The 55 and 5 birthday, anniversary, reunion, celebration adventure.

Well it's the third wake up on the island I suppose I should make an attempt at reportage before memories disappear like smoke. I make no promises as to the diligence with which I will update this thread and any pictures will likely get posted on facebook.

I really need to find a way to stay here long term because the older I get the less I like travel. I love being here but I hate getting here. That being said travel day was probably the best ever. The van came spot on time and we were off. Check in and TSA were a breeze at 4AM. The Delta gate area at MSP has be redone into a hipster techie cyber bar with very few plain old seats. Lots of tall stools and every spot had its own iPad for you to surf, shop and especially order from the techie hipster bar that is there now. The whole thing felt rather uninviting and mildly fascist. You vill interact und you vill like it! Surprising Donna with our first class upgrade when we boarded was fun. Arriving in Atlanta we took 5 stops on the train and they were boarding our flight within 5 minutes. The next surprise for Donna was the arrival service from Club MoBay. Ours was the only flight arriving so the crush was minimal but it was still nice to be escorted to our own immigration desk and our own customs desk no waiting. Our hostess called our driver, he met us at the curb and we were off. All told it probably saved us 30-40 minutes. Was it worth it? Marginally yes but on a busy day it would be friggin' priceless. The road to Negril was a blur as I dozed most of the way and with a brief stop for supplies we were home.

First morning Donna is up and at em early and heads for the gym. I finally stumble down for coffee and eventually one of Teddy's yardie omelettes and barely move from my spot in the gazebo all day. Donna heads out again later to visit friends and I finally become mobile by going into town for cash and phone credits and we rendezvous at Yellow Bird for 2 for 1 dirty bananas. From there it's off to Canoe for the web cast. Joining us at Canoe was my bff Al and his wife Beth. I've known Al since we were in 4th grade and it was their wedding that brought me to Negril for the first time. Al is a master class home brewer and certified beer judge and also makes some outstanding meads. A couple months back he gave me a bottle of pimento berry mead that was simply stunning but he topped it by bringing a sorrel mead fortified with a bit of overproof. One sip and your mouth says "christmas in the islands mon!" Dinner was fantastic as always. I had the Lionfish and it was delicious lightly battered and fried. I only wish there was a second piece. The "new" Canoe is sweet! Same great vibe and Patty & Kirby are such excellent hosts. Maybe the best place to chill ever!

The Castle is looking great. There is a wedding here today and they have been cleaning and repainting. Security has always been good but they have added a uniformed guard service at night for even tighter reign. They are as guest friendly as ever they just need to know who is coming so they will let them in. Our plan for the day consisted of nothing until it was time for the Pirate Dinner at Bourbon Beach. I called and made reservations for 4 in the afternoon and Al and Beth met us there before seven. I have been reading such good things on the board about BB, the dinner and what Kevin is doing in general and was anxious to see for myself. Well it turns out that instead of the Pirate Dinner they had a big show that had been scheduled well in advance of the dinners but the person who took our reservation was the only one there who didn't know. Just as a harrumph is starting to work its way up from my belly Kevin walks up and introduces himself apologizing all the while for the mix up. The next thing he said blew me away. "To make up for it let me buy you dinner." They set us up a table with platters of jerk chicken and pork with fries and rice and peas. It was more than the 4 of us could eat. We will definitely go back for next friday's dinner. That kind of pro active customer service will generate more good will than he knows.

This mornings omelette has arrived so I'll sign off for now. I might show up in chat tonight from Seastar.

Bless...
Ed

Thanks for the on site report.Enjoy your time on the rock!!!

Thanks for the report Ras,have a great time!!

Thank you for sharing. It's the next best thing to being there. I won't be staying at BCC this reach, but hope to at least visit Teddy's for a meal & a hello to Petrona. Bright blessings to you & Donna on all your wonderful celebrations!!!!

Hi Ras, sounds like a great trip so far. I got a serious hankering for jerk chicken and rice and beans now. :p

Thanks for the report Ras. We're looking forward to another stay at the Castle next month. Good news about Bourbon Beach. I keep hearing good things about what is going on there now. By the way, you can post any pics here that you post on facebook. In facebook, right click on the photo. click "copy link location" and paste it in the insert image box. easy!

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My phone keeps telling me there is a winter storm warning and I see lots of pics on facebook of 6 inches of snow in Minneapolis. This is my view at the moment! Hey, they had their chance.

Thanks for the updates Ras Walleye! Quick question for you - I know you love BCC - is it worth a trip there for dinner and do you need reservations?

We're supposed to be getting a mix of freezing rain, rain and snow tonight - I'd much prefer your view! Soon come :)

LOL Snow?! Wuck Finter..........HELLO NEGRIL!!!!!

Yes it is worth the trip. Teddy was the chef at Kuyaba and honestly they have lost a step since he left. No reservations needed. A call never hurts but isn't required.

Thanks! We'll check it out, we do have to eat after all...

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Originally Posted by 2nutz4travel

Thanks for the updates Ras Walleye! Quick question for you - I know you love BCC - is it worth a trip there for dinner and do you need reservations?

We're supposed to be getting a mix of freezing rain, rain and snow tonight - I'd much prefer your view! Soon come :)

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Teddy is a great chef! Get there early and enjoy the Sunset from the yard. After dinner hit the No Limit Bar and PeeWee's!

Teddy is a great chef! Misti, Ted and I went there for dinner a few days ago. She and I had the biggest lobsters I have ever seen in Jamaica. Ted had steamed fish that he said was really good and that's coming from another chef's mouth. So do give him a try.

Will do - Ras Walleye - chances are we'll be there either the 17th or the 18th - maybe we'll see you then!

Wicked start Ras, really enjoy reading your reports!!

Have a great stay!!

Jamb

Thanks Ras,sounds like Bourbon Beach will get some of my tourist dollars.Have you bumped into Big Roy ?

Ras,

Good stuff, please keep it coming!

Enjoy,

VVHT

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 2nutz4travel

Thanks for the updates Ras Walleye! Quick question for you - I know you love BCC - is it worth a trip there for dinner and do you need reservations?

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Absolutely the BEST lobster thermodore I have ever eaten!!!!!

Enjoy you two!!

Another beautiful morning in Negril!
This trip has been wonderful but got off to a sad start. 2 days before we left my step father died. He was 95, still himself and surrounded by family so he was many times blessed. He was an extraordinary good man. Patient and kind with a keen eye and a quick wit. As I was growing up he and I rarely saw eye to eye but the older I got the more I understood and we became good friends. He was a talented portrait and landscape painter with portraits hanging in the Truman Museum and the State Capital building in St. Paul, MN. He taught me that craftsmanship is art in its own rite. One of the earliest memories I have is of a trip with him to the north shore of Lake Superior. It was the first time I was enchanted by big water. As I sit here on the cliffs of Negril experiencing that same enchantment, I find I miss him very much and am grateful to have had him in my life.

Then we lose Sally. In all the years I never met her but you can't be a boardie and not know of her and her good works. Rest well sister.

As to what we've been up to. Seastar was a blast as always and Francine is looking more radiant than ever!
Went up to Treehouse for breakfast. If you never have, you really should at least once. All you can eat buffet with custom omelettes and waffles, fresh fruit and a variety of Jamaican breakfast foods. Ackee and saltfish, porridge, callaloo, dumplings and more. Oh yeah coffee and orange juice also included. Free if you are staying there, $13US as a visitor.
Went to Push Cart for dinner last night with Al & Beth. Beautiful setting, great 3 piece Mento band that no one was tipping except me. Expensive drinks and ok food but nothing wowed us.

Today I await the arrival of my father and step mother and a brother and sister with another brother in the next day or 2 so things are about to get busier.
Have a blessed day everyone and never miss an opportunity to tell someone you love them.

Ed

We were the only ones that tipped the band the night we were there too. Thanks for the "on site" reports and look forward to your best dining experiences. I am thinking our tastes run the same

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Originally Posted by Ras Walleye

Another beautiful morning in Negril!
Have a blessed day everyone and never miss an opportunity to tell someone you love them.

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You are so right on that, too often we take people (and things) for granted. My condolences on the loss of your step father, but it sounds as though he is there with you.

The family arrived minus most of their luggage which apparently went to Kingston. But by the time we were done with dinner AA had delivered them to the Castle. Dad is much more frail than he was 5 years ago at our wedding. This so close on the heels of losing Louie and I can't help but worry. After getting the parents settled at Treehouse and the siblings at the castle we regrouped for dinner at Just Natural. It used to be a nice walk from the castle but now it's deep on the west end, past Out of Town bakery. It was dark so we couldn't see beyond the lights strung through the trees but it seemed much bigger than the old place and every bit as intimate and magical as ever. We had run into Theresa in town the previous day and I told her we'd be bringing the fam up to meet them. She immediately took to dad and guided him and supported him over the uneven path, and treated him like a king the whole evening. The food was wonderful, I had the lobster, the drinks tasty and the vibe unmatched. Christine and Emile posed for pictures afterward and hugs all around. Hope to get back up there in daylight to really see the place.
Yesterday was my brother John's 35th birthday. We are 20 years apart minus 2 days. He chose Kuyaba for dinner and we called for pick up. The last few times we've been there we had been disappointed both in the service and the food but last night everything was rock solid. When they are on their game they are hard to beat.
After that it was back to the Castle for everyone for cake and ice cream. Donna had bought a delicious chocolate cake in town and vanilla ice cream. The perfect night cap. Today Alexandra and the sibs are going horse back riding in the hills and I think a Canoe web cast might be in our future but you just never know.

Bless...
Ed

Bright and early on my birthday Donna and I taxied to Canoe for breakfast. Firmly solidifying it status as my favorite hangout in Negril. Everything is always good there and day or night the vibe is right.Attachment 20776Attachment 20777Attachment 20778
And the wi-fi is great!

The last of our merry band arrived in the afternoon. My youngest brother Matthew. The now 7 of us plus a couple from the Castle went to Bourbon Beach for the Pirate dinner. It is definitely a work in progress that has the potential to be a real good time. Even with reservations we had to wait over an hour for another group to arrive before they started serving and they began serving them first. The timing of the various food items was odd and poorly paced and the music was so laid back as to be almost depressing. Capt. Dwight White and his fetching wenches need to be more in character and play it up a bit to keep the guests involved. The food was good and the rum punch was effective. This is by no means meant to be a rip on the Pirate dinner or BB or Kevin. Once I got over myself I had a good time. A few tweaks in staging and presentation would make this a must do party! After dinner Kevin came over and asked our opinion and appreciated the feedback.
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The penultimate surprise of the trip was the 100 Candles dinner at Catcha Falling Star. Donna had no idea and was blown away as was I. Out on a point, at a private table, surrounded by candles and the sea, under a canopy of stars. The food was delicious and this was one instance where soon come was not an issue. They could take as long as they wanted between courses because we didn't want it to end. Finally the ultimate surprise. When we got married, Selena did all the food for our party including a lovely red velvet cake. It turns out Donna was disappointed that we didn't have a traditional Jamaican wedding cake with the fruit and spice and wine. So I asked Catcha to have a small one made. It was more than she could take and the tears of happiness flowed. This is an evening I will remember forever.
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lovely pics! congrats to you and your wife:)

Awesome Ras,you two are a great couple and we are glad our paths have crossed in the past and hope we meet again one day on the rock!!Continue having a great time and Happy Anniversary to you both!!

Thanks for sharing! :D

I LOVE Meade!!!! Enjoy your reach my friend!!!

Fantastic Ed!!!!!!