We made it to the rock

Well, I have hesitated greatly before posting this part of the report. It shows that even a seasoned and somewhat savvy traveller can encounter crazy.

We were robbed, at knifepoint this afternoon.

Cindi and I took a taxi over to Times Square, did a bit of souvenir shopping for friends back home... The usual tshirts, crafts, etc.

Taxied over to chicken lavish for lunch, and decided to find a taxi back to tensing.

The first car to come up was a Route taxi, and it was packed to the gills. We had a lot of crap, cindisays aphas a bad knee, and it just was not a fit for us. We waited for the next one which was also a route taxi... Empty but for the driver and passenger, and it was beginning to rain, so I said what the heck. Offered the driver $10 for the trip to tensing, he accted and we got in.

The passenger stated he wanted to be dropped off at his home, we stopped in the little roundabout in front of the primary school down by cav la mar (cage? Stressed right now, not 100% on the name! but it is on my police report). They took us up the road for that hotel, stating he was going to drop him off then take us to tensing.

Passenger made conversation the whole time, telling us his daughter was at the primary school, and he could sell us land on that road if we ever decided to move to jamaica... Utter bs of course, I take the conversation as it comes.

Top of the hill, driver turns the car around, and we go up a strep roadway... Passenger jumps out, put a knife in my wife's face, and said give me everything. He took my wallet, messenger bag, watch, both our wedding rings, the souvenirs, the cash we had on us (most was in the safe), my ipad, my wife's camera, and .. The kicker... My wife's shoes.

When he told us to get out, I frankly saw red, and freaked out. I picked up a rock, smashed the windshield and started beating the driver. They tore out of there, nearly hitting me in the process. My wife is screaming through all of this, so I went to her, and like a damn idiot did not get the plate number.

However, it is a red route taxi (not the ubiquitous white) with a Lilliput (spell?) route on the side which I found out is mobay. It has a smashed in windshield, and I driver that I tried to brain with a stone. 5 more seconds, and I would have disabled or seriously injured him. I was covered with his blood on my hands when they left.

Two very kind ladies down the lane heard my wife screaming, and came to assist, calling a friend to bring us back to the hotel.

Police arrived at the hotel, took us to the police station where individual constables took mine and my wife's statement, the tourism liaison gave us two stamped forms outlining our losses for insurance.

I feel stupid, as I did not get a license number, allowed this trash to take me down a back road, and more importantly that I was unable to seriously injure one of them for putting a knife in my wife's face.

I will not allow this to ruin my vacation. The constable handling the issue seemed genuinely angry about the issue, and during the time we were giving our statements managed to find a still shot of the car from the canoe bar cameras. He had also taken us to one of the supermarkets (not hi lo... The other one) that has a Road cam in an effort to find the car.

The canoe bar camera may be our best shot. I do not care about the stuff. If an always buy more crap. Someone shoved a knife in my wife's face, and I am afraid given the chance I would have done him serious harm.

Remember though... If you are traveling here, and see a red route taxi with Lilliput (I suppose the windshield will be repaired, as I caved it in) grab the plate number. And remember... Please be careful. Many of us are commonly repeat travelers, and can run into this nonsense at any time.

Kudos to the negril police for being so kind to us in this situation, and in particular to the constable who honestly took it as a personal affront, doing more work that I would have expected in such a short time. Karen at tensing and all of her staff have been very kind as I basically had a panic attack in their office.

I will not let negril be ruined for my by the actions of cowards.

Holy crap!!! So very glad you are both safe! Thanks for keeping us aware. My heart and soul are rather disheartened. I hate this sort of behavior on folks that are trying to enjoy their vacation only to be robbed and threatened. My heart goes out to you and your wife. Your last statement says volumes! I will be there in about a month and I will definitely be watching the route taxis that I take.

Many blessings sent to you both! And to Rob...thanks for letting this be posted. We all realize that stuff happens anywhere....but it is invaluable info to have, if for no other reason....just to be aware and reminded of how some people can indeed be up to no good. Even in my small town, stuff happens..but we all need to be alerted and aware. So thankful that you and your wife are safe and the police were helpful and kind. Pray that these dudes will be caught. Big ups to the staff at Tensing Pen for being so supportive. Jah guide............

Every red plated driver and cab owner in Negril should receive details of this. After all; it reflects badly on everyone doesn't it?
Hope the cops put the word out because I know in my tourist town of Niagara Falls Canada; police always call the cab companies when they're looking for bad guys. Friend of mine is a cab dispatcher here. They need to go to the taxi park etc and talk to the drivers.
More eyes and ears the better.
So sorry about what happened guys.
I know I will be super careful in January.

Wow! Glad you and your wife are okay. I hope this taxi driver and accomplice are found and prosecuted. Very scary...

I am so sorry this happened to you and Cindi. Thank you so much for sharing. I really hope the robbers are caught and that you can recover from this violation and find enough peace to enjoy the rest of your stay. I know it's hard but count your blessings, you have each other and you were not physically hurt. Hugs!

Oh my gosh, how scary for you! I hope you can somewhat get past this and enjoy the rest of your trip.
What did the driver and passenger look like? I heard a story awhile back of a similar incident happening and apparently it was a bald driver and a passenger in dreads. So aggravating as you feel a certain sense of safety when you use a red plate :(

My goodness what an ordeal for you both - we always try to believe it can't happen to us - but goes to show - it sure can! This helps to remind us why we don't mind the private taxi and more preferably someone who has been recommended.
I truly hope you can get the groove back and be able to enjoy the balance of your vacation. Something like this won't be so easy to put aside. God bless and let's hope the local networking with their ear to the ground, finds these individuals and takes care of it.

That totally sucks and i can't even imagine how you feel after that.We have made tons of trips in red plate taxis but i guess we always got lucky and got good ones.We are using one of the drivers that is listed on the board for transpoting us around this trip and i think that might have been a good call.Hope you enjoy the rest of your trip no matter what!!

All of us are deeply sorry this happened to you. It shouldnt happen anywhere, but unfortunately in this real world we live in bad things can and do happen to good people.

It is admirable that you are taking the stance that this will not further dampen your vacation. These cowards (excellent choice of words) now have identifying marks (busted windscreen and mashed up head) thanks to what I have to assume was an adrenaline filled reaction you took towards these cowards. Along with the description, Lilliput wording and the actual picture of the vehicle that the constable located will be invaluable in catching them.

The word is already out in Negril, (I got a call early this morning, waking me up) and both the police and other drivers have been looking for them. Since the vehicle had Lilliput markings, its "route" is about 25 minutes outside of MoBay on the north coast. They will have had to travel quite a ways to get back to their home area and there will be many people who will see them.

There are some things I feel that need to be said, and rather than hijack your thread Hussyband, I will start a new one. I hope we get a chance to meet up while you are here.

Take care, both of you.

Hussy and Cindi, so sorry this happened to you or anyone. Glad you are safe!!! I would hate to spend time in a jail any where but god help the soul that pulls a knife on my wife. I promise all the blood won't be mine as there is going to be lose of blood because like you I am going to do something I may regret later. There is never a time I don't have a knife of my own and it won't be the first time I have had to use it.

This can happen any where in any country any time including the good ole USA.

Don't let it ruin you trip!!

God Bless all those that came to your aid.