Marley and Ninja: Having Their Cake And Drinking It Too! Trip Report - April 2012

Yay, here we go. Attachment 14882

Hahaha...it all makes sense now! LOLOL This is why I love your trip report! hahahaha

Ditto to everything Booger said....my favorite day with all my favorite peeps. SIGH <3

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Originally Posted by SweetSue

Marley, Ninja... I enjoy your reports. Now I really am sorry that I did not take more time to hook up with your group. I was supposed to at the Belly Flop but life got in the way. My trip was too short (aren't they always?) to do all I wanted and/or needed to do. It is a schizophrenic existence, 'mi Jamaica Life' in the country side, my beach/cliff tourist adventures and then coming back to yet another reality in NY.... I really hope our paths do cross, as I am sure they eventually will. In the meantime, Happy Travels and keep those trip reports coming!

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Sweetsue, thanks!
We are sorry you didn't make it out too...we all had so much fun, you will have to be sure to come to the next one...boardie meetups and webcasts and parties and what not are ALWAYS fun! Hope to meet you at one some day for sure!

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Originally Posted by monk

wow, you guys knocked it out of the park!

all respect due.

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Thanks so much!!! :)
Happy to do it!

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Originally Posted by Sweetness

Oh I love this day so much......it will live in infamy!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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I know! Pretty much one of my all time favorite days.....I like to now use this day to replace the memories of our wedding day disasters...this day was all I had always hoped it would have been back in 2010.
Thanks to my new family and friends for making it so!

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Originally Posted by booger

Nice update and you covered the events PERFECTLY. Did you film the trip? LOL! And as Tizzy, I had no idea why the wedding music was playing. So cool and you just put the day in a whole new perspective.... I cannot freaking wait for the rest of this story as the day was EPIC!

And nice work calling out JIM. Brasi was in worse shape and manned up. Big ups to Brasi. If there is one day that I look back on with this trip it's this day. There was so much joy and good times in the air and it was great to be able to spend some amazing time with such a great group.

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Hahaha, no...did not film it but I surely remember it because I think I still dream about this day often, and in fact, this whole trip. Glad you are enjoying it sir.
Yes, I guess maybe the dj was the only one that heard my story that morning! HAHAHAH...I think though that Guirigay heard it....maybe Sweetness too....guess that was all that heard it LOL....so I am glad you are now hearing it and now the wedding theme is making sense! LOL too funny

Yeah, big ups to Brasi for sure, though I am not sure he talked until sometime in the afternoon, I sure didn't hear him until after lunch I think! LOL
But I also have to say props to Jim for getting up out of bed and walking out to talk to us....on days like that for me, I can't even manage to be upright! LOL

I agree....this day was pretty special for so many reasons.....thanks to all who made it that way!

My ploy has worked, you are helping me out a lot here... :) Sweetie Pie and Mrs. SpottyCatz heard the story as well, I believe...

Thank you Guirigay!!!! I was beginning to wonder if I actually had told the story or not?!?!?!?! LOL

Day 4 (cont.)

So the bus is finally on the road…..we pass through towns like Sheffield and Little London. Chicken points out sights along the way but of course the rowdy turtles are having too much fun laughing and singing to hear him. I just laugh. On down the road we go, now through Savanna-la-mar. We notice there seems to be a bit of a short or something with the radio….one minute it is on, the next minute it is BLARING LOUD…the next minute, no music. It ends up being quite the comical occurrence throughout the trip. Nothing a little BANG on the dash can’t fix, right? The cd player begins to play Bob Marley and the music comes out through the speakers……it is the first time everyone focuses their attention on one single thing and then the turtle chorus begins in unison “Don’t worry about a thing, ‘cuz every little thing is gonna be alright……” then the music stops……but the turtles do not….we all kept singing….and the sound was so sweet. I still remember that moment so vividly! We were all singing and then the stereo kicked back in and we were right on target with the song…..everyone cheered and then we kept singing…..who needs a stereo anyways?!?!?!

By this point there had already been an impressive amount of red stripes consumed, so the classic “I need a restroom break” call comes from the back of the bus and with that we stop at a gas station in the town of White House. Everyone gets off the bus and we head to the bathroom….Tizzy was first of course as it was apparent she was the one in the most need. So as we stood there waiting, the men all plotted for their nearest bush technique and the women sadly waited. After the much needed potty break, there was an ice and beer restock and a smoke break for some and then back on the bus.

Next we passed through the town of Belmont, Brasi’s country spot. As we approached Bluefields I told Sweetness (well I tried to tell everyone, but Sweetness was close to me so she heard most of my attempts of bus announcements) how every single time I come through this area the water is always the most spectacular color, it is literally breath taking. And this time was no different. It surely did not disappoint. I had tried to make the announcement for everyone to hear so they could be sure to check out the water, but soon Mother Nature made the announcement for me. Because as you round that road and first see that water, it is so unbelievably memorizing that it immediately captures all attention. Soon you hear the ooooohs and aaaaahs all throughout the bus. Cameras come out and pictures are taken. Oh, that water!

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The water at Bluefields

Not too terribly long after that we made that very familiar slight left turn and headed up into the beautiful area that leads to YS Falls. We passed by Howies cook shop (where we ALWAYS stop for lunch) and I pointed it out to the turtles letting them all know we would be back here for lunch after the falls. About this time there was a lot of fuss and chatter about another bathroom break and then a rather weird and unusual discussion on asses, even cows asses and an appreciation of them! Ha, does anyone remember that? But I assured that person that in mere moments we would be at the falls…..but I don’t think that bumpy road helped too much! But sure enough, just as I said, we entered the parking lot and saw the familiar YS Falls sign. Everyone got off the bus and headed in to get our tickets and/or use the restroom LOL. Once you purchase your ticket you head to the deck area to board the tractor that carries you down to the falls. And the ride is very pleasant as you see the green pastures with the cattle (and their asses) and then into the wooded areas with shade and the river surrounding the road, it is simply beautiful! I believe that only a few of us had been here before so I was beyond excited to see the gang’s reaction to seeing the falls for the first time. Though it has been many years, I still remember the very first time I laid eyes on YS Falls and how it actually took my breath away….and funny enough, it still does.

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Tractor ride to the falls

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headed up the path (that is the tree and deck area where the zipline tour starts)

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walking towards the falls, this is the moment when you first get a glimpse

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YS Falls :)

Gosh this place is beautiful. YS Falls is a series of several different levels of falls and pools of water. It starts way up top there and then spills into the first level, the next level is where the rope swing is and the largest “swim area”. The next level is usually where the guides will take folks out and lead them over the rocks to pose for photos. I highly recommend this. If you are interested, any guide will take you out there. They will hold your hand, lead you out, and show you exactly where to step. They will also carry your camera for you and then they will tell you certain places to pose and they will use your camera to take photos of you. They are amazing, and so are the photos. You just give them a tip when it is all over…and the whole experience is well worth it. The next level down is usually the one you first walk up to, which is also where most people stop and pose for a photo. There are several other pools of water to swim in, all very cool and refreshing. Down at the bottom there is a makeshift pool that is filled with the actually water from the falls, and it has a deck around it and tubes to float in, very nice chill area. They also have just recently built another similar pool just as you enter into the YS area on the tractor, just before the gift shop. There is a large gift shop that also has some snacks and drinks and there are restrooms and changing rooms.

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Rope swing and swim area


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Guides leading folks out along the falls

Another thing YS Falls has is a zip line. Raul and I have been trying to do this zipline since the very first time we visited YS. The first time we were on a tour that had stops also at Appleton and Black River, so we were only allotted a short time at the falls and therefore we ran out of time and could not do the zipline. The next time we were here the zip line was closed. The last time we were here was after the storm and a big tree had fallen and knocked down the zipline and it had not yet been prepared…..every single time it was a no go. But this time…..this time when we arrived, I asked at the front when we were buying our tickets “Is the zip line open today?” and I was told yes! This was it, this was finally going to be our chance to do the zipline. So Raul went in the gift shop, paid the money and we both signed the waiver. Next thing you know we were heading off to the tree where the tour starts. We met our guides there and they started putting our harnesses on….what a fashion statement. We gave Raul’s good camera to Sandie as she offered to be our professional photographer for the event. We took my small point and shoot and gave it to our guide. We got all suited up, listened to the instructions which were pretty much “Don’t die” and posed for some photos for Sandie…..check out how cool we look!

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Zipline fashion superstars!


Well there’s nothing left now but to head on up and get to zipping, so off we go

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There are a total of 5 zip lines. The first one starts just above the highest part you can walk up to along the side of the falls and it goes across the falls. The next one goes parallel the falls on the other side (the side you cannot walk up along). The third zip is BY FAR the best of them all. It starts at the very top of the falls and goes all the way down the falls…..this is SO MUCH FUN!!! The 4th line is from the top of the tree (at the bottom of the falls where we first got our harnesses) and goes across the walkway into the trees and the very last zip is a vertical line that brings you back down to the ground and right out near the changing rooms. This was so much fun and totally worth the wait! I am so glad we finally got to do it. My only regret is that the guide took photos of us as we were ziplining with our camera…..of course it was the same camera I later lost so I never got any of those photos (so sad) but thanks to Sandie with Raul’s camera we at least got a few of us on the big zip line. Thanks Sandie! So I guess that just means we need to go back and do it again! Gladly!

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This is me going down zip 3, the biggest and best


After the zipline all of the turtles looked like they were all pretty much ready to go, so we herded them all up, got on the tractor, and headed out to the front. Chicken was there waiting for us and so we got on the bus and headed back down the road. Thank goodness it was just a short ride back to Howies Cook shop because we had all worked up quite a hunger. Howies is a great place to stop for lunch. The food is excellent and the prices are even better. The cook shop is an open air area with a series of pots over wood. There is a menu but much like most places in Jamaica you just ask what they have that day. There are probably about 10 pots and they will tell you what each contains. Today’s menu included such items as fried chicken, curry goat, stew beef, oxtail, brown stew chicken, and several different soups (I know conch was one of them but there were several others) They also had rice and peas, callaloo and festival.

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The turtles waiting to order


These next photos are courtesy of Sweetie Pie but they were some of the most amazing photos I have ever seen, truly captured the heart and soul of Howie’s—excellent SP!

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Everyone placed their orders and we walked to the seating/eating area right next door and DEVOURED our food….oh my goodness was it good….and by the silence you could tell everyone was hungry and enjoying their lunch. There began then a discussion of the conch soup and just how delicious it was….probably the best ever, there were even talks of ordering more to go…but soon after we were all heading back to the bus. After all, it was midday or even early afternoon and we had an appointment with a little bar out in the middle of the ocean. So back on the bus we went! Oh but wait! I had told everyone earlier that we just HAD to stop at Middle Quarters and get some Pepper Shrimp (you can’t pass by Middle Quarters without stopping for pepper shrimp….that should be illegal!) So Chicken took us to his friends “The Sisters” and we got out and eyed the amazing shrimp.

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Mmmmm Pepper Shrimp!


Markus quickly made friends as he normally does and bought some fruit

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Markus and his new friend

Then the head sister in charge made the greatest move in her marketing ploy. She convinced Daisy to buy a cup of her pepper shrimp soup….I mean it’s only $1, who could resist? And with that, it was all over…..all it takes is one person to try it…then say “Oh my gosh, this is the best soup ever” She was a marketing genius because it worked…..next thing you know just about everyone on the bus had a cup of that soup…..and my only regret is that I didn’t buy 5 more cups….that is HANDS DOWN the BEST soup I have EVER had in my entire life….oh my gosh my mouth is watering now just thinking about it!

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Me enjoying the World’s Best Soup! Yum!


As I sat there licking my lips and enjoying the world’s greatest soup, I looked back on everyone in the bus. The bus was full of smiles and happiness. I took a moment to just take it all in. Here I was in Jamaica, I had just FINALLY done the zipline at YS, my belly was full and happy…I was having the greatest day with some of the greatest people…..there was just one thing left to do……
Have a drink and toast to us all out in a bar in the middle of the ocean!!!! Pelican Bar or bust!

(Ninja's up next)

Well 1st off I need to say excellent account of the events!
2nd..need to say I do have a bit of video from the trip but ummmm there is a lot of smoke in the bus
3rd .I'm glad we made your post wedding day great and you made ours spectacular
4th..I still owe everyone money for beer as they were all empty when I tried to buy some so I was drinking everyone else's...so next trip remind me I need to. Buy at lease 24 I'm sure I drank that in the day
5th...that rum punch kicked ya in the ass...thank god when it was my time we hit a bump and I only got a taste on my lips wow....burning...but Raul was nice enough to let me take home a bit for Gregory as he's into that rum...and even he said "Holly F**k! Is this why your so drunk?" LOL.I said no I wasn't drinking that battery acid!
6th..I remember the talk about the cows asses but not sure how it came about...
7th...I wondered where everyone took off to at the falls but when couldn't find you met up with Brasi in the lower part and so we went swimming where he lost his room key.It was awesome..cold ,refreshing,and not salty...was very nice
8th...Tizzy and her needing to go pee now I think may have started the cow talk if I remember correctly I think she seen one peeing...but her standing in the back of the bus with her legs crosses telling everyone that she is going to pee herself was priceless.
9th...I have never heard Brasi being as quiet as he was when he first came on the bus and cracked the first beer with booger....he was one hurting guy....not that I really knew him at that point but after seeming him a few times I stand by my word....he was I'll....but he still showed up and that's the main thing :-)
10th....this is all in no order all all but it was a fantastic time for everyone and us turtles will have this memory for years to come....we we able to connect with people we may never have been able to before...we were able to laugh at whatever we wanted to and everyone else laughed with us.It was a fantastic trip thanks to Marley and Ninja for pulling it all together and keeping the turtles together.
11th...The reason markus and I were stuck in the ATM was because I had no clue what I was doing and when I went to get help he was the only familiar face I seen so I made him come in and help me take out thousands of JA dollars...what a shock that is..if I had that in Canadian money I would be rich ! LOL
12...I just gotta say I love you guys and I truly hope we can do it all again one day soon:-)
Thanks everyone :-)
OK I'm done now.;)

Another great spot on update. You had to of filmed this! I agree, the pic that Sweetness took is front cover magazine ready.

And that soup is better than Ivan's pumpkin soup when you are nice and saucy? That's some great soup!

Also, you wearing that harness looks kinda dirty.....

Lol

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Originally Posted by beccajean_ca

Well 1st off I need to say excellent account of the events!
2nd..need to say I do have a bit of video from the trip but ummmm there is a lot of smoke in the bus
3rd .I'm glad we made your post wedding day great and you made ours spectacular
4th..I still owe everyone money for beer as they were all empty when I tried to buy some so I was drinking everyone else's...so next trip remind me I need to. Buy at lease 24 I'm sure I drank that in the day
5th...that rum punch kicked ya in the ass...thank god when it was my time we hit a bump and I only got a taste on my lips wow....burning...but Raul was nice enough to let me take home a bit for Gregory as he's into that rum...and even he said "Holly F**k! Is this why your so drunk?" LOL.I said no I wasn't drinking that battery acid!
6th..I remember the talk about the cows asses but not sure how it came about...
7th...I wondered where everyone took off to at the falls but when couldn't find you met up with Brasi in the lower part and so we went swimming where he lost his room key.It was awesome..cold ,refreshing,and not salty...was very nice
8th...Tizzy and her needing to go pee now I think may have started the cow talk if I remember correctly I think she seen one peeing...but her standing in the back of the bus with her legs crosses telling everyone that she is going to pee herself was priceless.
9th...I have never heard Brasi being as quiet as he was when he first came on the bus and cracked the first beer with booger....he was one hurting guy....not that I really knew him at that point but after seeming him a few times I stand by my word....he was I'll....but he still showed up and that's the main thing :-)
10th....this is all in no order all all but it was a fantastic time for everyone and us turtles will have this memory for years to come....we we able to connect with people we may never have been able to before...we were able to laugh at whatever we wanted to and everyone else laughed with us.It was a fantastic trip thanks to Marley and Ninja for pulling it all together and keeping the turtles together.
11th...The reason markus and I were stuck in the ATM was because I had no clue what I was doing and when I went to get help he was the only familiar face I seen so I made him come in and help me take out thousands of JA dollars...what a shock that is..if I had that in Canadian money I would be rich ! LOL
12...I just gotta say I love you guys and I truly hope we can do it all again one day soon:-)
Thanks everyone :-)
OK I'm done now.;)

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Becca, this whole post makes me laugh.....thanks for being a part of the day with us too.....it was the perfect day! Loved every single second of it

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Originally Posted by booger

Another great spot on update. You had to of filmed this! I agree, the pic that Sweetness took is front cover magazine ready.

And that soup is better than Ivan's pumpkin soup when you are nice and saucy? That's some great soup!

Also, you wearing that harness looks kinda dirty.....

Lol

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Booger your last statement cracked me up.....you are crazy! But yeah.....it felt kinda dirty too. Ha.....you should have seen Raul's.....I was wondering later if we would be able to have kids ever
LMAO

And yes, Ivan's pumpkin soup is the best I have had, but that pepper shrimp soup is still reigning the supreme title of all soups EVER! Yum!

I could have went on as I didn't even get to the pelican Bar yet but I figured I better stop rambling.....thanks for allowing me to be part of it :-) I'm very glad I went :-) :cool:

Lovely lovely lovely. This is so good, the delayed remembering of stuff. It was a great day and everyone on that bus played a part in it and on it. It's great getting different versions of the trip. Almost Woody Allen like!! :D

Yeah! All caught up :) Great report so far, keep it coming!!

Day4: Tuesday April 24, 2012
NINJA's 2Cents
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ROAD TRIP


“What’s is that annoying sound” Oh wait i think its the my alarm. Sure enough it is. Oh wait today is the trip YAY. Still it was a bear to get up. We had limited amounts of sleep the night before so...

Short time to Shower, Shave and get my stuff together. Shauna jumped in first and she had already headed out to get some breakfast when I went to get ready. Normally I would use the out door shower but have decided that Banana Shout and the Staff at Rick’s didn’t need a private show. Man it was early well not really but compared to the amount of sleep we had (a recurring trend) it seemed early.

Once the Catcha crew had jumped on the bus (I was greatly surprised that we were all present and accounted for and on time) we drove down the all too familiar road headed to get GuiriPie [from now own I’m going to amalgamize couples names, well except spotykatz, cuz thats how I roll]. The bus load was just Sweetness, Jizzy, Minja and Booper but we we’re already alive and having fun. After we picked up GuiriPie we headed down to the beach to get our beach dwellers. After rustling up the remainder of our crew it was time to get this party started. Wait pump your brakes we need to get money and drinks (drinks being the more important of the 2). After grabbing some cash I stayed back for a while to help Markus help Becca get her money it seems the machine wouldn't take her card at first.

NOTE: to everyone make sure when you are traveling international call your bank to let them know. Some banks halt international usage unless you let them know.

Seeing that I couldn't really be any use I skipped back to the bus [ yes I skipped ]. The bus trip was ramping back up and we still needed to get supplies. Shauna being a non beer drinker needed something to keep her nice and bubbly so I set forth to make what I have now called roadside Rum Punch. Limited by the supplies I had in the store I grabbed some overproof rum, orange pineapple juice and a water bottle to mix it all up. Oh yeah and some cherry syrup. The Over proof had a limiter on the top of it so making the punch would have taken all day, so I whipped out my Knife (I’m like freaking Macgyver) and tour through the top. After making the Rum Punch in the water bottle I realized I had a lot of Overproof left over. Problem is when I tore off the limiter I also tore off the threads for the cap. All I had left was an open bottle and no where to place it. In fear that it would spill and 1) eat through the bus floor like Alien blood and B) spill and waste alcohol (cuz even overproof deserves to be drunk) I poured the remainder of the over proof in the only bottle I had left the very very very little amount of juice I had left with a hint of the cherry syrup. So two things occurred at this point. First I decided it was a good idea to drink this concoction in between sips of my Red Stripe. Secondly Guiriguy wanted a swig. He’s holding the bottle in the photo. Everyoen thought it was my road side rum punch but really it was battery acid with color. Seriously this stuff was just colored over proof. The rum punch was in a water bottle that Shauna had a couple drinks out of. That stuff in the juice bottle was OMG strong. Sorry that everyone thought it was rum punch hey but who am I to halt progress. :)

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By now everyone was feeling good the Red stripe was flowing and the music was rocking. We had a great sing along before the radio decided it was Christine's cousin and had a mind of it’s own. I swear it seems the only thing that ever has issue in a Jamaican car is the radio and I contribute this to the ****e roads causing a short. I always say I’m buying Chicken an iPod and some kind of dock with loud enough speakers. Well besides the constant wedding march or random spike in volume everyone seemed to be having a blast (well maybe Brasi wasn’t I can only imagine a hangover on the bus was probably something to work through) and in an all around good vibe. Chicken tried his hardest to point out point of interest and ask if we wanted to stop but to no avail the fun level was way too high. However everyone calm down just long enough to ooh and aww as we passed Blue Fields and well they should and we mad plans to stop back buy at sunset (yeah that didnt happen). Shauna was in front of me and Sweetness directly behind me so most of my conversation was with them as we drove on. Sweetness and I resumed our conversation on cameras and how she wanted so much to get the Rebel that I had. Despite the older point and click camera she has she takes some of the loveliest pics. Goes to show you it isnt always the camera its the person behind it.

I’ll take this moment to make a quick note. I dont think I’ve ever heard Sweetness’ voice get louder than the calm tones she has normally. Its always so soothing and fills you with a feeling of calm spirituality. A lot like Sweetie Pie their voices could stop a stampede of elephants just by softly saying stop.


By now I had drank probably way too much of my roadside battery acid so I was feeling what my mom would call happy. I think my food intake had been limited so it was hitting me pretty hard. We stopped to use the bathroom and get another bag of ice which in my attempt to break it up I thrust the bag on the floor only to break it open. So If Mohammad can't go to the mountain, let the mountain come to Mohammad and drag the cooler out to the ice. Some of us took the time to smoke and conversate before hopping back on the bus and heading for YS. When we reached YS I was a tad bit out of it. WAY TO MUCH RSBA.

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The last time we went to YS they were working on a new pool off to the side to add to the park. First thing I noticed was that it was done and it looked cool. I think the best part of this trip to YS for me was watching everyone who had never been really enjoying being in awe of the power and majesty of the mighty falls. It truly is a wonder to see in person. Everyone seem to be having a blast swinging on the rope swing and enjoying the water. I lost track of a bunch of people but I’m sure they were off having fun fun fun. I have a bunch of video of our zipline adventure but unless you want to get motion sickness and throw up I will keep them off youtube.

laughing my arse off over here Ninj (didn't forget the "a" - since we are friends I got i like that ha) - first the "Sweetness, Jizzy, Minja and Booper ....... After we picked up GuiriPie ..........." Dude you and Markus need to go on tour with a comedy show - its a gift - thanks for sharing it lol.

Great description of the bus ride - I remember I kept saying "I can see this as a cartoon, the Magic Bus". Thanks for the sweet words about my voice....maybe I should look into voice overs or hypnotherapy tapes???? but I digress......a day that will live in infamy.......more please!@N&M

Okay it's been 4 days, I'm going through Marley & Ninja trip report withdrawal! lol!
I've been enjoying this trip report too much for it to stop!
more PLEASE!:D

Ninja?
;)

Y'all's (I'm sure you get that word Marley, being a Carolina girl & all) tag team trip reports are so funny & good. I hope, if we move to SA, we'll be able to hook up before next year! :)

Garysteph! It will surely happen....thats only 3 hours away....or we could meet in Orlando and hit up the Bob Marley cafe....got other boardies in Orlando now too! Group outing!

Can't wait to meet all y'alls! LOL
Yep...this southern girl knows all about y'alls (its the plural of the plural) LMAO

Ok, so I've been reading all this stuff about turtles in your trip reports and I thought I'd add my two cents... I did a little research on the Native Americans and the Turtle legend which is pervasive in many northeastern and midwestern tribal stories...basically earth was placed on the turtles back as a place for humans to live...sounds like an island to me :-) Each story is a little different, but it goes something like this...

The Great Spirit, in a time not known to us looked about and saw nothing. No colors, no beauty. Time was silent in darkness. There was no sound. Nothing could be seen or felt. The Great Spirit decided to fill this space with light and life.

From his great power he commanded the sparks of creation. He ordered Tôlba, the Great Turtle to come from the waters and become the land. The Great Spirit molded the mountains and the valleys on turtle's back. He put white clouds into the blue skies. He was very happy.He said, "Everything is ready now. I will fill this place with the happy movement of life."He thought and thought about what kind of creatures he would make.

Where would they live? What would they do? What would their purpose be? He wanted a perfect plan. He thought so hard that he became very tired and fell asleep.

His sleep was filled with dreams of his creation. He saw strange things in his dream. He saw animals crawling on four legs, some on two. Some creatures flew with wings, some swam with fins. There were plants of all colors, covering the ground everywhere. Insects buzzed around, dogs barked, birds sang, and human beings called to each other. Everything seemed out of place. The Great Spirit thought he was having a bad dream. He thought, nothing could be this imperfect.

When the Great Spirit awakened, he saw a beaver nibbling on a branch. He realized the world of his dream became his creation. Everything he dreamed about came true. When he saw the beaver make his home, and a dam to provide a pond for his family to swim in, he then knew every thing has it's place, and purpose in the time to come.

It has been told among our people from generation to generation. We must not question our dreams. They are our creation.

-----NICE----

I feel like the turtle that missed the boat...supposed to travel with the other turtles but I was busy, or distracted, or something...
Like...Hey! where did everybody go?

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When I came back from Jamaica this year the pond near where I work was filled with turtles...dozens of them :-) Does this couple look familiar?

When we were IN Jamaica we went to Catcha a few time and one night at Ivans I took this picture...what do these look like ?

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What's with all these turtles ?! :-)

Lorax- that is AWESOME!!!!!
Thanks for sharing all of that...and yeah hahaha those two turtles kinda DO look familiar LMAO

The way I see it since all of this talk about turtles started is......turtles are not just those of us who went in April.
I think turtles is a perfect representation of ALL of us negrilaholics. We all, just like turtles, were called back to this beach at some point in our life. We didn't necessarily know why but we made our way there for that instinctual reason or need. Once we got there, we immediately felt at home, it was familiar, it was happy and we knew we would have to continue to make this journey back here every year of our lives. When we are there we slow to a relaxed pace and we interact and bond with any and all other turtles we recognize.

It sounds like the perfect description of all of us to me.
I just love this realization of all of us turtles....such meaning....it is perfect! I love it!

I love ALL of the turtles!

And I know of another turtle who has recently or will very soon realize her own turtle-ness. She told me of a story about how her birthday was on the day of the boardie bash and how for her gift her husband gave her a turtle pendant. And pretty soon she will be wearing that pendant on her very first calling to the island.

Happy turtle trails to all of you!

Another beautiful example of that spiritual awakening, that magical Negril feeling that we all know. :cool:

Cool... :-)

Day4: con’t Tuesday April 24, 2012
NINJA's 2Cents
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BOTTLENECK ALERT, BOTTLENECK ALERT, BOTTLENECK ALERT. Seems I’ve been holding this train up.


So after the zippy zipline we found our people and went down to the shop area of YS Falls, but soon it would be time to bounce and see the amazing Pelican bar. We as usual herded the turtles on our way to the tractor back to the bus.

I took a moment to look out over the falls and listen to the incredible sound that water makes. That white noise that washes over you can be so calming. No one had taken part in wandering across the falls with a guide and plopping down in the water for a great photo op. Well that just means they’ll come a time for another road trip. Since we lost our camera all the good zipline shots are gone, so you know we’ll be going back.

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Making it back to the bus we all piled on and headed for some lunch which is good because that road jamaican moonshine I made was still making me feel a bit off. Every Time we’ve come here we’ve stopped at Howies Cook shop so why should this be any different. Every time we stop the food hits the right spot. You knew we were being satisfied cuz well not even one person was saying anything. A food hush fell over the group and the low murmurs of satisfied travels was wall you heard. An occasional yum, or special mouth filled acknowledgement was all around. A wash of comfort filled my body and I pretty much inhaled my food. The clouded groggy moonshine feeling was slowly replaced by a want for more and more food. To say the food was delicious would be an understatement. Soon after we finished we headed to Middle Quater to get some shrimp. I remained on the bus because I was fighting back the food groggies and the booze groggies. Shauna wandered onto the bus and offered me some soup. I hadn’t been part of the soup virus that had seem to attack my fellow turtles. First Daisy succumbed and then like dominos one after one they all had these little white cups of soup. Have you ever seen invasion of body snatchers when they say just go to bed. This was like that but in a totally pleasing way. I had one spoonful of soup and I think I would’ve have sold my mom for more. That small cup wouldn't have satiated the smallest of appetite , in fact i think it would/did make me hungrier but I wasn’t about to rip that cup out of Shauna’s hands I mean people were watching :). Well a wash of warm fuzzy came over us all and soon we were ready to take the next leg of our trip.

We sat content blissful and intoxicated with food and company. The bus was a hum with laughter and the music of life being lived. In simplest form it was harmony.

And for the record....I basically begged him to get a cup of that soup the way I was offering it to him. I asked him no less than 3 times if he wanted me to get him a cup because once I tasted it I KNEW he would like it and therefore want some....but he said no, so I only got one. But of course....I shared the whole cup with him, like the good little wife that I am. :)

Ok, I will continue on tonight folks.....stay tuned

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.....I have dreams about that soup......still haven't attempted the recreation but I am GONNA. Lips were numb in the most delicious way!!!

Day 4 (cont.)
The bus continued on down the road towards the Black river, and after a few more songs, laughs and of course, Red Stripes, we arrived. We unloaded the bus and quickly boarded our next mode of transportation, two boats that would take us out to the Pelican Bar.

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The first boat loaded up with Spottycatz, Booger, Sandie, Sweetness, Brasi, Guirigay and Sweetiepie and headed out. The second boat had Jon and Tizzy, me and Ninja, Clarity and Hubbyman, and Beccajean and we headed out right behind them. It was a nice ride out to the bar, probably about 20 minutes or so. I love the ride out to the bar because when you leave from Black River and get out into the ocean the bar appears only as a spec way off in the distance…it is so small you think how could I possibly be going out to that spec? But then as you get closer and closer the excitement builds. I pointed the spec out to everyone who was visiting the Pelican Bar for the first time, and then I just sat back and enjoyed the ride.

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We arrive to the bar and watch as the first boat disembarks.

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Next it is our turn. I have been to the Pelican bar before but it doesn’t matter, this place is so cool when you first step in you can’t help but get excited. It always makes me feel like I am standing in the club house I built with my friends when I was a kid…and that we are playing “Goonies” or something….but then I realize I am actually in the middle of the ocean…in Jamaica…..AND it’s a BAR! Man this place is awesome

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I looked around and tried to find where Raul and I wrote our names on the boards last time we were here. We wrote our names several places but couldn’t manage to find not one of them so I was a little sad about that. Brasi and Guirigay had brought some offerings of their Scottish heritage to hang up in the bar and Spottycatz brought a flag to hang as well. I walked around and sort of just took it all in and enjoyed watching the others experience the bar as well. Many of the turtles headed out to explore more in the water around the bar.
Here is Markus showing Becky his latest finding, a sea urchin

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Speaking of sea urchins…….(sorry Daisy)
As the gang headed out to explore the ocean, there were several warnings to “shuffle your feet” to avoid stingrays and what not. So Clarity shuffled away and shuffled her foot RIGHT into a sea urchin! Ouch! It actually punctured through her water shoes and pierced her toe, poor Daisy, it’s a wonder she still gets in the ocean with all of her animal encounters and mishaps!
If you look closely at this photo you can see that I actually captured the moment RIGHT after the Sea Urchin incident occurred.

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Now in pain she retreated back to the bar, while Ninja, Markus, Guirigay and Sweetiepie continued out to explore the great wide ocean. She removed her water shoe to take a better look at the damage, and with that she gained the attention of several, including our sweet Sandie. “What are you doing? What happened? Are you hurt?” Sandie said. Daisy then proceeded to explain what happened and before she could even finish, Sandie was demanding her foot. “Give me your foot, right now…prop it up here” she said. Daisy sat on the floor of the bar and Sandie took her foot and examined the damage. Sure enough there were several visible spines in Daisy’s big toe. “These HAVE to come out, right now!” Sandie exclaimed. And with that Booger walked over to his bag and came back with a knife…that’s right folks…a knife! I took one look at it and gasped. I thought back to one of my favorite lines from Crocodile Dundee…”That’s not a knife, THIS is a knife”

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I saw the look on Daisy’s face and I instantly felt her pain. Sandie got to work immediately and Daisy let out a rather loud scream. I felt so bad for her and I didn’t know what to do or how to help. But it looked and sounded so painful and I hated to see my friend in pain so I did the only thing I could think of, I went to the bar and asked for a shot of rum. The bartended showed me the rum and asked “Appleton or overproof?” “woah” I said “Definitely the Appleton!” Then I looked back and saw Daisy and then heard her and I turned back to the bartender and quickly proclaimed “Make that overproof!” So he poured a cup of overproof and I took it to Daisy immediately. I handed it to her and simply said, “Drink this as fast as you can” And without question, she did just that, god bless her. Poor thing, she nearly choked after that rather large glass of gasoline I just made her drink but I like to think that maybe, at least for a short moment, it took her mind off the pain. I then handed her a Red Stripe as a much needed chaser. I am not going to lie, nothing about this minor surgery taking place in a bar made of sticks in the middle of the ocean in Jamaica, was pretty, that is for sure. But Sandie was a rockstar with that knife and serious surgeon like technique….and Daisy, was a trooper for sure! And soon, Sandie completed the serious procedure and all of the excitement died down a little, well for maybe everyone but Daisy. About that time the explorers had returned from the ocean and they got to hear all about the event they had just missed. What a day! There were some more drinks had by all and we wandered out to the deck to take in more of the fabulous views and snap some group photos.

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It was getting later and the sun was about to set so we knew it was time to get back on the boat and head to the shore, though I doubt any of us were all that ready to leave. We said our goodbyes to the bar and boarded the boats. We waved as the first group boarded and headed off

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Next was our turn, boat 2 boarded and after a little bit of rocking and screams (LOL) we were off as well. I looked back on the bar and said goodbye silently, though I know I will be back again.

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As the boats headed back to shore we were mostly side by side for the ride and so of course we took this as a race. Some points our boat was ahead and sometimes theirs was. There was waving and shouting and laughing and perhaps even some moon sightings as we raced back to shore. I am pretty sure I laughed the whole way (but this was something I did most of the week so my body was now used to it). There was so much fun and laughter this day by everyone (well, everyone except our boat captain….he was VERY serious lol).

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Can you imagine having this much fun while surrounded by this kind of beauty?

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And as we headed in that afternoon, we all witnessed what I considered one of the most spectacular sunsets I have ever seen! And definitely hands down the best one of this trip!

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Soon after we returned to the doc and most everyone headed to the restroom, which as Booger stated in his report, had a small fee….but was worth every penny, lol. When I returned from the bathroom I remember witnessing one of my favorite Sandie moments of the trip.
There was a little shop right where we were that had drinks and snacks and what not. The owners of the shop had a couple of dogs. If you know Sandie, you know she loves all animals, but especially dogs. So she walks up to them, and as she is approaching the owners yell out to her “No, no” and then they make this hand gesture like a dog biting. They tell her the dogs bite and not to come near them. And so what does Sandie (aka dog whisperer) do?

This:

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You just have to love this woman…and I do! Love you, pooper!
And with that, we all get back on the bus and head out to start our journey back to Negril…….

oh thank you for this great report....what a joy to relive that day. Seems like yesterday. OK need a tissue - thank you Marley and Raul - I am so loving this.

No words Marley. These memories will never, ever leave us all! x

You're so good MINJA (aka Narley). I was going to post earlier but I couldn't....this really got me, along with the post from Lorax, btw thank you so much for sharing that with all of us, sooo cool!!

This really was just one of the BEST days I can remember...wouldn't trade that day, that experience for anything, and as Spottycatz said....none will ever forget! Treasured memories, and cherished friendships. <3 yall

So how long did it take y'all to get back to Negril from the Pelican bar?

Longer than it should have TFW! we weren't back in town until after 10pm... I remember several beer and bio stops and they were NEVER quick... :)

Great job on this report! How fun, you took me right out there on the boat with you today, Thanks! Those are great pictures and I'm impressed at how well Clarity remains in the witness protection program. So sorry about her foot. Ouch.
What a fun bunch.

I know what all of you mean......it took me a while to sit down and write this trip report because I had no idea how to write about this day. It truly was a magical day.....one of those unspoken, no real way to describe, but all who were a part of it get it, kind of days. So I had no idea how to really represent it in words....as to me, it is really just more of a feeling...a feeling I get when I think back on that day, one I know I will have forever, and a moment in time that I believe has solidified our bond, all of us. There was so much love and happiness and joy in that day, and to me it meant so much. Not only was it just a fun day, but like I said before, the trip had meaning to me from early on because I viewed it as my "re-do" for a trip I had planned so long for to take all of my friends and family on, so I thank all of you as well!
But I don't want to get ahead of myself here.....I will be writing more (tonight, hopefully) to wrap up the day and the ride back home

But for now I will just leave you with this (this will surely make you smile)

Between that video and the group shot at Pelican....yes girl....ear to ear....and a few tears to boot ;)