like a postcard

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Seastar Inn Garrett

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gerryg123 totally in his element

Yeah, that one is like a postcard! It really caught my eye. Your last photo has a different look to you too.

Thanks for bringing us along on your trip Gerry.