Crusher's Trip Report - Jan 2014

We had fun at the Jerk Fest but some reason this year I am like bug food in the premium sense. I have so many bites on my legs that its literally driving me nuts when I try to sleep or anything really. We have bought some stuff to treat them and have been taking prescriptions strength Benedryl. Unfortunately its not making them better fast enough.

So Sunday was a beach day and we spent a lot of time sitting in the sun and just enjoying being here. Its funny how after a week things just always seem to turn to chill mode for us. I have had a lot of fun sitting on the deck or out on the sand and just people watching. I do have to say that the beach vendors seem to be a bit more aggressive and tad bit more heady handed with the sad stories. My wife and I have even had a couple of them come up to us and complain that we aren't buying from them just others. I hear the 'spread the love' statement almost every day down here. Frankly I have been coming to this resort enough that I simply just have my favorites that I like to deal with because I know them to be honest and enjoy their juices, patties and what not. I actually had to tell one lady that its my money and I am free to choose who I 'share' it with and that hassling me daily isn't going to move you up the list very fast. As she stomped away I think I might have got my point across. But more than likely I am just seen as a jackass or worse.

The hustlers and beggars are getting thick too. Just the other day we had an incident at the beach. There were some locals and some tourists sitting on the little part of the beach in front of the restaurant at the Beach Club and right by Errols on the beach. One of the more aggressive who begs for bottles and tries to see drugs walks right past those folks and heads towards a wall that can't be be more than 4 feet away. He whips it out and take a leak right there by these people. The guys at Errols instantly got on his case. The jerk just stood there and taunted them for what seemed like 1/2 an hour. It was ridiculously rude and I had wished there were cops on the beach at that time but alas there wasn't. Finally the big guy that patrols our beach goes over there and gets rid of the guy but only after we tell him what's going on.
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On Monday DK and I decided we wanted to go up into town and visit with someone we have been chatting with on Facebook. Colette Parker owns a little road side bar called Colette's Bar. We had Doc drive us up there and it looked just like the pictures we had seen. Its up the fire station road and she is an awesome host. Drinks were cheap and the company was good. Its interesting to see how many return visitors migrate up into the hills and cliffs for places to stay. After the beach incident from earlier I think its easier to see why. I only stayed for a few but DK and Kevin spent most of the evening there and it was a really good time.

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View from under my favorite Almond Tree on the Beach
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View from Travellers Deck Bar
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Jerk Chicken Lunch at Travellers
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Colette

Tuesday was a beach day and we made the most of the calm weather. Got out in the ocean and hung out on the beach. We had some fun on our deck listening to music and chatting. We learned a lot about the politics of our little rented condo area over the last few days. I am not sure it would be worth owning one for the hassles that you have to deal much like back home I am guessing.

We are having a great time regardless of all the little things I have noted through out my posting. In Jamaica you take the good with the bad.

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Ugh...I had a lot of those bites in Cuba last year and it just about drove me insane! I must remember bug spray.

Hey Crusher, when i get bit i put some heat on it whether it be hot water as hot as you can take or what i discovered a couple reaches ago was when the bites started to drive me crazy in the middle of the night instead of jumping in the shower i used a hair dryer works great and lasts for hours...try it you'll like it.

Those look like flea bites to me. Got bit so bad in Honduras that I have scars 8 years later.

OOOh, those bites don't look good.

Ouch! Looks like you could use some triple antibiotic and hydrocortisone creams.

Put Zinc lotion on them. It's kinda the same as pantene, the stuff they use on diaper rash for babies. Works great for getting the itch out.

Those bites look awful. I was told to dab them with rubbing alcohol it takes the itch out and prevents them getting infected, use as needed.

Those bites do look bad. Some people get bit, others do not, it's weird. Suzi Q got eaten up really bad on one reach, and we hung out at a lot of the same places.

I guess all this rules out any chance of moving to Negril.

Also, the public peeing is RIDICULOUS. I never mentioned it in my report, but I would say I saw an average of one local per day pissing in public. Beyond rude. Some of these locals leave their manners at home.

It's like my expat friend Margie told me, and I will never forget it: Negril is the greatest place on Earth if, and ONLY if, you can be tolerent.

Great report by the way. Thanks for keeping it real.

Yeah I just couldn't believe what an ******* the guy turned into when people objected to his behavior. He was even arguing with the tourists on the beach. That kind of stuff is just bad for everyone involved. At one point I was certain it was going to get violent. Just needless.

Speaking of violent, I was wondering, Crusher, how did you get your nickname? You kind of look like a tough guy ....

Hey Crusher, loving your report, always make a stop at Collette Bar she is the sweetest person and her smile say is it all.

Really enjoying your report and pics. If you ever get tired of the beach try the cliffs. We get very little harassment up there. You can always visit the beach and leave when things get to much.
I get insect bites and my wife doesn't. I think the scripts she takes keep the little buggers off her. I apply an insect repellent in the late afternoon wherever I am. Sand fleas are everywhere down there. Not just on the beach. I got ate up on a deck 10 feet off the ground one night and could not believe it. No problem since I spray every afternoon and into the night.

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Originally Posted by gerryg123

Speaking of violent, I was wondering, Crusher, how did you get your nickname? You kind of look like a tough guy ....

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I was a professional wrestler in Canada and the US for 10 years. Mostly Western Canada....but some in the US. It was an interesting experience for sure. I was a tough guy back then now I am a desk job guy who likes to vacation!

I have been bitten a lot when sitting under trees like your favorite almond tree. Especially if the chair/lounger and towels have been sitting under them for awhile.

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Originally Posted by Chickster

Hey Crusher, when i get bit i put some heat on it whether it be hot water as hot as you can take it.

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Originally Posted by Maryann

use some triple antibiotic and hydrocortisone creams.

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Originally Posted by Jamadian

Put Zinc lotion on them. Works great for getting the itch out.

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Originally Posted by Bluez

I was told to dab them with rubbing alcohol

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I heard peeing on the bites is sure to relieve discomfort :cool:

I think I will stick to the remedies that I got at the pharmacy Homebrewer! :)

One time, a guy hanging out at Eddie's De Bar gave me some key limes that he said would relieve the itching of my mosquito bites. I cut one open and rubbed it on my bites, and believe it or not, it worked!

Now, my mosquito bites weren't quite as bad as your's, Crusher, so YMMV.

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Originally Posted by Mike_D

One time, a guy hanging out at Eddie's De Bar gave me some key limes that he said would relieve the itching of my mosquito bites. I cut one open and rubbed it on my bites, and believe it or not, it worked!

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my wife gets bit and i dont get it very much....right before dusk, and in the shady areas....we were told to use the lime, and white rum....both worked wonders...


Great report, Crusher...

Thanks for all your reports. They've been fun, helpful, & more. Sorry we didn't get to cross paths again this trip. You live up near my Canadian cousins (my dear Mom was born/raised in Toronto)... several in B.C. (one is actually a well known artist), Alberta, etc. Some day - in warm weather - I'll get up your way.

BTW... I'll replace you as bug bait. They LOVE me!

Jackie and I got it pretty good on our feet and ankles. Mine didnt itch too badly though.

Not liking hearing about the aggressiveness of the beach vendors. Had an unpleasant experience last summer. Raggedy man approached me from behind & startled me, gave me some grief that I hadn't bought from him (didn't recall ever seeing him & why was he coming up from behind when I'm way up on the beach?). To get rid of him I decided to buy a mango. It was the one & only day I had a $1000J bill w/ me as I only had a couple of $100J bills & knew I'd get change when I went to Ocean Breeze later (Beach House Villas bar). Long story short... the $1000J bill hit the sand after I paid for & got the mango. The scraggly guy grabbed the $1000J & took off running. NOT a pleasant experience. Lesson learned.

Crusher, it you're at the bar Friday night around 7, I'll drop some Zinc cream off to you. Can't hurt to try it. Better than a golden shower... At least from my perspective ;)

Crusher, thanks for the trip report and pics. Bug bites, been there done that. No fun. We now use bug spray at sunset and have not had any incidents for years. Knock on wood.

Soon come can't come soon enough!

Enjoying your report Crusher! I have to agree with you about the aggressive beach vendors. It was pretty bad at Christmas - people just out right asking for money..... Those bug bites are wicked....After being "eat alive" many years ago, I now apply Deep Woods Off on my feet & legs every time I leave the room! I still get a few bites, so I bring Cortaid with a dauber end to apply on any bites & it really helps with the itching & swelling. I bring a small bottle of Deep Woods every where we go. It is the only thing that works for me!Have tried all kinds of suggested remedies & they haven't worked. Yeah, I know the DEET isn't good for you, but neither are 200 bug bites! Bugs love me, hubby not so much! Maybe I should drink more alcohol, lol!

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Originally Posted by Mike_D

One time, a guy hanging out at Eddie's De Bar gave me some key limes that he said would relieve the itching of my mosquito bites. I cut one open and rubbed it on my bites, and believe it or not, it worked!

Now, my mosquito bites weren't quite as bad as your's, Crusher, so YMMV.

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My guess is it was Delroy.......

I have been managing the bites with benedryl pills and cortisone cream. Still itch sometimes but at least I am not going insane. I am thinking its because of the tree that I was sitting under on some of the cooler days. I am betting that it was cool enough for them to come out and I had shifted my feet in the sand a couple of times. I know better but when you are in the groove things happen.

I just can't get over how bad the begging is getting. The stories are pretty contrived and well rehearsed. I would suggest if you are sitting on the beach at the NBCC that you sit a few rows back from the front. Those folks seem to get less action from the higglers and beggars. I get things are tough in Jamaica but there has to be a better way than harassing folks on vacation to make a few dollars. Our friend Doc and I have had a few conversations about the beach guys and he says its getting worse and worse and the government just doesn't seem to have a plan to help these people which means its going to get worse and worse. I like this place but honestly I might move somewhere else for our trip next year.

Well back to the trip report.

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Originally Posted by booger

My guess is it was Delroy.......

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You would be correct, sir. He hit me up again the next day at Ali's Little Sandwich Hut, but this time he didn't have any limes.

Wednesday's Ocean was another rough one. These cold fronts really do make the ocean react. The waves were constant and large so we spent most of the day in the room avoiding the bugs and watching my wife recover from a nice little Crown Royal hang over. The previous night we were drinking on our deck with DK, Kevin, Tammy(she lives in the complex) and Tammy's husband. Brenda was free pouring drinks into one of those Bugga Kegs....well lets just say she's a bit of a light weight. She was entertaining as hell though....for as long as she lasted! :)

We watched TV in the room for hours on end. I made some Spaghettinni and a Vodka Sauce with fresh tomatoes, peppers and onions added for extra flavor. I had cooked the sauce the day before and had stored it in the fridge to meld the flavors more. I have made some good meals with the limited resources I have down here but this one takes the cake. Doc, who is pretty traditional in the food he likes as a Jamaican, stopped by to see if we needed anything and he was like "Kory what are you cooking mon....can smell that all the way out by the beach bar"....so I guess it was impressive. Doc when he lived in Kingston and a young man used to make his living cooking on one of the Push Carts. We talked the other day about cooking. I told him how I make my Jamaican Food back home and I got his AUTHENTIC seal of approval. He loved hearing how I toast the whole spices and use a grinder or mortar and pastel to grind them up. It was a good conversation and not our usual state of Jamaica discussion so I enjoyed it a lot. Cooking is a passion of mine.

The pasta and garlic toast was just the thing to fix Brenda up and we both started feeling more human again around 6PM. Just in time to get our call from DK to see what our supper plans were. We decided on Travellers again as its so convenient and close. So we made plans to head over there. Brenda and I took the road to make our way over there and immediately were asked if we needed a cab from the guys across the street when I answered no of course they asked if I needed weed, hash or blah blah blah. LOL! It doesn't matter where I go I attract that attentions with my pierced ears and tattoos.

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Our View from our table....
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Brenda's Curry Chicken
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My Coconut Shrimp
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Kevin's Steamed Fish

Those were our meals that we had yesterday at Travellers. If you are looking for good affordable dishes cooked very well by a chef with great ingredients then this is a place you need to try. Reasonable prices as well at the bar and the drinks are poured well! :)

We made it another quiet evening as we have some plans for today and Friday! :)

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Originally Posted by Crusher

II just can't get over how bad the begging is getting. The stories are pretty contrived and well rehearsed. I would suggest if you are sitting on the beach at the NBCC that you sit a few rows back from the front. Those folks seem to get less action from the higglers and beggars. I get things are tough in Jamaica but there has to be a better way than harassing folks on vacation to make a few dollars.

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My new strategy to fend off the beggars went beautifully on my last reach, and it was so simple I can't believe I had never thought of it before: I simply did not look at their face and made pretend I could not hear them, even from three feet away. With zero exchanges between us, it's the quickest and easiest way for them to leave me alone.

Don't look at 'em, don't talk. It's brilliant.

I'm drooling. Can't wait to have some of that tasty Jamaican food.

Re: higglers/begging... My "tief" incident took place under the almond tree near the outdoor shower. I moved that far up the last couple of years in the summer to distance myself from the begging & for more solitude (gets crowded under that little tree :cool:). The strategy worked until the old farmer came up behind me & scared the daylights out of me last summer. My first thoughts were, "What's he doing up here? & Where did he come from?" NO higgler should be that far up on the beach let alone coming from the hotel area.

I've done the don't talk... years ago. All it did was get me threatened w/ a machete. I had to sit in a bar & wait out the guy because he was up & down the beach ranting & swinging the machete looking for me. Not sure there's a one size fits all solution to the problem.

I had a couple of guys mad at me this year but I was honest to them. We like the people we deal with. Can't afford everyone.

I've only had to 'man up' once on the beach and that guy hid from me for the remainder of my trip. Its a testosterone culture...its why I'd rather deal with the women.

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Originally Posted by gerryg123

My new strategy to fend off the beggars went beautifully on my last reach, and it was so simple I can't believe I had never thought of it before: I simply did not look at their face and made pretend I could not hear them, even from three feet away. With zero exchanges between us, it's the quickest and easiest way for them to leave me alone.

Don't look at 'em, don't talk. It's brilliant.

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Funny thing is Gerry I am deaf in my right ear from a childhood issue. They tried to replace the ear drum in my twenties still can't hear....but they used a cadaver ear drum and it tells me to do bad things!!!!!

One of the 'entrepreneurs" that had an issue with me came up on me from my right. He said morning....I didn't hear him....so he's like "what you can't say morning"....I said yes....morning.....he walked a way cursing bomba this and bomba that.....next day he walked by I went out and said....dude I'm deaf....I didn't hear you.....chill out....he was all apologies and stuff....I was a half a foot taller and about 200lbs bigger....so maybe he didn't see that when the bomba's were flying the day before.....

I love this place but there are certainly two types on the beach. Those who earn their money and respect. Then the others who deserve a kick in the ass and some advice to find a real job. Cause selling on the beach isn't their forte! :)

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Originally Posted by Crusher

I've only had to 'man up' once on the beach and that guy hid from me for the remainder of my trip. Its a testosterone culture...its why I'd rather deal with the women.

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What did you do go all "Crusher Carlson" on him

i've had to woman up a couple times on the beach --- embarrassed them so bad - they'd walk a wide circle around me

i can shake my dreads and get in your face with the best of them

and some jamaicans need a little confrontation while reminding them the impact of killing a tourist :-)

having a son that talks too much helps too lol

Nah I don't know who Crusher Carslon is....I was Crusher Carlsen! :)

He was running me down with others on the beach out front of Errols so I wasn't about to take that. I don't need the "******* white guy" tab but really know the story before you talk the ****e! :)

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Originally Posted by Crusher

Nah I don't know who Crusher Carslon is....I was Crusher Carlsen! :)

He was running me down with others on the beach out front of Errols so I wasn't about to take that. I don't need the "******* white guy" tab but really know the story before you talk the ****e! :)

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Oops,Carlsen

Lucky for him you were a benevolent mood.

I am not here to be that guy trust me. I just wanted him to know that I don't like when the coconut highway is hearing what a dick I am when I am not. I spend my money freely here but with those that I think deserve it. If you don't maybe you should take a marketing class, charm school class or just be real! :)

Cool Man

I just had in my mind pictured you with this guy over your head spinning him around, I guess I'am just a little bored today

Love the report Crusher, sounds like you're having fun despite the bites and higglers, keep enjoying life and stay safe out there!