Trip report sept 1-14, including pelicanbar, etc

I guess everyone starts by reflecting on our past trips, so here goes...Been married to my lovely wife, Janet, for 23 years this sept...For most of our years together we took a week in september in florida, mostly daytona, for vacation. We have no kids, I play alot of softball, and florida has a lot of world tournaments in sept to play in to start off my vacation. Fast forward to 2009, Janet found a can't miss deal on Negril at the Grand Pineapple. Being a wannabe hippie(my dad was strict and tough, his brother a hippie to the fullest, by the time I was teeenager in late 70's, hippies were phasing out}I had always wanted to go to Jamaica, so I'm game to give it a try. I hear the subs are pretty good there, hehehe....So we go, have the time of our lives (trip report in my signature), and haven't been to florida since cept to play ball for the weekend a couple of times. We went back halloween 2010, no trip report due to prolonged illness and loss of my mother and her sister, but returned this year for much needed relief from the pressures of our everyday life.

I do have quite a few pictures from 2010 trip including halloween dress up, negril before during and after a tropical depression, I was about 100 yards from the Mickey Hill incident, didn't see anything, but will never forget the loud shot, and the mass confusion and everything that went with that mess, Rhodes hall, I may post some of these later, I just looked at these for the first time, my mom got sick as soon as we got back.

Ok we are the type that hate the travel days, so we feel we would rather stay longer vs going more often...Labor day is usually a big softball weekend, so we planned to leave Monday, Janet found a great deal for A/I for legends, (we r not a/i people, but...) we also wanted to try a coiple days on the west end, so with the deal cuz of construction at catcha, we added 3 days there. We are beach people and felt we would be bored on the cliffs, esp me, but wanted to try. Friday party at LTU, sat at seastar, 100 candles at ivans for annivesary surprise, we will be ok, then added a few days back at legends to end the trip.

well, softball trip cancelled, so we have extra day or two on our hands. we enjoyed rhodes hall our last reach, Janet and Anita at rhodes hall had a good time together, foound the best subs ever near there, and lets just stay there for one night. we will get some jerk from biggas, relax on the long travel day, and bust in on negril all rested up. good plan. never got a response to several emails to rhodes hall or phone calls to anita. change of plans. saw the deal at bourbon beach, and so we will try this for one night...a little worried cause we never noticed that they had rooms there, and on our last trip in 2010, a big sailboat was in the middle of the dancefloor cause of the storm, and bourbon beach was not really open for business. but our friend ann was right behind the stage. so lets do it....so here we go....

We book a stay park and fly deal thru value fly...figured to be the best deal since our flight was early sunday morning. We arrive at the hotel in atlanta and guess what? No reservations. And she said they had no rooms. We call value fly and of course no answer...We are frustrated. I had a couple of hotel numbers in my travel book, so I call the two close to us, no vacancy...Janet is on the phone with the owner...Finally found us a room, 20.00 more than we had thru value fly, but we'll take it...since they had to dig us up a room, I expected the worse. well, pleasnatly surprised, room was nice, a/c worked great nice king bed, and the room number was......420. this is a sign of the great weeks ahead. Janet just says I am silly. What?

Not many choices in the area, settle on Mexican resturant across the street, not very good for either of us. go back to room, watch opening day of college football, drink beer, subs and early sleep.

wake sunday morning 5am, not feeling well, load the shuttle, wait, I need a minute...step outside and for second time that morning, had to do what I call puke and rally...supper didnt sit right, only 2 beers, just get it out and I'll feel better...one last sub to relive the nausua... and it worked...ok lets go..our driver spoke a little fast and didn't quite understand everything he said...on the way, he's complaining about the new international terminal the atl airport has, and how far it is and blah, blah, blah...well it is a long way from the old one...he told us to blah blah, and he would meet us there in zone 3...ok, zone 3, I got it....should have listened better... arriving back to atl from international is a vary long walk and another very long shuttle to where he met us.....not better or easier at all...

anyways, check in is easy, board w/o problems, plane is full, aactually land about 15 mins ahead of schedule....
arrive at sangster, gather our checked luggage, and we are looking a mess, 2 big checked bags, 2 carry on bags, laptop bag stuffed,and a huge purse...practice my system at home, worked great, just not as easy here in public, at the airport, trying to get out to our ride....ok all done, lets get outside

clap clap clap........great reporting......look forward to more.......

We chose kingsley to drive us. Alfred was our only driver we had ever used, other than a taxi here and there...One time alfred was busy and had recommended kingsley...we never had the chance to use him, but when Janet mentioned him, i remembered his name, and found out, yes he did work out of xtabi like alfred did. Kingsley said he was alfreds friend, answered a few questions for us, not as talkative as alfred. He stopped right outside of mobay for a couple of cold redstripes and had my subs ready...ok it is on...between mobay and negril, we went thru 3 different sets of cops on the road, sitting with radars, us being warned by the blinking lights of upcoming trafffic...come on man, can't a guy enjoy his sub w/o all this hassle, lol,...

we arrive a boiurbob beach. Kingsley said he didnt know BB even had rooms, thats what I said. I ask for Kevin, He is napping, but we are waiting for you...Let me back up for a minute...when I booked for the one night at BB thru email, all Kevin said was sure, all done..I emailed a few days later with a question, again all ok, do you need a credit card, no we got you, he says...so I didnt have anything but my emails for confirmation. Well, Kevin told us to tell you he would get with you later...ok, we are surrounded by 4-5 people who claim to be with BB, all wanting to help. It was a little overwhelming, even kingsley said, which one is security, they are taking off with your bags, mon... Janet you follow our bags, kingsley you wait here...get up to room, get bags dropped off, go settle with kingsley, still a little overwhelming with people asking what I need, all wanting to help, just let me get settled, I'll be down in a few, still havent checked in, tipped anyone, have at least 5 people tote our bags, wow, what a whirlwind...but noone has asked for anything yet....I go down, order some jerk chicken for both of us, 1/2 for me 1/4 for janet both with fries, ask how long, 10 minutes he said, so we eat...as we are eating, we see ann heading over to us...she recognized us from a distance, gave us a big hug, and said she would catch up later...I think that set the tone for the trip...They all said, you know ann? yep, our friend for long time, think that earned us some respect. the jerk was very good, moist, little hot but very good...

I walk to store for beer, ice, water, juice, I have a collapsable cooler we use...works great...
The rest of the day we didn't do much, just sat on deck, beach chairs by ann, sat at bar, etc...finally met the people that helped check us in...my friend seymour (fast car), and dewight wyatt, security guard jack, and everton day bartender, and chris, night bartender, and dont forget shaba, heart shaped glasses, will turne out to b one of the hardest working men on the beach..
for supper we had a burger and another round of jerk.....we drank and unlimited number of beers, had 2 meals each and with the deal, well at this point, still don't know how much we owe, we haven't checked in yet....did meet kevin and he said he would get with us later...ok....we sit in hottub, sunday is movie night at BB, they set up a screen and show 3-4 movies, pretty cool to sit on deck to overlook the sea, and watch a movie...fastcar and I walk to alfreds, I took 10.00 with me, pay 6.00 for me to get in, and give him the 4.oo left...alfreds is dead, I enjoy a sub, and then I am feeling dead....head back after about 3 songs, and just sit on the deck, watch movie...i remember patrick from last trip, he hung out near ann, and he comes to me...you are the one who likes dogs, right, I say yes. He says you gave bella foood, I say yes I remember bella well from ast trip, well bella is mine...2nd case of many incidents that someone remembers something that happened 2 years ago, and I make them prove they really remember...

end of day 1

only a couple of pictures, all from Bourbon BeachAttachment 17643Attachment 17644Attachment 17645Attachment 17646Attachment 17647Attachment 17648Attachment 17649Attachment 17650

Great start! Like your style. Looking forward to more.

Great report so far! Can't wait for more great stuff ....

Loving it so far!

This is going to be good!!

The worst part of reading a trip report is waiting for next "instalment" :) Looking forward to Day 2...

bourbon beach is looking great! i didn't know they had rooms - lol

NICE START!! Room 420 LOL

jim-donna you guys are the greatest...we met you two at the rhodes hall pizza webcast in 2010...shuttle left before you got back from the horseback ride...

That was so weird, when we got back everyone was gone!! And we didn't get much beer or pizza. lessoned learned, ether do the cast, or the horse ride. If you do both you loose out on the beer and pizza. And Yes I do remember you! Enjoying the report.

just updated day 2 and lost it all....try it again

monday, sept 3...

I get up around 630, walk outside the room, look over the balcony, what a beautiful site, not too much stirring around, shaba raking the sand with a handmade leaf broom.
it amazes me thqt i see these guys doing the movies at past 2am and back at it at daylight....I dont do coffee, but enjoy my morning routine of wake and bake my subs, so I walk down and this is what I see...
Attachment 17707Attachment 17708Attachment 17709Attachment 17710

Janet gets moving around about 730...we need to change our money, so I get her a cup of coffee and walk over to the cambio in the BB parking lot...8 am, it is closed, looks like it might not even still be there, no sign or anything, ask someone near the store, yeah, mon he says, all finished, but I know a guy that will give you a good deal, come on, no no no, I got it covered, thanks bud...so I go get Janet set up with more coffee, and decide to walk to roundabout to change $$$...she just wants to set on the deck and enjoy til I get back..

decided to walk the beach, along the way saw several of friends made on last reach...saw Ann first, setting up her shop, she loves tootsie rolls, so I gave her a bag of the treat she loves...saw cash money and his dog red bull, saw peter at bar b barn, last reach he was on crutches, saw rasta jimmy who hangs at sea grape by negril beach club, which was oiur home last trip, saw gary, the life guard at negril beach club....one of janets best friends in jamaica is the bartender at sheilds, maureen...we spent several hours at the 2 for 1 happy hour last trip, well she was off today but will be here rest of week, talked to security stewie, fed the 2 dogs, coco and sheild, then I cut up and finished the rest of the walk by road...got to town and went to my favorite place to people watch from town, at the table on the corner....a very busy corner at the beginning of west end road...i sit here for about 30 minutes most every trip to town and jsut watch...as im sitting there, dwight and shaba from bourbon beach walk by..I just saw u guys at BB, yep we needed some paint and things to do some signs for mondays concert (more on the show later)..then I see someone I know walking toward down from west end, as he got near, he looked at me close and as he got closer, he smiled the biggest smile, I remember u, Mi friend, that necklace U have on, U got from me for some crackers, haha...yep, wow how do they remember these things (we left him our leftover snacks and drinks on our last rreach, he gave us a couple of neckalaces and trinkets)he asked about my lovely wife, she bought a painting from me(actually 2) yep, got it hanging it my man cave in the jamaica corner....anyway he was walking to work...His name was Octavious Gordon from NBCC.

I get the $$$ exchanged, and head back to BB, just want to enjoy it before we move to legends...wife already skeptical of legends...look at the small beach, all those red umbrellas and chairs on top each other, I think we will be hanging on the beach here...OK, no problem, mon....

back at bourbon beach, we hang out until check in at legends...about 2pm...We get set up by the big tree so I can get a likkle shade or sun if needed...
Attachment 17711Attachment 17712

I see Kevin and tell him we are leaving in about an hour, ok, he says, fast car will take u where u need to go...Ok, well, can we settle up? I see u later, Im a likkle busy, but feel free to use BB and the staff for you're entire stay, and if u need anything, let us know...ok, im fixing to leave the motel and not pay....guess he knows I cant go TOO far....lol...

Here is our take on Bourbon Beach...because of the deal, it was the best VALUE ever....can't beat it

the room was basic but clean...room 14 overlooked the jacuzzi. the view from the deck is outstanding...air condition worked...everything we expected..
basic budget place to stay...staff more than helpful...already mentioned by name earlier...pictures later....we were worried about security, but after a while, never a worry again..besides kevin, we saw no one upstairs while we stayed there... it is somewhat of a local hangout at the bar, but since it was slow season, one of the best bars to drink at...if u want a private setting, this mite not b for u, but if u like drinking a red stripe and meeting several interesting people, it is a great bar to hang at.....because we were known, we were not hustled, or bothered in any way...matter of fact, i was known as bossman, and big boss by most and Janet was my pretty lady.....the meals were great...

So I guess I have no real complaints...I would stay their again, even without the special...

Attachment 17713Attachment 17714
Janet and Salomi, who does foot massages...
Attachment 17715Attachment 17716

Attachment 17717
Attachment 17718
Attachment 17719
Attachment 17720

last 3 pictures from day 2...

we check into Legends with fast car taking us and offering his services all week, errands, security, pick stuff up in town, anything...ok, i got it, u are ready to help....

we missed lunch but they let us order off menu, so we got fish and chips and grilled chicken club...both were great....
we got room 310, right beside the pool, closest to the beach, great room....
we did the sand gravity thing, migrating from the chair to the bar to the room for a/c to the pool to the chair to the....oh, you get the idea...

supper was snapper, taters, and fresh fruit...note to self---gotta start eating more fruit when we get back home....at this meal, we had the kitten encounter, of course we feed them, and now we have a buddy for the rest of the trip....

we fill our mugs with our beverages, (you are a funny couple, Janet, you drink the beer, and he drinks the girly drinks} yep thats how we roll...)
and head to, guess where, ....BourbonBeach..... to watch west end gang.... west end gang plays more of a easy listening style than most of the live shows...Janet likes, and come to find out so does my new friend RINA...rina and larry are getting married in nov at coco and wet end gang is playing at her wedding...she loves her some safari--lol---she will correct me on the spelling later..i know its not safari, but......

about midnight or so, we call it a night...1st complaint of legends, they lock the doors at the beach so the only way in is from the road, not that big of a deal, but I like to enjoy a sub on the deck after hours, and it is a likkle inconvienient...anyway we walk thru jamaica tamboo, monday is disco night, dj, and it is loud and crowded...we go to the room, and it is loud....bass vibrating the room...we light the candles and sit on the deck and listen for a few, well we might as well go back, we are gonna hear it anyway...we head down to tamboo..we only stay bout 20 minutes, if that....my buddy fast car pops up again....this music I really can't undeerstand, dj plays a song, bout 15 seconds worth, and stops the song and just SCREAMS....SCREAMS....a likkle music and SCREAAMING......but the young people were getting it, it was packed so I knew it would be going on for awhile.....we watch em dance and scream and finally head back to the verandda to finish the night...too loud for us..but something to see...

i know we are starting out slow, but we got pub crawl on wed, and pelican bar on fri, with lots of pics....

Not a big Legends fan myself. I'm interested to see how things work out. Excellent report. Don't hold back!

Attachment 17721Attachment 17722Attachment 17723Attachment 17724

glad to see the upstairs of bb . . . staying there at end of the month . . . also pleased to hear about security, it was ???? for me . . . thanks for the pics . . .

any pics of the room at BB?

hanging on -- waiting for more!

nice trip--thanks for sharing. Sounds like BB has really shaped up as compared to years gone by.

I stayed at Samsara and used Legends on a few beach runs from there on my first trip. I hated how the loungers on the beach were right on top of each other like sardines in a can. I tried to move one over a little out of the fray but got chided by security and had to line it back up. It was my first trip to JA so really it was all Irie but I wouldn't go back to stay there--other budget options are better IMO. The food was nothing to write home about. But this was years ago. It may have changed since. My first time going I knew nothing of JA and was traveling solo so I went AI, big mistake food wise. But I had an amazing stay--I was just blown away by the sea, the country, the music--and now I have an incurable passion for the place. Walking that beach in the early morning, sublime. Jumping off cliffs any time of the day, excellent. Hanging with J'cans, and listening to reggae and dancehall all day long, priceless.

jitterbug, if u have any questions, for myself or janet, feel free to ask...

seveen, no pics of the room at bb, still have many of the property, as we made it our home base, even after we checked out...room was nothing fancy, two beds, a/c worked, tv, i think we turned it on to get the time, nothing else to write home about...well, except for the view..oh what a view..Attachment 17746Attachment 17747Attachment 17748
no complaints, we expected a budget room,it actually was bigger than i would have thought...like the bb website says, it ain't the ritz or anything, lol...
i think i also remember from past posts that you knew ann...she is the one who we thought of when we made the decision, and she made us feel safe from the start, from her chair, she could see our door, and we could see her shop...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by groove16

...we go to the room, and it is loud....bass vibrating the room...we light the candles and sit on the deck and listen for a few, well we might as well go back, we are gonna hear it anyway...we head down to tamboo..we only stay bout 20 minutes, if that....my buddy fast car pops up again....this music I really can't undeerstand, dj plays a song, bout 15 seconds worth, and stops the song and just SCREAMS....SCREAMS....a likkle music and SCREAAMING......but the young people were getting it, it was packed so I knew it would be going on for awhile.....we watch em dance and scream and finally head back to the verandda to finish the night...too loud for us..but something to see...

---

LOL, i remember what monday night sounded like and felt like staying at kuyaba our last trip. except it was at the end of our trip, so i was extrememly chill-axed trying to sleep....BOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMMM, BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMM.......wondering what the heck is going on over there!!??? are they SCREAMING??!!

Enjoying your TR! Thanks!

here are more pictures from monday...we walked to sheilds...a little past negril beach club towards town...several from various angles of the property...I always like the view thru the leaves...Attachment 17749Attachment 17750Attachment 17751Attachment 17752Attachment 17753

a couple more from sheilds

Attachment 17754Attachment 17755Attachment 17756Attachment 17757Attachment 17758Attachment 17759Attachment 17760Attachment 17761

shields has a deck above the bar, here is that view...
Attachment 17762Attachment 17763Attachment 17764

Attachment 17765Attachment 17766

this is the art and stuff from octavious gordon at negril beach club condos
Attachment 17767

and the last few from monday at bourbon beach...
here i am at the barAttachment 17768

Attachment 17769Attachment 17770Attachment 17771Attachment 17772

notice the sign has changed as the sun goes down....Attachment 17773Attachment 17774Attachment 17775Attachment 17776Attachment 17777

the last picture and the next are from Janets search for the longest rasta dreads...this is noel, he had a basket of herbs he was selling, you know, the kind you cook with, I guess..lol....Attachment 17778Attachment 17779Attachment 17780

That man has some serious locks. I would be afraid that I would sit on them at the wrong moment. Like when you have over indulged and flop down on the toilet. Serious care must be taken when they are that long.

This gentleman is interesting to talk to and sales legal herbs for various uses. Chat him up if you see him.

tues morning at legends, pictures from various angles
Attachment 17781Attachment 17782

janet by our room 310, pool right besideAttachment 17783

i'll throw in send flowers through out the trip, Attachment 17784

the view from our verandaAttachment 17785Attachment 17786

got out late, 1st time in legends chair(after meeting michael, she gets her choice every morn)Attachment 17787

the menu at kuyabaAttachment 17788

and I dont know why, but ive been accused of blinding folks with my attireAttachment 17789Attachment 17790

Ok janet needs some advice, please...she got eaten alive....bites all over her legs...we had off with high deet, we had skintastic, I think it was more sand fleas vs mosquitos...advice all over the place, white rum, lime juice and salt, fresh aloe...what do you guys do to prevent the bites...i rarely used the repellant and they didn't really bother me...

anyway, I walk to the store to get some itch cream...pictures along the way
Attachment 17793
path from the road to our room and to the beachAttachment 17794
Attachment 17795Attachment 17796Attachment 17798
the bigger pool on the garden side across the roadAttachment 17799
Attachment 17800Attachment 17801

photos from the walk to the store
Attachment 17802Attachment 17803Attachment 17804
thisis the true meaning of trash can chickenAttachment 17805Attachment 17806
bar b barn looks like a place we would likeAttachment 17807

the store across the road has ice, also will put your beverages in the freezer upon request and pick several hours laterAttachment 17808
the black cat that we fedAttachment 17809

groove and janet, sent you a pm . . . thanks.

(((groove16)))

yes i know ann for a long time now - she does my hair and gives a great massage - i bet her shop is getting more attention with the re-birth of bourbon beach

as for the bugs - i take benedryl and just let them bite me - lol - after a few days at home - they are all gone - but i found if i mimimize lotions that helps (a little)

oh and i had a little pang of homesickness when i saw the picture of bar-b-barn

thank you for a colorful trip report!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by groove16

and I dont know why, but ive been accused of blinding folks with my attire

---

My husband might actually jump your for that shirt...might not be quite bright enough though...seriously! :cool:

Loving the pictures - I've not explored that end of the beach, its great to get a good look.

Great job so far. We don't see many photos of Shields here, it's not a particularly popular resort on the message boards, so it's nice to get a look at that place. I'm intrigued by Bourbon Beach. Kevin made me a great offer for Xmas, but i am a bit concerned it will be too loud, especially that week with a lot of peeps expected on seven mile ..... Is the Jacuzzi hot?

One good thing about Legends is Michael, the security guy. He is not the biggest bouncer on the beach, but he is very consistent and does a great job with the little things like setting up beach chairs, remember you, etc.