Are those bubbles the jellyfish????
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Are those bubbles the jellyfish????
After six or sixteen beers with Maureen, we hop on the boat. It feels good to be on the water.
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Do you see it??
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There's a TURTLE painted on our boat!!
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We were pretty quiet on the ride out to the reef. I just spent the time soaking up the sights and sounds.
Once we arrive, we gear up and hop in. I try to do the super cool commando flip over backwards off the boat. I'm pretty sure i did not look super cool.
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Is that a canon in your pocket?
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Eventually, I found myself wrestling with my mask as it kept filling up with salt water and by now my eyes are burning. I am trying my best to stick it out but I am swallowing a lot of water here! I kept thinking wow, I must be the WORST snorkeler ever and Captain John will not be impressed with me. Seriously?! I am wearing a life vest and still drowning!
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+1 swims over to me and makes the comment, "Wow, i am swallowing a lot of water here. The seas have really picked up." Oh, good....it's not just me. So I officially take a look above the water. OMG! What happened? It was so nice when we jumped in....
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If you look just underneath the surface of the water on the left hand side of the pic, you can see the clear/white little blobs against the rocks. They were really tiny.Quote:
Originally Posted by gerryg123
We high tail it out of the water and back into the boat. Captain John was not impressed. I say it was just in time because it rained. Hard.
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Captain John offers to take us out to Booby Cay for food. We survey the weather situation. It doesn't look like it will improve anytime soon. I take into account that everything on my person and in my bag is soaked. Nope, we say. We'll just enjoy the rainy ride back to the beach, mon. Eventually, we happen upon someone in a kayak who's paddling fast towards shore. Wow, if we are soaked, I am kinda surprised he is still floating at this point. Maybe he has a bail bucket in that kayak. "Who's that?", I ask. Oh, that's the chef out at Booby Cay. LOL, I think we made the right choice!
We stop off at the Red Stripe Catamaran to pick up the Captain and some fuel.
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Safety first, boys! LOL!!
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Wow! You guys told us about this but Seeing the pics puts on a whole new view. Glad you left when you did!
Wow, great pictures! Actually, I kind of find it exciting when the weather changes up while snorkeling. Kind of tests your skills, so to say, and many times I realize that I may not be so good! LOL But, still, it is fun! We have had several trips with Vincent when the sea's rough up....and it is a challenge to maintain. Somehow you feel like Rocky if you do survive the wakes. Real exercise fi sure!!! After that, the trips back are always so tough. Cold, shaking, hungry, thirsty yet exhilarated! Then, you are searching like a starving creature to find food quick! It is always the best food you have ever tasted!!!
Ras Rody's was our most recent stop after a tough snorkel trip. Boy, was it good! Thanks for all the wonderful photos that accompanied your report. Really helping me maintain until we reach. Much respect!! :)
Wow!!!!!
P.S. Love the Turtle!
LOVED this entry especially the approaching storm pictures. I so enjoy the casual humorous vibe in your story telling. Looking forward to reading more.
um tell me...is that captain John holding the gas can??? Do you have a frontal picture of his face...particularly that salt/pepper beard??? :o
Gotta love that Jamaican funnel!
Lol, it was crazy. The sea scares the cr@p outta me when I'm in it and the waves are over my head!Quote:
Originally Posted by Coco
Yup, my skills were tested! It's funny - I didn't really get spooked until after the fact when I looked at the pictures. I thought to myself...omg, i was swimming in THAT?! I totally agree about the food too...I've got an update of that coming up;)Quote:
Originally Posted by yetta
<3Quote:
Originally Posted by marley9808
Thank you. That means a lot coming from such a seasoned Jamaica traveler as yourself:)Quote:
Originally Posted by *vi*
Captain John is the one in the blue plaid shorts. The other man is the Captain we picked up from the YaMon Red Stripe Cat. So sorry I didn't get his name or a better picture...
Yup! We always joke about the things Jamaicans can get away with when honestly they are just using the tools that they have. I mean, if +1 and I were to try that, we would have blown ourselves out of the water.Quote:
Originally Posted by poolguywindsor
So after we arrived back at shore from our snorkel trip with the fabulous Capitan John, we hit Tony's hut. We were thirsty. And STARVING. The rain let up a bit, so I took the chance to run over to the cook shop in front of the Whistling Bird. +1 trusted me with the order (because it's usually limited to what they have). His only stipulation was, "NO Chicken Foot Soup!!!"
Heheheheh. In April, we hit the same cook shop for some soup. I got a great tip from the board about it. I ordered conch soup. +1 ordered chicken soup. Now you see, I wasn’t completely honest with him about it when he ordered. He’s thinking…yeah, chicken soup. That sounds good. Maybe it has some noodles in it. I’m thinking…..yeah, that’s chicken FOOT soup, but I will let him found out for himself. Sure enough he sits down at Tony’s hut and patiently waits for it to cool. His mouth watering the whole time. The first spoonful….
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AHHHHHHH, it looks like a BABIES HAND!!! Ok, that was probably mean of me to do to my poor other hung over half.
Anyway, this trip to the cook shop didn't disappoint. We had some fairly normal soups, lol and a brown stew chicken box lunch with rice/peas/coleslaw to split. SUPER affordable. The soup is 100J. The box lunch is 400Jish. And SUPER delish! As I was waiting for the food it started to pour again. I hunkered down under the roof at the cook shop for a bit and finally decided to run for it. By the time I sprinted back to Tony's hut, I was drenched. But the food was dry. Yay!!
We inhaled our food, and settled in for another rain shower with Grace and beers. There were two other couples there as well and we really enjoyed chatting with them.
A sting ray kept appearing!
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Great trip report! Those snorkeling/storm coming in pics are awesome.
What? No beer bikini in the snorkeling pics? Is that your cold weather bikini?
Great report, love the humour;)
Thanks! Part of me was wondering if the hurricane was starting to hit....Quote:
Originally Posted by sbeth
Booger - a girl's gotta have options, ya know LOL!?Quote:
Originally Posted by booger
Thanks, Summer;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Summer
I've kinda stayed away from trip reports for a wee while, as it's difficult to read through jealous teary eyes, but your opening paragraph hooked me and I'm here till the end. Your pics are excellent and I love the easyoazy way you glide through each day.
'After six or sixteen beers with Maureen, we hop on the boat.' THIS! ;)
Thats a regular stop for soup, for me! Going to have to try the food too! Funny how that happens when you stop for "a" beer with Maureen!
Yeah girl!! Glad to see you are rockin that high life bikini!!!! mine had it's last hurrah on the April trip, started unraveling when i got home LOL
This report is so rad....you crack me up! The pics are stellar...love the snorkeling episode and the pics you got of the rain on the water and the rough seas. Crazy!!!
and in some cases..on the bar lolQuote:
Originally Posted by poolguywindsor
Sho ya right! But Booger...pretty sure shes doing a report on her most recent trip...we werent there lol Well you may have been, I cant keep up with you anymore. :PQuote:
Originally Posted by booger
Wpyogi, I’m just catching up on this fast moving report, and so delighted to do so. This is just great, love your inner dialog on the trip, you really get into Negril!
Your shots are wonderful. The one of you, sunset and sailboat is amazing. The look back from out in the wata is so fine. The Xtabi ones are breaking my heart, and setting desire firm to return. I like the one of the thunderhead out west taken from #1’s platform; very nice…you’re better than you seem to think.
Top notch parrot vid! Wow! The +1 first person jumper movie, dynamite!
Great snorkel trip; that chop came up fast. Hey, that canon is big bamboo!
I so love this fun and funny report. This is fabulous, more please!
Xtabi baby, you know it's true! Henry's conch burger, damn! The snorkeling pics are insane, almost looks like a sea spout getting ready to set down behind you in that one shot. Keep it up! :)
please advise where blue hole is?? Have not heard of this before.. 99 days and counting...
Just caught up with your report. I am loving every minute! The video of the parrots was awesome, I bet they were a blast to watch with a cold red stripe in hand. Can't wait to be back at Xtabi in February. Keep it coming :)
I love love love chickenfootsoup! Would only have it 3-4 times a year when my aunt visited because my mom refused to fix it. Bet the look on +1's face was priceless when he lifted that prize from the bottom of the cup. Patiently waiting for more report...:)
Spottycatz!! That's very sweet. Yup, we like to glide through the days and see where it takes us, lol! The first round is on me as soon as I spot you in April.
Poolguy - LOL funny how "a" beer usually turns into "a" hangover.
Tizzy - Nooooooo! You fill that bikini out better than i do, lol!
Bjritz - Yes, I think Jamaica fits me well;) You should join in on the craziness in April. There should be some fun boardies at Xtabi. Well, I know of at least 2:)
I think +1 took that shot of me in the sunset, LOL. Can't take credit for that one.
LOL! Big Bamboo! Why didn't I think of that?!
Gurigay - Oh yeah, I have a conch burger the next morning for breakfast! A sea spout? Is that what tornado looking clouds are called in the Caribbean? Whatever...it was spooky.
GGram - Blue Hole is a cool little day trip not far from Negril. I've always wanted to go. Maybe next time because Sandy threw a wrench in our plans.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractio...h_Jamaica.html
T&A - Yes, those parrots were so cool. Sad - one must have fallen out of the tree a few days later. +1 found it and had the gardener (not brown....the other one...i forget his name) take care of him. He was still alive but not going to make it:( Say hi to the Omar's for me in February.
*vi* - hahahaha, yup! The look was priceless!
So we say our goodbyes to the crowd and Grace at Tony's Hut. I gave everyone Lenbert's contact information and advised that we should have a serious hurricane party. The rain let up and it was turning out to be a beautiful evening. So we hit the beach for a stroll and ended up at...............
None other than the Sunnyside! Robert was working and we had to have "a" beer with him! We took a swim and settled in to watch the sunset.
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As you can tell by my eyes, we are on operation mind erase mode again.
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After sunset, we order up 2 roadies, say "until next time" to Robert, and head out to grab a cab. On our way to the road we run into this cutie and hang out for a bit.
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It reminds me that I have our pups collars and leashes in my bag to drop off at Moonlight Villa. So we make a stop there before home.
Back at Xtabi, we decide to see if the bar is open. There was a pretty good crowd! After a few rounds we decide to get cleaned up and head to DeBar. +1 apparantly kicked off his shoes at the bar and walked back to our room barefoot because we had to go on a shoe hunt the next day, LOL.
Off to Eddie's DeBestBar. The night is a little foggy and about to get foggier! Small crowd tonight. We get comfy and order some chicken for dinner. That reminds me, I forgot to ask Trevor how he makes that granny sauce. Oh well, I guess I will just have to go back!
After we eat and consume more beer, Trevor says he will teach me how to play dominos. For fun, mon! +1 sits out...he's too skeared. Those boys play fast! It takes me for-EVER to make my play. Laughs are going around...not AT me but WITH me, lol.
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Well, whatda you know. The slow-playin newbie has a streak of beginners luck and whoops everyone's arse!! The kid in the white t eventually gets pissed and leaves the party. Sorry:)
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My winning streak doesn't last long....especially after Eddie sits down to play, lol! Those boys have some brother domino code... Who cares, I am having a BLAST!
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I am not sure what time we called it a night….3ish maybe. Good effing times, mon. The BEST night of the trip I would say. Eddie and Trevor took care of us, and I never leave that place without a busted gut because I have laughed so hard.
And here it is. THE look. The look of finally downloading from all the BS. The look of yeah, this is why I love this place. The true look of You....nothing to cloud the light. Hahaahh, this picture cracks me up!
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After we get home we have a chat with Omar just inside the security gate again. I KNOW it was a great chat...I just can't remember the details. It was our last chat with Omar:( Oh well, I guess I am just going to have to go back again!
Eddie's eyes lol .....
Which pic, gerry, lol!!!!Quote:
Originally Posted by gerryg123
Love those pics of you and Eddie! Enjoying these updates so much! keep them coming!:D
^^^^ Ditto what she said :)
Here we go again.
After our raging good time at DeBar, I woke up Tuesday morning tossing and turning. I chalk it up to nerves about the impending storm. I carefully navigate my way down the death ladder and open the double doors to our room. The air is crisp, not to hot, and the seas are glass. I drag a lounge chair over by the double doors, I know it will be shady there for awhile, grab a big fluffy pillow and curl up on the deck with the sound of the sea and the breeze. I slept there for about 2 hours and I have to say it was the most peaceful rest I had all trip. It was absolutely yummy.
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Around 10ish, I hop up to shower and check on +1. Nope, he is still dead to the world. So I meander over to the bar, of course! Kevin is working today and I am eager to chat with someone seasoned in hurricane life as Sandy may make her appearance this evening. However, I am not completely able to carry on a conversation just yet, so it’s 5 glasses of water first. I start chatting online first before I attempt to make words vocal. I shoot an email to my mom to let her know we are fine, and I hope she and the kiddos are staying warm in the 10 inches of fresh snow.
Eventually I decide blood has taken over my alcohol system so it’s time for a change. Bananas. Yes, potassium! I will have a dirty banana and a conch burger! Breakfast of champions:cool: Oh, and lets get those tunes cranking, Kevin! There’s a freaking hurricane coming! Every now and then I scamper out to the deck and snap a shot.
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I continue to hang out at the bar for a few hours. Barefoot. Cool breeze. Fans whirring overhead. Staring at the sea. I continue to walk the fence between complete contentment and anxiety. I notice that there is a distinct dark blue line where the sea meets the horizon. Seems strange to me…I always remember sea and horizon melting together. I ask Kevin how long he thinks the seas will stay calm because +1 will want to go for a swim before it’s too late. Kevin says “wake him up now, mon!”
Ok. Yeah, it’s time for +1 to get up anyway. What is he planning on sleeping through this hurricane?! On the way back to our room I run into Sharon. She is suddenly apologetic. Rut Roh. I know what happened before she even says it. She went in to clean our room thinking we were gone. After tidying up downstairs, she climbed the death ladder to the loft. Lets just say she wasn’t prepared for the view when she got eye level with the bed… Now it’s my turn to apologize to Sharon:o
So I scurry back to the cottage and do my best to scare +1 outta bed by pounding on the front door hollerin "there's a hurricane a'comin!! get up!!!" Ya, probably not nice of me. We chat for a bit and he mentions he lost his shoes last night. I'm thinking impossible..yeah whatever. Eventually I tell him to take his time (although not that much time) and grab one last swim off the platform and meet me at the bar.
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Slowly but surely, we ease him back onto the horse. +1 has a chat with Kevin - "I had such a good time last night, I lost my shoes!" Kevin says, "No mon, they are right over here!" and pulls them out from behind the hostess station. LOL, LOL. We had a good laugh about that one. I bring +1 up to speed on the weather sit. And it's changing quickly.
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One minute it's calm, the next minute the wind picks up and brings this intense energy. Then it rains for a bit. It's all very unsettling on a sub-conscious level. I run out to the cliff edge and snap this shot....I can't believe how beautiful everything still is. Overcast. But beautiful.
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By now there are some hurricane parties starting at Xtabi bar. Three in particular are playing dominos and having a good time all while Kevin is playing Konshens. It makes me chuckle about the night before. +1 and I continue to hang out for awhile until it's time to get gussied up for the 3 dives webcast. Here are a few more shots...
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Oops...One thing I forgot about. Earlier in the day when +1 was napping, I called a driver and runned oft to Wise Choice for hurricane supplies. I grabbed snacks and beves to get ready. Funny thing is we didn't need any of it. But better safe than sorry I guess!
We wandered on down the road to 3 dives. Said hi to Rob and the rest of the gang there. +1 and I spent some time out on the cliffs enjoying the sunset. And of course we ordered the lobster. All I can say is WOW. They use garlic on their grilled lobster...not too much. It's just perfect. There were 3 halves on the plate - plenty for us to split. I can't believe I didn't get a picture!
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Onward back to Xtabi bar to keep it open, lol. Eventually we called it a night. I remember thinking....yeah, the hurricane should come through about 3am. it will probably keep me up most of the night with the noise and rough seas. and then tomorrow will be all good. rough seas, but good. hahahaahahah, i am so naive.
Now, I am anticipating Sandy right along with you! You have captured some great shots of the changing colors of the sea and sky. More please :)
Yeah, this is a good post. For once some real news happening instead of all these foolish reports about floating on green rafts and riding around in a scooter and drinking fruit drinks .... LOVE IT!
Hahaha Gerry-we love the foolishness too
So I'm loving the report and then I see this... Kudo's Gerry, Effin' Kudo's!! :)Quote:
Originally Posted by gerryg123
Great stuff, Cool Chick, waitin' on the storm...
Says it all.Quote:
The look of finally downloading from all the BS. The look of yeah, this is why I love this place. The true look of You....nothing to cloud the light.
You are quite beautiful, and the peace beam you're shooting out at us is awesome!