Gerry G's TRAIL OF ASHES TOUR Final Chapter -- The Mighty Californian's return

I am quite enjoying myself at Seastar Inn. I just feel so at home here. Chris said I could invite Famous Vincent as my guest for the Seastar show. When I told Chris it would be complimentary, Chris smiled and said: "So you mean Vincent would be MY guest really?" The great hotel owner took another moment and said Vincent is welcome anytime.

It was nice seeing Knoxley again. I really like that guy. He plays keys in the band and sets up to the right of the stage, near the couch area that Charlie has cardoned off as his special VIP area. I explained to Knoxley that with his amazing talent combined with his ability to learn songs without music -- plus his young, good looks -- that he could be a star in the Los Angeles music scene. I think I might have even thrown out the word "millionaire," but I meant it. Steven West, too. If the masses ever got ahold of that guy, he would be a big star, I have no doubt about that. But there is only one Bob Marley, and Jamaica is a lot further from the real music industry than a short plane trip from Miami.

God I wish I owned a record company. I would only take fifty percent and would be able to pay for every trip I ever took to Negril times 10.

in some ways it's sad that artists this talented can't reach more people. We can cherish the fact we can enjoy them all to ourselves, and I'm just privilaged every time I see Steven West and the others perform. They're always great. The drummers are good, too. I liked 'em better with Francine in the band, but hey I am biased.

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Originally Posted by gerryg123

I am quite enjoying myself at Seastar Inn. I just feel so at home here. Chris said I could invite Famous Vincent as my guest for the Seastar show. When I told Chris it would be complimentary, Chris smiled and said: "So you mean Vincent would be MY guest really?" The great hotel owner took another moment and said Vincent is welcome anytime.

It was nice seeing Knoxley again. I really like that guy. He plays keys in the band and sets up to the right of the stage, near the couch area that Charlie has cardoned off as his special VIP area. I explained to Knoxley that with his amazing talent combined with his ability to learn songs without music -- plus his young, good looks -- that he could be a star in the Los Angeles music scene. I think I might have even thrown out the word "millionaire," but I meant it. Steven West, too. If the masses ever got ahold of that guy, he would be a big star, I have no doubt about that. But there is only one Bob Marley, and Jamaica is a lot further from the real music industry than a short plane trip from Miami.

God I wish I owned a record company. I would only take fifty percent and would be able to pay for every trip I ever took to Negril times 10.

in some ways it's sad that artists this talented can't reach more people. We can cherish the fact we can enjoy them all to ourselves, and I'm just privilaged every time I see Steven West and the others perform. They're always great. The drummers are good, too. I liked 'em better with Francine in the band, but hey I am biased.

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Great update Gerry. This post shows some of the big heart that you have, a rarity my friend in our neck of the woods. And I do have to agree about Steven West, the man plays with such passion. Add Sasanya(sp) to the mix with a dash of Fernando and you have a quality show on a consistent basis, like no other.

It’s Sunday in a Negril, a perfect day, and I took extensive notes.

It was just me and Roger doing spear-fishing this morning, and I finally convinced him to a take us to a farther reef that no one ever goes to, and there were a lot of big fish and tons of lobster. I had so many lobsters and fish that I did not know what to do with them all. I gave two lobsters and some moon fish to Clarol at Seastar Inn because she asked – plus I run her ragged with all my little requests and complaints, so it’s only fair.

Beforehand, I hit the small soup stand next to Whistling Bird, the place is great – but no more chicken or meat; even the small-time operations are hurtin’ in the summer. There are hardly any tourists at all. I would go to Seasplash a total of nine times through the days – albeit usually in the mornings – and I never saw one single tourist there the whole time. Or next door. Or the next next door.

Of all the times I jumped on the boat or later got off the boat in front of the far side of the beach (far from Cliffs), I don’t think I ever saw another tourist anywhere near me – except at Bourbon Beach when Vincent picked me up and then Memphis Mike had to hurry and fetch my keys that I left on the bar.

Later, Memphis Mike and a Newbie from Canada and I all hung out at Westender Inn again, munching on Lionfish. I swam in the pool at Seastar Inn, chilled in the room for a bit and after countless subs decided I wanted pizza and that only Angelas from Bar B Barn would do.

I called at the appropriate time but the chef had yet to arrive. Then I called again, still not there, but made a deal for them to call me back when the chef got there – which they did. I was set to order a pizza to be picked up and was wondering the difference in price between a medium and a large. Simple enough, right, considering it’s their signature dish? It took quite a bit of going back and forth for them to figure this out – it’s Jamaica, of course, so I did not even blink – and when it was all settled I said: “Ya mon, do it up and please trust me, I will be there, and PLEASE don’t make me wait an hour once I arrive.”

They said no problem, and thumbs up, they came through.

I arrived at Bar B Barn, one of fav beach hotels (I have stayed there three or four times through the years), and the old security guard, Michael, was there back at his old post. When I had first met him years earlier, Negril was so safe in those days that when I checked in (first ever non AI experience, first ever solo), I didn’t bother with the lock for the safe when Mike escorted me into the room, and he said: “Don’t worry about it. You don’t even need it.” And he was right. Nothing was ever touched. Just a great vibe with lots of returning guests.

The pizza was ready, and when I opened the box it was like that scene from Pulp Fiction with the mystery suitcase: The Pizza was like it came from the Gods. I am a pizza aficionado, and it’s hard to find good pizza in Negril to a Brooklyn-Chicago degree, but this was it.

But don’t just take my word for it. I have video for later.

thumbs up! good report . . .

Gerry's trip reports are properly done. Some of the best on board in my opinion. Truthful, with just enough reflections and silliness to make them entertaining.

Later in the day, I hung with Charlie at the Seastar pool, then there was a blackout in Negril for those who did not have their own generator, including Bourbon Beach – bad news because the place was hosting a party with live music that night. Eventually, they got the power back.

At Seastar Inn, Rob and Lisa showed up to watch TV because Sonia was singing in a talent contest that was kind of Jamaica’s version of “American Idol.” The folks at Seastar were having problems making the telecast work from the Net onto the TVs, and apparently Seastar worker Garrett saved the day by finding the right plug-in chord.

I also went to Sunshine plaza and bought a bottle opener for the bar to replace the one I had borrowed and lost; I later found it, so I guess I have an official Seastar Inn opener. Who knows? It might have opened a Stripe for Luciano back in the day.

I also bought some special cake, and the rest of the night is a haze.

Keep it coming gerryg,loving this report,living the cliffs through you!

Here is some exclusive video of Bar B Barn pizza from Angelas:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=CVfTelyaZX4

We missed the tasting part! Enjoying your report,glad you are back!

And above is my absolute favorite part of Gerry's trip reports. The "exclusive" videos. Cracks me up every time. Donkey Pony is far and away my favorite, but all of them are great. Gerryg123' ya mon Makes my day sometimes, and that is truth.