OMG I am laughing so hard......traveling right now so short on time but coming back to add to the story. The rocky boat was not near as bad as that look on my face LOL.....love you guys. more more more...............
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OMG I am laughing so hard......traveling right now so short on time but coming back to add to the story. The rocky boat was not near as bad as that look on my face LOL.....love you guys. more more more...............
"We’re both so glad we’d been there." We were so glad you were there too.........
And I love the first pic of Sweetness! Classic lol.
OMG!! LOL!! I'm laughing so hard right now it hurts!!!
I have no words, Spotty, that entry is brilliant!!!!:D
You are hilarious! What brilliant writing! We tried to read it to each other with our best Brittish accents (of course your voices still ring in our heads, so we do a decent job) and we are just rolling on the floor laughing imagining you saying these things out loud. This trip definitely would not have been the same without you both! So, so happy you were there. Serendipity, how every thing and person present on this trip worked together to create such a momentous experience!
I just have 1 question: Just what swear word ends on "e"? :D
It's an old Scottish word, much used here and rhymes with bright, I actually wrote the word out, not realising that it would be deemed a swear word, but I think Rob removed it. Which is Ok, by the way, I have no problem with that, it's just not really a swear word here. Anyway, I'm just pleased I can get the stuff down in some kind of order. I would say, just wait for our day with Bob and Cindy.......laugh, I though my pants would never dry!!!!
Spottycatz! Just LOVE you! So sorry I missed this trip and hope that it won't be YEARS before you kids are able to get back-and hope hope hope that I'll be fortunate enough to be able to see you next reach "home". Thank you for your pics and posts-looks like this gyal missed a really good visit:(
DM. When we met, I hoped someday it would happen again. It's Negril hon, it will always be there, all that changes are the sunsets. I'm pleased after 3 years you've comeback to the fold and now, you'll know what we know and you'll go when we go. We will defo be back, it WILL be April as it always is, but we don't think it will be the next one, but it WILL be the one after, so get your piggy bank out and get those dimes and nickles put away. Gee, that was almost transatlantic!!!
WOW Im taking this trip with Joe this december...the look on sweetnesses face makes me want to hug her...and poor daisy....Thank god for sandy...lol...the discriptions of the events are hilarious! I had to leave this up in the nurses station at the hospital so everyone can read it.. Now everyone wants to come back with me in december ...ARE you nuts! Im getting away from those people I work with!!!!! This is awesome, gut splitting laughter...The girls at work today are out of their minds with laughter! Thanks for making our day!!!:rolleyes: Im so greatful sweetness looks better coming back!
:)
I'm at the beach and don't have wifi but I want you to know Im checking in and reading along and laughing soooo hard! This is good **** mon. Love y'all so...
Sweetness, I know where that look of terror comes from. After years sof attmpting to make it to the pelican bar, i finally made the journey last year. I excitely(Us thata word?) get into the boat and off we go! as the captain picked up speed i felt this sense of doom and gloom ""Whos idea was this?" i them remember my apprehension of being in a little boat in a vast amount of water. I am now panicking...the boatsman kept saying "look at the shore, look at the shore" welll if i do that i might miss the dolphins ans miss them i had to cause i could not look at the water. we made it to the peican bar and i think i stayed as long as i did cause i was dreading the ride back. Now we are riding against the waves so we were hittting a lot of bumps but for some reason it was not as bad as going out and i was all smiles just like you. Thats why I did not make this trip..... bad memories
I can't imagine making this trip hungover my hats off to you crazy folks. Looks like i missed a great time. When you guys hire a big boat let me know, i'll be all in.
Thanks for sharing, this is the best book I've read in a long time.
OMGosh, what a blast on you all had. I am green with envy
I just listened to this little ditty and throught you might enjoy. http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=MZ35SOU9HTM
BCBud....LOL ! That's great :-)
Wednesday morning was a lot less windy, the waves that had been crashing against the walls of the Italian restaurant and the Boat bar had subsided and although there was a fair amount of cloud, it was still hot. Waking around 7.30, today was going to continue the party with the Love Bus bar tour of the West End. We hit the beach around 9 and after coffee at Chill Awhile, collapsed on the sunbeds and re-lived the previous days events.
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The morning was restful, with occasional visitors to sell, sing or say hello.
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The Love Bus was due to collect us around 2.30, so we left the beach around 1, got ready and went to the gate of I.A. for pick up. It’s weird how things work, but within 10 minutes of getting to the gate, my stomach decided it didn’t want to go out and play and within 40 seconds I was back in the room. So that was that. Fortunately Bob came along for a visit and hearing my sorry tale, disappeared to forage through Cindy’s 'bag'. Cindy is amazing, not just for her dancing, partying, humour and general huggableness, but she brings to Negril everything her and Bob need, including the kitchen sink. She has this magic bag which we both remembered from our previous holiday, which contains almost everything to make you feel better if you feel ill. A couple of tablets later and I was beginning to feel much better. Bob and Cindy invited us to their place for dinner, which was wonderful. They are great hosts and by late afternoon, the sky had cleared and the sea was much calmer and we were able to take in another wonderful sunset.
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Thursday started like the day before, although by now the bar staff at Chill Awhile started calling our first two Red Stripes of the day, ‘two English breakfast’. Hey, we’re on holiday, there’s nothing wrong with beer at 9.30 in our world. ;)
We ate fruit from Tilly, who is one of the most wonderful beach people you will ever want to meet and I took time to chill with Django, a really nice guy who runs a little beach stall next door at Charela Inn.
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We met with Bob later in the day and arranged to meet at the Canoe Bar for the webcast and for Rasta Stan’s birthday. It’s enough to say that it was another great get together. Stan is a lovely guy and Betty his wife is a joy to talk to. Lots of familiar faces, Stan ate cake and we both sang with the band. (although he seemed to pull back a bit and let me get on with it)
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We’ve got loads of photo’s from this party, but I’m afraid to say there’s a great deal of nudity and shameful behaviour going on, so I can’t show them! (:rolleyes:)
Friday was the Boardie Bash at Canoe. We had a great time with everyone and met loads of new faces. As usual, I bounced my way through the afternoon and can’t really remember too much after about 6 or 7 pm, but no doubt that day will feature large in other trip reports. Here’s some photo’s anyway.
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Bonnie looking lovely.
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Collecting shaped glass on the beach. One of Cindy’s favourite pastimes.
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Brasi
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The days had been passing quicker and quicker. I s'pose we all feel that, but it still brings that dull achy feeling when you know there's not many left. Tomorrow was Saturday and we were going to spend the day with Bob and Cindy. It turned out to be, well, I'll let you guys make your own minds up.
I wanna see THOSE pics!!!!! hahahaha
You are brilliant SpottyCatz!!! Keep her going my fren....
PS. You both did us proud going off the rope swing....well done and lotsa fun no? ;) One of the best days I can remember!
Haha Tizzzzzy, those pics will be uploaded one day. But not here!! ;)
Ahhhh ! all my favorite Peeps! Love the pics and stories spottycatz ......It was so awesome meeting you two ......And I hope to do it again.....what a fabulous vacation!
Spotty...saving nickels and dimes for that April trip 2014 for sure! But...in the meantime-I'm sneaking away with a few of my dearest loves in just 24 sleeps!
I ADORE your shirt (Mr. Spotts)! Please continue with your pics and posts-I enjoy them very much from here in Illinois-land of corn and soybeans! (tee hee)
Great report, SpottyCatz! I am jealous, you all had sooo much fun together, that's awesome! It's so nice to see familiar pics of Idle Awhile, now I cannot wait to get back there in Dec!
oh Spotty awesome play by play....love the story.I wish I could replay my version but every time I start it sounds dumb so I will wait for my next trip :-). love it.Great pics.:D
One of the joys of Negril and Negril.com is that old acquaintances can be maintained and friendships grown even though time and miles intervene. That was the case with Bob and Cindy, whom we’d partied with in 2008 and knew that once we were together again, it would pick up where it had left off. And so, during this holiday, whenever the four of us got together, the spark ignited and off we went again. We had brought a bottle of Champers to celebrate with B & C and agreed to share a champagne breakfast at their place on Saturday morning. As I’ve mentioned previously, B & C were staying at Crystal Waters, which if you know nothing about the place, is WELL worth looking into.
The villas are various sizes and shapes and are spaciously laid out with well kept gardens, a pool and a brilliant private beach, I will let Bob answer any questions on the place if you have any, but each villa comes with a person who not only keeps the place clean, but will also cook as well.
There’s one thing about us Catz, that brought us together in the first place and has cemented our relationship ever since, and that is we love to party. We love the weekends, which normally start on Thursday night and if the Saturday and Sunday fall toward the end of a holiday, then we have the added bonus of being on holiday, on a weekend at the end of a holiday.
So on the way for our Saturday morning meet, we called past a store and got a couple of cases of Stripes having already packed the champagne and extras.
Breakfast was excellent, wonderfully prepared and cooked, slowly eaten, and accompanied with laughter, good conversation and glasses and glasses of champagne and bucks fizz. Cindy is also one of the best sub constructors I have ever met, so by the time we finished eating, we all had a rare old glow on! Cindy or maybe it was Bob, I can’t remember, said that we’d finished 4 bottles of champagne with breakfast!!!! HA! Bob had brought Indy produced bottles with him and it tasted as good as anything made in France. The effects were the same as well. There’s nothing like the buzz from bubbles and our smiles were as wide as Negril beach is long.
So food finished, of course it was time to hit the beach and packing up beer, coolers, Bob’s mini music system, sea floaties, water, and everything else needed for an all day session, we bounced our way down to the sand and took over the thatched beach ‘hut’ nearest to the path and closest to Margaritaville, on Bob and Cindy’s own private patch.
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Although it was pretty cloudy again, it was still hot and the shade was welcome. These small thatchies, come equipped with electricity, a central bottle opener and on-beach security. I can’t remember (see there’s a pattern here) what his name was, but he stayed around all day and ensured that we were well cared for and not unduly hassled.
As the morning progressed, ice was obtained from somewhere, the drinks cooler got cooler, beer got drunk, Bob Marley sang his heart out and Cindy and me sand danced the time away. We’ll you have to, don’t you. Can’t mix Marley, Stripes, local greenery and sand and not dance!!! Various sellers came past and our little patch of the beach gradually became a focal point for anyone that was in the vicinity.
Lunchtime arrived with the man who had a bike and a box. ‘What’s in the box my man’, ‘Jerk pork and breadfruit’ was the reply. ‘Let’s have a look then’ and so he lifted the lid.
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OH WOW! This was one of those moments, where the smell of hot jerk meaty food, hit the senses like a slap in the face with a wet fish. ‘Can we have loads of that please’, and so we did and it was duly shared among those that were in attendance.
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Breadfruit with that!
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Jacky either getting stuck in or finishing up, can’t tell.
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Crystal Waters beach security man called……Bob help!!!
Food done, the beer was almost finished, so Bob went walkabout and returned loaded with more.
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As time passed, the music got louder, ’No woman no cry’ began to get sung that bit more confidently and the party was in full swing. Margaritaville next door had begun to fill up with PYT’s who kept glancing our way, wondering what was going on. Anyone who strayed onto ’our’ bit of beach were given a sharp warning from security that it was private and to get back onto your own patch!!! Hahaha, celebs!!!!
Cindy decided to float for a while.
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Once the floating was over, Cindy mentioned something about cocktails and disappeared up the path to their villa. Some 10 minutes later and laden down with bags and bottles, Cindy rearranged our bar with an electric drinks blender, rum cream, vodka, fresh orange juice, I’m pretty sure there was rum and loads of different freshly cut fruit.
You know, in my head, I’m sure a neon bar sign appeared on the thatched roof, flashing ‘Indy’s’ at all who passed by.
The first cocktail was very nice, fruity, with a kick of rum and so smooth. My my, mixed with a Jamaican sandwich, life could not get any better. Even the sun came out. So did the word!! I’m sure that the blender could be heard halfway along the beach, as various locals and sellers seemed to appear from nowhere. ‘Is that rum cream?’ ‘Yes it is’, ‘May I have some?’ Bob was generous to a fault and smiles were seen everywhere. The first blender full didn’t last long, so Cindy was at the mixer again. All the time the music is playing and people are bopping about and the neon sign flashed brighter and brighter!!! The second cocktail tasted good, but it kinda curdled with the cream and the fruit and the alcohol tasted that little bit stronger. Jacky and Bob weren’t too keen, so Cindy and I finished the mix and a third blend was made. The rum cream was going down well with a couple of the locals, a little too well really, so the bottle was slightly moved to a safer position on the bar for later cocktail use.
I think it was at this time, that the owners of Margaritaville complained about the party going on next door and how the noise was upsetting their patrons!!!! (;))
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Bob pointing out the jealous people at Margaritaville!
By now, Cindy was running low on fruit and rum and anything else really, apart from Vodka. So the next few mixes were iced Vodka with a kind of flavouring. Funny really, I thought they were the best, but then again, by now, the neon sign had been replaced with half the lights in Vegas, Bob Marley was really putting on a live show and almost a hundred people were in the place!!!
I have to say that Bob and Cindy are the greatest of fun to party with. The four of us just click and it’s as though we’ve been friends for years, which I s’pose we have really, although at a distance.
By late afternoon, my ‘you’ve had about enough’ alarm cut in (Jacky) and I think remember hugging Cindy and Bob and gibbering all over them about friends and party’s and seeing them later. The day had been so much fun from start to finish and it was now time to glide back to Idle Awhile. I really don’t remember getting back to the hotel, but I do remember what happened when we got back.
Jacky was partied out and wanted to have a lie down for a while, me, I didn’t want the fun to finish. Doh!! So onto the balcony, Red Stripe, natures best, and my music system. ‘ White Bird’ by It’s a Beautiful Day, got the party started, followed by Superfly and Alborasie’s latest album. I didn’t realise at the time, but the music was pretty loud and I was dancing away, oblivious to all and sundry.
Sharing the balcony with us for several days was this chap. He was big, probably 4 or 5 inches across. Thought I would photo him as it seemed as good idea at the time.
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Then.
‘Steve…..Steve….STEEEVE’! Jacky’s voice broke through the oblivion. ‘The phone’s ringing!!!’
So it was, Oh dear, gonna get into trouble for the noise, ‘hello’…..‘hello, is that steve?’…. ‘yes it is’, …..‘it’s the bar here, Alex is here to see you’……..Alex? Alex? I don’t know any Alex, wait a minute, through the murk that was my brain, came Brasi, of course Brasi……..’OK, I’ll be right down!!!’
I was well out of it and lurched down the stairs, to the path to the bar. The music from my balcony was well loud from down here, ooooops!
Arriving at the bar and there’s Brasi with that big smile of his, come to say goodbye and give us his CD as a going away gift. He’s talking to Dave and his wife (Lorax2) and I’ve never met them before. So I verbally babble all over them and quickly get Brasi back to the room.
There’s no need to go much further with this. Brasi stayed for a while, more drink and stuff and then Jacky and I went down to Chill Awhile for something to eat. I don’t remember any of this last bit really, just what Jacky has told me since. I wasn’t out of order or anything, I was just out of it!!
So that was our Saturday. Last full day tomorrow and then we go home.
On Sunday, we did what we always do. Taxi as far as the Cool Runnings water park, hop through the fence and onto the beach. Then it’s a brilliant walk through the quiet bit, the undisturbed bit, the bit that was like the rest of it 25 years ago, before hitting the glitz palaces that are the A.I.’s.
A little story about doing this walk quite a few years ago, we got to Beaches or one of them and there were a lot of inmates laying around and we stopped (momentarily) to have a look at the resort. From nowhere, a megaphoned voice, (no it wasn’t Jim), shouted at us, ‘Please keep moving along the beach, no stopping on the beach’!!!! Can you imagine that being shouted at us, we did keep moving, but even the crabs were overtaking us.
Anyway, back to the day, the sun kept coming out and after so many days of cloud, it was piercing hot. Thank god it wasn’t like this all the time, or Jacky would have hardly moved from the sunshade.
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Our beach walk is ritual and always finishes off the things on our ‘to do’ list.
At sundown, we went to SeaSplash for our final webcast and to say goodbye to those who were still around. As it turned out, it was another brilliant party. Marcus and Daisy, Bea, Bob and Cindy and ourselves along with Lisa and more boardies who I really can’t remember, (again), danced and sang and generally had a ball. There was even a beach bonfire.
Then all at once it was time to go! Hugs and tears and promises to keep in touch and we almost slipped away, but Cindy came running across for a final farewell and the tears started again and Jacky sobbed and I did that bloke thing, that is gritting teeth and swallowing hard and not looking at anyone in the eyes and suddenly we were on our own, on the road, heading toward the hotel. It was all over, it had been so, so great and it was all over!
What to say to complete all of this.
Before we came back on this holiday, we’d read that Negril wasn’t the same, how it had changed, (for the worse) a lot had said! Well, if Negril has changed it doesn’t matter. We’ve changed, that’s what we do, we mature, in some cases gracefully, in others not so much, but Negril is the same for us as it’s always been, since our first time. We meet new family, and we meet old family. We re-ignite a spark between us that dims in real life. We find ourselves and each other and we become who we used to be.
The team, the crowd, the group of boardies that shared our wonderful experience, have each become part of our life story, have enriched our holiday and given us memories that will live with us for always.
But most of all, we know we will be back, probably in two years, and next time it will be for longer. Negril will call and we will answer and we will see you again.
The Spottycatz.
You see what I mean?!?!?!?! How could anyone not love this fun bunch of folks?!!!
Well, anyone except the jealous folks at Margaritaville! Hahahahaha....I can just see you all having your own celebrity party! Love it!
There was a reason I grouped the four of you together in my report. The connection beyond friendship was easy to see. Glad you got to have the full day experience together. Much love, looking forward to seeing you again! :)
Got goosebumps :)
I hope you two will plan on returning in April...of whatever year...this needs to become tradition.
Big Love to you both <3
Can't believe I missed a good party with my Cindy/Bob and SPOTTYCATZ. How the hell did we let that happen. LOL
It happened the day you all left, Tizzy :(
Steve !!! Your description of the day is awesome to say the least.... we could not have done it without you and Jacky. Perfect recipe for fun and laughter and from breakfast til sundown, the party was on full speed. Kamel is the guard at Crystal Waters, been there for years and a great friend. I will continue our trip report after the Indy500.... a bit busy, but having a great time. Can't wait for you two to come here one May and share the experience with us.
Your the best !!!
Bob & Cindy
Bravo!! Awesome report! Your celeb beach party sounds like a ton of fun, although I know I would have been passed out or dead if I drank even 1/8 of what you guys drank!! Ha! And you all were still standing, lol! Good times!
MAN, that was a great day,And you have the perfect way of telling how the day unfolded:) Think of more to tell!!!!!!!!!! Dont quit now .:) I love love love you two :)INDY CINDY
Now you've got me in tears! Thanks, Spottycatz:)Quote:
Originally Posted by spottycatz
Great report Spottycatz!!!! Huge smile reading about your Saturday party, I could picture you all drinking, laughing and dancing the day away - :)!!!
and that is just HILARIOUS!!!Quote:
I think it was at this time, that the owners of Margaritaville complained about the party going on next door and how the noise was upsetting their patrons!!!! ()
Hope to see you guys again in the future!!!!!!!!!!!
♥Katho
Thanks very much for all the really nice comments and stuff everyone. Writing a report isn't as easy as it seems, little details fade, (unless you're Marley ;) ), so I had to get it down quick. Plus, as you know, I had the Negril glasses on most of the time. :cool: But I didn't exaggerate, if anything, I played it down in respect of the board admin!!
If I've missed anything I apologise, if I've missed anyone, I apologise!
And Cindy my honey, I wish I could write more, but we came home...........:(
Still there's always the next trip and we are really thinking of a month next time, 'cause we'll be 'retired' and it won't matter. :D
Anyway get writing the rest of you.......I'm gap filling!!
Oh pooh its over. You two are a BLAST!~~ Really enjoyed the report. When you come to Indy PLEASE give us a call we are only one hour away, and would really enjoy seeing you two again.
OOPS by the way, I LOVED THOSE PANTS Mr. Catz!
Donna dont worry you and Jim are for sure included. Hope to see you both soon:) Spotty i know there is more story stuck in that handsome brain some where surely we didnt kill all your cells too.lol lol
Oh by the way thats me I.C.:)
Cindy.......I Know it's you :rolleyes: