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

[gerryg123]

As the evening moved on, I went to hang out with my friend Keith and another expat, Tim, a really nice guy who is a former stand-up comic (funny guy!) who has been living on and off in Negril for about 20 years.

We played dominos with Jodie (she is really good and loves winning!) at Banton's for a bit. I made arrangements to meet her later, and in the interim I had arranged for a nice batch of fish soup at Bentley's -- I was experimenting with different dishes, and at this point one more crab cake would have seen me spouting claws -- and it was nice. I figured it was going to be my last meal at Bentley's cause I was leaving in a couple of days, and both of us really enjoyed it.

I hooked up with Jodie later, and we went to Travellers for karaoke. Keep in mind, I am NOT a singer by any stretch. But Jodie is actually quite good, though MUCH TOO SHY to actually get up and sing, even though there were only about 10 peeps there, several making a fool of themselves which is exactly what I wanted US to do, lol. Frustratingly, Jodie would sing into my ear when the others were up there, and she sounded good, but no amount of persuading would get her up there!

Heavily motivated by Rasta Stan's great performance at Seastar Inn on the the Saturday before, I tried "Stand By Me," and it was BAD, but honestly I did have fun. When the chorus would roll around, I would try to get everyone to join in: "Come on everyone, won't you staaaaaaaand by me!" .... Silence. LOL.

We did not stay out too late. I knew tomorrow would be my last night, and I didn't want to miss precious moments of my vacation sleeping during daylight hours the next morning. I am almost OCD about it -- I do NOT like to waste time on vacation even more so than I don't like to waste time at home because being in Negril costs money, so I feel like I am missing something!

I can relax when I get back. My Negril trips are about fun and adventure, not much sitting by the pool working on my tan!

[gerryg123]

Here are some pics (top to bottom):

1, the rock pool and ocean at Westender Inn

2, Hangin' with Rambo, the great security guard for Seastar Inn

3, At Banton's playing dominoes with Tim and Jodie

4, Here is me and reggae superstar Luciano (I am the one on the right!)

5, Nice blended fruit drink at Catcha Falling Star

[TizzyATX]

4, Here is me and reggae superstar Luciano (I am the one on the right!)

Thank you Gerry for sorting that out for us lol

[justchuck]

What a trip you had. The little pool at Westender looks inviting, and so does the fruit drink!

[garysteph1018]

Great pic w/you and Luciano... I enjoyed that concert from here in SC thanks to Rob & Lisa!

[gerryg123]

Saturday morning. Last full day in Negril. I had some leftover pasta for breakfast at Seastar Inn, and this kind of set the tone of the day. I cruised down the hill, stopping in front of Legends to say hello to my cabbie friend, Shayne, whom I've known for years and always drives me and Brasi around. He was hoping to strike a deal to take me and Braz to the airport tomorrow, since by coincidence both of us are leaving the same day, and I said it was OK if it can work out, but as things would turn out, we would go with Clives.

I went by Elvis scooters and hit him with another $20 for one more day 'cause I had paid for 10 days and this was the 11th day. I had my floatie raft at Seasplash, so I made my way there, as that had become my "beach" home. Vincent came at 1030 a.m., as usual, and we went snorkeling and spearfishing.

All week, Vincent's snorkel assistant, Roger, was hoping to make a deal to keep my spear gun. He loved it, and he only had one other gun. As we made our way back to the shore in front of Seasplash, I asked if he still wanted it. He said yes but did not have any extra money, he said, so I said WTF and just gave him the spear gun -- on the vague condition he and Vincent take me snorkeling for free a couple of times next reach, and Vincent readily agreed.

The spear gun was about 100 bucks in USA, but they cost a lot more in Negril. When I suggested to Roger that if he has Net access, an email and a credit card, he can buy one from amazon or eBay and have it shipped to Jamaica, he just looked at me like I was from outer space, lol.

Back at Seasplash, I hung a bit at the bar with Natasha, a really good server who has been there a long time through all the different owners. She says she really likes Jim Hurt -- "the best hotel owner in Negril!" she says -- and she is always in a good mood and smiling, and that makes it a great experience to sit at the oceanfront bar and enjoy some fruity drinks.

Back at Seastar Inn, I hung at the pool with Tawnee and some of the other Seastar yardies. I called one of the Jerk chicken guys who runs a little restaurant on the Cliffs and said, "Hey, can I order a plate to be picked up at 3 p.m.?" He says ya, so I say, "Please, not too spicy, bbq style," and he says all good.

It was about 115 p.m., so I had almost two hours before the chicken would be ready, I figured. I hung with Charlie for a bit, then motored down the hill. I had a bunch of little things to take care of, including buying my two girls a nice stack of Jamaica dresses so they would not be quite so mad at me for going to Negril without them! Charlie suggested the Indian store near the roundabout. On the way down, I bumped into the chicken guy, said, "Hey, don't forget my chicken, I will be back in 45 minutes -- bbq style!"

Ya mon. He had yet to move a muscle, lol.

After some intense negotiation, i bought six dresses for 72 dollars USD. It was 3 p.m. on the dot when I arrived for my chicken, but, alas, he just began to cook it once he saw me again. I was like WTF and said I did not want to wait long and that was why I made special arrangements for 3 p.m., so he said OK it will be ready soon come, like 15 or 30 minutes.

Meantime, I said OK, went to Home Sweet Home, where I had never been, to have a quick drink, chill on the hammock, prepare myself mentally and physically and spiritually for my chicken lunch. At Home Sweet Home, I met the chef and one of the managers, Marcea (she wants to be in report), and I was thoroughly impressed with the property, which lives up to its name. You really do feel like you're in your own backyard there. I want to come back there one day, for sure!

So, finally, I pick up my lunch. Spicy as all heck, Jerk style and not BBQ, so I could only laugh after all this. I had a few bites, paid the bill, took the rest home in my little compartment in my scooter. Just as I was pulling away, I thought to myself that I had never been to Chicken Lavish, and I know they have BBQ style, so I figured what's wrong with one more plate? I went to Chicken Lavish, where I bumped into the server Natisha (wants to be in report), who I had known from Seastar Inn because she is tight with Knoxley, the great keyboard player in the band (Negril is a small town, after a while you're always bumpin' into someone you know).

Knoxley, btw, is a rare find, a top musician with a real job who not only works at Seastar Inn but also plays at Alfreds and Ricks, so he has a good gig going. Chicken Lavish was great. I decadently poured a half cup of BBQ sauce on my chicken and loved it.

Back at Seastar Inn, Charlie was still hangin' about. He was supposed to meet me at the first chicken place, but I guess when I jumped away to Home Sweet Home, I missed him.

Suzie Q and I went to Bantons to meet Jodie. Then we all went to Catcha and hung out with Gugiray and Sweetie Pie, and I bumped into Clarity and Marcus just as I was leaving to ready myself for the big show at Seastar Inn. I gave Jodie all my shampoos and soaps and pens and reading glasses and snacks and other stuff because I was leaving tomorrow, and she wanted to go home and freshen up before returning later.

[Guirigay]

Sad day Gerry, our last meet up at Ivan's. I have a horribly taken yet nearly perfect portrait of you at the bar there. ("You've got your finger over the lense fool!") I'll post it if you're good with it... Your resurrection skills were impressive. Really glad you got a chance to drop in at Home Sweet Home and agree with the feeling of a yard. And Chicken Lavish! Shoulda gone with the Lavish all along! You are a mighty whirlwind Big California! In comes Gerry, flash goes Gerry, out goes Gerry to the next flashpoint! You weave through my tale daily I believe. Thanks for everything, truly memorable!

[gerryg123]

I have a horribly taken yet nearly perfect portrait of you at the bar there. ("You've got your finger over the lense fool!") I'll post it if you're good with it ...

No prob, my friend, but can you do a photoshop fix to eliminate my double chin???? ha ha

[Guirigay]

So here they are, No photoshopping necessary, I bid adieu to the Mighty Californian....

[gerryg123]

Here are some pics (top to bottom):

1, Hangin' with Shayne

2, Seastar driver Henry, always in a good mood

3, Tattoo Charlie and Suzie Q

4, Sweetie Pie and Gurigay at Catcha

5, Blue Cave Castle, very unique hotel