Trip Report 2 ~ Seastar ~ March 2012

This was my 2nd trip to Jamaica and I was so excited to be going with Badnaz & Jambarney. We were going to celebrate Badnaz's birthday. It was especially exciting because their son, Shane was going for the first time. It was so neat to see him someone new experience Jamaica as a newbie. Flight went off without any problems and before I knew it, we were landing in MBJ. Kenny was waiting for us outside the airport and I couldn't be more excited to be back. Threw the luggage inside and off we headed toward Seastar. I had mixed feelings about staying at Seastar because I am a beach girl, but I had only heard great things about so I was excited. We (of course) had the necessary Red Stripes during the drive, and along with a couple stops along the way, we were pulling in. Attachment 19525Attachment 19526

We got to Seastar and my first impression was amazing. So beautiful and loved meeting Chris & Francie. The staff here was welcoming and I immediately felt like home. Got to my room, and had to try the hammock. It was perfection, I had to see the sunset from the beach or I might never have gotten out of it. We threw our bags in our room, changed into our suits and headed down to put our feet in the sand. We walked downstairs, grabbed a quick drink and headed down to the beach. We jumped in a cab and headed down to Sunbeach where Jamb & Badnaz have friends. They were super excited to see them and quickly made me feel like an old friend to them as well. Walking onto the beach again, I felt like I was back where I belonged. It was so neat to see Shane too, because he instantly fell in love with Negril. Watching his face reminded me of my first trip. We walked the beach, met up with some of my friends and had my first dirty banana. Attachment 19528Attachment 19529Attachment 19530

We had more drinks, went back to Seastar to change and headed out to the road to get something to eat. We walked down to the the corner and ordered a couple more beers and ate some of the best food. I was already drunk and couldn't tell you where we were, but it was good. Shane could not stop talking about how much fun he was having, he had a few more drinks, ate his dinner and his first night in Jamaica caught up to him ~ because he passed out cold at the table. We basically carried him out of there and went back to Seastar, he crashed on the bed and we sat up for a few more hours on the deck and in the hammock. Attachment 19531Attachment 19532

We had to crash soon, because tomorrow was a busy day and we were heading to the Jungle the next night.

HAHA. Passing out so early. Jamaicans call that "kid style".

I really like those chair swings at sunbeach!

I went "kid style" my first night in Negril at the old For Real bar. Damn those rum punches. Woke up the next morning not knowing how we got back to Coco or if we paid our tab. We should have ate someting. Some guy was trying to sell us Gaja cake and it was looking darn good on an empty stomach. But thankfully we passed. Went back the next day to make sure they weren't looking for a Drink and Dasher ... but all was good. Maureen must have taken care of us. That WILL not happen again!

Very promising report ...

Enjoying your trip report so far! (Love that "I love Jamaica" picture! so much joy in that smile! ) Looks like you guys had an awesome first day! Looking forward to the next installment

Good times ahead! :)

Nice!! Looks like a very good first day

love the sunset pic.....

Lovenegril,

You are in good company with Bad and Jam.

Please let me know if Duce Blanc is still across from Seastar? Jam and Bad will know who I'm talking about...

Nice start, more please!

VVHT

Hahahaha Look at him...He LOVES Jamaica :D

Did you go to the ASS bar after the Tit bar? I mean that seems natural.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Clarity

Enjoying your trip report so far! (Love that "I love Jamaica" picture! so much joy in that smile! ) Looks like you guys had an awesome first day! Looking forward to the next installment

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Thanks, I love that picture too.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by VVHT

Lovenegril,

You are in good company with Bad and Jam.

Please let me know if Duce Blanc is still across from Seastar? Jam and Bad will know who I'm talking about...

Nice start, more please!

VVHT

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I will let them know.

Next day we woke up early & headed out got some breakfast before heading down to the beach. I was pleasantly surprised to see Shane was already up & waiting for us. Today Jamb decided he was gonna rent a car so off we went. I can't imagine driving in Negril, but he was excited to try and away we went.

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Spent most of the day relaxing at the beach, and having some cold drinks. I met up with some of my friends from my first trip, made plans for them to go with us to the jungle that night, and then we headed back to Seastar for dinner (the seafood pizza was to die for) and got ready to head out for the Jungle. I had never been there and I was ready. Before going out, we had a couple drinks & we talked to Chris at the bar for awhile and he bought us all shots and we had some great conversation before heading out.

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Off to the Jungle we went. We got there and of course it was crowded because it was Thursday night. It was hotter than hot inside and the drinks were not very cold, but we just started dancing and made the best of it. As you might know, the dancing in Jamaica is different and we were living it up. One point I will make here, Ladies...be careful of the people you dance with. One very "friendly" young man was dancing with me and had his hands all over me, even though I was pushing them away. It didn't take me very long to realize that not only was he enjoying the dancing, but he was really trying to "touch" the money I had in the pocket of my skirt. I enjoyed sitting on the stage and enjoyed the dance-off between Ninja and some other men. We couldn't find Shane most of the night, we were all upstairs dancing and he was downstairs because he enjoyed the local vibe going on down there. He let us know later that he had quite a few offers for different kinds of entertainment, but he was really just enjoying Jamaica.

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At this point, we decided to leave and head back to Seastar. My life flashed before my eyes for a minute as Jamb pulled onto the wrong side of the road, but he quickly corrected his mistake and we laughed about it later. We got back and stayed up and partied on the balcony for another couple of hours. Jamb & Badnaz headed to bed and my friends & I stayed up with Shane who was much better tonight. Now, Shane was not staying at Seastar as he was a last minute addition to our trip, and Seastar was booked. He was renting a room from some guy down the road. It was a pitch black walk to get there so we walked him home at about 3:30 and headed in for the night.

Your smiles say it all!

I also like your holding the sunset picture.

Now I knew Badnaz was acrobatic ( that's how we got lil jamb) ........... but that girl has managed to out do herself, she's dancin on walls sideways. I guess the OP shots do work?

Being on the wrong side is just a temporary geographical, optical illusion, all relative to physics, ......... damn back seat drivers.

Jamb

Woke up, and had Jamaican breakfast, aaahhhh. What can I say? I would eat breakfast like a good girl everyday if someone would have that waiting for me before I went into work. Jamb, Badnaz, & Shane were headed to Mayfield Falls. I had been there last trip so I decided to stay around Seastar & the cliffs. Hung out at the pool, had a few dirty bananas, visited with some of the guests (including who I know now is Rasta Stan). Walked to Rick's cafe and watched the Sunset and there was a big boat from Hedonism there. I believe there may have been one person with clothes on. I have a picture I am not sure I can post of that boat...

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That night, when they got back from Mayfield, they were pretty worn out and were gonna stay in for the night. I met up with some local friends Cyrano & Shama and headed down to Alfred's for the live music. These are always some of my favorite nights in Negril. Standing with my feet in the sand, cold Red Stripe, listening to music, and feeling at total peace. I love these moments. This was going to be my night of not drinking so much... didn't happen. Red Stripe turned into rum punch turned into Rum shots and I was feeling no pain.

Here is where my memory gets a bit foggy but I remember thinking that I wanted to go into the water at night, we all know that is not the best idea but I was determined. My friends were trying to talk me out of this the whole time but I stripped down to my tank top and skivvies and I was going in. The feeling of my toes in the water, it was cool & refreshing...going a little farther to my knees, and then suddenly shouting..."RAY RAY!!!! Get out of the water!!" My friends shouted, and there was a giant ray swimming right by me. That was the quickest I moved the whole trip and I was out of that water. This also sobered me up a bit and that is why we don't go in the water at night. Jumped in a cab and headed back to Seastar. Bar was closed by this time, so we grabbed a few Red Stripes out of the room, laid in the hammock and found another way to relax into la-la land.

Man I love la-la land. :cool:

I like how you guys do things and am eagerly awaiting the next installment. Getting drunk and going in the water at night is fun to do. Much safer on the beach than the West End as well, at least the going in the water part.

I'm fond of La La Land as well.....would love to just move in

Booger I dont understand....what is so different about that water at night? lol On second thought, I'm blissful in my ignorance so nvrmnd.

LoveNegril...thanks you sooooo much for this report!! Can tell yall had mad fun....seem like a really laid back group. Hope to cross paths one day.

Please continue :)

I'm with you Tizzy, I don't want to know what might be in the water a night! I feel safe just assuming that all the scary creatures are sleeping...

In my world, it is often those 'take it easy' nights that end up going the opposite direction and live on as legend. Sounds like you were having a great time.

Great report so far, keep it coming!

Okay, all, this brings up the night swim thing. When I stayed at Xtabi in May, I had a final skinny dip in the sea every night, just before going to bed. So, what was I risking? A jelly sting, a lion fish.....just wondering if this was beginner's luck. Anyone had a bad experience?

Good stuff! I think Bad? (sitting in the front seat of the convertible?) has my Red Stripe cap! They made more than one of those! Damn!

I am a night time swimmer too--but I don't think I'd do it off the cliffs, the beach is more my speed for nocturnal swims. I love floating on my back star gazing. The locals freak though and try to get me out of the water--saying sea things look for food at night. I think it may be more of a Jamaica thing than a real threat, I have swum at night all over the globe with no incidence and in Negril dozens of times. I have never heard of any disaster stories, but like Tizzy says, maybe in this case ignorance is bliss.

Oh and thanks for the great report! I am enjoying the latest spate of Negril adventures that have appeared on this board.

Thanks for the kind words. I am glad to know you all tried the night swimming too. The locals I know will only go in the water at night if they are night fishing with spear guns. lol ~ Don't think I am gonna try that anytime soon.

Tizzy ~ I would love to move to la-la land too. Alas, I can only find it in Negril.
Guirigay ~ Bad loves her cap too.
Irie ~ If ignorance is bliss, give me ignorance.
Bj ~ Glad you never had a bad experience at night.
Booger ~ I love la la land too!
Jamb~ Sorry about the backseat driving, but it had to be included. And you guys know all too well how good the OP shots work!

The next day was Saturday night at Seastar, but first we had the day to contend with. Back down to the beach & relaxed with some Stripes. Decided to head out to do some snorkeling & reminded myself why I must get an underwater camera. So beautiful!!!! Headed out to the island, which is my favorite day trip. We were sitting around, people were drinking, eating, & relaxing in la-la land when I see a police boat pull up. I guess "technically" they don't really like people hanging out on the island and so I of course was a bit worried. Forgetting for a moment I was in Jamaica where there are no worries, bc the police boat pulled in, everyone kept drinking and they got out of the boat with a bunch of fish and had the guys cook them for them. No Worries! They came over, asked if I was enjoying my vacation & were soon on their way. We ate, I was a little sad because there was no breadfruit which I loved, but I can't be too sad when I tasted my dinner fresh from the sea. YUM!!!!

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Headed back home to shower, and get ready for the show. First I have to point out that this was during March Madness and KU was playing. Being from Missouri, you are either an MU or a KU fan. My fellow travelers Bad & Jamb are MU Fans, I am the opposite. MU was out of the tournament in what was it again...the First round???? That's besides the point, but KU was also playing that night in the Final 4 so that was exciting also. The game was on the tv by the bar, Rob (not a KU fan) was also watching the game, the buffet was out, the Red Stripes were cold, and the drummers were getting ready. It was gonna be a great night...

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