Trip report sept 1-14, including pelicanbar, etc

Several comments I want to make Groove, right of the top - You put together a first class Trip Report.

Starting with the tower photos, and really as a commentary on a number of well taken photos throughout the TR, You have a tremendous eye and the obviously quick reflexes necessary to capture some of those magical Negril moments. Even Lucky Boys thank you...

I'm not the Catcha expert that some are but I'll go with Gemini I - that's the one closest to Star isn't it?

Great shots at Canoe, the close-up of you and Janet is a keeper for sure.

Night of 100 candles vs YS/Pelican??? Wow, hmmmmmm..... Well??? Two totally different things but both incredible. It sounds like you were happy with your choice but let's see... :) More please...

Now I'm TIRED~~ WHEW you know how to PARTY~~ Hope to see you in Jamaica again!
Now I cannot wait to hear about Pellican Bar! Have you been befor?

Love the report Groove. Did the tall guy at Canoe say his name was Winston? He worked at Seasplash last year when Jim was there. He kind of got screwed over and went back to Kingston and I think he had a stroke or something like that a couple of months ago. If he is in Negril we are going in Nov and I sure would like to see him. He is good people.

i like go with the flow vacations too! enjoying this so much

thank you for sharing - i know a trip report is a labor of love!

Thank you so much for all the great pics and the great trip report. You know you have been too Negril many times, when you can recognize just about every place. We leave Friday for our 8th trip in 3 yrs. We were just there 2 months ago. But as all of you know..."once you go...you know!"

Glad you got it right the last time Terry! That beautiful man's name is Tafari :)
I haven't been on the forum in ages, life kinda got in the way.
We absolutely loved our time with you and Janet and sure do hope that our paths cross again one day soon.
Your report is awesome! Will get around to finishing mine one day .......

safari, tafari, whats the difference, lol....my long lost friend, whats up, rina?

hope I got some of this right, feel free to add to parts that you can remember...

our paths better cross, we are gonna try to do our next trip around you guys if at all possible...

don't be such a stranger...

hope all is getting well with your foot....

Thanks for all the comments, I have been busy as this is my busy season, open enrollment for medicare, only 7 week window....

Guirigay It is Gemini, don't remember if 1 or 2 and Janet is not home. It is the one closest to the gate, closet to tensing penn...
100 candles vs trip...well we had never been on an excursion, and prob would never do one on our own, (even though i know I would enjoy myself at the destination, 2-3 hour roadtrip wasn't appealing...I drive all day, every day, so spending time in a vehicle is NOT me, but with a group we get along with, now that sounds like a party....the way I figured it, we still made reservations for dinner for sat night, got to choose the table we wanted(since it is slow, carol said we could have any table we wanted, and the service would be like almost having our own, again since it so slow) We also love tha ambience of flickering of a candle in the wind, so we bring some of our own form home..(also has citronella for the pests) we put them in our red stripe bottles and burn them on our veranda. So we could have our own likkle 100, oops, 4 candle dinner at Ivans, hehehe....

Jim Donna---No, we had never been to Pelican Bar before, but so glad we did. Oneof those things you don't see everyday...only in jamaica....This is our only excursion in our 3 trips other than trip to schools to drop off supplies, and of course web cast at rhodes hall, if you call that a trip.

Thanks seveen, it is a labor of love...it is a way for us to re live our trip threw the pics...Janet cant wait to get home and see if we got any replies, and to see if I posted anything else...

Prism...we cant remember his name but winston does ring a bell...he seemed famaliar to canoe, I m sure kirby knows him. very nice guy, he and Janet shared a few laughs.

rina, where u at girl?

Janet said I forgot to mention that thursday night (last night in this trip report) was the night that we decided to venture out and check out the area around catcha.
we decide to walk to ltu and have a drink, but they are closing. we walk on past and get about 100 yards, it is dark, and looks deserted. we have our flashlights, not worried. The police pass by and then come to a stop. when we get up to the car, they start asking where we are going, etc. Just looking around. Well, it is not very safe for visitors to walk around at night, we suggest try checking it out in the daylight. So that ends our night on the town. another sign of the cliffs not for me...always a beer within walking distance on the beach...so we get back behind the gates at catcha and head to the room. after a likkle while, Janet goes to sleep, but I need a smoke, so I check out the views at night...walking by the pool area from the hammock, the security guard startles me. He also suggests I check the place out in the morning so I wouldnt fall, or anything. I insist that I am fine, and gonna enjoy the view, and my smoke, from right here. He finally leaves, I finish and head to bed. I know both the cops and the security were only looking out for me, but at that point I was getting aggrivated. I was far from drunk, very much in control of myself, and wanted to enjoy the amenities near my room.

dont get me wrong, both were very nice and were not causing problems, so I guess I am just saying that I was bored...I think if 3-4 folks were hanging at the bar while we were there, heck even 1-2, it would have been a different feel.

friday morning, today is the big day, our first official excursion. set the alarm last night for 7am, so we get up. seems like I just went to bed. I go on my rounds, take a few pics, and get Janets coffee, while she just sits on the deck.

a few pics from catcha

lighthouse
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I like wind chimes, and Ivans has a few
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Janet loves the coffee bar
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wall separating catcha from tensing penn with doggie
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pillar houses at tensing penn
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room at catcha
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several buds around the grounds at catch falling star
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I have to take a break from this report. I will get back very soon, I promise. I have to go make a big fat PoBoy (stolen from Tizzy).
At this time, Georgia Bulldogs are losing to Kentucky in the 2nd half. If that doesnt get a response from ole Jim, guess he aint keeping up....lol.(at least I got the Atlanta Falcons)

Whaaaaa? Come back..... loving this report. :cool:

ok, I am back...the dawgs prevail, all is good in the dawg nation, ha.

after coffee, I talk Janet into a quick dip in the pool before time to get ready. Kingsley will be here at 930. We swim for about 20 minutes, and I want to jump and swim in the beautiful blue sea. Janet says it is time for her to get ready, figures it is about 830....as I am swimming, I see her back in her favorite seat, with another cup of coffee, she loves her coffee. I get out as she is trying to tell me something. I got a few more minutes, she says. It is only 740. What???No way, yeah, she say, I double checked...so I have to go investigate. it is only 745...how can that be? after further review, I set the clock for 6am by mistake, so we were up extra early....lol...anyways, we shower, and of course, I shower last and I am ready way before my lovely wife...hehehe...I walk over to the store across the street to get a few things, extra batteries for the camera, snack, juice, dont know what...When I get back to the gate, Ian (the security guard at the gate) was talking with this lady..when he let me in, he told me that my friend was over there...I did not know the lady...You have me confused with someone else. no, he says, Kingsley called ans said she was meeting you here and to let her in. I never saw her before, and said as much. i walk toward my room, and say hello to the lady. as she is introducing herself, I hear the horn and Kingsley is here, with two4today larry, gigi and rina. come to find out, the lady was Doreen. She was Alfred Barretts widow. Alfred had been our driver for our first two trips and was very special to us. (Rest in Peace, my friend). I didnt know anything about this, but Kingsley knew Alfred was our driver. He was also Two4today's driver. Two4 and Gigi had been to alfreds house before and spent time with Doreen. He had requested to see her, so Kingsley set this up. How special a person my friend Jim is. He gave her a card, we all exchanged good wishes and it was time to go. Last chance for restrooms, so all got to see our room at catcha and use the facilities. I sneek away for a minute while we wait. As I come back, they are all almost in tears laughing so hard. That sets the pace for the day. Turns out, Larry and Janet locked Rina in our room and she couldn't figure out how to get out???wasn't that funny to me either. one of those,"you had to be there moments."

The Excursion continues, the crew's friendship is growing by the second, everyone getting to know each other better, cracking jokes, telling tales,just a whole lot of chattering...We go thru the roundabout, people oout and going about their daily routine, and I am on the bus headed to the falls. We head towards Sav la mar, and I tell Kingsley we need beer and Ice. I have a collapsable cooler. He says great, he needs gas. We stop bout half way to Sav, maybe a likkle closer ot Sav, the crew scatter out of the van, and here we are. Time to get the party started, and the pow wow begins. and is never ended, or so it seems...

Let me present to you
The Crew
Starring Larry, Rina, Myself, Jim, Gigi
not pictured..Janet and Kingsley

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for those who know the area, shot of kfc sign next door and price of gas on 9/7/12.
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they didnt have ice, so another stop down the road...we stop at a store in sav, load up with ice and off we go
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Attachment 18582Attachment 18583Next stop on this adventure was a school. Jim and Gigi had quite a few supplies for the kids. We also had a few things and lots of candy to give away.
The school was in Whithorn or was called Whithorn, not exactly sure, memory likkle fuzzy after this trip, and no notes, going by the pics...The kids love the attention. They love to have their pic taken, ...all want to pose and see themselves in the pics.

here are several pics of the kids, they are so adorable.

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and then a few pics inthe yard before we leave the school

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on towards YS Falls

the van is really smoking now, what a trip so far and we haven't even been anywhere.

not a whole lot of talking between the school and YS estates, everyone is is a mello mood, taking in the countryside in all its beauty.
everything is so green...the other thing that I read about but got to experience this trip was hte pot holes in the road...kingsley must have known every one of them, as he was zigging and zagging, back and forth...

I don't know where we are, but someone neeeds a bathroom break. Jim also needs battteries foe his camera. I took care of that this morning,..

maybe someone can tell us where we are by the photos

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kingsley at the bar drinking a wata

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I needed a snack, so I tried a johnny cake, pretty good, and a piece of fish with these scotch bonnet??? peppers..
talk about light my fire, a likkle hot...

and I call these crack machines back home, cuz folks get so hooked on them

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since I am talking about gambling, I saw some peeps playing the numbers in negril...they had a lotto that was one number..match the one number...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by groove16

Ok janet needs some advice, please...she got eaten alive....bites all over her legs...we had off with high deet, we had skintastic, I think it was more sand fleas vs mosquitos...advice all over the place, white rum, lime juice and salt, fresh aloe...what do you guys do to prevent the bites...i rarely used the repellant and they didn't really bother me...

anyway, I walk to the store to get some itch cream...pictures along the way

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Use something with at least 40 percent DEET. You've got to reapply, esp. to your feet and ankles, when walking the beach because you get your feet and ankles wet, mon!

After you get bitten, try ammonia to desiccate the bite(or AfterBite, which is ammonia), then a steroid cream(hydrocortisone works OK, but if you have something stronger...mometasone furoate, for example, use it instead) to relieve the itching and swelling...DON'T SCRATCH. You don't want to get an infection on vacation, do you???

Janet will thank u for all the suggestions for the bug bites, rock robster...like the name...

and the warren zevon quote you have in your sig is appropriate for this forum, lol!!!!

The journey continues...

YS Estates raises and trains some champion racehorses, The track is in kingston, I think, but they train and graze here at YS Estates...saw several pastures of horses on the way in. Kingsley is full of info.

These horses are not the skinny looking ones we see on the beach in Negril...these horses look strong...
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we all pay, I think it was regular 15.00 but they charged us 10.00, due to the water level being a likkle high.
at this point, not quite sure what that means. saw signs in a few places, No Ganja Smoke on premises...who would do such a thing?

tractor pulling the carts to the falls
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quick look at the natural pool and a couple flowers
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look around the grounds
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The wata level is high due the huge amounts of rain we have been getting every day, we are told. What?, no rain, we haven't seen any rain.
You will see, I am told again. 1st look at the wata level

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the wata is also brown, not the normally clear wata we were expecting. I understand why, though. Look at it. 1st view of the falls.
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you form human chains and walk across the falls. There is a deep hole below the higher level, where u jump into, which I did. Only one in my crowd to brave the high rushing wata today. you can see what I mean from these 2 pics.
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above is the stairs to the different level of falls, and also to the zip line...
below is the amazing couple on the amazing holiday on an amazing island.
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climb on up and see the rope swing, I have been using these all my life. Use to do tricks in my younger and smaller days, lol...
got to try this, so here goes. gotta wear gloves and a life jacket.
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YIPPEE

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get me out of this jacket
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the zipline. no one in our group do it today
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two4today by the pool, rest of crew, u can see it clouding up
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pathway to the other pool, time to sneak off since I have to be a likkle discreet.
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pavillions by the other pool
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and THE BAG!!! Batteries going dead in the camera, so I am looking for them
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couldnt find the batteries, left them at the room. they had them at the gift shop, along with some very cold red stripes.

We head back to the entrance as the rain comes pouring down. We decide to grab lunch to let it slack off a likkle. Basic snack bar food, not much to brag about.
but it helped pass time.
check out the rain and puddles

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the resturant
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flowers
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we have over an hour of this downpour
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a look at the bar
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and I guess these are bananas,
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the rain finally slacks up and we get on the road.

Great report. A few more days and check in at Bourbon Beach!!

Great report Groove! Missed the game Saturday, we had a yard sale ..... besides the Hogs did not play, no wait, they haven't played much at all this season, have they???:D

Hey Georgia / Florida .... setting things up for a great game soon!

Give Janet a hug and tell her we both said hello! Aw shucks, go ahead and hug yourself too!!!:cool:

pretty I hope u enjoy Bourbon Beach as much as we did.

two4today....If u got a pic of "fire on the water," and maybe us leaving floyds, or should I say floyd leaving us, I need to add those when I get to the right spot...Georgia can't win the big one....barely held on with kentucky....still got the falcons though...missing you guys, and I guess I will hug all over myself right about now....group hug...love ya, bud....telll gigi we said hello, and hope she is feeling ok....

Nice trip report and pics!! Roll Tide!!!:cool:

Nice rain shots. Love the rain when it is warm and tropical.

Loving your report! I haven't been on the board for awhile (in fact had to re-register this year!), and love hearing about new places that we haven't tried.
Pub Crawl sounds like a great idea! We have attended many boardie meetings/webcasts and have met many people ion/off the board that I will always consider friends!
And like you, I have always wanted to spend more time on the cliffs - was thinking about splitting our trip, but might have to agree with you and stick with the beach again!
Those stone decks and the instant snorkeling appeal to me - but we can always spend some days up there!
We visited several times, got engaged at Riu Tropical Bay, then were married at Negril Gardens in 2003 and vowed to go back every year. But life, family and other destinations got in the way.
Think we have made it back maybe 1/2 of the years with and without the kids and have always stayed at some place different! Just started planning a surprise anniversary trip for the spring!
My husband whines almost weekly that we are never going to be able to go back! This year, I just think we might!

Keep your report coming - we did YS Falls and the Pelican Bar on our one of last trips with the kids! Fun!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jaherring

Nice trip report and pics!! Roll Tide!!!:cool:

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roll tide!!!!!what can I say about that...Alabama looking good...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by iameless

Loving your report! I haven't been on the board for awhile (in fact had to re-register this year!), and love hearing about new places that we haven't tried.
Pub Crawl sounds like a great idea! We have attended many boardie meetings/webcasts and have met many people ion/off the board that I will always consider friends!
And like you, I have always wanted to spend more time on the cliffs - was thinking about splitting our trip, but might have to agree with you and stick with the beach again!
Those stone decks and the instant snorkeling appeal to me - but we can always spend some days up there!
We visited several times, got engaged at Riu Tropical Bay, then were married at Negril Gardens in 2003 and vowed to go back every year. But life, family and other destinations got in the way.
Think we have made it back maybe 1/2 of the years with and without the kids and have always stayed at some place different! Just started planning a surprise anniversary trip for the spring!
My husband whines almost weekly that we are never going to be able to go back! This year, I just think we might!

Keep your report coming - we did YS Falls and the Pelican Bar on our one of last trips with the kids! Fun!

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You guys sound alot like us....

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Originally Posted by bjritz

Nice rain shots. Love the rain when it is warm and tropical.

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I also enjoy the tropical showers...gives us another way to sit back and enjoy things that we don't really notice at home....always to busy to sit back and relax, witht he every day hustle...

Tosh and Jagger back in the day. That photo Janet wanted of Marley Tosh and Jagger remind me of this clip--they are in the studio in JA doing Walk and Don't Look Back.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFYn0...eature=related

great video, irieworld...thanks for adding...

finally got rid of that counter, trying to plan for another one...Negril is so addicting...Just heard from our friends, boardies Rinakim and larry. they are getting married in negril in November. so wish we could be there...open enrollment season in medicare is my busy season, just cant break away during that time.

but will be there is spirit...best wishes to our friends....

The journey continues...

the rain finally lets up enough and we get on the road. After a little while, we pass shrimp country signs, and see the ladys selling the pepper shrimp on the side of the road.
Of course, Janet had read about these on the fabulous trip reports of the boardies that did this excursion and took the time to write about it. I want to thank you guys, because of these reports, janet and i pulled the trigger and joined two4today on this journey. we tell kinsley we want to try some of these so he pulls into a little market on the side of the road. again maybe someone can tell me where we are by the pics, because I have no idea...shrimp country....
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across the street
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and munchie alert...this case of food was full when we drove up
before we left, all that was left in the case was a couple of fish
we bought out all the festival(my favorite) fritters, yammy and dumpling
and of course several bags of pepper shrimp
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Back on the road. We get to black river and get to the boat dock. I guess that is what we will call it. we are in the middle of this likkle neighborhood, with a couple of boats, around this SMALL dock, looking rather shaky.

getting in the boat
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backing away from the dock
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look close and u can see a pic of aligator on the dock
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going under the bridge in black river
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pass the ships and out to sea
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our boat capt
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janet
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and groove
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