gettin our Groove on, trip report april '17

I went in solo for a few days for my birthday...dropped my bags off at the room and hit the beach running...started out at barbbarn, said hello the Ann and her crew beside bourbon beach, then yellowbird, sunnyside, live music with otis gayle, duckie, frank ard and others, and then a stop by drifters on the way back...
a few pics of the journey

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Oh I bet this is going to be good!

Ahhh some Negril beach pics!!!:D

Groove16, and then?????

More please!

VVHT

Great pictures. Wish they hadn't replaced the chairs with stools a Drifters though.

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Originally Posted by SLP

Great pictures. Wish they hadn't replaced the chairs with stools a Drifters though.

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I agree with you, the stools are so hard.....

BTW, you have the awesome pics...you inspired 2 of my crew to go buy new cameras after seeing your pics earlier this year...they both got the one you recommended...

So i only stay at Drifters for just a little while...the travel day exhaustion is setting in...plus it is very hot, very very hot....i was sweating and burning up...lol...so back to sunrise club to regroup....I ordered pizza, the trilogy...chicken, pepporoni and bacon...they usually have the toppings over third each of the pizza...i like it scattered all over the pizza....it was a nice pizza, and simple, since i could regroup while it cooked....

I woke up when i had a knock on my door..the pizza was being delivered...I wasnt planning on falling asleep, but I guess it was a needed 30 minute nap...I went to bed at 2am the night before...4am wake up, 30 minute drive to macon for a shuttle...shuttle hour and half to ATL airport, in dwaynes car at mobay at 1215....

I go across to Bourbon Beach, but as mentioned in a couple other trip reports, BB is not happening on this trip...I stay for a little while, and head down to Alfreds for Friday night live music....A decent crowd....party in the sand, which is what we love so much about Negril...A good first day in my happy place...,

I get up and do my morning routine, take a beach walk before it gets too hot and the hustle and bustle starts...I dont take anything but a couple pre rolled subs and a waterproof container for my lighter if i need to take a dip...I cut in at BarBBarn and then decide which way to go...I go right...walk to White Sands, take a dip to cool off,(my first dip in the water) climb the tower and people watch for about 10 minutes as I dry...then back to sunrise club...I need to change money and get a few supplies...so i walk to town...the sidewalk has made this walk so much easier than it was before sidewalk...

roundabout...Protect yur head, dont end up dead
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Burger King..I still have not eaten there...I have walked in and borrowed some A/C..only 2 resturants that i have been in Negril with A/C are Sweet Spice in town by at anthonys and Burger King...
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this is the Chinamon store, this is where i normally get my supplies and change money...a box of red stripe was always about 500 cheaper and exchange rate was always about 400 better...not this time...red stripe cheaper at hi lo...exchange rate same as I can get delivered to my room....so i went to hi lo, got my few supplies and exchanged money at the cambio, since it was the same rate...
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my favorite lunch spot is the corner bar...it has many selections...I eat here every time i am near it for lunch...I also love 3 stars on the beach, but corner bar has more variety...
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my view for my lunches, tables across the street from corner bar
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Back at the room, cooler loaded, deciding what treat I am eating today
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walked down the lane beside BarBBarn to the beach...

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walk down to Fun Holiday to confirm my reservations for later in the week...took a dip in the pool and my buddy Yoshi, Bartender, made me a refreshing vodka slush,
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this is Double D....both their names began with D....I saw them many times my first week...they were staying at barrys and moved to moms place....
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had a pina colada at sunnyside
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a view of the beach
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a rum punch at alfreds as i watch some sports...these guys were good...
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i finished my beach day with 2 for 1 somethings at yellow bird...
back to the sunrise club...this was easter weekend...there was a big party being held next door at Babooze or Bamboo or whatever...it was a huge event, folks from all over the island...a battle of the dj's....so if i wanted to get to bed early, no chance of that....the music was good at times, but just when i get into a song, the loud ass DJ starts screaming like he is being atttacked or something...a whole lot of noise...EVERYBODY STRIKE YOUR LIGHTAS....I went to Bourbon to listen to swallow and mark irie...then watched and listened to the party from my porch until 2am..2am sharp it all cut off...another great day in my happy place

Love the pics. Have you stayed at Barry's?

we have not staYed at barrys..i had a friend stay there this trip...he said he would stay there again

the next day was Sunday April 16th...it was Easter Sunday...it was also my Birthday...It started out with a slow morning on the veranda...they were clanging and banging stuff together next door, taking down the stuff from last nights party and moving it over to cayenne beach, for todays party...It is a wet and wild soaking wet party...that has been my plans all month for my birthday...I take a walk down the beach this time towards town...I get to the river and decide corner bar again for lunch...I cross the river behind burger king and go get my lunch....I walk back to sunrise club...I get my beach stuff and set up my base at BarBBarn...Michael Dendy, long time security always takes care of me when I hang there...I lay in the sun, bake for awhile, swim in the sea, bake, swim, repeat...It is getting to be about 2pm...I have now decided to go to drifters for awhile before cayenne beach....cayenne beach runs from 2pm-until??So i head to the room to get some money and supplies for the day...I leave my beach stuff set up at my base...

Here is how quick plans change in Negril...As i am crossing the street,, I see Lenbert and the party bus pass by towards the AI's...I give him a call...new birthday plans...a pub crawl.....I forget about my stuff on the beach and head out to meet the bus...(the next morning, I couldnt find my towel and beach bag...I guess I left it on the pub crawl..as I walked by BarBBarn, michael yelled at me that he had my stuff...lol)
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As I get on the bus, Lenbert introduces me as the guy who has rode the bus more than anyone else, 20 plus time..it is actually 17...he then told the bus full of AI people that it was my birthday and led them in singing Happy Birthday...he saw my birthday on facebook that morning...

we go to a new stop for him on the road towards Sav, past st anthonys...it is the mega vibe...I went to a Monday madness party last april with booger and sandy
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I walked down the road to look around.
this is the field across the road.
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a look at the bus from down the road
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a group shot
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a few colorful signs on the road
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The next stop on the pub crawl is No Name Bar...this is the first time I have been here and was looking forward to it....
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from a distance, I see Terryl, owner of T's by da Sea...
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Terryl, Crystal Axe (awesome singer) and Chris, son of Otis Gayle
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Another change in plans...I decide to stay with Terryl at the No Name Bar...the Overtakers are performing with Crystal Axe and Princess Tia...We listen to music for an hour or so, then she was going to do her sunday routine...Live music at Chances for sunset.....Ok another change in plans...I'm game...Let's go

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I see some friends we see every April...Tami, and Lisa, along with their friend Sara....

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Terryl and Tami
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Lisa and Tami
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Chances Pizza...Yummm..thin crust
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And my favorite pics....SUNSETS.....sunset at Chances on my birthday 4-16-17....
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I walk back to sunrise club, regroup and then head out...again bourbon beach with a very small boring crowd...Alfred's for Live sunday jam.....the music was bad and the crowd was small....everyone was at cayenne beach...I sit on the wall outside sunrise and watch the people for an hour or so before bed...a great birthday in my happy place....

Monday was a regular beach day, lunch at Alfreds...Fish and Chips
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My longtime friend, Patrick
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fish and chips
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I was sitting at BarBBarn when I saw a truck coming out the lane and take a left up the beach...he got about 10 yards before he was stuck....about 3 hours later, and 1000's of suggestions by the crowd, he was finally pulled around by a 4 wheel drive toyota

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The next day was Tuesday...Janet arrives this evening...I am moving to Fun Holiday...I get my driver, go to Hi lo for Janets supplies and then I ove...I love Fun Holiday...they gave me a free upgrade to one of the 2 bottom floor ocean front suites....I get treated like I belong there...Janet was supposed to land at 8ish and in negril about 10pm...but she was delayed..landed about midnight, in negril at 140ish...Dwayne Taxi and tours waited for her like a champ....most reliable tranfers service in negril...

more in a day or 2....

Groove, nicely done!

Enjoy,

VVHT

Man I wish I had tried Alfred's Fish and Chips. Good excuse for me to plan another trip.

Thanks for all of your gorgeous pix and the stories which accompany them.

That was the end of phase one of the trip, otherwise known as the calm before the storm....

My beautiful wife, Janet, arrived late tues night, so wednesday was her first day...she wanted to take a beach walk to see some old friends..we walk the beach until it ended at the river by town and turned around...on the way back, we stopped by NBCC and visited Babalew, a long time boardie friend...

we made our way back to fun holiday, we had an A/I package which we found a deal for 12 dollars a person a day..less than 30 dollars for the both of us....couldnt pass it up...the 2nd member of our group, Vicki, also arrived that day...she was a newbie, first time out of the US....

pics of Janet and Vicki

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we did a beach day, and fun holiday always has entertainment for the guests...tonight was a contest that Janet won...her prize was lap dances from 4 of the winning guests.... a very funny time...I got some videos ill put on facebook...

we went to listen to live music at roots bamboo this night....it was next door to fun holiday....we recruited several fun holiday guests to go with us...most had not left the property at night....Vicki's first night, so i walk her back to the room...we have a group of 10 or so partying with us at roots...then the power goes out...no music, no lights, no anything...lights out at fun holiday all up the beach...Janet is ready for bed so i walk her back to the room and grab some candles and flashlight...we party in the dark at roots with candles for light for a couple hours, as it is still early, guessing it is close to midnight.....it was a fun night, and another experience that happens only in negril...

one of the couples from fun holiday that experienced the outage with me..greg and nancy...it was their last day

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Are we holding hands? Awwww how sweet...
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It is Thursday, and the party is getting bigger...Boardies BillnDonna, some of our best friends, arrive...we have been to their house in NC probably 8 times, a couple times a year at least...several of our crew all arrive within the next few days....

beach walk for the new arrivals

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we end up at a favorite place, Sunnyside

Janet and Bill
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the beautiful Donna, aka Jaws, aka Momma J...
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Vicki is the newbie...she stayed in our room at FH the first night, then moved to Rondel when BillnDonna arrived...we move tomorrow and by Sunday, we will have 7 rooms and 12 people gardenside at rondel...
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We end up at Woodstock for live music on Thursday night...we are joined by several of our friends...the calm has been replaced by a constant party....This is OUR Negril...We do Playcations....

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the last ones standing..Bill and Donna...Terry and Janet...Jeff and Amy

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If you are ever looking for my friends Bill and Donna, if it is daylight, it is a good chance they are in the pool...but if it is after dark and you hear music, look for them dancing in the sand....they enjoy that more than anyone I know...one of the musicians from woodstock thursday night saw them walking down the sidewalk the next day..he pulled his car over, gave them a cd and thanks them for getting the crowd on the dance floor...errr, i mean sand...

Wait a minute, wait a minute, Janet won that contest, and won the drawing at the bell flop, me thinks the fix is in !!! :) lol I love you JANET !!!!!!

Been waiting for this one. You have the best reports here, IMO.

Thanks my friend...it is a labor of love...I get to reflect on our trip as I see and post the pics...

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Originally Posted by TAH

Been waiting for this one. You have the best reports here, IMO.

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We have been known to dance during daylight hours but it's an option we pretty much save for Drifters!!Thanks for Sharing Terry ,you do an awesome trip report!!

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Originally Posted by billndonna

We have been known to dance during daylight hours but it's an option we pretty much save for Drifters!!Thanks for Sharing Terry ,you do an awesome trip report!!

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you guys dance whenever you hear music....you make the most of this time we have on earth....we love you guys and am so glad we get to share our time with you...

Friday would b moving day....we are moving from Fun Holiday to Rondel Village....we are gonna be joined at Rondel by fellow boardies BillnDonna, Roymon and Sheri, Justchuck and Cathy, Sunjam and her Aunt Virginia, Livin in the 603, Negrilfound42, and Vicki, a newbie to negril.....also on the beach side is boardie Ziggy and Zelda....100 yards up the road is White Sands, where fellow boardies and members of our crew are staying...Meinvancouver and Dolly, JoJoP, CosmicMoose, Bruce, Spreadlove and her sister Vicki...

those who know us know that we bring many things to give away and many things that we MIGHT need....some call our room the flea market...here are our bags when we moved from FH to Rondel...i flagged down a driver out front, he saw all the stuff, shookhis head no and left...lol...i called a driver i know...he came...he said 2 trips...i said no, i will walk, just cram it is...if it dont fit, force it....lol

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Lmao!! Definite flea market! Love it!!

After the move to Rondel, we settle in and do some pool time...then we head to Tonys hut, also known as the Game Room...Milton hooks us up with COLD beer and great rum punch....
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group photo before we move to Boat Bar
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We moved from Tonys Hut to Boat Bar..Live music...we were joined by several friends, including tanee, kaye, Tami and Lisa...

red stripe Lemon flavor
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red stripe sorrell flavor
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Johnnys buds
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Excellent, nice photos and report,
Thanks Groove16

Whew I tried that Red Stripe Lemon! Not for me. Tasted like overly sweetened carbonated lemonade.

I was curious about those Red Stripes!

Great stuff, Groove! I look forward to your trip reports every year.

Those new Red Stripes kinda remind me of the Bud Light Cranberr-Ritas that come in the little cans. Not into the tooty-fruity stuff - just give me a classic Red Stripe.

I'm loving your report! Thanks for taking the time to write and share your pictures! Looks like a great time!