We made it to the rock

Got in yesterday, trip was exhausting. Fighting off a cold / allergies, god knows what the entire weekend, and felt awful the entire flight.

HOWEVER... USair left Philly on time, we got in 25 minutes early, and our driver was there waiting for us. Club Mobay arrival was pretty much a waste this year. I will most likely not use it on a Monday again. Pleasant experience, but zero time saved.

Arrived at Tensing, the place looks much nicer than last year. We were dealing with the after effects of Sandy last year, and large amounts of vegetation were lost. To call it lush this year is an understatement. The grounds are beautiful.

I got my first taste of jerk Pork for Ragabone/red dragon today. One of the lifeguards here drove up there and brought it back. He brought enough for four meals, so I may have given him a bit too much $j... Four giant hunks of coco bread and what appears to be a quarter pig. If no body else got any today, my apologies... I did not realize I was buying the lot.

Wi-fi is not working at tensing, so I have to do this in front of the office. Ah well, I can deal.

I am already up one bridge jump from the wife. It's off to the massage hut at three, then A nap, then Ivan's for dinner.

It's snowing back home, but... It is HOT here today.

More to follow throughout week. Pics are taking too long to upload, those will be given on return.

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Originally Posted by Hussyband

Arrived at Tensing, the place looks much nicer than last year. We were dealing with the after effects of Sandy last year, and large amounts of vegetation were lost. To call it lush this year is an understatement. The grounds are beautiful.

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I am so glad to hear this. I have been keeping my fingers crossed since the start of hurricane season that it would be a gentle year. We certainly saw the impact last year on the fruits and flowers. I'm almost at the single digit fidget now!

I hope you feel better soon. A few of those 'cherries' with the pork would certainly clear the sinuses out :p

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Originally Posted by Hussyband

It's snowing back home, but... It is HOT here today.

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Yeah, yeah - rub it in, Hussyband. :p I'm freezing my butt off here in Center City (37 degrees at lunch time!). Looking forward to more of your on-site report to help warm things up!

Have a wonderful time!!!!

Oh to have some HOT PORK from Red Dragon..........................Your KILLING me here!

No kidding!! Sunshine, Negril, Jerk Pork, Catcha..........since we had our first dusting of snow this morning, I am counting down the days. Enjoy paradise and keep us posted with all the activity. Enjoy to the MAX!!!

Oh, rub it in some more, Yetta!!!! (Let me zip up my parka before my tears freeze)

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Originally Posted by WestEndGirl

Oh, rub it in some more, Yetta!!!! (Let me zip up my parka before my tears freeze)

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Why do I think there me be a spontaneous trip in your near future??

Cold here too now, below freezing today. YUCK! Nice to keep warm through others...

Glad you made it. Cant wait for some Red Dragon Pork.. see you in a little over a week!!

Hey Timm-- was just looking at your cottage this morning as I walked through. No need for the tarps this year, everything grew back with a vengance. We got red birch, which is really nice, but way too big for just the two of us.

Ok, so a bit more report. We stayed on the cliffs all day yesterday. Sun and swimming has served to completely clear out my sinuses.... Scotch bonnet may have played an integral role. I feel fantastic this morning.

The resort has three large Rhodesian Ridgebacks. Beautiful dogs, and completely spoiled by life in a resort. Two of them have moved into our living room, which is open air, so I just leave the door open at night. I tried to buy them some biscuits at the hi-lo, but the clerks looked at me like I was crazy, asking for biscuits for dogs...

Dinner was at Ivan's last night, my wife was so adventurous and ordered chicken Alfredo (snort), I had some delicious grilled snapper. As an after dinner treat, she wanted to try something new, and I convinced her bananas flambé were in order. Cindi (my wife) does not drink at all, and when the server poured the over proof rum on the bananas, I knew I would be getting those for myself.

Cook is making me jamaican breakfast again today, she promised breadfruit.

After that, it's swim time, then the ubiquitous shopping trip my wife has to have. Going to hit Times Square to get her an anniversary piece of jewelry, then I would like to try some of those other places I read about.... Hoping to find "aunty's thrill corner" for a pic of the wife to send to all of her nieces.

Beautiful morning, and very quiet. Yesterday evening, there was something going on over by sharks, and a couple argued for a good hour. I think the woman won the argument in terms of sheer volume at the very minimum.

I love all reports equally...but I have to admit...watching this one closely! Thanks for taking the time to report in. 50 more days...Rock Cottage II!!!

So glad you are feeliing better and thanks for the updates! Red Dragon is on my short list for the next trip.

Hey Hussy- if your walking the road- cut down to the beach near SeaSplash or Treehouse and you'll easily find Auntie's.

have a great trip- thanks for the updates!

A quick update before the wife gets up. Wi-fi at tensing is still spotty, so I have to walk over and sit in front of the office to get online.

We made a. Little excursion into town yesterday, good gravy, but it was hot. One could go so far as to say it was HOT, HOT, HOT.

We did not do much, made it to aunty's for my picture if the wife in front of the sign, earlier posts and recent directions from others were a blessing, as I made it right there. Also got a good look at sea splash.... That was a really nice little place. Also walked past tree house... It might end up on my place to stay list for a future trip as well. I feel like we have been missing an entirely different aspect of traveling here by staying in the same place all the time.

Short walk on the beach, cut back through margaritaville. I am not a huge fan of the chain places like this, so we did not stay. From there, a short taxi ride to the craft market. Anyone who has been recently... Did they reduce the number of stalls present in the market? It seems like there are fewer... I know there were not as many open due to the season, but it almost felt as a whole row had been taken down. Cindi got a pair of sandals, and some other assorted souvineirs.... I got to pay! :)

Walked over the the roundabout after this. I am looking to buy a breadfruit, and saw a produce stand there Monday, she was not set up today. I will manage to find myself a breadfruit at some point... It is now a mission! Jennifer (one of the chefs here) makes a really tasty jamaican breakfast. I've only had breadfruit the one time, and I want it again :).

Spent a few hours floating in the bay, just watching the waves and a little snorkeling in between nap time and book time in the hammock hut. Scheduled an excursion for Friday with Vincent glass bottom boat (I think the fellow piloting the boat is Michael?)and made sure to mention gerryg123 as the reason why we chose him.

Cindi was not feeling well at dinner, so I made her macaroni and cheese for dinner--she's in jamaica and is pleased as punch to have kraft macaroni and cheese... I am fortunate to have married a woman that is happy to eat from the kids menu-- so I gave Ahhbees a second chance. The first time I went he was out of everything, this was two trips ago. He has taken over the spot where Alicce's used to be, and it is really very nice. The burger... Good gravy, the burger. It would feed a small family to begin with, and was quite possibly the best cheeseburger I have ever eaten. I never thought I would associate best burger and jamaica in the same train of thought... But there you go.

We are having nightly visits from the local wildlife The maid says it is a bat, I think it has to be larger than a bat to carry the fruit that is being left in the hall between the bedrooms of pur cottage. I've taken to calling it a Patagonian toe nibbler, and Cindi will not leave our room as a result once it gets dark.

We are off to sips and bites for breakfast this morning, and I have a strenuous day of nap time, reading and general lay about attitude planned for the day.

Love the reports, I have to do a better job of doing daily or at least every other day reports while we are there!!

Have a great day :) Thanks for the live reports!

Lovin' the Patagonian Toe Nibbler...

Sounds like a great time so far...other than a potential toe nibbler. Thanks for including us a tiny bit on your adventures.

sounds like you have many more adventures in Jamaica --- Enjoy!

Another great day ahead on the rock,enjoy yourselves!!Thanks for sharing the reports!

I'm hanging on your every word. Thanks for sharing!

Well, I have hesitated greatly before posting this part of the report. It shows that even a seasoned and somewhat savvy traveller can encounter crazy.

We were robbed, at knifepoint this afternoon.

Cindi and I took a taxi over to Times Square, did a bit of souvenir shopping for friends back home... The usual tshirts, crafts, etc.

Taxied over to chicken lavish for lunch, and decided to find a taxi back to tensing.

The first car to come up was a Route taxi, and it was packed to the gills. We had a lot of crap, cindisays aphas a bad knee, and it just was not a fit for us. We waited for the next one which was also a route taxi... Empty but for the driver and passenger, and it was beginning to rain, so I said what the heck. Offered the driver $10 for the trip to tensing, he accted and we got in.

The passenger stated he wanted to be dropped off at his home, we stopped in the little roundabout in front of the primary school down by cav la mar (cage? Stressed right now, not 100% on the name! but it is on my police report). They took us up the road for that hotel, stating he was going to drop him off then take us to tensing.

Passenger made conversation the whole time, telling us his daughter was at the primary school, and he could sell us land on that road if we ever decided to move to jamaica... Utter bs of course, I take the conversation as it comes.

Top of the hill, driver turns the car around, and we go up a strep roadway... Passenger jumps out, put a knife in my wife's face, and said give me everything. He took my wallet, messenger bag, watch, both our wedding rings, the souvenirs, the cash we had on us (most was in the safe), my ipad, my wife's camera, and .. The kicker... My wife's shoes.

When he told us to get out, I frankly saw red, and freaked out. I picked up a rock, smashed the windshield and started beating the driver. They tore out of there, nearly hitting me in the process. My wife is screaming through all of this, so I went to her, and like a damn idiot did not get the plate number.

However, it is a red route taxi (not the ubiquitous white) with a Lilliput (spell?) route on the side which I found out is mobay. It has a smashed in windshield, and I driver that I tried to brain with a stone. 5 more seconds, and I would have disabled or seriously injured him. I was covered with his blood on my hands when they left.

Two very kind ladies down the lane heard my wife screaming, and came to assist, calling a friend to bring us back to the hotel.

Police arrived at the hotel, took us to the police station where individual constables took mine and my wife's statement, the tourism liaison gave us two stamped forms outlining our losses for insurance.

I feel stupid, as I did not get a license number, allowed this trash to take me down a back road, and more importantly that I was unable to seriously injure one of them for putting a knife in my wife's face.

I will not allow this to ruin my vacation. The constable handling the issue seemed genuinely angry about the issue, and during the time we were giving our statements managed to find a still shot of the car from the canoe bar cameras. He had also taken us to one of the supermarkets (not hi lo... The other one) that has a Road cam in an effort to find the car.

The canoe bar camera may be our best shot. I do not care about the stuff. If an always buy more crap. Someone shoved a knife in my wife's face, and I am afraid given the chance I would have done him serious harm.

Remember though... If you are traveling here, and see a red route taxi with Lilliput (I suppose the windshield will be repaired, as I caved it in) grab the plate number. And remember... Please be careful. Many of us are commonly repeat travelers, and can run into this nonsense at any time.

Kudos to the negril police for being so kind to us in this situation, and in particular to the constable who honestly took it as a personal affront, doing more work that I would have expected in such a short time. Karen at tensing and all of her staff have been very kind as I basically had a panic attack in their office.

I will not let negril be ruined for my by the actions of cowards.

Holy crap!!! So very glad you are both safe! Thanks for keeping us aware. My heart and soul are rather disheartened. I hate this sort of behavior on folks that are trying to enjoy their vacation only to be robbed and threatened. My heart goes out to you and your wife. Your last statement says volumes! I will be there in about a month and I will definitely be watching the route taxis that I take.

Many blessings sent to you both! And to Rob...thanks for letting this be posted. We all realize that stuff happens anywhere....but it is invaluable info to have, if for no other reason....just to be aware and reminded of how some people can indeed be up to no good. Even in my small town, stuff happens..but we all need to be alerted and aware. So thankful that you and your wife are safe and the police were helpful and kind. Pray that these dudes will be caught. Big ups to the staff at Tensing Pen for being so supportive. Jah guide............

Every red plated driver and cab owner in Negril should receive details of this. After all; it reflects badly on everyone doesn't it?
Hope the cops put the word out because I know in my tourist town of Niagara Falls Canada; police always call the cab companies when they're looking for bad guys. Friend of mine is a cab dispatcher here. They need to go to the taxi park etc and talk to the drivers.
More eyes and ears the better.
So sorry about what happened guys.
I know I will be super careful in January.

Wow! Glad you and your wife are okay. I hope this taxi driver and accomplice are found and prosecuted. Very scary...

I am so sorry this happened to you and Cindi. Thank you so much for sharing. I really hope the robbers are caught and that you can recover from this violation and find enough peace to enjoy the rest of your stay. I know it's hard but count your blessings, you have each other and you were not physically hurt. Hugs!

Oh my gosh, how scary for you! I hope you can somewhat get past this and enjoy the rest of your trip.
What did the driver and passenger look like? I heard a story awhile back of a similar incident happening and apparently it was a bald driver and a passenger in dreads. So aggravating as you feel a certain sense of safety when you use a red plate :(

My goodness what an ordeal for you both - we always try to believe it can't happen to us - but goes to show - it sure can! This helps to remind us why we don't mind the private taxi and more preferably someone who has been recommended.
I truly hope you can get the groove back and be able to enjoy the balance of your vacation. Something like this won't be so easy to put aside. God bless and let's hope the local networking with their ear to the ground, finds these individuals and takes care of it.

That totally sucks and i can't even imagine how you feel after that.We have made tons of trips in red plate taxis but i guess we always got lucky and got good ones.We are using one of the drivers that is listed on the board for transpoting us around this trip and i think that might have been a good call.Hope you enjoy the rest of your trip no matter what!!

All of us are deeply sorry this happened to you. It shouldnt happen anywhere, but unfortunately in this real world we live in bad things can and do happen to good people.

It is admirable that you are taking the stance that this will not further dampen your vacation. These cowards (excellent choice of words) now have identifying marks (busted windscreen and mashed up head) thanks to what I have to assume was an adrenaline filled reaction you took towards these cowards. Along with the description, Lilliput wording and the actual picture of the vehicle that the constable located will be invaluable in catching them.

The word is already out in Negril, (I got a call early this morning, waking me up) and both the police and other drivers have been looking for them. Since the vehicle had Lilliput markings, its "route" is about 25 minutes outside of MoBay on the north coast. They will have had to travel quite a ways to get back to their home area and there will be many people who will see them.

There are some things I feel that need to be said, and rather than hijack your thread Hussyband, I will start a new one. I hope we get a chance to meet up while you are here.

Take care, both of you.

Hussy and Cindi, so sorry this happened to you or anyone. Glad you are safe!!! I would hate to spend time in a jail any where but god help the soul that pulls a knife on my wife. I promise all the blood won't be mine as there is going to be lose of blood because like you I am going to do something I may regret later. There is never a time I don't have a knife of my own and it won't be the first time I have had to use it.

This can happen any where in any country any time including the good ole USA.

Don't let it ruin you trip!!

God Bless all those that came to your aid.

Holy crap, Batman!!!!
Where is that Patagonian Toe Nibbler when you need him?!

All joking aside, glad you are both OK & thank you for sharing.

Very sad that this happened to you. Glad you are both ok. It was very nice of the ladies in that neighborhood to help you.

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Originally Posted by Hussyband

I will not let negril be ruined for my by the actions of cowards.

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You and your wife are good people, Hussyband. I would like to think that I would have the same attitude as you if I were in the same situation, but I don't think it would be easy to stay so positive.

Was it Villa La Cage, where you were taken to? I guess it doesn't matter, but from now on I think I will be more wary of taking route taxis, who often have a tendency to go "off route" and drop off other passengers. At least with a private charter, you know exactly where the driver should be going.

I am glad to hear both of you are OK. As you said you can buy more stuff but your lives are way more valuable. Doesn't matter where you go in this world there are always going to be desperate people who do dumb things without considering the consequences to themselves and others. Hope you can relax and with any luck they will catch these two idiots before you leave so you have some closure.

This thread is a service to all.... Been to Negril for many years and dozens of times, still go.... Had a friend robbed at knife point and his scooter taken along the road at night, traveling alone on the road and forced over by a car late at night.... He still loves Negril and goes.... U can't be too cautious there and travel in a group if possible when going up and down the road.... Stay on the beaten path, have eyes in the back of your head, look for trouble before it looks for you....

Thank you for posting your experience. Frequent travelers to Negril have a sense of freedom to get out and explore, its why we love Negril. When we go to other places, we wouldn't think of venturing out quite to the degree we do in Negril.... Hence, we get lazy when it comes to protecting ourselves...

Wow ... I hope you can shake it off and enjoy the rest of your trip. That first taxi ride is probably going to be a difficult one. No more route taxi rides for us unless he is willing to do a private. Just us, no passengers.

Enjoy, be safe, and hope you they find the *******s.

Timm

Wow is right! thats scary, glad you only lost things,
I know its hard to forget what has happened because when I was there last April while riding a scooter back from the Red Dragon, a young man 20ish standing at his house along that road yelled to me " I'll rob you! "
I just smiled at him and kept going,
it didn't sink in what he had said til I got a little bit down the road as avoiding the pot holes took all my concentration, it was on my mind for the rest of the trip
my wife and I went into what we call "Jack Reacher mode" right after that, meaning being totally observant of your surroundings.still had a great time though.
I know most Jamaicans are not like him and it can happen anywhere and on the lighter side tell your wife she must have nice taste in shoes...

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Originally Posted by Hussyband

. Going to hit Times Square to get her an anniversary piece of jewelry.

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So sorry this happened to you and glad no serious physical harm came to you.

There is more random and violent crime nowadays, but I'm wondering if someone with bad intentions might have read your report. Hope the rest of your time is without incident!

Goldilocks may be correct, however we went a full 24 hours after I said we were going... Never made it to Times Square, and we were picked up at chicken lavish... No real way of knowing we want there.

Rob is so right about route taxis however in another thread. I have very rarely used them, and even negotiated a price with this driver (he was the third to stop at chicken lavish for us, so very random) for our ride back to tensing.

I am now more convinced of the need to have a phone while here, and to use our regular drivers. I am not one to underpay, most always giving the driver an extra $500 for a good ride.... I know their life is not an easy one and fuel is not cheap.

As a continuance, the us embassy contacted us this morning, they are also aware of the issue. I continue to be in awe of the support and diligence this issue has received.

And mike d has the road correct... Villa la cage.