10 Years, 12 Nights, 6 Hotels, ONE LOVE - April 2012 Trip Report

Trip Report Continued...

Day 9

http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/...mmingbird1.jpg

I love waking up in Jamaica. I love the feeling of crisp clean hotel sheets against newly tan skin, I love seeing the sunlight streaming in through the shuttered windows and the palm leaves swaying. I love hearing the ceiling fan swooshing overhead and the Reggae music drifting over from the bar. I love the smell of aloe vera lotion and coconut oil. There is a calm relaxed happy sensation that just washes over me at the realization that I have another day on the most amazing Island in all the Caribbean.

I gave Markus a gentle nudge and whispered “It's moving day...”

“mmm”, He murmered with a smile “So...Where are we going now? I forgot...”

Markus is very laid back when it comes to vacation plans. He likes being the tail on the kite and lets me plan the details. I really pushed the envelope when I booked 6 different hotels for this trip but when I told him my plan, he had just laughed. He thought it was a little crazy, but he was up for the adventure. Every time we checked into a new hotel, it felt like a new vacation starting all over again. I loved it. You meet new friends, get to know the staff and the environment around you changes. You get to see Jamaica from yet another angle and it's always unique.

“Next stop is Catcha Falling Star”, I told him.

We had stayed 4 nights at Seasplash (our longest stay ever in any hotel) and we were ready for the next chapter. I had already known that Seasplash would be a lot of fun from the stories I'd read from other boardies and it didn't disappoint. Jim Hurt made us feel at home and partied with us like a rockstar. All of the staff was so kind and welcoming. The location is great and there was always something happening in the bar area. Webcasts, concerts and great happy hour specials. If you get a package that includes breakfast, you wont be disappointed. It's really good.

We packed up our bags and head over to the dining area for breakfast before checking out.

http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/...hgerryg123.jpg
The sky was a little overcast today – but the weather was warm and the ocean was calm. In the distance I saw the familiar green glow of Gerryg123's floatie as he enjoyed his daily morning float. (If you look closely, you can see it in the picture) I had to smile. I was going to miss that sight.

We ordered our usual breakfast and settled down in the dining area. Guirigay and Sweetiepie came over to join us. Eventually Gerryg123 emerged from the ocean and had breakfast at the table next to us with Jim Hurt.

http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/...asplash2-1.jpg

After breakfast we head back to our room to clear out the last of our bags and tidy up the room a bit. We said our goodbye's to all the staff and our sweet housekeeper. We gave Jim Hurt a huge hug and thanked him for everything.

Guirigay and Sweetiepie decided to join us on our ride over to Catcha Falling Star. They were hopeful that there might be a room available for them as a drop-in hotel guests. We all had our fingers crossed.

******

It felt like a homecoming when we drove through the familiar gates of Catcha Falling Star. The lush landscape...the beautiful little cottages nestled in-between palm trees and colorful flowers... Gentle Ben, the golden retriever standing beside the reception area wagging his tail. This is my favorite place on earth.

http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/...haentrance.jpg

Mauvette greeted us at the front desk with a warm smile “Welcome back!” Guirigay inquired about a room and they were in luck. The Capricorn WAS available. Score! They would be staying with us at Catcha after all!

http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/...hacheckin3.jpg

http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/...checkingin.jpg

Markus was so happy to be reunited with Ben.

http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/...ckinginben.jpg

Gurigay and Sweetiepie needed to wait a bit for the Capricorn to be ready so we told them they could store their bags in our Pisces cottage.

http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/...hacheckin4.jpg

http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/...tchapisces.jpg

The Pisces cottage is adorable. It's small with windows on all sides, fridge and all the amenities you could ask for. The bathroom has an partially outdoor shower with a view of the sky and trees overhead.The deck has a hammock, table and a view of the sea in the distance. It's set apart from the other cottages in a way that makes you feel like you have a lot of privacy. I loved it!

We decided to head over to Ivans bar while we waited for Guirigay and Sweetiepie's room to open up.

http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/.../01catcha1.jpg

http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/...irtybanana.jpg
A round of celebratory Dirty Bananas...

A little bit later, Mauvette came up and alerted Guirigay about the room being available. They moved over their bags and it was time to head over to our next adventure.

The Annual Boardie Bash.

We were a little past “fashionably late” and the party was kicking full force when we arrived. I was so excited to be a part of this celebration. There were so many boardies, familiar faces and new faces. For the first time I could put a face to a name with so many people that I had been chatting with on the board for over a year. Greenie was playing the steel drums, everyone was laughing and hugging. What an experience!

Since this boardie bash has been written about in countless trip reports at this point, I'll just let the pictures tell the story. You'll see a lot of smiling faces!

http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/...ardiebash1.jpg
Luvsdaisland & Rasta Stan

http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/...ardiebash2.jpg
Sweetness!

http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/...ardiebash3.jpg
The awesome Jim & Donna

http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/...ardiebash4.jpg
Beautiful Bella Bea – It was so good seeing her again! We did our traveling Jewelry exchange again. She gave me the most beautiful sea glass necklace.

http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/...ardiebash5.jpg
Markus taking it all in

http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/...ardiebash9.jpg
Beachgirl66 – I love her smile, Miss her a lot..

http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/...rdiebash10.jpg
Greenie

http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/...ardiebash6.jpg

http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/...ardiebash7.jpg

Great job, Clarity. You are on FIRE with this report, as we eagerly await each new chapter .....

http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/...oelionfish.jpg
I ordered the lionfish dish again. (I was dealing with a full blown lionfish addiction at this point and was craving it all the time.)



Here's some footage of everyone congregating together in preparation for the big group shot. Every time I see this, it takes me right back to that day and I long to go back so much...



http://youtu.be/dHX2wZP7S2E




To be Continued...
Next stop Just Natural and final group gathering at Catcha Falling Star.
(The first round of tearful goodbye's :()

Your pictures are so good. Everyone's smiles at the boardie bash says it all, no need for commentary, good call.

this report gets better and better!

Okay... So many comments to be made on this one :)

First... If Patty doesn't bring popsicle Hubbity, I'll bring the Southern version of you two! But I'm holding out hope that you'll be there! Also, keep in mind.... I was snow skiing pregnant with twins .... you can fly! :)

Second... Guirgay & Sweetie Pie are two people I can't wait to meet. Sweetie Pie has the face of an angel. She looks like someone that anyone would enjoy being around. Guirgay... I just want him to tell me how to say his name, and maybe he'll let me wear one of those awesome hats!

Third ... That pic of Sweetness really shows her beauty. I love her smile! That truly is a great pic of her!

Fourth ... The lionfish looks really good. That will be on my to do list come April.

Fifth .... How can you not come in April! I need to hear Markus' voice! That video clip just isn't enough!

Confession .... So jealous I wasn't there!