That's awesome that you have that bond and all those special memories with your kids!! If my husband weren't around, I know they would be going with me! I know they'd love it. I have 3 girls and this last one was finally a boy! Teenage years are tough, you've got that right. My oldest just turned 18, 1 down 3 to go!! lol
Awww.... Congratulations on your baby boy!
Trip Report Continued...
Grand Opening of the remodeled Seastar!
That and a Luciano concert tonight. I was really excited.
I don't interfere with Daisy's trip planning. I am glad to let her handle all the details, while I just moan about how much it's gonna cost, but I was really pleased with the idea of moving to the cliffs. Just one afternoon snorkeling at Xtabi's made me realize the cliffs are the stuff of legends. Elsewhere you need to charter a boat to see such sights, here you just climb down a ladder and see more than Monterey Aquarium has on exhibit.
Aside from that, the road up to the cliffs seems to cut through the heart of the local community. Compared to the giant hotels along seven-mile beach, everything on the cliffs seems quaint and quite exquisite.
As chicken pulled through the front gates, I remembered my first time visiting the Seastar for the live show last April. It was dark that night and we were completely disoriented as to our location on the map. The parking lot was full and and crowds formed a line at the gate.
I remembered how jealous I had been, when we paid for the tickets to the concert, while the Seastar guests got all this for free. Once inside the layout was bizarre. Chairs were set up everywhere, but no seat with a view on the stage was available. It was just sooo crowded.
I remembered fighting our way to the bar, where everyone but us knew the bartenders name. We felt like party crashers at a family event. This was an intimate crowd. I remember Daisy looking around, pointing out this boardie and that, Rob and Lisa of course. We were both so shy that night, almost trying to hide under the table!
The delicious buffet left a lasting impression though. I am hungry right now just thinking about the Seastar goodies. Aside from Jamaican fair, there was a whole thanksgiving dinner on offer, complete with mashed potatoes and gravy.
Now the three of us were going to be the guests. Word!
The contrast to our first visit could not have been greater. The sun was high in the sky and scorching. Behind the gate the driveway expanded into a bright plaza. The old stage had been replaced by a magnificent structure big enough for a symphony orchestra.
It seemed no expenses had been spared on artists, who had carved magnificent reliefs in to the massive columns holding up the rain-or-shine roof. Sculpted Lion heads, ocean creatures and rasta-portraits gave the fresh architecture weight and an old soul.
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A pool and water fall Jacuzzi dispersed dancing light all over the structure.
We appeared to be the first guests. The staff was very relaxed. All hands seemed to be on deck to prepare for tonight’s event.
We received our keys and were led through the garden to our rooms, Daisy & I in room #3 & Jamar in room #5.
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Behind the little door on the second floor a ridiculously large room opened up. Kitchenette to the left, king size bed and living room area to the right. We immediately set the television to a Jamaican Music Video Channel.
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Daisy did her little happy dance and skipped across the room to the balcony where she promptly hopped into the hammock. Across the handrail we saw Jamar had done exactly the same thing and was blissfully swinging back and forth.
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I grabbed two glasses and a bottle of rum and poured two celebratory shots.
It was still a while until the concert. I tried out the bed. Attention: Danger! If you lie down you're not going to want to get up again. Hands down, we all agree, the Seastar had the BEST beds of the vacation. Pure Heaven.
A familiar sound made me rise. I turned my head this way and that to triangulate the source of the sound and followed it into the bath room. Through the small window I could see a mansion-like structure behind the building we were in. On a large second floor terrace people were sitting on cushioned deck chairs, passing a big smoke. One fellow was pounding on a large object between his legs. I finally recognized a girl standing by. The Seastar drummers! I watched for a while they seemed to be discussing rhythms and trying out new variations.
Next stop had to be the pool and swim up bar. We jumped into our bathing suits and grabbed Jamar.
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Jamar and Daisy lept into the pool. They ordered up some Dirty Bananas, while I wandered the grounds in my trunks taking pictures of literally every detail of the pristine structure.
When I finally joined them the water was just the refreshment needed.
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Daisy was now getting out her camera and eventually left to take a nap, leaving me and Jamar to some intense conversation about the impressions of our trip so far.
Both of us blissfully fantasized about moving to Jamaica, and what we would do if we did, and how it would be.
Steve West came on stage and tested the equipment. The familiar “Seastar, seeeeastaaaaaar!” started up, then stopped abruptly. Some adjustments were made on the mixing board and again “Seastar, seeeeastaaaaaar!” That went on for a while until Steve put down the guitar and sat opposite from us at the bar. Did he have any idea, that I hear his music every Saturday, when Daisy is glued to the computer screen during the webcast?
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Me and Jamar were in a jolly mood and thought a JB & Ting might make things even MORE perfect. It was 2 4 1 happy hour, so we had one each and slurped away happily on our comfortable seats in the water. I can't remember anything about our conversation, except that at the time I thought, we were having so many great ideas for a venture in Jamaica, I ought to not forget them,...but I did. And as time passed the alcohol was showing more and more effect. 45 minutes later we were slurring words, and were almost unable to finish the sentences we started. We thought it was hilarious.
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Then suddenly exhaustion hit. The alcohol went from invigorating to knocking us out.
Oh boy, this day was far from over. We had a concert to see and people to meet.
This was not good.
To be continued...
(Jamar is up next tomorrow)
Lol! Funny how alcohol always sneaks up on ya! Seastar looks like an awesome place. I had no idea! Ashamed to say I've never been there. Soon!
Awesome! These are by far some of the best photos I have seen that show off the new renovations to Seastar!
So excited.....can't wait.....we'll meet you there in April!
Par - tay!
Nice to see room 3 as well as this will be home for a few nights in April. Rooms look decent size as well as nice and tidy. Thanks for sharing Markus.
Thank you for sharing not only pictures of your trip but pictures of you. I don't know what it is, but personal photos make the trip report even more interesting to me. Thank you!! Thank you!! Thank you!!