First Stay On The Cliffs (Seastar Inn & Catcha) Trip report: Day 4 - 7

DAY 4

I woke up at 7:30 to the sound of chirping birds and sunlight streaming in through colorful wooden shutters of the Grand Pineapple hotel.

There is nothing better than that feeling of waking up in Jamaica. You know, those first moments when you blink open your eyes and realize where you are…

I love opening up the hotel door that leads to a balcony and feeling the heat from the sun on my skin mixed with the warm ocean breeze. Listening to the sound of rustling palm tree leaves.

We had been in Negril for 3 days so far and So much had already happened during that time, it was an entire vacation in itself. First trip to Biggas, first ride on a Jet ski , Mayfield falls, the Jungle, XXX, Canoe, Sunnyside, … and most importantly locating and meeting my cousin. (You can find day 1-3 of our trip report here: http://negril.com/forum/showthread.p...Report-Day-1-3)

Today was Moving Day…Time to pack up our bags and check out of our beach hotel.

We were moving up to the cliffs for the first time.

I have to admit that I had conflicting feelings about this move. I’ve always been eager to experience new places and I’d heard such great things about the West End. I knew it would regret it if I didn’t at least check it out.

It was my idea to split our trip half beach/half cliffs. I was beginning to have doubts and wonder about that decision …

I’ve always been a beach girl. I just love the beach. I love the feeling of warm sand in-between my toes. I love stepping into the crystal clear turquoise water and feeling the gentle waves lapping over my ankles. I love sand gravity. I love the expansive stretch of beach to walk on. You can walk left or you can walk right for miles…

http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/...ca/01beach.jpg


So far we’ve only walked to the RIGHT on the Negril 7 mile beach strip. We still haven’t made it past that bar with those plastic chairs hanging on rope (Sunbeach?). I don’t even know what happens when you walk LEFT from the Grand Pineapple.We haven’t done that yet! So much ground still left to explore. So many beach bars yet to experience…Live music…People… Action…Excitement!

Only 3 nights left in Negril and now we were leaving the most beautiful beach in the world to sit on rugged rocks on the edge of a cliff? What if the waves are crashing against the rocks and it’s too rough to swim? What if there are too many lionfish in the waters? (I’m terrified of Lionfish and was still scarred from my Xtabi experience) What are we going to do there? Is the silence going to be suffocating? Is there any action out there? Any music? Would it just be a bunch of conservative folk in rocking chairs with a lone dog howling in the distance? All of these worries started crossing my mind

I shook Markus excitedly awake and the two of us walked over to the Grand Pineapple beach bar for breakfast. Ackee & saltfish with dumplings and sausages.

After Breakfast, Markus went back to the room to start packing..

…And I stayed behind to talk to my Cousin. He was there again that morning just as he said he would be. We sat across from each other in the dining area and had a really great conversation. He told me that my grandfather’s brother had 5 children… Those children had children… as a result. I have family all through out Jamaica. Kingston, Mandeville, Negril, Sav La Mar. I found out that I even have a cousin in Los Angeles! We talked about our lives and our families. We shared our stories, We took pictures and exchanged contact information.

After that meeting I called my mother on Jamar’s cellphone. “Mom, You’re not going to believe this! I found my cousin!”

She was equally in awe and informed my father, who was shocked!

My parents had been contemplating a trip to Jamaica. Their last trip was for their honeymoon back in the seventies. They had still been on the fence about it though. I think this cemented their decision to celebrate their next anniversary in Negril in August, to reconnect with the family he lost touch with back in 1974. It felt good knowing that my visit was going to be the first step to bringing together my family again. This is really something special, and means more to me than I can attempt to put in words in this trip report.

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When it was time to check out of the Grand Pineapple, we didn’t want to! We weren’t quite ready to leave the beach yet. I needed one last dip in the ocean waters. They were willing to watch our luggage and said we could stay as long as we wanted.

http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/...01beachday.jpg

Jamar, Markus and I all jumped in the water at once. We swam around aimlessly just enjoying the waves … We snorkeled and searched for shells in the sand.

After 30 minutes, Jamar and I stumbled out of the ocean and just lay in the sun for a while. Markus was still hunting for shells. He emerged from the water with this in his mask…

http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/.../01lobster.jpg
The smallest baby lobster-thing I’ve ever seen...

It attracted the attention of all the kids on the beach and they all crowded around him to see it.

http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/...obstershow.jpg

While I watched him interact with all the kids in the water, I thought of how he’d make a great Dad some day… Someday very soon.

That’s when we spotted a beautiful woman strolling down the beach in a white bikini and sporting a bright pink sunhat casting her face in a shadow. She looked familiar. I squinted against the sun in my eyes and sat up in my beachchair..

It was Bea!!

Jamar and I greeted her on the beach. I’m beginning to realize how small Negril really is! You don’t need a cellphone, just hang out on the beach and you’ll bump into a fellow boardie within minutes. We decided to all head over to Sunnyside for a few drinks. The Red Stripes are cold and cheap + Maureen and Robert are fun to hang with. I miss the “For Real” Bar, but this one has the same vibe. It’s just smaller.

Jamar and Bea went ahead without me. I had to drag Markus back out of the water, which is no easy feat.

We finally met up with them 15 minutes later. Turns out it was Maureen’s birthday!

http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/...enbirthday.jpg

We all had a celebratory B-day shot with her (a Bea creation that was delicious), sang happy Birthday and enjoyed the cold drinks, warm sunshine and conversation.

http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/...tsunnyside.jpg

Afterwards, we wandered into a few of the vendor shops and talked to people… I bought a beautiful stone butterfly necklace for a really good price from this place:

http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/...eachvendor.jpg

(Rise and shine mosaics – Gareth Reid - he has the most adorable puppy “I-ranger” in the world)

http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/...1cutepuppy.jpg

I haven't even read it, but am stoked you posted it. HAHAHAHAHHAH. Now it's time to read.

I also kept my eye out for earrings for Tic Toc..

http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/...aandseller.jpg

That’s when I glanced at my clock and realized it was already 3:30 PM. Our luggage had been sitting in the Grand Pineapple lobby for 4 ½ hours already!

It was officially time to leave the beach and move over to the cliffs.

We said our goodbye’s to Bea,(we would be seeing her later at Seastar Inn for the concert) and we headed back to the lobby to pick up our luggage.

It was hard saying goodbye to all the staff at the Grand Pineapple. We all hugged. Tayshaun took a picture of me and Paul, together. I knew this goodbye wasn’t final. It’s just the beginning of many future trips..


Chicken was waiting for us with his car.

“Ready to go?” He asked with a smile

We responded with a thumbs up. He helped us toss all of our luggage into the trunk, then we piled into his car.

“So Where are we going now?”, Chicken asked.

“Next stop is Sea Star Inn” I said

and we were off to begin part 2 of our vacation..

To be continued…
Markus & Jamar are up next tomorrow.

Damn, you're not even on the West End yet, lol. Jamar sitting next to Bea with the look of " I might get lucky tonight."

Nice read Clarity. I freaking hate Lionfish as well.

Just one word to sum up all my feelings on this post:

YAY!!!!!!!

OK Clarity.
Time to bring it (it being storytelling).
Love your vocabulary.
Gerryg said he thought you were a teacher, true?

What's the deal on lionfish?
They seem like slow moving bottom dwellers to me.
I know they can be poisoness, but did you have a run in with one?

I spent more time in the water than anything else on this last reach, launching from Xtabi each time.
The only lionfish I saw were between Xtabi and the Blue Castle.
I think I saw two.
I saw none around Xtabi or between Xtabi and the Rockhouse.

I offer this up for your piece of mind.

One other thing:
Why did your pix get cut off on the right side.
The first one is framed right and all the rest have the right edge cut off.
I'm asking because this inadvertant crop really made a pic I posted look bad.

Your pix as always have rich color, and great composition.
Kudos.

Rum - Lionfish are kinda the scourge of the reef. Starting about 2 years ago for some reason tons of them came and "invaded" Jamaican waters. There's been a real push for fishermen to catch them - when cleaned properly they are apparently a nice tasting fish, many restaurants have them on the menu. The fact that you saw just a few is a testament to the fishermen pulling them out and the community using them for food. In Alligator Pond at a restaurant called Little Ochi they were going to be having a a lionfish cook-off competition!

Rastagirl777.
OK, I got the scourge of the reef, but Clarity made it sound personal.

BTW I looked them up they're natives of the pacific.
Looks like they got released into the Atlantic in the 90's.

Also R/G777 you may know the answer to this - is the reef just beyond the old Negril Yacht Club still healthy?
I haven't seen it since the late 90's but that used to be a really spectacular shallow water reef.

"While I watched him interact with all the kids in the water, I thought of how he’d make a great Dad some day… Someday very soon."
Hmmm...Miss Clarity, is there something you want to tell us?
Are congratulations in order ?
Respect, Dave

Thanks for your comments :)
Lol Booger!

Rum – Yes, you are right – my fear of Lionfish is due to a personal run-in with one. This was during my first trip to Jamaica in April.

On our last day, we decided to venture up to the cliffs to snorkel at Xtabi. I had been snorkeling around with Markus for a long time and I was exhausted. I gestured to him that I was heading out of the water. I swam to the ladder which is up against the rocks.

That’s when I saw my first lionfish. A HUGE ONE.

It was floating in front of the ladder, blocking my exit. It wasn’t moving at all.

I had never seen a lionfish before and I didn’t know it was poisonous. I continued swimming towards the ladder and Markus suddenly gripped my arm tightly. I froze. The lionfish flipped over suddenly, like it was dead.

I didn’t realize that this was a lionfish “attack stance” (they flip over when they feel threatened)

Markus explained that this was a very dangerous fish and to stay back. That was when I felt complete panic. I just wanted to get out of the water! I’m not a great swimmer (I doggy paddle) so the anxiety was making it hard for me to stay afloat. I felt like I was trapped in some kind of horror movie – like “OPEN WATER” and I expected to be suddenly surrounded on all sides.

As soon as the lionfish drifted far enough away from the ladder for me to make a clean exit, I clambered out of the water shaking and trembling. I didn’t go back into the water for the rest of that trip. (well, it was just before sunset on our last night, so that’s not as dramatic as it sounds) Markus continued swimming and saw 7 more. He took lots of pics. He was all excited about it. Meanwhile, I had Lionfish nightmares for weeks. lol

http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/...01lionfish.jpg
(one of his underwater shots)

So that was my close brush with a lionfish. Luckily Markus was there to pull me back away from the ladder before I got stung. Now I’ve read up on dangerous fish, so I’m a lot more educated.

But on the positive side, I didn’t see any on our last trip. We spent a lot of time swimming off the cliffs without a problem. My concerns were unwarranted.

Still hate em’ though.

As far as the pictures being cut off, I’m not sure why you see them that way on your computer. On mine they aren’t. Are they cut off for everybody?

No, not cut off for me, but you have to take your mouse and slide the bar to the right on the bottom of the pic to get the full view (probably not explaining that very well).

Looking forward to the rest of the adventure. You guys did LOT in 3 days. Those were the longest 3 days ever!!!

This is really vain but that cut off ruined a piture of mine-I wouldn't have posted that particular pic if I had known it would get cut off that way.

"That rug tied the whole room together."

I haven't seen your pix on my Mac yet but on my work PC they're all cut off on the right (except the first one).

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Clarity

Thanks for your comments :)

Rum As far as the pictures being cut off, I’m not sure why you see them that way on your computer. On mine they aren’t. Are they cut off for everybody?

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They display fine on my computer.

if you re-set the Zoom, the pics won't get cut off ... Clarity, great pics btw .... Famous VIncent told me if you get stung on the arm by a lionfish, your arm will puff up like a basketball ....

I can see your pictures perfectly. They are GREAT!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by gerryg123

.... Famous VIncent told me if you get stung on the arm by a lionfish, your arm will puff up like a basketball ....

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I don't see this as being information that really helps her fear out any LOL

My guess is there is probably a greater liklihood of running into a jellyfish than a lionfish.
Lionfish are easy to see and they are slow.
They may be territorial (according to Wikipedia anyway) but I don't see one pursuing you.

Mmmmm...I'm thinking Lionfish escoveitch...let's put them to good use.

I think predation on Lionfish - by people is well on the way.
I only saw two (in the Xtabi area) in several days with hours spent in the water.

That is good news about the Lionfish. Last year I dropped into the water at Blue Cave Castle and I could see at least four. One under the ladder, one in the mouth of the cave and two more on the Sea floor.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Rum-polephoreskin

My guess is there is probably a greater liklihood of running into a jellyfish than a lionfish.

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If memory serves me correctly, I believe Clarity also has a terrifying jellyfish story as well, am I right?

Thanks guys for your kind comments and letting me know you can see the pictures!
Rum, Are you still seeing them cut in half?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by gerryg123

Famous VIncent told me if you get stung on the arm by a lionfish, your arm will puff up like a basketball ....

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Gerryg123 – Yikes!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by HuskerJohn

That is good news about the Lionfish. Last year I dropped into the water at Blue Cave Castle and I could see at least four. One under-the-ladder, one in the mouth of the cave and two more on the Sea floor.

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See! it’s those under-the-ladder ones that freak me out! You’re just innocently climbing down the ladder into the water and then....:eek:

[/B]

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Rum-polephoreskin

I think predation on Lionfish - by people is well on the way.
I only saw two (in the Xtabi area) in several days with hours spent in the water.

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I hope so! There certainly are more people hunting them now.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lorax2

Mmmmm...I'm thinking Lionfish escoveitch...let's put them to good use.

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Lorax – I’d love to try some Lionfish escoveitch. I’m hoping that we can find someone to cook us up a lionfish on our next reach! I hear that it tastes good. :cool:

And Markus wants to hunt them all down with a spear gun. I’m really not so fond of that idea. Now he wants to even more after reading Gerry’s Trail of Ashes Trip Report…
Thanks Gerry.;)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by marley9808

If memory serves me correctly, I believe Clarity also has a terrifying jellyfish story as well, am I right?

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I do! I have a few jellyfish stories. But the worst was in Puerto Rico, 2001…

I would share it now, but this trip report is going to become more like a “terrors of the deep” report. Lol:D

Oh good grief, this is making me want to NEVER get into the water at the cliffs again!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by tfw73

Oh good grief, this is making me want to NEVER get into the water at the cliffs again!

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No worries! I didn't see ANY on my last trip. We snorkeled a lot off the of the cliffs.
I really do think that all of the lionfish hunting is clearing them out of the waters

I had no idea they were so dangerous...makes me wonder how many times they were "out there" while I was "out there" too! LOL

Clarity & crew, I really love your trip reports. It has been almost 2 years since we've been able to make it to Jamaica (had a baby :)) and your reports make me feel like I'm right there with you. I've stayed away from the boards for a while because it was too hard being here knowing we weren't going anytime soon. But it was a pleasant surprise to come back and find such well written trip reports. Thank you so much for sharing!

Oh Begels - we have missed you (or I guess I better just speak for me but I missed you). Hope all is well.

oh me too Lorax.....lionfish escovitch - we did our part at my Soon Come Back Party (30 lbs.) - they were cleaned well and tasted very mild and delicious. Beautiful to look at but I hope they continued clearing them out - it would freak me out too to see one up close Daisy.

.........keep the great stories comin please.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Sweetness

Oh Begels - we have missed you (or I guess I better just speak for me but I missed you). Hope all is well.

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I have missed everyone and these boards!! We're currently trying to move our November trip up to March!!! Hopefully we'll get to meet up with some boardies. We are SOOOOOO missing Jamaica!

Clarity .... do you get your name from your photos? They are awesome! Enjoy the Seastar! It is awesome! Give everyone a big hug for me. And please feed Sassy Pants some tuna. Hope to see you on the webcast Sat. night! The food at the Seastar is to die for. I can't single out anything ... it's all good! Rasta Pasta. Oh, but the curry chicken. Hmmmm ... actually, even the tuna sandwich is killer. Bon appetite et let the good times roll! Anxious to hear your feedback on the SS. This won't be your last trip there, trust me!

I have seen several lionfish while snorkeling and they are beyond words beautiful! However, I know they are a "bad fish" not only with their sting but to the reef itself. But according to our Jamaican friend, as most fish, they no bother you if you no bother them.. Hopefully, this is true. I definitely won't be vexing any fish in the sea...I only observe. But, I must say that they are tasty eating!! We had some brown stewed lionfish at Sir D's pon da cliffs. We pre-ordered our dinner earlier in the day and I must say....this fish rocks the house on mild taste. Yummy stuff indeed. My feeling is nyam them up!! This was one thing on mi bucket list this visit. I a truly glad that it worked out.
Clarity...can't wait to hear more. So loving your reports. Thanks!!!!

Thanks everyone for your comments!:)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by begels

Clarity & crew, I really love your trip reports. It has been almost 2 years since we've been able to make it to Jamaica (had a baby :)) and your reports make me feel like I'm right there with you. I've stayed away from the boards for a while because it was too hard being here knowing we weren't going anytime soon. But it was a pleasant surprise to come back and find such well written trip reports. Thank you so much for sharing!

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Thanks Begels, So glad you're enjoying our TR. I hope you're able to make that trip in March!
We're planning on starting a family too, real soon. So our next trip will probably be our last for a number of years.
Are you planning on bringing the little one along with you next time you go?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by yetta

I have seen several lionfish while snorkeling and they are beyond words beautiful! However, I know they are a "bad fish" not only with their sting but to the reef itself. But according to our Jamaican friend, as most fish, they no bother you if you no bother them.. Hopefully, this is true. I definitely won't be vexing any fish in the sea...I only observe. But, I must say that they are tasty eating!! We had some brown stewed lionfish at Sir D's pon da cliffs. We pre-ordered our dinner earlier in the day and I must say....this fish rocks the house on mild taste. Yummy stuff indeed. My feeling is nyam them up!! This was one thing on mi bucket list this visit. I a truly glad that it worked out.
Clarity...can't wait to hear more. So loving your reports. Thanks!!!!

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Thanks Yetta, I'm really eager to try a lionfish dish! Thanks for letting me know about Sir D's pon da cliffs. That's now on my list of places to go on our next reach!
(I also agree that lionfish are strangely beautiful, I remember an initial feeling of awe and fascination when I first saw one. So exotic! Of course, once Markus said it was dangerous that sentiment quickly changed )

Both you and Sweetness mentioned that lionfish has a mild taste.
I'm curious: What fish would you compare it to (taste-wise)?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by M&G Montreal

Clarity .... do you get your name from your photos? They are awesome! Enjoy the Seastar! It is awesome! Give everyone a big hug for me. And please feed Sassy Pants some tuna. Hope to see you on the webcast Sat. night! The food at the Seastar is to die for. I can't single out anything ... it's all good! Rasta Pasta. Oh, but the curry chicken. Hmmmm ... actually, even the tuna sandwich is killer. Bon appetite et let the good times roll! Anxious to hear your feedback on the SS. This won't be your last trip there, trust me!

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Aww, thanks M & G for the kind compliment!:o
Unfortunately we're back home now but we're hoping to take a trip in April for our 10 year anniversary. We'll definitely be going back to stay at SeaStar, we loved it there! I didn't get to meet Sassy pants, but I'll bring tuna along next time and keep my eyes open. You're the second person to tell me about the Rasta Pasta! I'm definitely going to try that dish. thanks for the heads up!

Markus is working on the next update right now, so it will be coming up soon.:)

Clarity, no kiddos in Jamaica for us! It is an escape for me and my husband. We have promised we will never travel there with the kids. :) We have 4 kids now, so we really need the one on one time!! And we always take a family vacation with them somewhere so they get to have fun too.
Can't wait for the rest of the report. We are cliff dwellers and I can't wait to hear your opinions.

The first few times I went to Jamaica without my kids, but I always missed them so much that I started saving extra and taking them with me. They loved it, and we always stayed at "family" places like Beaches Negril, CCLP, or Crystal Waters Villas. Never regretted it and we always had amazing vacations there. They love Negril as much as I do and I've never regretted taking them. They are all out of the house now and the 2 oldest have been to Negril without me.

Maryann, I know what you mean about missing the kids so much! It's definitely not easy leaving them. But the time together alone for me and my husband in such a beautiful place is so wonderful for our marriage. It really brings us so close. :)

I hear ya, Begels! I have 4 kids too, all girls. Oy vey! The teenage years were rough. Totally understand that couples need a break from their kids. I was a single mom by the time my oldest was 6. Had I found Negril before my divorce, maybe it would have been a special place for us, but, ironically, it was because of my divorce that I ended up in Negril. My BFF thought I needed a vacation, so off we went. The only person I trusted my kids with at the time was their grandmother (my mom), but unfortunately she passed away within a couple years of my divorce, so it was either stay home or take the kids, so I always took them. We've been to Disneyland and all the state parks, etc., but if given a choice, they'd pick Negril over all the other places.