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West End Tales: July 2023
Irie Times begin:
Minimal lines at Immigrations and Customs. Only line was at duty free, due to credit card machine not working! Cash only!
Oz was waiting for us and we went to Valerie’s in Sandy Bay. Big hugs all around!
Great spot for a break on the ride to Negril.
Picked up Rob on the West End Road and off to Seastar Inn.
Plane landed at 2:30, checked in at Seastar at 5:30! Fast fast
Chris checked us in to our rooms and then off to the bar for food and drinks!
Pan fried red snapper with rice and peas, too many red stripes to count!
Garrett was there with his son and daughter, what great kids and a wonderful Father.
Ricky 22 PAC stopped by and the nite continued until Happy had to call it a night!
Long travel day fatigue.
Slept like a log.
Headed to the pool soon.
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Re: West End Tales: July 2023
Went for a swim, pool was nice and warm!
Waiting for my buddy to come down for breakfast. Having a cup of coffee and chilling!
Photos:
Keenan at Seastar, the morning waitress
My private pool at Seastar
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Re: West End Tales: July 2023
Sounds like fun! I miss Negril so much. Loving the trip reports! Pan fried snapper....yummy. Cant wait to hear more! :eagerness:
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Re: West End Tales: July 2023
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Re: West End Tales: July 2023
After breakfast, we walked up to West End Road, visited Cone Cup & Stick, chatted it up with Mason.
Stopped at Wise Choice for supplies. As we walked out of Wise Choice, bumped into Tom from Rick’s Cafe. Great guy and nice chat.
Back to Seastar, into the pool. Chilled BIG time.
Chicken club for lunch, more pool time.
Now nap time, big night tonight!
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Re: West End Tales: July 2023
Your trip reports a fantastic! Thank you so much for taking us along!
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Re: West End Tales: July 2023
Great that you made it! Keep it all coming!
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Re: West End Tales: July 2023
Oh man, what a late night!
Where to begin.....
Steve Positive Tours picked us up at 5pm, off to Ricky 22 Pac’s Birthday bash near the car wash on the West End Road. Music blasting and Red Stripes flowing!
Ricky has a wonderful outlook on life and is a good friend.
Then off to Xtabi for dinner, great table right on the edge. I have never eaten at Xtabi in over 30 years. Great dinner and lots of laughs! David the owner stopped by and had a nice chat. Kevin was our waiter and he was excellent!
The food was amazing!
After dinner, quick stop at Seastar, then downtown to hit the ATM.
We stopped at Mi Yard and the fun began! Late night with many friends on the porch! Delroy and Pearl kept the drinks and food flowing til after midnight!
Garfield dropped me off at Seastar. Chris kept the bar open for a few more!
Today is a lay low day. I’ll post photos later.
Enjoy,
Happy aka VVHT
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Re: West End Tales: July 2023
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Re: West End Tales: July 2023
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Re: West End Tales: July 2023
Nice photos! Sounds like it was a fun night! :eagerness:
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Re: West End Tales: July 2023
After breakfast we walked up to the West End Road and grabbed a route taxi to Mi Yard, had settle up the bill from last night.
WLked to Canoe and Carla stored our phones and keys behind the bar.
Into the water with my new snorkel gear and short fins. Went left around the pier then across to the other side of Canoe about 50 yards out. Abundant fish of many varieties!
Water was nice and warm, no seaweed and crystal clear!
Absolutely marvelous time. Spent an hour snorkeling.
Chilled the porch and ordered an early lunch. Carla did a great job keeping Happy happy!
Route taxi downtown to ATM, then another one back to SeStar lane. Quick jump in the pool to cool off and now nap time.
Dinner tonight at LTU.
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Re: West End Tales: July 2023
Beautiful morning here at Seastar.
Sunday night at Ricky’s B’day Bash Fernando showed up to sing a song or two. He used to sing at Seastar Saturday nights. That night there was a 100 Year Party on the West End Road for Inez Hylton. She had 13 Kids, 49 grand kids, 76 great grand kids and 18 great great grand kids! It was a major party, we tried to stop by, but no parking.
Yesterday was a chill day after snorkeling. Garret drove us to Meka’s bar on the West End not far from Seastar Lane. Then on to LTU for dinner and drinks. Serena kept us supplied with cold red stripes. Ricky stopped by, Garret showed up with his son and daughter, Kaneal and Adrianna. Dinner was chicken Lola, no pumpkin soup last night. Later on Scar face and Garret showed up on their scooters and we hopped a ride back to Seastar, were Osheen did a wonderful job keeping everyone at the bar happy.
More snorkeling today.
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Re: West End Tales: July 2023
Thanks for sharing! We love LTU pub! We have been to the saturday night shows at Seastar in the past but never stayed there. It is on our list. The pool looks so relaxing. :encouragement:
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Re: West End Tales: July 2023
VVHT,
Very nice trip report and Seastar looks very cool!! Never been there but photos are great. Please keep up the report as many really enjoy it!! Thank you!!
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Re: West End Tales: July 2023
Nice, I've always enjoyed the setup at Sea Star Inn. Good food too.
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Re: West End Tales: July 2023
Your brief mention of LTU has me taking a mental vacation. We always stay across the street at LTU Gardens (crawling distance). Serena is the best along with that whole crew and chicken Lola is one of my faves. We would be arriving soon for our annual two weeks but unexpected personal obligations makes it look like next spring before we can get back. If you pass by again give greetings to all from Preston and Kathleen.
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Re: West End Tales: July 2023
After breakfast we dropped off our laundry and walked up to WE Road, grabbed a route taxi to Canoe. Kanisha was our host. Changed into swim trunks and into the sea.
Wonderful 90 minutes in the sea. Amazing variety and quantity of fishes. Snorkel gear is working great!
Early lunch at Canoe and grabbed a route taxi downtown to ATMs. Tried CBIS 1st and it wasn’t working. Kip tried NCB and I waited in line at Scotia. Scott’s was dispensing larger notes than NCB. Still getting used to the new currency.
Walking downtown looking for a route taxi back to Seastar. Someone shouts “Happy ya need a ride”. It’s Errol from Seastar to save the day..
One or two of the route taxi drivers have attempted to turn it into a charter, need to understand when ya get in. Red plates and local decal on the door. Official price is now 155 J. Me and Kip give them 500 J per trip. Our choice to tip.
Hit the pool at Seastar.
Headed to Fisherman’s Village around 4 to visit Tasha’s bar. Dinner tonight at Seastar.
Nap time
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Re: West End Tales: July 2023
Photos:
My favorite Negril shirt
Road work in front of Mi Yard.
One guy on a scooter with one bucket of cement.
Please express our gratitude to the MP for a job well done repairing the West End! The tourist dollars we bring in are being well spent on infrastructure to support the tourist business!! 😱
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Re: West End Tales: July 2023
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Re: West End Tales: July 2023
Thanks for your trip reports! Always enjoy your tales! Yeah, the “road work “ on the West End has a lot to be desired…We were in Negril earlier in July. Went to the West End two evenings for dinner at Kool Vybz & Murphy’s. The road was challenging in places…
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Re: West End Tales: July 2023
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Re: West End Tales: July 2023
Beautiful morning here at Seastar Inn.
Chef Baker is back at Seastar cooking in the kitchen a couple of dats a week.
Roosters are cackling away across the lane, one of the Seastar cats is meowing for breakfast, and yard dogs are barking here and there, doves are cooing. All just part of the scene here in paradise.
Was up early and went for a swim in my private pool.
Early evening did a bar crawl in the Fisherman’s Village across the lane. Started at Tasha’s for a few cold one’s then on to Delroy’s for a few more.
Garret explained that the abundant bread fruit and Akee trees are free to anyone to pick from. I tell him, in the US, if they are on my property, you pay to pick.
Walking in the village, I spot a Jamaican dollar coin on the ground. No one wants to pick it up, not worth anything.
Make our way back to Seastar for dinner and drinks. Curried shrimp with rice and peas. Walk Baker home and call it an early night.
Enjoy,
VVHT aka Happy
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Re: West End Tales: July 2023
Decided today is a chill day. Will float in the pool and take a break from sun, heat and humidity!
Spanish omelette with a large fruit plate for breakfast. Baker did a nice job!
Tough decision to make: pool or hammock?
Enjoy,
VVHT aka Happy
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Re: West End Tales: July 2023
Just got out of the pool and chilling on my balcony.
Some guy across the lane is singing on a karaoke machine.
Me say to the housekeeper “ him practicing”
She say “him need more practice”! I agree
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Re: West End Tales: July 2023
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Re: West End Tales: July 2023
Another beautiful morning in Paradise here at Seastar.
Yesterday was a chill day, we hung out at Seastar. Baker worked a double shift, so we had Breakfast, lunch and dinner at Seastar.
Lots of pool time yesterday.
Late afternoon we strolled over to Fisherman’s Village and stopped at CC’s for a few cold ones with Garret, Flam, Garfield, Sandy, Dave and Delroy.
Lots of laughs!
Saw more Jamaican coins on Love Lane.
Headed back to Seastar for dinner. Lively crowd at Seastar Inn last night.
Could be another chill day today.
Maybe Coco La Palm for dinner tonight.
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Re: West End Tales: July 2023
Enjoying your trip and photos with my morning coffee! The chill days sound very relaxing. I am looking forward to reading more! :cool-new:
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Re: West End Tales: July 2023
Good morning from Seastar Inn!
Yesterday we decided to chill at Seastar. Late afternoon the skies opened up and it rained hard.
After dinner we walked over to Fisherman’s Village and spent some time at a bar run by Denise, can’t remember the name of the bar. Returned to Seastar for a few more and early to bed.
Headed up to Somerville Resort for breakfast this morning. Baker is the chef and invited us for breakfast.
Going for a road tour later on with some friends.
This has been an amazing trip!
Thank you for you positive comments!
Enjoy,
VVHT aka Happy
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Re: West End Tales: July 2023
Hey Happy,
You're making us all happy hearing your daily activities. I remember long ago being in Negril in the 70's and doing the same kind of stuff hanging around for weeks at a time. I never stayed on the cliffs but rather enjoyed the beach living. Man it looks like Seastar Inn is a great spot!! Enjoy your visit and thanks again for the awesome trip report
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Re: West End Tales: July 2023
Last day blues!
Baker prepared a wonderful National breakfast at the Sommerville Resort. It was delicious!
Miss Joyce gave us a tour of some rooms. She did an excellent job building the place. Incredible attention to detail.
We walked back to Seastar, Hot Hot Hot.
Took a ride to Sav. Had a few at QQ Bar and various other spots. As the rain moved in, we headed back to Negril. Stopped at Meka’s for a few more. Ended up at Seastar. Pool and then nap.
Rob came over for drinks and dinner, Garret, Baker and Flam joined us. Chris recommend steaks for dinner and Delroy did a nice job! Called it a night early and went for my last night swim at Seastar.
Working on my Attestation form next, then go for a swim and breakfast. Oz is bringing us back to Mo Bay. Gonna be fun fun getting out of Negril today with all the festivities in town.
It has been an incredible adventure! Especially enjoy bringing Kippy for his second trip and watching him have a blast!
Enjoy,
VVHT aka Happy
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Re: West End Tales: July 2023
Thanks for sharing your fun trip and photos! I have enjoyed it! :encouragement:
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Re: West End Tales: July 2023
Always enjoy your trip reports and pics Happy. Wish I could visit as often as you!! Just curious, is the Fisherman's village across the lane from Seastar??
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Re: West End Tales: July 2023
Home safe in sound after flight delayed. This was due to weather in Boston. Flight delayed an hour or so before boarding Mo Bay, then about an hour in the air, held on the tarmac in Boston for about 40 minutes due to the back up in immigrations. Big crowd waiting for Uber, but finally made it home. Left Seastar around 10am Saturday and was home in Boston around 1:30am Sunday.
Oz picked us up at Seastar and we left a likkle early due to anticipated traffic getting out of Negril. Dream Weekend is Back! Vendors were lined up on both sides of Norman Manley Blvd from the round a bout, all along long bay with few gaps, Bloody Bay and beyond. Lots of excitement in the air!
Stopped at Valerie's in Sandy Bay for a cold one and a goodbye hug!
Big line of vehicles juggling to get into Departure Drop off. Oz swung to the outside and dropped us off quick quick. Line for JetBlue kiosk was very small, line for Southwest was HUGE!!!!!
Through security and parked ourselves at Jamaican Bobsled Cafe for lunch.
Did some duty free shopping at Dufry and just noticed they handed me a coupon for 15% off the next purchase that day, wish I had been paying attention!
I spoke to some airport staff and they say a smoking lounge is under construction for the departure side of the airport. Soon come!!!
This past week I noticed that ALL Route Taxis are now outfitted with Air Conditioning!
Per mandate from the Jamaican Government, ALL Route Taxis have 4/60 Air Conditioning installed, effective immediately!
4/60 Air Conditioning = 4 windows open, traveling at 60 KPH!!!!
Almost every morning at Breakfast, we had a LARGE Fruit plate at Seastar, fresh mango, papaya, banana, and pineapple. The fresh fresh fruit was delicious!
Time to do laundry an sort out the bills.
Enjoy,
VVHT aka Happy
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Re: West End Tales: July 2023
"Time to do laundry an sort out the bills."
UGH! Back to reality. It's a rude awakening. For us this is the lowest part of the year, right behind paying property taxes.
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Re: West End Tales: July 2023
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Fisher Branch
Always enjoy your trip reports and pics Happy. Wish I could visit as often as you!! Just curious, is the Fisherman's village across the lane from Seastar??
FB, yes, Fisherman's Village is directly across from Seastar. Walk straight out the gate and across the lane, small path towards cook shop you can see from Seastar. To the LEFT of the cookshop is an opening I call the gauntlet. This is where you enter the Fisherman's Village. It is a path between two structures, be careful as there is barbed wire on your right side as you enter. Both at ankle level and shoulder level. It runs the length of the gauntlet. As you exit the gaunlet, Delroy's cookshop & Rum Bar is on your immediate left. Known him a long time. If you continue on, rabbit hutches on your right and you come out to Love Lane on your left. It splits, Love Lane to the Left and don't know the name of the lane to the right. CC's is on Love Lane and Tasha's and Denise's is on the other lane.
Just be careful walking the gaunlet.
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Re: West End Tales: July 2023
Happy,
Glad to hear you got home safely!! Keep us posted on your next adventure!!
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Re: West End Tales: July 2023
Hey.. Enjoyed reading through your daily activities.... See you Thanksgiving ifyou are around!
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Re: West End Tales: July 2023
It would be great to see you two again!!
I'll be down end of October or early November.
What dates are you on the Rock?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Scott and Janet
Hey.. Enjoyed reading through your daily activities.... See you Thanksgiving ifyou are around!
