We waited about a half an hour or so for Lenbert to head back to get us. When we got on the bus we didn't recognize anyone on this tour. Oh no! We wondered how we were going to hook back up with all of the other people we were supposed to be on the crawl with. The bus was full except for 2 seats. Julie took the open spot right behind the driver and I got the last spot, up in the front, right next to him. There was only one problem.......we were heading North......away from the Westend. So I say, hey Lenny, what's up man? He says that he just got a call from the RIU and they had a group of 4 that wanted to go on the tour. No problem, I say. The more the merrier right?
The sky started to darken on the way there and the wind and rains picked up. We were in a full on storm at that point and I should have taken that for the sign that it obviously was. But alas......I did not. When we drove up into the turnaround at RIU I saw a look on Lenberts face that could have curdled milk. He was understandably upset as he could see the group of four that was standing outside waiting for him. Two of them were kids (I'd say probably 13 and 15) and the other two were a guy and what I could only guess must have been his grandmother. (I'd say 80ish?) She was a sweet lady, but VERY frail looking. They sat up in front by us and we talked with them a bit. They were all very nice and I didn't have a problem with any of them at all.
When we finally got to the first stop, (Swordfish I think) Lenbert put his hand on my shoulder and said "you two stay right where you are and I will bring you to the other group...... your group". Yaaaaaa! We were going to meet up with our friends after all. After the bus was empty and we started pulling away the insanity switch was flipped. Lenbert went into this verbal tirade in patios that quite frankly, I'm glad Julie couldn't translate. He went on and on about the RIU group and seemed very upset about the whole deal. In fact, after a while, he told us he was going to call RIU and make them send a cab out to get that group and bring them back. I heard quite a few Bumba's and something about "mashing up his tour" but he must have got his point across quite well to them because they agreed to come and get them. That seemed to cheer him up a little but unfortunately for him, that was just the beginning of his misery.
As if that ordeal wasn't enough to get the crawl off to a bad start, that was not the worst thing we had to deal with. When we pulled up to Canoe bar to hook up with the other group (our group) something very non irie occurred. It seems that there was some confusion with the seating arrangement (or lack there of) and one of Lenberts guests didn't like the fact that someone (me?) was in "her" seat. I won't go into detail about what was said because it got pretty ugly. Let's just say that a little argument turned into an all out nonstop verbal onslaught. I'm pretty sure nobody was real upset when she finally got so frustrated by the whole issue that she called her own cab and left the tour at the next stop.
Which was......... Skybar!
It was raining off and on at the start of the trip and by the time we got to this place it was pouring out. We all hustled up to the bar as they were pulling the flaps down to stop the deluge from getting us all soaked. We made the best of it and had a couple of drinks as we all packed in together into this small area. It was an interesting way for us to introduce ourselves to this new group, but we all made the best of it. It seemed like we were all talking about the same thing anyway for some reason. I actually got a few pics at a couple of these places.
Like sardines trying to stay dry.
We decided to do a before and after selfie to see if there was any difference in the way we looked but guess what.......I forgot to take the after picture. Go figure!
Oops......sorry.....no idea how to fix that. Any help please!
Julie and Jojo
Looking fabulous!
The rain eventually let up and we headed back to the bus for the next stop. When the sun started shining again it felt like a completely different atmosphere from the odd start that we experienced on this tour. Everyone was laughing and having a ball. The vibe had really taken a turn for the better and the rest of the night was a total blast. Of course..... the beer, booze, and Jenny's cake might have had something to do with that too.We stopped at several bars and I'm sure I couldn't remember them all if I tried but I did manage to gets photos at four of them. So, I guess I will do as the pros do it on here and.....follow the picture trail. (condensed version)
Next stop.....Jenny's Cakes!
