Trip report sept 1-14, including pelicanbar, etc

Choices is more of a resturant. janet and I had breakfast there on our last reach. Very tasty indeed.

they had a big yard, so lots of folks going off in groups in back yard.


Attachment 17958Attachment 17959Attachment 17960I think we got breadfruit, flowers and I don't know what the 3rd one is

Is that ackee?

choices had a snack table set up, had all kinds of jamaican treats...can't remember them all, but it was tasty...we didnt eat much, Im sorta full from all the subs and beer...

looks from around the yard at choices
Attachment 17961Attachment 17962
Attachment 17963

the last pic we get of jamaica Elvis, Attachment 17964

I remember having a few different conversions with folks, going from group to group, we were here a likkle while due to the snacks..
Lenbert has a interesting theory on Pi.

another dog ina yard to play with
Attachment 17965

a look back toward the road
Attachment 17966

one last look at the mystery machine
Attachment 17967

and the magical crowd aboard the bus
Attachment 17968

and yes, I think it is akkee, now that you say it...welcome to the SEC, my MIZZU fan. I was at seastar while the ga/mizzu game was on, chris tried to find it for me, but we had to settle for lsu...

Awesome report, and I'm loving the pics. Good stuff!

Next stop on the pub crawl is the only place we had ever really visited for any extended period of time...XTABI. This was our 1st and only driver until this trip, Alfreds hangout. He introduced us to Omar, Bartender, and we had free reign of the place. We have spent at least 5-6 full days here in our 1st two trips.
It was our home on the cliffs. For the adventurous like myself, there are a lot of nooks and crannys at Xtabi. Janet likes to get one of the rock decks down in the water for the day, and I can go do my exploring....absolutly love the place.

On this day, we didn't have much time. Sunset was getting near, and lenbert had another spot in mind for the sunset, so we only had about 15-20 minutes. Not many pics from here due to time restraints, but I have a detailed review of Xtabi grounds both cliffside and gardenside, many, many pics of the caves, etc, in the link below in my signature...This is a popular place on the board, so lots of stuff have been posted....

Omar not working today, but I had to have a dirty banana from this place. They make the best DB that I have ever had. I order one, it looked so good, with the chocalate drizzle running down the side of the glass. the look made an big impression, cuz next thing I know, everyone is ordering them...order another, bartender says he gonna take care of me, since my order open the flood gates for a little business for him...

pics of the sun getting ready to set for the night...I love sunsets, and gonna try to get a few pics ever night of the trip, at various time lapses...

Attachment 17974

Attachment 17975

a look at 3 dives from xtabi
Attachment 17976

I have been waiting to get to a cliffside bar for while now. i love the water, it has been a hot day, and I was ready to get wet. I slip off from everyone (always takes me a minute to get my nerve on the 1st jump of the trip) and jump into the sea. Xtabi has many different places to jump from, different heights, etc, so I didnt want to chicken out in front of everyone. I get my nerve and splash, it is done...1st jump of the reach, 1st of so many more. get out and repeat, by this time, I was joined by another crawler. after the 2nd jump, i knew time was short, so I grab my stuff, grab a few bites of my sub, and rejoin the gang at the bar. My DB was ready in a BIG to go cup.

last couple sunset shots before we go
Attachment 17977
Attachment 17978

Larry and Rina had never been to Xtabi. I told them earlier that I would give them a tour of the caves. I forgot, but we still have time. Took them to the cave down to the entrance of the small sandy area. I had read about the sand, but both 09, and 10, there wasn t, any sandy area, water was too high...but it was there this time, cool. On our return, I could see Lenbert rounding folks up, but yall gotta see this, the underwater bar in the other cave. So I took them real quick, they loved it and vow to return.

One last shot of 3 Dives, from Xtabi

Attachment 17979

as I am downloading the photos and during the report, I just figured something out, duh, LOL...the last pic above gave me the clue.

we exit the cave and see none of the crawlers, so we head toward the road. there they are, I hear Janet and two4today both yell. They were not gonna let us get left, we are bringing up the rear again, just like always. well, we thought so. as we get moving, we notice that they was not as many people on the bus. We take roll call, and Elvis has left the building. We notice that Matt, and his buddy and elvis was not here. we yell to lenbert, he says they will have to catch up, the crawl must go on. sunset is near, and here we go. Posting these pics, I see matt and his buddy at 3 dives. i go tell Janet of my huge discovery a few minutes ago, she just laughs. thats what I was telling you, I thought we saw them at 3 dives, she said. I never understood, I didnt see them, until now...

The crawl continues, we head up the cliffs, pass eddies debar, pass seastar lane, pass catcha, all the way to the lighthouse, ok sunset at the lighthouse.
Never been to the lighthouse, getting the camera ready. This is a big bus, are we gonna fit? we turn around, barely fit, and then pull back out and head back down the hill. Guess we are not stopping at the lighthouse, just turning around.

Next Stop Sir D's Love Nest
this is another bar I had not every been to, and prob never would have stopped at.
It was a very cozy and romantic spot.
Sunset was near, here are the chosen pics.
Attachment 17989
Attachment 17990
Attachment 17991

pics from the bar of the crawlers
Attachment 17992
Attachment 17993
Attachment 17994

and a look over at the cliffs, from the bar...I think I just heard a big splash...

Attachment 17995Attachment 17996

I decide to go check out the area outside the bar, over in that picture.

I get outside, and am joined by a couple of my new friends. We see a couple of local boys hanging by the picnic table in this pic
Attachment 17997

at this point of the day, The drinks, the vibe, the new friends, the subs, it has all led to a great time. Feeling very good right now, gotta keep it going. Lets have another.
while enjoying the snack, the boys from the table came over and asked if we would like to watch his friend jump from the cliff. sure, we said. will you tip me? all standing around decided to put in a buck or two, and the likkle dude jumped. A big cheer from the bar. likkle guys made a fistfull of dollars for a couple jumps.

another look, wait, did that shirt just move? nah, must to the susnset.
Attachment 17998

last pics of the sunset thru the trees
Attachment 17999Attachment 18000Attachment 18001

a crowd gathered to watch the likkle guys. they were all smiles. Janet was ready for a red stripe, so I voluteer to get it for her. I go to the love nest, now able to get around the corner and see it all, very cozy. I see Rina. Have u seen Larry, she asked? Yes, they are all outside, I got the beer, follow me. As we round the corner, this is what I see...
Attachment 18002

Janet 1st and Larry next, both take turns playing with this snake. AS Rina and I talk about, neither of these people would get near a snake on a regular occasion. Only in Jamaica...lol...

Attachment 18003

we party at this spot until after sunset...great memories...made with some great people...

Excellent report. Spent many late afternoons at Sir D, it's one of the best views open to the public in the whole Cliffs area.

Good report so far. Was the bus a bit rowdy by the end?

Damn,November can't get here quick enough!!! Keep the pictures and report coming,your doing a great job!!

Really enjoying your report and photos! :)

hey gerryg123..thanks a bunch for the props. yes the bus was getting rowdy...

there were 3-4 canadian guys on the bus...2 of them really had some pipes, In between stops, they would start a popular reggae song, usually a marley song, and some would join in...towards the end, all were singing along. it was really something. lots of fun. It would be like, woot woot on one side of the bus, and a hell yeah, from the other side, a yee haw from the red necks, and a everytings IRIE, mon, from the dread necks... A good time had by all. I will say that the pub crawl is something we will try to do on every reach...alot of excitement packed into one afternoon.

next stop..

Seastar...I am doing this pub crawl from a fuzzy memory. We took no notes from the crawl, so letting the pics jog the memory. Well, my camera and maybe the camera operators don't do very good after dark...hehehe. only one pic from seastar that was a little clear.

we have been to seastar several saturday nights, another can't miss for us in negril...well that is for another day.
We get to see the new renovations, very cool. we go to the bar, red stripe for janet, and a purple rain for me. Mi likes the frozen drinks...I do my walk, over by the pool is usually my happy spot at seastar
Attachment 18004

Janet and I walk the property, checking out the villas. I see someone I recognize. It just so happens that the "Boardie Down" from the 1st stop of this crawl at MiYard, was staying here...Names have been ommitted to protect the ones involved. They invite us to their veranda for a moment...this is the guy that gave up his seat for Janet when we first got on the bus. She is feeling much better, so they joined us at the bar for some fun. A bunch of cheers and whatever were heard as everyone discovered the boardie down had regrouped....We shared drinks, stories from the crawl, laughter, and etc... I order a frozen overproof drink (rum runner???) since this was the last stop. I could tell I had enough to drink, so finish up strong...I don't do much drinking when not on holiday, but I do enjoy my subs on a daily basis...Janet doesn't drink much at home either, and it always amazes me how many red stripes she consumes when we are on vacation, and still maintain her stuff...no subs for her ever, just the stripes and an occasional drink...anyway at this point we tried to count her stripes for the crawl, 1 at every stop, plus one at peewees, and an extra a 1 or 2 other stops. we think the 2nd one at seastar is number 10. wow, I am impressed. I can tell she is feeling good, but still maintaining herself...we figure that u just sweat some of it out...lol...

ok, lenbert is rounding us up, time to head back to legends...all aboard...

All loaded up, the bus gets rolling. shortly after we pull onto the road, we take a right down another lane.

We pull up in front of Bella Donna's...So this is the last stop....Damn I shouldn't have ordered that last drink, it is still almost full, and so am I...hehehe.

Only 2 pics, so I am not giving this place its proper review. But gonna try. Here is what I remember.

Nice pizza place. has a stage in the yard I think she has live entertainment in high season... she had us use the bathroom in one of the apartments...Janet said it was a nice 2 bedroom place, very spacious.
nice size yard. remember its dark, so can only see a likkle. the 1st incident at Bella Donna that I remember was about the dog in the yard. Larry wanted to pet the dog, and asked and was told it was ok, doesn't bite...next thing you know, Larry and Lisa are running aroung the yard, trying to catch the dog. It would come right up to someone, and then, poof, off again...Larry let the dog off the chain so he could play with it. As soon as the dog got taste of freedom, it was on...finally after a likkle help from the party, we rounded up the dog, and all was fine. We all sat in the dining area, and found out we are gonna have some pizza. great, we like pizza, and need to soak up some of this alcohol..lol..Bella donna comes out to address the crowd...She had her heart broken, and had a song that the wrote about it...after some coaxing, she sang it for us...It is about the gigalo that broke her heart...you are just a gigalo, my friends told me you are a gigalo, and I say no. I ask you if u are a gigalo, and you say no, but you are a gigalo...all of this is directed at my buddy, two4today...he is the the object of her affection on this night....what a hoot, he caught a likkle ribbing for this the rest of his stay.
Then the canadian dudes started up, and before long the whole crawler crew were singing along, our own likkle canadian karaoke machine...lol...
The pizza was served, and it was very good...Janet loves her pizza, and she commented several times on how good it was....

cant remember much else about this stop, sorry, wanted to give each stop its proper review, but this is all I got.

Attachment 18006Attachment 18007

Lenbert dropped us off at Legends. I am gonna recap the pub crawl, for those who dont wanna wade through all the pics and ramblings that I do.

This was the best day yet that Janet and I had with all of our runnings in Jamaica. The people made it what it was...I recommend this trip to anyone...anyone.

It gave us the chance to hit many pubs that we would have never hit, and that is great.
It put us together with a bunch people, all from different parts of the world, different ages, etc, and all with one thing in common...fun
got to meet people, see places, enjoy views, taste samples of jamaican cuisine, drink and be merry, and was even able t take a dip in the sea.

a can't miss to all that visit, imo...

lets count the stops
1) MiYard
2) Swordfish
3) Jennys/C&D Country bar
4) No Limit Bar---
with an unauthorized stop at peewees
5) Choices--with snack sampler
6) Xtabi
7) Sir D's Love Nest
8) Seastar
9) Bella Donnas--with some pizza

met some great people, Lenbert, Rob and Lisa, Rina and Larry, Jim and GiGi, Eric and Stephanie, NYCgirl and Gwen, Matt ELVIS and Austrailian buddy, 3-4 canadian singers, and I can't remember the names of the conn couple, the tampa couple, the other canadian couple, and I know I missed some...

we got picked up at our resort at about 230 and dropped back off at about 830

great day was had by me...did I say that before?

to finish off wednesday night, we get dropped off at legends, shower, and chill for a little while. we decide to walk to bourbon beach to see what wet and wild is all about.
It is about 10 oclock...could hear the music from our deck. DJ Alli is spinning the mix. We have our bubba keg filled with rum punch, share some with mi friends, since Janet and I have already had our fill for today. BB is giving away several pairs of tickets for the peter tosh tribute. On one set, the question was asked, several wrong answers were given by the same blonde girl...she really wanted those tickets, or she really wanted to flirt with alli...it was the latter...the next thing I know, Janet is walking on the stage....what...wait a minute...is that really Janet? the same Janet that would not get up and speak in front of family, much less on stage in front of strangers, what....stop the train...come on, now....now i hear, what artist was just signed today to play the andrew tosh show...Janets answer--Albarosie--Alba Rosie---who...who is albarosey....Alli says, you are correct, and gives Janet the tickets. the blonde girl was still on stage and janet said the appeared to b happy just being there..Here she comes back, I look to Dwight and Fast Car, who hang with us most nights, no we dont know what is going on, they say...when she gets back, she said some guy came up to her and told her the answer, I was sitting there enjoying the vibe and didnt even notice. turns out he is an artist, came by the table..I gave him some rum punch, and bought a cd from him for 500J. the tickets were 1000J each and we were going anyway...His name was ras marko, and the cd is not bad at all, have listened to it several times...Janet also met a canadian lady named Jane, Jane ahd a good buzz going this night...her boyfriend was a jamaican and a driver. he was very cool, shared some time with him tonight and also another occasion later in our reach..really liked kevin and jane...

called it a night at about 1100...very eventful day, and glad we decided to see what BB had to offer (got our tickets)..btw, no wet and wild due to lack of participants...small crowd.

guess it is time to continue the journey...this is thursday, sept 6th...It is our moving day..we move from legends to catcha...I'll get going in a few.

Legends to Catcha is a big step up ....

We get up on this beautiful morning. Our plans are to hang out on the beach til lunch, we love the beach, and know we will be missing it. We will check in at catcha bout 1 or so, hang out and then head to canoe for the webcast. we made plans yesterday to meet our new friends, rinakim and larry, two4today and gigi...friday, we had plans to chill at catcha, our 1st time there, and then do the 100 candle dinner at Ivans for our anniversary. We are not the type of people that would spend that much for a meal, but this is special. Janet does not know of the meal yet. Saturday was going to be a repeat of relaxing, checking out eddies debar, sexy rexy, and then the seastar party...sunday back to the beach...

Funny how plans change.

I just love your sand gravity picture:

Attachment 18200

Thanks for all the feedback guys...


and I almost forgot, I saw Tina posted a response, I missed it earlier, girl if you are still reading this, Sorry I missed you.
Janet and I had fun with you, she said to tell you we meant to get back down to that end of the beach to try and find you, but you know how plans in Negril are...

We chill on the beach, Michael had Janets chairs and umbrella set up for her. While we chill, Michael has a deal with a hustler that was trying to haggle with a guest. a shouting match followed, with a couple of phrases exchanged that I had heard earlier that morning while at BB, (fastcar running off the same guy). It was something like bumclatt??? and a phrase like suc ya mudder???seemed to be some bad words.

Janet didnt eat lunch so I ate in the likkle tower at legends, where michael hangs on kuyaba side, wasn't used while we were there, but it was my after dinner smoking tower. A few pics from the tower.

Attachment 18201Attachment 18202
Attachment 18203

this guy came by every day selling do nuts, pastries, breads, etc
Attachment 18204

I walk over to BB to get our ride to Catcha, one last shot of the bar
Attachment 18205

legends umbrellas are lined up like sardines . . . is it always like that? . . . doesnt' appeal to me . . .

the rest of your report is great, love the pics . . . thanks.

yep, pretty much always like that. very small beach area, and had the most guests during the slow season, which is when we are there.
that is one of the reasons we walked to BB so much...Janet got her chairs set up on the end, so she had some room on one side...

This is the part of the trip that my wife is worried about. She is not sure what I am going to write, as she knows I will write what I FEEL, not sugar coat anything. Lets start off by saying that we are beach people, love the beach. We wanted to try the cliffs, found a great deal at catcha cuz of the construction, booked mid trip, so we could get back to the beach in case we didn't like it. We like the live music and the action on the beach. Nothing beats a walk on the beach first thing in the morning (a swim in the glass-like sea off the cliffs is a goood substitute, as I will soon find out)

This post below, made from catcha mid trip, is what has Janet worried, lol,



http://negril.com/forum/showthread.p...-on-the-cliffs

keep in mind that we were in slow season, and I think there was 3 other couple there, 2 of those had motorcycles, and were always moving...(both named jimmy, led to a funny story) we NEVER saw anyone else at the bar, and a person here or there in pool, laying out etc...

If you head back to the West End during a busier time you will see more action. I just got back yesterday and the West End was more like the Dead End. Most places we went we were the only travelers there. I found fun at each place though and am ready to kick some butt in dominoes. Looking forward to the rest of your report....

i'm with you groove, stayed at catcha, loved it, but am a beach person all the way . . . too isolating . . .

Right before we leave to go to Catcha, we meet Alli, who was the DJ last night who gave Janet the tickets. Janet does not recognize him (he had a bandana on last night)
He also said he plays in the west end gang and they are at bourbon beach tonight. We won't see you tonight, we are moving to the cliffs, we will see you next week.

we get to Catcha Falling Star about noon, but room not ready. We leave our bags at front desk, and go check out the place.

The first one to greet us after we get let in was Benny, the resident dog. Love the dogs.

The first view of Catcha is breathtaking. It is like a movie setting, with all the flowers, and the sea background. I head down and take my first of so many pics.
Attachment 18242

this view is of --from left to right---our lunch table, jacuzzi, our spot(presently occupied by the 2 Jimmys)
Attachment 18243

Jimmy1 has been coming to Catcha for 14 years, and is staying 3 weeks. Jimmy2 is leaving 2morrow.
Me looking across the cove
Attachment 18245

the hot tub
Attachment 18246

floats to float away your troubles in this beautiful cove
Attachment 18249

we still haven't checked in, but I have to get in the wata....It is so beautiful, and calling my name. I jumped at Xtabi yesterday, but I had consumed several adult beverages, aka liquid courage. Today, like always, takes a second to build up the ability to jump.

Attachment 18272

several photos later
Attachment 18273

1st dip in THE COVE at catcha
Attachment 18274

now a little higher
Attachment 18275

Attachment 18276

the beaches party boat
Attachment 18278

one last jump
Attachment 18279

and the red stripe enjoying the view
Attachment 18282

we get checked in...Janet is in love with her veranda...
here are some views
Attachment 18284

Attachment 18286

I bet some of you catcha lovers can tell me which room I am in by the view from my veranda...

Attachment 18287

one more

Attachment 18288

we are always amazed at the "bed art" in Jamaica. This time it is a simple pile of flowers.
Attachment 18289

Attachment 18290

we get checked in, and walk to the store across the street. we need red stripe, a few juices for me, and wata. we get to the store and get the "no shirt, no service" deal.
I know I am not onthe beach now, as I didn't even think aboout the fact that I didn;t put a shirt on. Just got out of the wata, ya know. Janet waits while I run back and get a shirt. we got in and get our goods, and then stand in line. The store was crowded. 1st a young teenager jumps in line in front of this older jamaica woman, she said something, but the young lad started getting loud and she let him go...then the woman checked out. next it was my turn, with an older local man behind me. another guy (about 30) jumped in front of me, and put his things on the counter. I didnt say anything, I really wanted to, but it is ok. Well the guy behind me didnt think it was ok, and said so. a few words were exchanged, then the line jumper leaves his stuff and runs out of the store....young angry men, they need to slow down, the older guy says...very busy likkle store...janet was amazed at the local gentleman and his girlfriend were shopping for their supplies. He got a huge box full of goods, and they got on his motorcycle and drove off. she was amazed cuz the box was so big, and he had it balanced on the handle bars, dont even know how he could see...

did a likkle more jumping and swimming and it is getting close to 4pm. We have to meet our friends at canoe at 5. Janet takes a while to get ready, so I walk while she showers. I try to walk to eddies debar, but didn't have my map, and was not sure how far it was. come to find out, I was about 100 yds away when I turned aroiund. walked back past catcha, and on to ricks. we stopped there on our 1st trip, it was almost empty, and we never went back. this time it was not empty...here are some pics.
Attachment 18291

Attachment 18292

lots of peeps

Attachment 18294
Attachment 18295

boat anchored outside of cove
Attachment 18296

tourist jumping
Attachment 18297

the famous ricks cafe diver
Attachment 18298

the beautiful cove at ricks cafe
Attachment 18299

I head back and Janet is close to ready. I jump in the shower, and we get a drink at Ivans bar before we head to Canoe...

Rude boys do like to jump in on you and don't let them do it. It happened to me last week and the nice lady working the counter scolded him and made him wait his turn before I had a chance to say anything. The store can get busy at times and some times it is just you in there. I usually go in the am and have no issues most of the time.

yeah, booger, got a little crowded in that small store. but cant beat the easy access from catcha.

the journey continues...

we finally get to canoe bar. It is about 6pm, late as usual. Larry and Rina had given up on us, as well as two4today and gigi. At the pub crawl yesterday, Jim and gigi told us they were doing pelican bar on friday(tomorrow) and invited us. We were gonna talk about it tonight. Larry and Rina had already ordered 5 different appetizers, so we discussed things as we waited. Janet and I discussed this earlier and decided to give up our 100 candles (she loved the idea, but thought the excursion was a better way to spend the $$$. We will still eat at Ivans sat night and skip buffet at seastar, just go for party. we talked rinakim into the idea, and it was on. tried to call Jim, but no answer. left messages at seasplash, but he never returned my call...But then I remembered his driver, as it was also our driver, Kingsley. Gave Kingsley a call and it was all set.

A few pics from canoe.
Attachment 18309

me and my lovely bride
Attachment 18310Attachment 18311

another beach dog gets fed, we usually have some dog food in our bag
Attachment 18312

the daily sunsets, best we got today
Attachment 18313
Attachment 18314

the appitizers...onion rings, fries (yummy), fritters, shrimp, and fish skewers, all very tasty
Attachment 18315

the two for one rum punches are beginning to take effect..

the crew enjoying the goods
Attachment 18316

Janet wanted this picture
Attachment 18317

the great kirby
Attachment 18318

Interesting photo. I wonder if Mick Jagger smokes subs?

everyone at canoe laughed when this guy stood up and Janet said "damn,, you're tall!!!"
Of course, she had to have a picture
Attachment 18319

we were planning to head back to catcha after this and chill at our new home, but....
Rina said something about the west end gang. I told her I met one of the band members. Not Tafari, eh?, No I think his name is alli...Well, West end gang is playing at her wedding, and she wants to here them play. well, it doesnt take much to talk us into going back to our home at the beach. we would show them the runnings, hehehe.

they had arrangements with tyrone, the popular driver on here, and he dropped us off at bourbon beach...
they have a bonfire going
Attachment 18320Attachment 18321Attachment 18322

we all order chicken, some eaten there, some taken home...
we listen to several songs, but call it a early night, big buzzes for all...
Attachment 18323


plus tomorrow is a big day...

we are getting picked up at 9am.
the plans are dropping off school supplys at a school in the hills
y.s.falls, and floyds pelican bar...

what a great trip!!!!

Our first time to YS and Pelican was with Kingsley and we had a blast that day. Really looking forward to the details of your trip.

Very nice...thanks for sharing!;)