Great pics K3. And great writing of course. I can just see that dog rolling around his treats in the sand. Yup ready for a BIG Nor'easter rolling in here Fri and Sat. 30-60cms. Please absorb some of that sun for me please.:p
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Great pics K3. And great writing of course. I can just see that dog rolling around his treats in the sand. Yup ready for a BIG Nor'easter rolling in here Fri and Sat. 30-60cms. Please absorb some of that sun for me please.:p
Clap,Clap,Clap............It's holding me over till my time~
Class A reporting...can't wait to be there in person!
Yes, a bit i-ronic - but Bob was well fested.Quote:
Originally Posted by ackee
Mark and Cheryl went to the Negril Police Station yesterday to file a report on Cheryl’s stolen iPhone 4S. They said the visit was quite the eye-opener. They arrived at the station around the time that people were bringing in food for the prisoners there. As Mark stood in line waiting to file the report, he watched one lady, who had brought in a quart of OJ in a cardboard container, a bag of chips and some chicken. The guard opened the OJ and sniffed it, probably checking for alcohol. Then he poured the contents into a ZipLoc bag and placed it on the table. He then opened the bag of chips and dumped them into a ZipLoc and examined the contents before placing the bag on the table. He did the same with the chicken. Everything was carefully examined and transferred from its original container into ZipLocs before being passed to the cell block. He said he also saw laundry being exchanged in the same careful manner.
The pig roast was good, the pork was done to perfection and had a peppery tang to it. Very nice. Unfortunately the band didn’t show up. Apparently they had met up with Luciano at the MXlll concert the night prior and had gone off to do some recording with him – the pig roast gig becoming suddenly unimportant when measured against the opportunity to jam with Jah Messenger.
Attachment 22865
Speaking of the MXlll concert – Shrek and I didn't go – and here's why. The concert doesn’t start until midnight and the main act doesn’t come on until 2:00am. If I went, that means I wouldn’t get back to my room until say 4:00am? I can’t imagine trying to get a cab at that time of the morning. I get up fairly early, so I would definitely have to take a big nap in the afternoon before going. To be honest, although I’ve pulled many midnight shifts in the past, I don’t know if I could make it until 2:00am with a load on Red Stripes (etc.) on board. And I would be ruined the entire following day. So I simply don’t go.
And I’m not the only one who thinks that way; I’ve spoken with many who share my sentiments. Apparently Luciano was spectacular – but MXlll was practically empty. Notably, according to Francis who was there, there were very few tourists. Here’s a thought – start the concert at 9:00pm and have the headliner come on at 11:00. I would go.
Here's Mark and Bea discussing food (they are both foodies):
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Here's a small bonfire in front of Firefly. There was an old dude there roasting his nuts - at 8:30pm. WTF?
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It was closer to 4am than 2am when sizzla came on in sept at bourbon beach
ROFLMBO... what a visual....."an old man roasting his nuts"........LOL....LOL On the beach...............LOL
We are with you....why ruin the whole next day sleeping. Can't pull those all nighters anymore. Last year we saw Toots and he came on at 10 till 12:30 and was wonderful. Sad to see those shows at Negril Escape and The Jungle are over.
It'll be interesting to see what time Toots hits the stage next Saturday at Bourbon Beach! Saw him last year at the Jungle and will be going to see him again next Saturday at Bourbon Beach. Good thing we're staying across the street and don't have to worry about getting a cab after :)Quote:
Originally Posted by jan24
too bad about di band but a suh di ting set in Jayhay. Responsibility tun dung and tekking advantage of immediate opportunity tun up! :(
I *hope* Toots hits the stage early. I can't hang out late like in my younger years. Especially after having redstripes in the hot sun all day.
Great reporting. I will be checking back often to read more. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks for the updates! That piggy looks yummy!
What am I doing reading this in Negril? Had to check in. Was at MX 3 until 4: am after a day of travel was worth it but am still tired after the Jungle til 3:30 this morning? I am gettint to old for this s@#$! lol
Hey Kahuna! Lovin' your writing as usual and good to see some pics of the runnings. We're not making it down this year so having your report to read helps me get through February. One good thing though is the weather here in Southern Alberta is sunny and gorgeous for feb. not like when we flew out of Calgary one year in -40. We'll be missing the PeeWees bash tonight so if you could please include it in your report that would be awesome! Thanks and enjoy the rest of your reach.
PGW - hope to see you around soon, somewhere . . .
Fitzy - yup, we will be going to Pee Wee's BD and will have report and photos
Yesterday, around noon, Bea and I went into town to pick up some things from the fruit ladies; mangos, papayas, tomatoes, bananas, and coconuts. On the way back we jumped into a route taxi and I was surprised to see a female driver. I’ll tell you what – if her driving is any indication of how other female route taxi drivers would drive – every taxi driver should be a woman.
(Funny thing about that verbal tick - “I’ll tell you what.” – I picked it up while in the Panhandle, and now I hear everybody using it. I think it works best with a Rick n’ Bubba Alabama accent.)
Today, after our beach walk, I went for my regular morning swim in the ocean. I put my goggles on and swam along the buoy line from Rainbow Arch to Sandy Haven - it takes about fifteen minutes. I’ve been here just over a week and the water today is as clear as I’ve ever seen it – it was glorious; the sunlight in dappling patterns on the rippled sandy bottom. I had turned around at Sandy Haven and was making my way back, zoned out and thinking about a mountain bike that I’m going to build this spring, when I noticed a shadow to my left. I looked over – it was a spotted eagle ray cruising along just below the surface about five feet from me. These rays have such a curious head, the bird-like beak, the big eyes, almost comical. We swam in formation for about a minute; him trailing a long sinuous tail trailed behind and me altering my stroke so that I could better observe him. I felt privileged for the short accompaniment.
The weather is clear and hot, it’s getting to be monotonous :) On tap today is the afternoon party at the Boat Bar and later, Pee Wee’s birthday bash. We’re looking forward to both.
Remember I said my beach buddy JT will be arriving soon - well I have a JT story that I have to pass along to you - it's a classic. I'll try to get it up later today or early tomorrow.
Here's a shot of Bea - "Hey, My drink is empty!!
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Abandon all hope - ye who enter here
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Here's a wild and crazy idea for slowing the traffic down on the beach road - enforcement??!!
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K3,
Loving this TP. Sitting here at work in Boston, even though the Governor had declared a State of Emergency due to the approaching Blizzard! At least I still have internet to entertain me...
Keep posting! Good stuff!
Enjoy,
VVHT
Looking forward to the JT story. And your Bea is so pretty.
Thanks for the continuing report . . . it's appreciated!
Good stuff ....
Loving your reports as always!
I went to high school with Rick....funny guy!
Heading down to the beach soon have not made it passed the Wild Parrot yet, but maybe today!
PGW - I was at White Sands and Pee Wee's yesterday - we keep missing each other.
Jaherring - I thought you would get the Rick n' Bubba reference - I love those guys.
I mentioned that JT will be coming soon. JT is a character; PGW and Mrs. Brown, I’m sure will agree. When in Negril, JT never wears a shirt, or shoes. He’ll walk around downtown Negril in his shorts and ball cap with his reading glasses perched on top. His ‘wallet’ is a ZipLoc bag that he tucks into his shorts. Into it are stuffed all he needs to survive a day at the beach: smokes, lighter, a little cash, his room key and maybe a gizzada or two. JT is always smiling, he has areally good time in Negril and the locals love him.
A group of us went on the pub crawl last year and somehow, while we were at Pee Wee’s, JT got out of synch with the bus. Well, we had agreed that we would make our way to Ricks after the last pub stop, so JT simply walked from Pee Wee’s to Ricks in his bare feet; no shoes, no shirt, no problem, mon. By the way, I’ve never seen JT apply any sunscreen.
Here’s another JT story. Back when the For Real bar was still the best bar on the beach (Boo Whoo, whoo, - God, I loved that bar!) a group of us were there for beers before sunset, as was our custom. We drank, talked, watched the sun go down, and drank some more, etc. It was getting quite late and the time came when JT had to pay the rent on the refreshments that he’d imbibed. The restrooms at For Real were not the most convenient, and towards the end of the evening, they could be a little, um, in disarray. One would not want to walk into the restroom in bare feet, because the floors were wet and I don’t think it was sea water. JT is also somewhat fastidious, some times in the oddest ways- have you ever met someone who feels the urge to eject his breakfast at the sight of a certain shade of blue?
Well, JT had to go in a bad way and I think he was planning on going to pee in the ocean when Likkle Jimmy (one of our peeps) piped up, “There’s a bathroom just next door at CoCo.”
“Where?” JTasked.
“Just around the fence,” LJ pointed, “around those bushes. You can go right there.”
Well, JT left the bar and rounded the end of the fence, just as directed.
Several moments later there arose a great thrashing of the bushes just the other side of the fence. This was accompanied by a powerful stream of patois invectives including every form of ‘KLAAT’ that has ever been spoken. JT appeared around the edge of the fence, wide eyed and bewildered. Close behind him the highly animated source of the instructive utterances followed.
Apparently, in his urgency, JT had assumed that the bushes were the latrine to which he had been directed. In fact, there are a couple of very fine restrooms about thirty paces further. And JT was not aware, (indeed how could he have been?), that one of the local beach boys had bedded down to catch a few zzzz’s in the leafy comfort of the sheltering foliage. JT had unwittingly voided his distended bladder on the unfortunate fellow, drenching him.
Well. JT pleaded his ignorance while the sodden recipient of his effluent slapped runnels of processed rum from his pant legs. The multi-KLAATS continued,unabated, until JT fished his ‘wallet’ from his shorts and extracted sufficient funds to quell the misunderstanding.
I can’t wait until JT gets here.
Lol....Love the stories!! JT is a hoot!
great reading as always...
RTFLMAO!! jeezas!!
dat was funny !
not so wise to walk barefooted in jayhay tho, wid all the dawgs and puss' roamin the streets and beach but sounds like JT has never gotten an infection...and maybe he won't ..!
To funny!!!!!
Thats one I have not heard the people on the veranda next to me are giving me some strange looks as I am laughing out loud reading this! I heard the no shoes story before but not that one, having met JT, makes it even funnier as I can just see that playing out!
8 more sleeps. Bringing a newbie with me this time & as a way of getting ready for the trip we are reading both Good Walk out loud to each other & this trip report. Loving it! He's learning a lot of what to expect & looking forward to the trip as I am to my return, wants to try a Flaming Marley thanks to you K3. :) Maybe we'll see you on the beach next week or around town.
Thankyou NikkiV - maybe bump into you around town or on the beach :)Quote:
Originally Posted by NikkiV
Yesterday was busy – The Donkey Races
From our garden side room at White Sands we can hear the donkeys braying, hee-hawing and honking early in the morning on the day of the race. Seems they are excited to be hitting the track.
It was the busiest, biggest and best Donkey races yet! The place was jammed from road to the beach with people and both sides of the road were lined with cars for blocks. There were more tents, more vendors and lots to see and do. Here are some random thoughts:
- many of the local people dress themselves and their children up for the event – and they look fine. The tourists are in the same clothes that they wear every day.
- this year there was a lot of cloud cover in the afternoon, a welcome relief from what is usually a hot and cloudless day in a place where there is little shade.
- the donkeys were just as uncooperative and irascible as usual, and this provided for some hilarious hijinks on the track.
- Jamaican women have no qualms about popping it out and breastfeeding their babies in full public view – this is great, it looks as natural as can be and I don’t see why anyone would object.
- up on the center stage, there were beer guzzling contests, dancing competitions and spice bun eating matches. They had problems getting women to come up on stage and compete in the ‘bun eating’ contest until they changed the name to ‘pastry eating’ contest. I’m not kidding.
It’s raining this afternoon in Negril – think I’ll spend some quality time with my Kindle.
Check this video of a donkey race
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AzBhQ...ature=youtu.be
A really tall dude
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Cute donkey!
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It was packed!!
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No lineup at this concession.
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Yay!!! Thanks so much for the photos and video of the Donkey Races! I look forward to those every year
One of these years I will make it there in person to witness it
Looks like a fun time!
I'd like to see the donkey races, maybe one of these years. Thanks for the pics and report, always interesting!
Here's a small bonfire in front of Firefly. There was an old dude there roasting his nuts - at 8:30pm. WTF?
Attachment 22867[/QUOTE]
lmao....that crazy dude was running everywhere as free as the day is long, then finally passed out like a baby next to the fire! I have never seen anything like it, and hope I never see it again!! Great report Kahuna
Hey butch - thanks for the feedback, Yah - the old dude at FireFly was something special.
I have much to write about, but the time seems to evaporate around here.
Here is another Donkey Races video. It’s a hoot – a man powered Ferris Wheel. The kids go berserk over this!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwGWRPEiiPQ
It rained a lot on the beach yesterday afternoon. I guess people drink (or toke or whatever) more when it rains, because the garden side of White Sands was a rockin’ from about 5:00pm on. People singing and calling out to each other – and, while the rain pounded down, the villa pool was the scene of a raucous party that sounded like it might have been fungi-fuelled.
Today it's clear and warm and everything has a fresh washed look to it after the torrents of rain we had. This morning the ocean swim was wonderful, splendid, glorious, stunning (pick one – I can’t) the water was even clearer than a couple of days ago and it felt like silk sliding over my skin. The eagle ray, I think it’s the same one, visited me again, this time swimming diagonally across my path. Later, Bea and I had toast and coffee on the patio at Charela. We saw a doctor bird flitting between the red blossoms of the bush nearby. All in all, an auspicious start to another day on da beach. No big plans for the day, other than giving Dude (the baby macaw) his daily vocal lessons - which I'll discuss later. But something always comes up
The Music Video at White Sands:
Two nights ago we watched a music video being filmed in front of a big bonfire at White Sands. The group was ‘Makeshift Innocence’ – they’ve been in Negril all week working on this video, I think the bonfire scene was the final taping. I’m sure it will be a great promo for Negril.
The lead singer is Jesse James Cameron, from out west in Canada. He lived and went to school in Negril and it shows- their music is an infusion of rock, reggae, pop and roots, with a solid Jamaican foundation. Jesse is a natural entertainer. Check them out on You Tube. He and his female bassist/accompanist put on an acoustic show after the videotaping, and it was very, very good. While I was watching him he reminded me of another musician – but I couldn’t place it. Then this morning, while I was lounging next to the pool at the CSA sports complex, it hit me – Zavier Rudd. I think Jesse James is the Canadian Zavier Rudd. (If you haven’t seen Zavier Rudd, you must check out his version of ‘No Woman, No Cry’ on YouTube – it is hauntingly beautiful.)
So, Makeshift Innocence is going to put on another show tonight after sunset at White Sands. If you are around, do yourself a favour and catch them.
Yesterday J.T. and some others of our company arrived. I wonder what sort of trouble JT will get into this trip.
Here’s a photo of the bonfire gathering:
Attachment 22943
Here’s a vid of the bonfire:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VI19A1gM28E
Kahuna great read! Have you seen the really big ray out with the spotted ones yet? On one occasion there was a real dark ray about 3 times the size of the two spotted rays seen in front of Sun Beach. I didn't have a camera at the time but it was an imposing figure out there in the water!
So enjoying your report! Thanks for all the links too! Just checked out You Tube and watched the official video "Your Body" by Makeshift Innocence.....Sweet indeed!!! :)
Thanks for sharing all the great vibes and happenings going on all around you.
OK so in spite of eveyone advising me to get while I can, I spent the afternoon/evening hangin with JT!
It was just a lot of fun and words if you can get a few in cant describe,lol
I have pictures and memories to recolect from this memorable day!
So i am thinkin your crew could chip in and I could hang with Johnny the rest of your stay?
PGW - that is a very good offer - should've suggested it sooner!
Saw PGW on the beach yesterday afternoon, he was making his last stroll. He’s gone today – but get this – he’ll be back on March 5th, the day before I leave!
Today is Ash Wednesday, so things are cut back a pace here in Negril, traffic on the road is down and it feels a bit like a Sunday. One of our group (a 2nd year Newbie) got really excited for a while last night when she mis-heard that today was ‘Hash’ Wednesday.
Tonight is the ‘Repeat Guest Appreciation Dinner’ at White Sands. Put on by the Moo-Youngs, who own and operate White Sands, it is an annual event consisting of a scrumptious buffet and potent rum punch. A very high percentage of the guests at White Sands are long-time repeat customers. Tonight, as an added bonus, ‘Mistaken Innocence’ will be performing a gig at poolside. It’s gonna be hot, hot, hot. Photos and video later.
I mentioned Dude, Francis’s baby Macaw. We visit with Dude everyday – he’s a character, only three months old, he has another 80 years to live (unfortunately, probably in a cage). Francis tells me he’s going to name the next baby – who we can already hear peeping in the hutch - after Bob Marley. Dude is tame, having been taken from his parents when very young and hand-fed for a month. I feed him a banana and rub him under his wing. Even though Dude is not that big yet, he can eat a whole banana – he stores it in his food pouch at the base of his throat.
I call Dude a ‘him’, but we don’t know if he’s male or female – you need a DNA test to sex a macaw. I look forward to my visits with Dude, it’s hard to believe that a three month old baby parrot could be so cute and already developing a personality.
Francis is a big fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs; he watches Leafs games on his computer and he is up on all the stats and the players. Me, I’m an Ottawa Senators fan. As I feed Dude the banana, I repeat slowly and clearly, “Leafs Suck! Leafs Suck!” Dude tilts his head and says, “uuck, uuck.” Maybe his vocal chords are not yet developed enough to make the ‘S’ sound, but I figure, in a few weeks, he’ll have it down pat.
Here’s a video from the Boat Bar on Friday (late – I know, but I got so much things to do). The long-haired dude in the video is my buddy Shrek and the guy leaning against the tree is Hugh, who hangs out at White Sands, but went to New York on Sunday to pursue the love of his life (she bought the ticket). Good luck Hugh.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4FpAvpvk2M
The place was packed. There was a good party vibe going on there and a tight Reggae band provided the vibes.
Attachment 22956
Yah, just another crummy day in paradise :)
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"Hash Wednesday" LOL!