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

LOL!
Man I wish there was a way I could just hop a plane today and be there!

P.S. Booger- if it's YOUR credit card....then I am in too :)

Yeah why dont we all just do that....i'm gonna go check for a red eye

Tizzy....swing by Tampa and pick me up on your way!

Marley!
Thanks, I will definitely have to add Xtabi to the list for breakfast during our trip. Must. try. that. french. toast.! And, after seeing your post last night, I just had to have some french toast for breakfast today. :-)

I can't even tell you how amazing this trip report is! Thank you so much for sharing it. I've only been to Negril once and we spent most of our time at our AI (honeymoon) but I am desperate to go back and not do the AI this time! My husband is a little nervous and so I've been trying to find a trip report to have him read to understand how wonderful Negril actually is. Granted, the people you were with made this an extra special trip, but y'all did so many awesome things that I think this might be the one. Thank you again for sharing it with others. Wish I could have lived it, but this is the next best thing, surely. I'm sorry to hear about your camera and the lost photos. I saw a page on facebook devoted to finding someone who lost his camera somewhere in Europe. They posted his photos and then encouraged people to share them with the caption - "Do you know this guy?" in the hopes that someone will.

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Originally Posted by TizzyATX

Dude...MY biggest regret is you losing that camera. LOL I'm just giving you a hard time, but you're right that's a great idea. i'm taking notes but once I'm there it's another story hahaha and I would probably not think to do it....but thank god for OP's! LOL Katho caught so much action omg, her pics are amazing too. Props Katho!

Would have liked to see the flaming marley pic, i love those shots. Love the CHEERS pic at Ivans. Good stuff, wish we were on our way there now....hmmm. :rolleyes:

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You provided me with many photo ops...lol! ;)

[QUOTE=marley9808;58297]P.S. A lot of those pics are courtesy of Katho because most of my pics from this day (inlcuding a KILLER shot of the flaming Bob Marleys) was on the camera we lost.
Let this be a lesson to all, to try and download / upload / save / copy over all photos at the end of every day if you have that option so if you lose your camera you won't also lose all of your photos....that is my biggest regret and definitely our best lesson from this trip!

But luckily there were many other cameras snapping around! Thanks Katho[/QUOTE

I felt so bad for you when I heard about your camera, really wish it had turned up :( Glad some of my pics can fill the gaps. I remember working on transfering pictures at the Xtabi bar while you ate that awesome french toast, lol ;)

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Originally Posted by sbeth

I can't even tell you how amazing this trip report is! Thank you so much for sharing it. I've only been to Negril once and we spent most of our time at our AI (honeymoon) but I am desperate to go back and not do the AI this time! My husband is a little nervous and so I've been trying to find a trip report to have him read to understand how wonderful Negril actually is. Granted, the people you were with made this an extra special trip, but y'all did so many awesome things that I think this might be the one. Thank you again for sharing it with others. Wish I could have lived it, but this is the next best thing, surely. I'm sorry to hear about your camera and the lost photos. I saw a page on facebook devoted to finding someone who lost his camera somewhere in Europe. They posted his photos and then encouraged people to share them with the caption - "Do you know this guy?" in the hopes that someone will.

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Awwww, thanks! I am glad you are enjoying it and I sure do hope it helps you convince the hubby to go back and see Jamaica, the non-AI version. You will LOVE it! And there is no need to be nervous about anything. This site is amazing for providing advice, recommendations and even places to meet up with other boardies. You will be a pro! And if you book for next April, you could be there for the sequel to this trip report! :)

I know, I was really hoping the camera was going to just show up miraculously. Sure the camera was expensive but once we realized it was gone the only thing I was upset about was losing the photos!
And I saw that post too about the guy in Europe whose camera was found. That was cool and goes to show you how much social media can do. I wonder if the camera was ever reunited with the owner?

Do you think the camera was stolen or left behind?

Well.....
I would say possibly both
I remember exactly the last minute I had it, it was when I was sitting at the table outside at the Boardie Bash. I thought I put it back in my bag but when I got home it wasn't there so when I recall seeing it last it was on the table, so I determined there was a chance I left it on the table. We went back to Canoe and it was nowhere to be found. Went back again the next morning and they hadn't found it nor had anyone turned it in.
I held out hope that a boardie had it and would give it to us at the Seastar party but that didn't happen
Oh well....live and learn
But I would have given anything to get those photos back :(

Thanks for your reply Marley! I admit, I have been daydreaming about going in April. We'll see ;) We used to live in Florida and it was a lot easier to get to the islands than it is from our current location (Utah)!
As for that guy with the camera and facebook thing, I looked it up and it turns out the story has a happy ending: http://now.msn.com/facebook-helps-to...is-lost-camera Pretty awesome!

Awwwww..yay! I love that! Lucky guy!

And keep dreaming about April....we would love to meet you, and dreams can sometimes come true :)

:)

Day6: Thursday April 26, 2012
NINJA's 2Cents
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Almost like a subliminal message my wife whispered Xtabi in my still sleeping ear. Guess she wants to go to Xtabi, her and her french toast. I’ve never told my wife this but I love Xtabi. It holds a special place in my heart. Our first trip together was to Negril and we stayed at Xtabi. It was New Years of 08 to 09. We landed on my birthday and she took me to Three Dives for a Birthday dinner. We had sooo much fun that year (and every year since). New years in Jamaica was so great. Though it wasn’t my first time to JA it was my first time in Negril, It was my first cliff jump, first time on a scooter , first time I had Xtabi’s french toast and I was hooked. Everytime we scoot down or up to it and head in I just remember our first trip together and how much fun it was.

Well Shauna got her French Toast fill and as you can see from my pictures I got mine too as well as a plate of eggs and bacon.

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I was HUNGRY. We decided while out let's scoot down and get our shopping done. We had some usuals to buy, but I also wanted to get a ball cap for a new friend. I had to find the proper cap for my friend. It had to be covered, totally different from my Red Stripe cap but similar and of course it needed the signature bottle cap opener. After the deliberation between at least 2 hats I made my choice grabbed some cigars and some sauce and we were ready to leave. The decisions to search out the beach dwellers was a good one as we seem to find everyone we would’ve looked for.

It was again one of those moments that this trip has seems to be full of. We sat talking to Booper and Jizzy and poof like manna from heaven the pattie man came buy and filled our stomachs, then like poof we had cats, and Hubbity and GuiriPie oh my. I ran back to my scooter to get Michael the cap I bought him. I was gonna give it to him later but was sure I’d forget. Everyone sat or stood together and talked and talked and talked. On and on about anything and everything. At one point we had a little coffee clutch in the water. I thought it was such a funny scene as everyone in the water kept their hands above the water with 2 beers in them. Slowly the dark clouds crept up on us and Shauna said we need to scoot (literally).

We made our way back to Catcha to get ready for the web cast. With the rain falling we’d need to leave the scooters behind. I’m gonna zoom ahead to my favorite moments of the webcast.

Jon had the awesome steel drum serenade of happy birthday that was so great. At some point Booger convinced Jon that it would be wise to drop pants and moon the webcast in the background and frankly I thought it was hilarious. Soon Mr Spotty jumped up and gave the best rendition of 3 Birds this side of Bob Marley (in my opinion). He showed such vigor and enthusiasm so much that everyone wanted to join him. That was my favorite moment of the webcast. I can close my eyes and just see him bringing the party to more life than it already had. Well soon it was time to move to the next party spot and what’s better than to party at home. LETS MOVE THE PARTY TO CATCHA!!!

So we grabbed a big group and headed to meet Booper and Jizzy at Ivan’s. When we hit the bar the party was in full force and we kicked it up a notch. So much so it was time for some Bob Marley Shots. I had this awesome picture of about 5 flaming shots all lined up in a row. It was an awesome shot, but since it’s not here you can guess what camera it was taken with.
After great drinks from Ty and Kevin it was time to make some drinks for them. I love being a bartender. When ever I do a bar job back at home I love making drinks for people, specially when they say make me something. Now its easy to make the cake vodka drinks so we busted out some libation for the crew and the staff.

Eventually we we decided to bust out our Chinese Lanterns that we hauled downt to Jamaica to set aloft in the ether. Okay some rules to adhere to whilst trying to set aloft a Chinese Lantern:

1-Check your lantern for holes
2-Its a 2 man/woman job.
3-It will take longer than you think
4-Just when the you think the lantern is ready to take off hold it a little longer.
5-When Booger is drunk don't let him help, you’ll set the entire lantern on fire before you can get it to lift off.

Oh and if you can try and get more than one off at a time, it'll be cool.

Well the party had to end at Catcha and there's no better place to have an after party than EDDIES Oh yeah. Eddies is always a fun time and to tell you the truth that was nothing but a blur. By now we’d become fixtures at Eddies and hell we were with co owner and supporter of Eddies, BOOGER. This time it was a whole crew of mischievous miscreants masquerading as sober people. The amount of smiling in the night is illegal in most states in the bible belt, so was probably half the ****e we were doing.

At some point my wife left it up to me to decided the end of the night while everyone wanted to move on. Frankly I was DONE and the party train had to leave the station. We bid adieu to our hunting party and said good travel. My beloved and I headed home just simply partied out for the day but still smiling a grin from here to the end of time

I found the cake vodka! My liquor store sells the 3 olives brand. I pureed a peach, added the vodka and some ice tea and wow! I tried that pineapple upside down cake one too - very popular among my girlfriends now. Thanks for sharing it with us!

Yum!!!
And it's my pleasure! Last night I tried a new one....Chocolate Cake vodka!
I mixed it with diet coke and it tasted just like chocolate cake! I was amazed!! AND delighted of course!

Man, I have to totally agree with you about Mr Spottycatz belting out 3 Little Birds. It caught me off guard and I was so fortunate to have a front row seat. His passion was infectious and after the band playing Happy Bday for Gonjon steel drum style the party was on. He and Rasta Stan provided some nice impromptu entertainment on several occasions.

Half owner of Eddie's? LOL! I did spend two more nights there this last reach hanging out with Bobo, Eddie, and Trevor and another few interesting locals.

Alright Marley, it's your turn. I cannot start reliving my latest reach until I finish reliving the reach in April.

No - they have chocolate cake vodka now? I'm done for! I am envisioning a chocolate espresso martini...How about chocolate cake vodka with a good cherry juice? Oh, 3 olives has a flavor called "Dude" - what is up with that? What does dude taste like lol? Jeff Bridges?

LOL....I know the Dude one makes me laugh
They have ALL sorts of flavors now, some sound delicious, some sound gross, others just sound weird
But all I can say is I think this calls for lots and lots of research on my part!
:)

So tell me, is the french toast at Xtabi better than the french toast at Catcha? That was my favorite!!!

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Originally Posted by garysteph1018

So tell me, is the french toast at Xtabi better than the french toast at Catcha? That was my favorite!!!

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You can throw the french toast at Teddy's at Blue Cave Castle into that mix. And Just Natural has killer french toast as does Country Country. We can start a whole new thread on french toast, but than we would lose Marley's contributions in all the other post.

love country country french toast! And Montana's has banana bread french toast. Now I will have to try Xtabi style and compare. I have had their lobster eggs benedict and the Jamaican breakfast which are fantastic, but have yet to sample the french toast.

Thanks for the ongoing reporting and photos (glad not all were lost)!

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Originally Posted by garysteph1018

So tell me, is the french toast at Xtabi better than the french toast at Catcha? That was my favorite!!!

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Yep I like Catcha's too....but I swear Xtabi's is better than any I have ever had EVER! ANYWHERE!
And what is weird is that there is nothing at all fancy about it, no special fillings or toppings or anything.....just plain old delicious French Toast!
Mmmmmmmmmmm

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Originally Posted by booger

You can throw the french toast at Teddy's at Blue Cave Castle into that mix. And Just Natural has killer french toast as does Country Country. We can start a whole new thread on french toast, but than we would lose Marley's contributions in all the other post.

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I love the idea of a French Toast thread. Plus now I think I should make a special trip just to do some serious French Toast research!!! Hmmmm, wonder if I could get that funded! LOL

Oh Oh, can I please be your assistant french toast tester? :)

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Originally Posted by marley9808

I love the idea of a French Toast thread. Plus now I think I should make a special trip just to do some serious French Toast research!!! Hmmmm, wonder if I could get that funded! LOL

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hmm Marley, it could be done, 9 french toasts in 9 days. Wow, that would take some stamina. OK, 6 french toasts in 9 days and lots of walks and swims to burn the carbs.

Eden and irieworld...I think we are on to something!

Okay, now I want french toast. Guess I know what I'll be having for breakfast!

Day 7: April 27, 2012

I woke up this morning with a smile on my face (much like I had every other day of this trip). Today would be a really good day, and a somewhat sad one as well. Today was the day of the Boardie Bash! I was so excited that I was finally going to be attending a Negril.com Boardie Bash rather than just watching it on the webcast or hearing about it on the board! I smiled again when I realized that I would be meeting EVEN MORE boardies today, which was hard to imagine since in the last 6 days I had met more boardies than I have on any of our previous trips combined. I was excited to party with my already newly found family as well as the other boardies who I had yet to meet! And based on the fun I had been having with all of the boardies I HAD met so far, I knew this was going to be one hell of a party. I also knew, however, that tonight would be the last night for some of our friends and that would mean goodbyes would be coming and that made me sad, but I quickly put that out of my mind and focused on all the fun that was to be had. Ninja and I woke up and headed out to breakfast where Sweetness was saving our usual table for us. I got my large cup of rum cream (oops I mean coffee, of course)

This morning’s breakfast: French Toast with warm banana at Catcha (doesn’t this look delicious? It was....but still not better than Xtabi’s)

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After breakfast we hung out around Catcha for the remainder of the morning until it was time for the Bash. We got dressed and ready and hopped on the scooters to head down to Canoe. I checked with Mauvette to make sure that the special treat we had ordered for the party had been delivered to Canoe and she confirmed that it had, so with that we were off....

We rode our scooters down to Canoe and as soon as we arrived it was not hard to see that the party was already in effect! We heard some greetings being yelled out to us as we pulled up and I was already happy to be there. We entered and saw some of the usual suspects already inside. First order of business, Ninja ordered us some drinks and we toasted to those who were there and those who would be soon arriving. The Steel Band was set up outside and already starting to jam. So many introductions and laughs and stories and fun was had this day. Here are a few photos from the event:

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After a while of fun and laughs, Rob announces it is time for the Group Photo so we all (eventually) make our way down onto the beach and line up, there were several versions of this photo taken that day, here is the one we managed to get

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After the group shot I asked the kitchen if they could bring out our special treat. We had ordered a special rum cake just for the Boardie Bash. This is what we refer to as the world’s BEST RUM CAKE (ever) and I had offered to purchase one and bring it to the bash back in December when I first started the roll call thread. I thought it would be a good way to entice folks to come LOL

Mmmmmmmmmm rum cake

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Not even sure what time it was or how long we had been there but at some point we got a call to meet Booper and Jizzy back up at Catcha for dinner and drinks. It was their last night and we knew we would be closing down Ivan’s for that! So I told GG and Sweetiepie and Markus and Daisy and since by this point we were all staying at Catcha it just made sense to head back there for a nice special dinner. Ninja and I hopped on our scooters and GG, SP, Daisy and Markus followed in a van. We decided first to stop off at Just Natural to get a detox of some sort lol, so we did.

Our sweet rides parked outside of Just Natural

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While we were there, everyone ordered up some mighty delicious juices and enjoyed chatting. It began to rain so we waited it out there and I ordered some pumpkin soup which was excellent. GG got some much needed detox and also a very loving foot rub for his swollen feet and soon after the rain let up and we headed on to Catcha. By that time I believe Booper and Jizzy had already enjoyed their dinner so we got a table for Ninja and I, Guirigay, Sweetiepie, Markus and Daisy. After hearing several recommendations for the Seafood Linguine from everyone who had ever ordered it, I decided to go with that, as did Daisy. Ninja ordered the Pineapple Ginger Chicken and Guirigay ordered the dish that was almost just like Chicken Lola (but with snapper I believe). I don’t remember what anyone else had but I do remember how amazingly delicious the Seafood Linguine was and that much like the Xtabi French Toast I will now vow to eat this dish as much as possible! LOL

Here are some photos of the meal (except mine, apparently I ate it too fast to take a picture hahaha)

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We started getting heckled from a rowdy gang that was seated up at Ivan’s bar. They were yelling at us to finish our meals already and come drink! Wonder who that could be? So we headed back up to Ivan’s and assumed the natural and usual bar stool positions. I look over and notice Booger eating some pumpkin soup and I holler out, “HEY!” Because while we were at dinner I asked for the pumpkin soup and was told they didn’t have it that night, instead it was conch or something. So when I saw Booger eating it and then later Tizzy, slurping it, I was hot! Booger informed me he had the chef make him a special order (suck up) but at least he did share a bit with me so I soon forgave him.

mmmm pumpkin soup...slurp :)

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I decided it was time for another drink and as I looked around at the smiling faces of all of my new family of friends I thought what would be a fitting drink to toast this night. I then remembered one of my favorite specialty drinks from back in the college days. We all used to go to a bar for Happy Hour on what they called “Thirsty Thursday” and order these for $2! Ahh memories. But funny enough, the drink is not always known by every bartender in the world so I am surprised when some bartenders actually are aware of it. I remember from our First Anniversary that Ty at Catcha is one of those bartenders who does know it, God Bless him so I holler out, “Ty! A round of Miami Vices for everyone!” He nods and smiles and all of the turtles turn to me and say “Miami Vice? What is that?” And so I just smile and say, just wait, you will see, and you will LOVE it! And they did.....

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A Miami Vice is a Pina Colada and Strawberry Daiquiri mixed together. Ty gets fancy with his and adds what I think might be a little bit of Blue Curacao
We all enjoy our tasty beverages and some laughs as usual, just like we have done all week.....and what a week it has been, with some really great people.

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Next thing you know Booger brings out his ipod and gives it to Kevin to hook up to the bar sound system. In a few minutes we all join in on a very special “Kevin and Ty show” Luckily it was a song that we all seemed to know so everyone joined in as Kevin and Ty led. They even passed the flashy mic around to others for a verse, just ask Pooper....in my opinion, she stole the show!

The restaurant closes up and Vevienne joins us at the bar to celebrate her birthday. She wants to do a shot and we ask her what shot. She says “I want a Flaming Bob” and the crowd goes quiet. LOL She looks around “Oh come on, who will do one with me?” And to that challenge, Tizzy steps up and says “I will, girl!”

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They both take those shots like pros and then some other antics ensue from the staff at Catcha to help Vevienne celebrate her birthday and with that we all have a good laugh. The staff there is the best! As the night is coming to a close we also realize that this will be the last night this whole group is together as tomorrow Booger, Pooper, Tizzy and Gonjon will be returning home. So we decide we need to take some sort of group shot and there would be no better place to take it than at Ivan’s bar. Tizzy points out a sign in the bar and says that would be the best place for us all to gather for the group shot. So we all move to the area and after a long and elaborate camera positioning, testing and setup process we capture the group shot under the sign that reads “Friends and Family Gather Here”

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After the group photo it was time to let off our Chinese Lanterns. We had originally brought them to try and time it to let them off during the same time the folks on the beach were letting theirs off for Farmers Daughters wedding. I think they had originally said 9pm but we had been out there at 9 and didn’t see any. By now it was about 10pm I think or possibly later (either way I think we JUST missed them) but since we had done a practice run the night before we were much better this time. We handed out the lanterns to everyone including the staff at Catcha and even some other bar patrons and we headed to the cliffs to let them off into the sky. I can think of no better way to end one of the best trips ever than to stand on the cliffs under the moonlight with your friends and some of the best staff around which is also like family and launch wish lanterns into the nights sky. As I lit mine and let it go I looked around to all of my friends doing the same. Yes of course we were sad but still everyone of us was smiling. I looked at my lantern drifting up into the sky and realized my wish had already come true....as I had wished to share moments like these with good friends in great places for the rest of my life, and with this group I know that will continue to happen!

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Stay tuned...up next Day 8 (Chilling at Catcha)

That is beautiful Marley ♥ Can't wait to experience this with all of you when the turtles reunite next April. ♥

I LOVE that photo of everyone at the bar...just look at the faces...an awesome moment frozen in time :-)

As usual I'm the bottle neck, choke point all around clogged artery. I promise to update ASAP.

ok Ninja, Raul, Rolanzo, RA-HOOL, or another of the many aliases u seem to use lol sorry... i got excited cuz I thought It was up but no... just waiting....

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Originally Posted by Beebeluv

ok Ninja, Raul, Rolanzo, RA-HOOL, or another of the many aliases u seem to use lol sorry... i got excited cuz I thought It was up but no... just waiting....

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​The dude is a tease, all but killed my man crush......

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Originally Posted by booger

​The dude is a tease, all but killed my man crush......

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i see... damn sorry about ur bro-mance...lol

LOL, I took the bait too....

and still nuthin :p

Okay people while you wait enjoy this awesome Dragon Fly video.

http://youtu.be/B8t_sAwFUIA

Damn did I make you look again :)

DOH!

you wrong for that

hahaha

Ooooooooh I LOVED the dragonfly video :)


But LOL babe....don't tease them like that...they will be texting me soon to slap you! Hahaha