TRAIL OF ASHES TOUR: The adventure continues as Gerry G returns to Negril

[gerryg123]

Really a nice vibe at the Seastar Inn this week. I ran into countless familiar faces and met lots of boardies including Mo From Monroe, who was really nice. Often there was Percy hangin' about, he usually drives Tattoo Charlie around but he's usually available to drive anyone. Chris was always doing nice things like buying a round of drinks for everyone -- try that on seven-mile beach, good luck, lol.

I decided to rent a room at Seasplash today because I had heard so many good things about Jim Hurt, plus there were some boardies staying there and also two doors down at Country Country (Booger and Crew). Jim was in a great mood when I met him, and we talked a bit about how things were going and some of the promotions he is running in the future that hopefully will be great for the hotel. He gave me great rate and a fantastic room, No. 5 right near the beach! It had a king bed and AC and nice trimmings and details. I really liked it.

I had a nice meal, some jerk chicken, then Famous Vincent picked me up and we went spearfishing and snorkeling. Suzie Q came along, too, and we saw lots of fish. I speared a moray eel, a flounder (cheeky fish got away) and one little fish. The moray was NOT happy, and trying to bite me like crazy even though it had a spear in it, and Roger suggested maybe not to mess with them cause they're teeth are like razors.

I brought all the fish to Bentley so he could cook them for himself and his extended family -- there are a few kids and cousins that he supports, too -- and I generally wanted to take it easy because I knew the THE JUNGLE was coming up tonight.

[pretty40]

Thanks for bringing us on vacay with ya. Can't wait to check in at Seasplash!! Soon come....

[MoFromMonroe]

Gerry-it was a pleasure meeting you and Suzie Q too. She's a great girl. Wish I could have spent more time with you guys. Would have loved to go to Bentley's with you but couldn't do it since Seastar had picked us up for dinner that night. That just would not have been right. Believe me Seastar did not disappoint. We had a great meal. Came back for the Saturday night show but did not see you there. It was also a pleasure meeting Tattoo Charlie and hanging on the beach all week with Rasta Stan & Betty and also Island Bouy & Rita. Had a brief meet up with Clarity and Hubbyman too. Sorry I didn't get to meet more boardies but there is always next time. I shy'd out of all the boardie meet ups. You think you are shy Clarity? Gerryg123 is a great guy!!!! (and he told me it was ok to say it) Ha

[Lady Jane]

Love the video. Your reports are so much fun. You know you have that announcer voice right?

[gerryg123]

I took a leisurely nap at Seasplash. i woke up a bit past midnight, perfect time to hit THE JUNGLE on Thursday nights (ladies in free, and where there's girls there's boys).

Suzie Q was at Seastar Inn, and we had planned to meet at Jungle, but she was not around. In fact, there was not a single boardie and just one fellow Seastar Inn guest in the whole crowd upstairs where I like to hang. On past visits it's been much more comfortable with a posse with folks like Brasi, Shayne, Chris from Seastar, et al. Now, it's just me being circled by the usual party girls, one of whom kind of invaded my personal space and maybe I was oversensitive after being pick pocketing last reach but I would have sworn her hands were feeling for my pockets, and I was having NONE OF IT tonight.

I drank the obligatory two rum punches and headed out.

Outside was even more pressure. I couldn't keep the hagglers off, but I was hungry and had not visited a single jerk stand yet, so I agreed to buy a plate from this one particular vendor on the condition he protect me by fending off the higglers. He said OK, and the chicken was really good, but every couple of minutes or so, there was another vendor trying to hit me up for something -- it's rough out their for single American guys on Thursday nights at the Jungle.

I was a good boy. I went home to Seastar Inn (had two hotels at this point). Ten bucks there, ten bucks back, five to get from Seasplash to the club -- I thought about it for a moment and realized I could never vacation in Negril in the style to which I am accustomed if I did not have a Scooter. Motoring along is a big part of my lifestyle.

[gerryg123]

Here's some pics:

1, Tattoo Charlie -- the guy just has a presence when he walks into a room

2, Ricks Cafe -- Nice server as sundown approaches

3, Here's a nice lady I met who works at Bentley's (did not jot down her name but she said she wants to be in report)

4, Early morning at Seastar Inn. I am up every morning at 630 a.m. or so to do some work for back home to get it out of the way for the day

5, Negril seven-mile -- best beach ever

[Seastar]

Miss You Here Gerry. Hurry back. Miss our great conversations/interviews.. One day I will write a book but not for now so please hurry back so we can add additional chapters. Your good friend.

Chris

[Smokin Kevan]

Very cool... Seems like a good A&R person could make some awesome discoveries in Jamaica. I was always surprised that some of the mainstream talent like Tessanne Chin, Cherine Anderson, Colin Levy and Taurus Riley have not broken big in the U.S. I've heard resort karaoke singers, nobody knows that would rival the Star Search talent...If your part of the record biz leans toward A&R or someone likes your vibe enough, you might just be able to disappear into Jamaica and get paid for it. I of course would gladly be your assistant! All it takes is one person to see your vision! Beautiful report...Live long and prosper!

[Seveen]

loving it gerry -- making me miss negril - lol

[gerryg123]

I had good dreams Thursday night.

I dreamed of the ocean, of snorkeling through the coral reefs and that little popping sound you hear as the fish nibble at the coral.

I dreamed of riding through the hills in my scooter, of eating Jerk chicken, of laughing away the hours with friends while relaxing on bar stools at DeBars and Seastar and Catcha Falling Star, of being mesmerized by Seastar Chris' life story that combines taking risks and working your butt off to succeed in grand fashion, of sitting late at night in Room 7 with Tattoo Charlie talking into the morning about our lives and dreams and our successes and foibles, of eating peanut butter n chocolate cheesecake like it was the last morsel of food on Earth, of sexy girls, of floating on my raft while Popcaan's "The Only Man She Wants" reverberates over and over and over.

Yes, this is really turning into a special trip. Whenever you celebrate life's pleasures, you can't help but look back at what has brought you to where you are today. No, I am not a millionaire. But I've worked hard enough for enough years to give my two daughters, 8 and 6, anything they want, and to be able to go to Negril as many times as I want -- and oh what a special place Jamaica has in my heart.

Jamaica is where I go to HEAL. It's wear I go to reflect, to feel better, to bite into a big lobster tail and let the butter drip onto my bare chest (except when out of season, of course). God how I love talking to fellow tourists in Negril about where they're from, what they're name is, and how much we share a love for this little vacation town that takes 16 hours to get to from Los Angeles, door to door.

It's Friday, and today is the boardie party. I can't wait.