So what happened to the Sunday Webcast???

I was there with my friend Lori, some other boardies showed up too, but no band, no webcast, and no explanation from Seasplash...so what happened?

And on another note, am having a good time overall, getting ready to go snorkeling with Famous Vincent today, so will be at Xtabi for most of the day, figure my friend will really get a kick out of it because I know I like it. And I already posted this on the other "single digist figit" thread, but anyone in the area want to give me a buzz, my number is 371-9540. :)

Now time to get off the net and back to the real world!

Vincent has my two spear guns -- you can use 'em.

Sea Splash is taking a break for the two weeks (some key folks on vacation) and will be restarting the webcast in two weeks!

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Originally Posted by Rob

Sea Splash is taking a break for the two weeks (some key folks on vacation) and will be restarting the webcast in two weeks!

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Oh okay, would have been nice to have known that in advance, we made a special trip to go to Seasplash and then no one there knew what was going on and at first just said the band was late, then by five thirty we figured no one was showing and left, along with the other couple waiting too. Wish I had thought to ask Saturday night at Seastar if Sunday's webcast was on, wouldn't have wasted the trip.

Had a VERY "interesting" ride back from Rick's today, to say the least, too, someone tried to scam me by saying I hadn't paid them the thousand J for the ride for Lori and I from Rick's to SATP, but I shoulda known something was up when he said he had to stop for gas, then said I never gave him the money, so of course we look in the minivan, I didn't have a dime left, my friend did, but I knew something was up, so he calls his 'friend' the one he said opened the door for us, then made a show of calling back to talk to someone there after I said if whoever I gave the money to wasn't the right person, I would go back and find him and kick his ass, so then he asked to use my phone and made a show of calling him and said okay he would get it from him..scared the heck out of my friend, and I didn't want her to get scared so just went along with it..then he asked my friend for a tip..he knew she had $650J because he saw but I told the guy before he called his friend that we would just take a route taxi from the gas station, I wasn't going to give him another freakin dime, but he did get Lori to tip..I made sure it was just a hundred J, and I told Lori, now she has Popped her "scam" cherry because that mother sure tried to pull it on us, lol!


Anyway, SATP is an experience, some good, some bad, but I WILL NEVER STAY HERE AGAIN AND NEVER DO ANOTHER AI AS LONG AS I LIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

NHolic,

We did not find out Sea Splash had cancelled until Sunday morning. Sea Splash may not have found out there was no band until Sunday morning. Not sure anyone could have provided much more information.

As for the "scam" story, I am trying to figure out exactly what happened - your writing has confused me a bit. But from what I can decipher, it sounds like you paid the guy who opened the door of the van. Paying the driver directly for a ride is common practice. What you paid the guy to open the door could be construed as a tip. Not saying that is fair, but paying the guy opening the door and not the driver for a ride would be like paying the doorman at a hotel who opens the door for you for the hotel room and not paying the hotel. Not very common business practice. It is always recommended to pay the driver directly.

Some other simple guidelines for everyone to follow when taking taxis in Negril, the main being ONLY use red licensed plated vehicles. This is important for many legal reasons. Another guideline would be to never allow the driver to take you out of your way, such as stopping for gas. Every driver knows they need gas, this is not something that a serious driver should have to do with passengers in the vehicle. There is never a need for a driver to take you off your path on your dime. You are not obligated to pay for that.

Tips are entirely up to your discretion. A $650j tip for a single short ride is way too high, but a $100j in entirely reasonable.

Along with Rob's points, don't pay any money till the trip is through.
Agree on the amount before hand, but don't show your money till you get back out.

So why wouldn't you go back to SATP?

Having met the wonderful NH I don't believe any place with walls would please her. You could light up Negril with her energy! No AI would tame her. Rob & Lisa: Sorry we didn't connect on Sunday. The Seasplash people kept on saying the band was late. Next time we'll check the board. Thanks for the intro to C&D Friday. Great fun! See you in November...

I did check this site Sunday morning, and didn't see any announcement, but it's no biggie, I will see if I can get Lori to go to the Thursday Canoe webcast.

As far as the taxi situation goes, I DID get into a red plate, and sorry for the confusion, but to clarify the man SAID I handed it to the driver, and I played along, but I DID hand it to him, it was a scam. I knew that something was up when he said he had to stop for gas, as soon as we went to the roundabout and didn't go down the beach road, what could I do at that point but exactly what I did do, which was not to let him play me. I could have cared less if he used his friend as a cover or not, I knew how to get to the resort, and could have just taken a route. When we went out of Rick's to the parking lot hadn't yet got out of the gate when everyone is asking if we need taxi and I said "one thousand J to SATP" and then two or three said no at least fifteen hundred, and I kept going like to the road but hadn't even made it out when someone said okay to the thousand J, then I handed it to the driver after I was already in the minivan, not at the door, but again, when the guy said I gave it to the driver, what was I going to do at that point, call him a liar? Like I said, I played along. In the end, we got here okay, but I will never take a taxi from anyone parked IN THE RICK'S parking lot again, that's for damn sure.



And I will make a separate thread about SATP later, it is a nice place, but AI's are not for me, especially ones that greet their guests with threatening letters in the room right off the bat..standard for all guests, but if they had put what's in that letter on their website, I NEVER WOULD HAVE BOOKED HERE. I'm even going to make a copy when I get home and get it posted online so everyone can see. The staff is nice, the room is nice, the food and entertainment is great, but that letter was TOO MUCH. THEY NEED TO PUT THAT ON THEIR WEBSITE! Anyway, having a great time, have a bit of a sore throat, but am loving Negril!

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Originally Posted by negrilaholic

As far as the taxi situation goes, I DID get into a red plate, and sorry for the confusion, but to clarify the man SAID I handed it to the driver, and I played along, but I DID hand it to him, it was a scam. I knew that something was up when he said he had to stop for gas, as soon as we went to the roundabout and didn't go down the beach road, what could I do at that point but exactly what I did do, which was not to let him play me. I could have cared less if he used his friend as a cover or not, I knew how to get to the resort, and could have just taken a route. When we went out of Rick's to the parking lot hadn't yet got out of the gate when everyone is asking if we need taxi and I said "one thousand J to SATP" and then two or three said no at least fifteen hundred, and I kept going like to the road but hadn't even made it out when someone said okay to the thousand J, then I handed it to the driver after I was already in the minivan, not at the door, but again, when the guy said I gave it to the driver, what was I going to do at that point, call him a liar? Like I said, I played along. In the end, we got here okay, but I will never take a taxi from anyone parked IN THE RICK'S parking lot again, that's for damn sure.


And I will make a separate thread about SATP later, it is a nice place, but AI's are not for me, especially ones that greet their guests with threatening letters in the room right off the bat..standard for all guests, but if they had put what's in that letter on their website, I NEVER WOULD HAVE BOOKED HERE. I'm even going to make a copy when I get home and get it posted online so everyone can see. The staff is nice, the room is nice, the food and entertainment is great, but that letter was TOO MUCH. THEY NEED TO PUT THAT ON THEIR WEBSITE! Anyway, having a great time, have a bit of a sore throat, but am loving Negril!

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We all want everyone to be helped if there is actually a scam going on, but I am more confused now than I was from your previous post. If, as you say, you gave the money to the driver of the van you were already in, then who is this other "man"" or "guy" who said you paid it to the driver? And why would you need to call this man a liar for saying you paid it to the driver, when you did actually pay the driver? Why didnt you just ask the driver of the van to speak up and tell this guy that you already paid him? The driver is in the van with you, isnt he?

I know you want your post to be able to help others, but at this point I dont think anyone can begin to have an idea what to look for to be aware of the "scam". But it is becoming clearer that, as has been mentioned previously in this thread, this whole "scam" could have been avoided by paying the driver directly for the ride after it's over, and not at the beginning. "Scam" avoided.

If any driver starts to take you off the road from your requested destination, you should demand to be let out of the vehicle immediately. No ifs, ands or buts. If you so desire at that point, pay them half of the negotiated fare, but you would be within your right to refuse payment altogether since they did not take you to the desired destination. But in this case since you paid in advance, you would have to forfeit the fare. This is another reason not to pay in advance.

I am looking forward to discover what kind of "threatening" letter Sunset At The Palms would possibly leave to all their guests when they arrive. You have made me extremely curious as to why no one has ever mentioned this threatening letter before. There have to be thousands of guests who have seen this letter, and yet this is the very first time I have been made aware that such a "threatening" letter exists.

You have my attention.

negrilaholic-- I am sure you are enjoying your stay and floating in the sublime caribbean sea. I am glad you have come to report on your trip and hope that we hear more from you about your experience and that of your friend. The cab thing from Rick's was a scam, and yes, as a repeat visitor to Negril I have been subject to similar ploys. That is why I settled on taking route cabs (fixed rate, shared) after my first few trips. But if I were with a first-time visitor I would take a charter cab with a fixed price. It is clear you were scammed, but I hope you and your friend have had plenty of good times to make up for that. She is lucky to be with someone who had been there and knows the runnings.

I agree route taxis are the best mode of transportation, at least during the day. This last reach I was able to secure a regular driver at night after a few attempts and it made things super chill. He actually runs a bar and goes out of his way to make sure that his guest are taking care of. I have read of others mentioning to make sure that you get a night time driver and before I didn't make much of an effort. I have learned and going forward I will make sure that I have this figured out from day 1. Negrilaholic I am sorry that you had to deal with this and the good thing is you didn't have anything crappy happen to you. Please continue with your trip report as it is interesting to see your perspective of the goings.

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Originally Posted by booger

I agree route taxis are the best mode of transportation, at least during the day. This last reach I was able to secure a regular driver at night after a few attempts and it made things super chill. He actually runs a bar and goes out of his way to make sure that his guest are taking care of. I have read of others mentioning to make sure that you get a night time driver and before I didn't make much of an effort. I have learned and going forward I will make sure that I have this figured out from day 1. Negrilaholic I am sorry that you had to deal with this and the good thing is you didn't have anything crappy happen to you. Please continue with your trip report as it is interesting to see your perspective of the goings.

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Thanks ya'll. I'm done with the taxi thing, and yes, should have waited until done to pay for it, lesson learned, thought I would be doing someone waiting to give a ride a favor, lesson learned, am sticking with a driver I know or route taxi, and that's all.

Look, here's the thing about SATP. There are very few places cig smoking is allowed..and I mean only two areas on the entire property, and smoking is not even allowed on your own balcony outside of your room! Inside I could understand, but not outside, so it is a hassle for me, and even that I wouldn't mind so much if not for the letter. Now I KNOW marijuana is illegal, it's illegal in Oklahoma too, one joint can get you two years, and I know someone who made the papers and people are taking up her cause who was sentenced for fourteen years for selling $31 of weed. That being said, as a veteran with ptsd, what I do in my own home helps me immeasurably, so I "take my chances". I also know I take my chances in Jamaica, and that's okay too. What is NOT okay in my book is to be told right off the bat in a letter that any marijuana smoking in the room or on the premises will lead to the police being called and the guest being evicted from the premises, and yes the letter did state that, I am going to be bringing a copy back with me and putting it on the internet. Again, that is perfectly fine, but they need to put that on their website, that they don't allow smoking cigarettes most anyplace at all except two designated areas on the grounds, and that they strictly enforce ganja laws to the point they will throw you off the property and call the cops. I don't know if that is true of all AI's, but I have to admit I was shocked when I read that letter, and I will be honest, it HAS affected the quality of my stay, I have ptsd with anxiety disorder and panic attacks, and ganja IS medicine to me. So to me personally, YES the letter was very threatening. Now staff has told me it's all chill, but the tone of that letter really set me off.

So can others tell me..do other AI's and other resorts have a letter that welcomes their guests to a room with a threat of arrest and eviction, or is it just SATP??? Because I really want to know if this is standard practice for all AI's, or just SATP.

Anyway, mostly I am having a good time, except am more stressed out than I have ever been to any previous trip to Jamaica, and will be SO DAMN RELIEVED WHEN I CAN GET TO TRAVELLERS AND RELAX!


That being said, the food is great, staff is wonderful, place is lovely, but for me personally, that letter ...has been preying on my mind big time.

And I hope to make it to Thursday's webcast, and will be in a better mood, promise, lol!

I'll come post tomorrow morning and will copy the letter word for word, heading out to the beach right now, sorry this turned into such a *****fest, lol, didn't mean it to turn out that way, and yes am mostly having a good time, and will report more on that too soon don't worry!

Ah, that does seem intense. I've stayed an an AI in negril (Couples Negril) and saw plenty of submarine sandwich consumption in the open. People were passing submarine sandwiches around in the pool right at the swim-up bar. No scary letters.

tell them you are leaving and head out to another place......life is too short

Cool Runnings, Marko

Sorry for your troubles thus far, but it doesn't sound like your letting it spoil the trip. Travellers soon come and you will be in your comfort zone. :)

I hear you on the ganj. I have a hyperactive thyroid that causes anxiety etc. People who have never experienced an anxiety attack just simply dont understand at all. Personally, I prefer a natural remedy over the anti-anxiety drugs out there that are effective but also physically addictive to an extreme. Some people can't get past the stigma attached to marijuana and just refuse to see the benefits....some people totally get it. You can't please them all. I would feel the same way if I received such letter. That's so strange. Can't be good for business. lol

Looking forward to the rest of your report! Thanks so much for sharing!!

I was told by other guests when we were RIU that a letter, similar to that was in their room when they checked in. Said that it was illegal. Under covers were on the beach etc. Never saw the letter, but maybe it was because I had already broken the "rules" within minutes of stepping out of the airport. :cool:

Never had an issue myself.

RIU Club does have a letter with small print on the bottom about avoiding the jet-ski guys and that marijuana is illegal. But everyone smokes it all day. I am wondering at SATP, if you actually smoked would anyone really care? Maybe there is a political and/or technical reason they have to present the letter of warning, but perhaps it's not enforced?

Otherwise, yeah I do agree with you that the letter of warning should be communicated before booking -- but is that even practical? Plus, the part about calling the police is a bit over the top considering Negril smells like ganja a lot of the time ....

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Originally Posted by negrilaholic

There are very few places cig smoking is allowed..and I mean only two areas on the entire property, and smoking is not even allowed on your own balcony outside of your room!

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Hmmmm....aren't most of the buildings made of wood at SATP? :) :)!

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Originally Posted by negrilaholic

Thanks ya'll. I'm done with the taxi thing, and yes, should have waited until done to pay for it, lesson learned, thought I would be doing someone waiting to give a ride a favor, lesson learned, am sticking with a driver I know or route taxi, and that's all...

...What is NOT okay in my book is to be told right off the bat in a letter that any marijuana smoking in the room or on the premises will lead to the police being called and the guest being evicted from the premises...

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NHolic,

Glad to hear that the information here about paying for the taxi at the end of the ride has been helpful for you. That is the real point of all the information that is provided on Negril.com - to help provide information to visitors to Negril that will make their vacation stay the best possible!

As for the Sunset At The Palms "threatening" letter, I hope that everyone understands that ganja/marijuana is illegal. It is the law. To smoke ganja in Jamaica is a crime. For Sunset At The Palms to place a reminder in each room that ganja smoking is illegal and that they will follow the laws of Jamaica should not be taken as a threat, but as a business obeying the laws of the country in which they operate. For them to knowingly allow illegal activities to take place on their property would make them an accomplice to the crime. As a business owner, I can understand exactly why Sunset At The Palms decided to issue this letter with the legal liability in mind.

Regardless of how prevalent the breaking of this law may be, or if other businesses may have different practices, or if there are any medical issues involved, this in no way diminishes the fact that it is illegal to smoke ganja in Jamaica. Sunset At The Palms is not in any way threatening anyone, they are simply allowing everyone to know that they follow the laws of Jamaica. I think this is really a rather common sense concept, and cannot see why anyone would think otherwise. I cant see any reason for them to have to post it on their website any more than posting all the other Jamaican laws that you are not allowed to break while staying at their property.

As I tell everyone who asks about smoking ganja in Jamaica, "dont force the police to do their job". Ganja is illegal. Use your head...

Negrilaholic hope you get some relaxation. Make the best of it until you can get to Travelers and chill out. Looking forward to your trip report.

I fully understand that marijuana is illegal. The only problem I had with the letter is that if it's something they feel that strongly about to put in a letter to guests when they get in the room, then they should respect future customers enough to let them know on the website as well how strongly the resort feels about it so then someone considering a stay there can make a more informed decision, that's all. And I'm done with that as well, hope to see some boardies at the webcast at Canoe tomorrow! :)

negrilaholic, i stayed at satp two times in six months and did tell you that smoking of any kind is not allows in the rooms and definitely no marijuana smoking on property . . . the woman manager runs a tight ship and i loved my stay both times . . .sorry you are not having a good time there, it's a lovely property, and you could do your stuff on the beach . . . just a thought . . . besides the smoke, what else bothers you at satp?

I know Im the oddball here lol, but I love the no-smoking policy and would enjoy staying there. If you obey and respect a countrys laws you will have a much more relaxing vacation. :)

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Originally Posted by Jaherring

I know Im the oddball here lol, but I love the no-smoking policy and would enjoy staying there. If you obey and respect a countrys laws you will have a much more relaxing vacation. :)

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No, Jahering.... I don't think you are an oddball at all. It seems to me that you have to not only observe people's rights, the laws (even those you don't personally agree with) and show a certain amount of personal discretion when you travel.

I help run a small motel with a "no smoking" policy and when people tell me they want to smoke in the rooms, I tell them to move on. Most of our guests love the clean, fresh smell of the rooms and, afterall, the outside world can be your ashtray just not in the rooms.

BTW, why would anyone want to publish their phone number to the random world on the Internet?

Peace and Guidance

I am having a good time and making the best of it, and like I stated previously, the staff is wonderful, the place is lovely, and the food is good, I only wish I had known before I made my purchase what the policy is is all. I think it's great to have a no smoking resort for nonsmokers, I just don't happen to be a nonsmoker,and would have felt a great deal more comfortable in one that does allow smoking is all. And I fully understand rules and policies, I just like to be aware of exactly what they are before I purchase a stay at a resort, NOT when I get here. I think that's only fair, and that is my only complaint about the place. Different strokes for different folks, that is why resorts are not all the same, and of course I will give a good review, but it will definitely be one that gives information about the place that their own website doesn't, so in the future when people do decide to stay here, at least they will have an advantage I didn't, and that is others who read my review will be able to make a more informed decision than I was able to. I went to their website and went over it thoroughly, and NOWHERE do they say this is a nonsmoking resort except for a few designated areas, and those areas do not include the balconies, neither do they have any comments similar to the warning in their "greeting" letter on the site either, and it is only right that they inform guests of their policies before booking and not upon arrival, and that was the only thing at this resort I had any kind of an issue with, but I am definitely not going to be letting it ruin my vacation. :)

Not sure if I will be able to make it to the Canoe webcast or not, but will definitely make it to next Saturday's at Seastar, but am thinking of just heading up to DeBar for a while this afternoon..I know a few places will pick you up for dinner free, and have called Canoe's number to see if they do that but they haven't answered the phone number listed on the website, and whether we go to Canoe or DeBar hinges on finding out that and also finding out if their is an atm/cambio near either CAnoe or DeBar..so would appreciate info on that..will check back later this afternoon before making definite plans, and am getting ready to hit the beach right now..hope it doesn't hit back, lol! :D

You can hit the Banmarc cambio on the West End to get some cash. It's not too far from Eddie's.

there is so much herb and cigarette smoke around everywhere in negril that it was a refreshing change not to have to smell that stuff during my stay at satp . . . i enjoyed the "clean" atmosphere there . . . hope you enjoy the rest of your stay there! . . . the cappucino bar is wonderful!!

I agree that SATP should clearly publish their policies. I agree about not giving out your phone number on the internet, and do expect to get random calls after letting the taxi guy use your phone!

My opinion as far as the herb: Man's Laws are just that; Man's Laws. I and I answer to Jah and HIM only. I do possess a great deal of common sense and discretion. Should I ever have to deal with the consequences of breaking Man's laws, I will do so and it will be totally on me. A so it go....

From SATP to either Canoe or De Bar...you can have your driver stop at the Cambio located at Bourbon Beach or the ATM located at the Scotia Bank.

** I do wonder if the smoking policy was listed in the booking/confirmation emails rather than their website...

i'm a smoker also and i 100% agree that if a property has a no-smoking policy, that information is absolutely de rigeur on the booking website. for me it makes a difference as to whether or not i book a particular place. Even though i sometimes do book a no-smoking hotel anyway, if i have to fit a certain travel schedule or whatever, it's important that i'm made aware of all hotel rules & regs up front at the time of booking.

the overall point is, i agree that the customer MUST be informed about all policies clearly and up front, so they are able to make an informed choice.

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Originally Posted by JitterBug

there is so much herb and cigarette smoke around everywhere in negril that it was a refreshing change not to have to smell that stuff during my stay at satp . . . i enjoyed the "clean" atmosphere there . . . hope you enjoy the rest of your stay there! . . . the cappucino bar is wonderful!!

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I'm sorry you weren't informed ahead of time about the smoking rules, but on the flip side, I think SATP's "rules" could be perceived as a bonus to those travelers who prefer not to stay in a smoky room or be around a lot of smoke.

To put things in perspective: Does anyone know of other Negril hotels that don't allow smoking?

NH I don't know what happened with your taxi but I gave you the phone number of a great honest guy to use. He charges $10 to go from the beach to the cliffs. Pretty fair I think. Have you not tried him?

during both of my stays, there was a standard letter that a guest finds on the table stating the hotel rules, nothing threatening in it, just stating their rules! it's generic, not pointed at anyone in particular!! . . .

By contrast, the Seastar Inn room key had a leaf printed on it.

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Originally Posted by gerryg123

By contrast, the Seastar Inn room key had a leaf printed on it.

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Thanks gerry123 for the heads up. We HAD considered staying at Seastar Inn but now we are taking it OFF our short list-little things mean a lot as the saying goes! It's always good to be an informed traveler, eh? IRIE! *IG

Thats what I love about Negril. Something and someplace for everyone. Don't judge just enjoy and don't step on any feelings. Smoke em if you got em folks I'll just stay upwind but I'll stay... cuz its Negril!

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Originally Posted by gerryg123

By contrast, the Seastar Inn room key had a leaf printed on it.

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gerryg123

This has me a little confused. You mean that a "leaf on the room key" means you can smoke anything in the rooms at Seastar? I have a reservation confirmation that plainly says "smoking outside only".

Not that it really matters to me as I don't smoke cigarettes and if and when I very rarely now consume herb, it would only be in the outdoors out of Respect for others.

And then the response:

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Thanks gerry123 for the heads up. We HAD considered staying at Seastar Inn but now we are taking it OFF our short list-little things mean a lot as the saying goes! It's always good to be an informed traveler, eh? IRIE! *IG

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Which still has me scratching my head. Am I missing something or what?? If there is a No Smoking Policy in the rooms and the room key has a leaf on it, what is the connection or is there some "assumption" between the two things?

Peace and Guidance

I am guessing the keychain to that room just happened to have a leaf on it with no intention of anything.