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

"The island does something special, not to just TO me but FOR me. Most people in the world, even millionaires, would not dare spend $3,000-plus on themselves with nothing tangible to show for it except for maybe a few rasta necklaces, but for me it's more than worth it."

So true my brother, so true!!! April can not come soon enough!:cool:

Gerry takes the best inadvertent pics of subs in Jamaica ever!! "

Thanks for the pic of the "Locals hangin' in front of Pee Wees". We will be at Blue Cave in 10 days so now I know who I'm dealing with on the road. :) "No, No, No, Never". My answer to almost everything on the street.

At 21 I flew to Jamaica solo for a 2 week stay. First time away. Ended up staying a year. Best year of life. Had a great time, got in over my head sometimes, learned some hard lessons, went hungry a day or two, saw things not many people my age get a chance to, and lived life to the fullest and in excess sometimes. LOL Really grew up that trip!

I was at home recuperating from a root canal this afternoon and read your whole report. I tend to immerse myself totally in a country before I travel there. This board and your posts has made me even more impatient for this vacation. Im new to Negril but have been to Puerto Vallarta often. People often ask why I keep going back to the same place...it becomes part of who you are. I am excited to see what Negril will do to me....I plan on taking it all in and a piece if it back with me when I go home. My girlfriend lives here but is from Jamaica. She always says I'm an island girl.... I am pretty sure I'm not meant to spend my life on the cold Prairies...at least not the winters!

OK, same sun, different day. He's another sunset video at Catcha Falling Star:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIpbZ_NWKkA

awesome report as always bub

Oh my god, is today really my last day?

I had made arrangements to meet Vincent even earlier than usual, and at just past 7 a.m. we were the only ones on the ocean. He brought a local spear-fishing friend who really knew what he was doing, and together we jumped in the ocean.

On almost every trip, I've suffered a little injury, and this time I had gone the whole without any issues until a little fish caught me with his fin and punctured a little hole in my finger.

I good see the blood oozing out under water, but there was no way I was getting out. I love it down there so much that nothing like this was going to stop me -- though of course there is that sinking feeling in the back of your head about JAWS.

I had gone to great pains to prepare for this trip, including a packing list that I studied for days before getting on a plate, but the one thing I had forgot was bandaids. I had to go to three places to find one on the way back, as blood dripped onto the handle bars of my scooter, but I managed. It was kind of fun walking into stores bleeding -- the one time no one asked me for anything.

A few more pics:

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Seastar Inn baby

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Octopus needs to get a grip

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Oh Negril, how I don't want to say goodbye

I still had time for a little breakfast at the Seastar Inn, then I hung for a bit on my porch with the dog, Boy. I paid one of the maids to fold up all my clothes for me and pack everything away, imploring her -- of course -- to check all the pockets. She said OK but her attention to detail just wasn't good enough. The third pair of pants she folded, I checked them, and sure enough there were a couple of Jamaican bills in one of the pockets, so now I was worried about maybe something more serious being packed by mistake.

Garrett showed up, and I tipped him, too. He deserved it. He's been a good friend, especially on this trip. He suggested that maybe I could head out with Percy, who was making a run to Montego Bay with Kevin from Norway, who wanted to pick up his Jamaican girlfriend who happens to work at the airport. But the timing just didn't work with Percy, and plus I had Clives coming.

Marko was still coming to visit soon to say goodbye and to collect his phone, plus all the things I didn't to bring home with me like the scissors and leftovers (a substantial amount), I was giving to him.