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Continued from previous page...
Mauvette began to lead us through the pathways of Catcha falling star to Ivans Bar.
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I can't really describe how I felt in words when I saw the grounds for the first time. It was kind of like walking into a beautiful painting, another world.. with lush landscape all around us, the ocean spread out before us sparkling in the sun, the sound of birds in the trees, trickling water from the pool waterfall..people laughing in the distance..
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My eyes involuntarily filled with tears, which is so sappy and dramatic, I know.. I was just really happy to be there. All the events of our whole trip to Jamaica came rushing back to me at that one moment and I just felt so incredibly GRATEFUL... for all of this...
Markus was speechless too. We just walked around slowly taking it all in..
I think the pictures can speak for themselves. Catcha falling star is just beautiful..
http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/...01catcha12.jpg
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(Markus in awe - look at his face)
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I remember him saying "How did we get here? How are we so lucky to be here? LOOK at this place!"
Eventually we ended up back in front of Ivan's bar
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We had our first two dirty bananas... A creamy and delicious gift.. We savored every sip!
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(Markus enjoying his Dirty Banana)
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I felt ourselves slowing down, easing into the chair lower..feeling utterly relaxed and happy.
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Ok nice trip report you will have to book pack and go to write another one. Check the airfares soon.
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Mauvette suddenly appeared with the keys to the Gemini Cottage. "Your room is ready"
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Entrance to the Gemini Cottage
The cottage was really cute and quaint inside.. Towel art on the bed, sculptures and paintings on the walls. A nice bathroom and shower. Fridge, warddrobe, CD player, TV.. everything you could need.
http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/...catcharoom.jpg
We walked out to the back porch area and sat down at the picnic table. Markus immediately pulled out the bottle of rum for a celebratory drink.
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We chilled for a while on the back porch before going back inside the cottage to unpack.
THAT'S when I realized that my wallet was missing! I searched through my suitcase, in all the pockets, in the computer bag, in my purse over and over..
"Markus have you seen my wallet?" I asked
He shook his head, but he helped me search for it. "what's in it?", He asked.
"All my identification, credit cards and our last $120 in US dollar bills! We are so screwed. What are we going to do??" I whispered.
"Okay, don't panic.. lets retrace our steps. When did you see it last?", He asked
"Seastar Inn", I said "I don't know..."
"Lets call them"
So we went back to Mauvette and told her the situation. She immediately grabbed the phone and dialed the Seastar number.
Chris answered and I told him what I was missing. He put me on hold and went to go search my room. Then he returned and said "Yes, I found it in your room! It's here"
Relief...
Markus and I did a happy dance with Mauvette. Then we head down the road towards Seastar Inn again. We passed a bunch of lazy goats and some kids drove by on bikes laughing together.
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Chris was there at the front desk and he handed me my wallet with a smile.
"See? I told you we'd be back!" I said with a laugh. Everything was in my wallet, all the money, cards and ID. I nearly fell over with gratefulness. I tried to offer Chris a tip and he wouldn't have it.
Thank you Chris!! You saved our trip!
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We stopped by a little grocery store on the corner and picked up some snacks + Redstripe. During our walk, no one approached us to sell anything or ask any questions. It was just really chill.. like walking through a neighborhood. I realized at that moment that from now on we were always going to split our trips between beach and Cliffs. I love the energy and craziness of the beach, I'll always be a beach girl at heart...but this relaxation was really appealing to me too. I loved it more than I expected to...
On our way back into Catcha, we met benevolent Ben...The pet golden retriever of Catcha Falling Star
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Markus loves dogs. He had picked up some vienna sausages at the store and he fed them to a happy Ben. At that moment, the two of them were officially the best of friends.
We changed into our bathingsuits and decided to do some snorkeling..
I was admittedly nervous about entering the water. I couldn't get over my lionfish fear.. I just stood there at the ladder, staring into the deep mysterious blue..A feeling of anxiety gripped my chest. I felt paralyzed. unable to move...
http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/...01catcha11.jpg
I asked Markus to go in first and investigate the waters. I requested that he comb the vicinity for Lionfish and report back. He thought I was being a little silly but agreed to patrol the water first while I watched from the sideline biting my nails.
He emerged from below and gave me the thumbs up
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"All clear! No Terrors of the deep!" He said "Get in here already!"
I lept off the ladder and into the crystal clear cool turquoise water. Bubbles darted in front of my mask and when they cleared, I could see a whole underwater world of fish and coral.. sgt majors swam by, and random colorful fish were collecting around the different reefs.. I felt weightless, alive and completely fascinated.
I took Markus's hands and we began to explore together..
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Afterwards, I lay in a secluded cove on a comfortable lounge chair.. I let the warm sun lick the droplets of sea water off my skin and gazed at the mesmerizing view of the sparkling ocean.. It was so relaxing...
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Markus continued snorkeling, but would come to bring me the treasures he found on the seafloor.. conch shells, glittering smooth pieces of glass...We decorated the little shelves carved into the rocks around us with all his finds. They might still be there now.
http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/...rkusfindst.jpg
At that moment, I decided that we were never going to leave Jamaica. This is our place. We were in heaven..
To be continued by Markus
Up next: 3 Dives with Jamar and The Beach Bar dance party.
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Bet & I had that cabin last Feb. She loved Catcha and we were looking to book back while we were still there. The weeks we were looking at both Gemini's were already taken.
Thanks for the photos to remind me. It is a nice change from my office.
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Clarity thanks for sharing the pictures....the ocean and the grounds look so awesome there! Glad you had such a wonderful time and found your vibe! :)
