Pattison Family Negril Trip report 2014

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Day n 5 - Today the kids and I got up early and went straight to St. Anthony's. What a warm welcome! The minute we pulled up a young boy of about 6 who they called huggybear came up and gave me a big hug. Next, both kids got a hug and were led off hand in hand for a tour. I stayed back and introduced myself to the kitchen staff. Offered help but the women said they had things all under control. I went into the office and dropped off the socks, and school supplies I brought and joined the kids in the yard. All the children were playing and leading the kids here and there. They all wanted their picture taken and wanted to see it on the camera screen. They were thrilled to see themselves. As the kids received their lunch bags and had thier school rides arranged we said our goodbyes and walked back towards the round about. This is where we had our only trouble of the vacation. Rookie mistake made by me!

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As the kids and I passed the round about and headed down the beach road right before the river we ran into a undesirable, drunken local. He came up the bank and hit me up for some food money. I should have just kept going but wanting to show kids my generous side, I told him I'd give him 150j for food. 2nd mistake, as I took the 150 out of my pocket 1000j fell on the ground. My youngest picked it up and held it for me. I gave him the 150 but he told me he needed more to eat. I told him that was it and time for him to keep walking. than I turned to my daughter and she held out the 1000j bill for me. The man lunged forward, grabbed the 1000 right out of her hand and started staggering away. Knowing he had no weapon by his lack of clothing to hide it, and being 100lbs heavier than him I grabbed him by the arm and shouted "thief give me my money back a few times" He pulled away and took a half assed swing at me and missed. My return shot didn't! After I stunned him I kept hold of one arm and repeated the "thief give me my money" mantra figuring someone would over hear or he would just give it back to avoid anymore trouble. Just than a few young men ran up. hearing that he grabbed it from a child's hand infuriated them. They grabbed him by the hair, removed my money from his hand, returned it, apologized to us and dragged him off. It all happened very fast. I was surprised I didn't seem to faze the kids much and they never mentioned it again. Just want to stress that know one was ever in any danger whatsoever at anytime and

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A this point we hopped in a route taxi and went to café Goa for breakfast. Great food and cool atmosphere. When we returned to Firefly the wife was just waking up from a well deserved late sleep. We went down to the beach for a few hours and headed to Rick's. Now I know what some are thinking but the family hadn't been before and we really had a good time. One thing they have right is the tables and chairs in the pool! Kids played and swam and we could enjoy our drinks in close proximity. We watched a few dives and than headed to 3 dives for dinner and a sunset. Great day had by all!!!

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[Seveen]

nice report! thanks for sharing

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Day 6 - ROMANCE IS IN THE AIR! This was parents day. The family woke and we walked next door to chances for something to eat. A lot of their menu was out of stock but food was good, vibe and view was great and price was right. Spent day on beach and at 4 we returned to room to get ready for big night. Our cleaning lady had agreed to babysit for the night. She arrived at 5 and out we went. First we cabbed it to the Skybar. Beautiful setting but empty at this time. We had a few cocktails and jumped in cab for Ivans! WOW! If anyone is thinking of the 100 candles dinner don't hesitate! You cant buy that experience anywhere North for $1000. Right over the water! We were greeted by our own private waitress and taken down the path to our private oasis. Candles, and small white Christmas lights lined the path. Our seats were large high, super comfy captains chairs, the table and surrounding area were covered with flowers and a table and candelabras were full of candles. They had a bottle of champagne chilled in ice beside the table. We had a few glasses of bubbly and a sub at the table to get used to these amazing surroundings and than the meal came. Started with a nice but simple soup, than an appetizer plate with crab cakes, shrimp and jerk chicken skewers, next was a fabulous pineapple salad. Took a sub break and finished the champagne. Now the main course. I had the jerk chicken penne and she had the garlic shrimp. Penne was by far the best thing I ate in Jamaica !(ever) Dessert was a chocolate cheesecake and flambé bananas over ice cream. Yumm! All I can say about this is I was the most romantic, fantastic meal ever. We like the finer things and I have had a better meal but not much better. But you cant beat the surroundings and beauty of it all. Superb view, sounds of waves crashing, and subtle music. Cant even find the words to describe it properly. We will have 100 candles EVERY time we go to Negril. Please if thinking about it just do it. Cant be disappointed. Dinner with large bottle of champagne plus 2 fancy drinks each was $160. WOW WOW WOW. we stayed for another hour just chilling in our surroundings, didn't want to leave! When we left the gate keeper at catcha didn't want us to leave without taxi but we assured him we would be alright and off we went. We made a deal to stop at every bar with 4 tables or less. We found a few nice local joints to have a rum in. Met some great locals and shared drink and smoke with all. After the 3rd bar we jumped in a cab and finished the night with a few drinks at canoe. Don't remember his name but there was a nice older gentleman behind bar with great attitude. Really nice guy. By now the Mrs. was felling no pain so we headed back home. GREAT GREAT GREAT NIGHT!!!!

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