‘Life’s a Beach’ - or - AnD nOw FoR sOmEtHiNg CoMpLeTeLy DiFfErEnT -

[Pisces]

I think great fun awaits!!!

[sandy-girl]

This report is going to be GOOD!!!

[jan24]

LOL. Oh, the stories you will be able to tell after this reach.....

[justchuck]

This is a great pretrip report. I'm looking forward to you actually getting to Negril!

[Kahuna3]

Why are the good looking flight attendants always in the business class cabin? Isn’t that a blatant example of female objectification? I got busted twice checking out a tall, black haired beauty on the flight down . . . so much for stealth lechery.

There was an ENORMOUS line up at Customs. We arrived shortly after a Virgin 747-400 and the customs hall was clogged. But all went well and I was out in the taxi area without too much delay. I’d booked Clive’s and was met by his Greeter. He apologized, saying that Clive would be late, as there had been some unforeseen delays. OK – so I got a Red Stripe and chilled.

Here’s something I don’t understand – how is it that the first sip of the first Red Stripe of the trip is like a draft of heavenly ambrosia? OMG it was so good. The second sip isn’t as good and the third pales in comparison. Why is that? I’m sure it must be psychosomatic.

So I sipped on my Stripe and waited – taking in the hubbub of the Red Caps, and the taxis and buses coming and going. The harried, newly arrived. Then I got another beer; Clive wasn’t there yet. Midway through my 3rd Stripe the Man arrived. He was profusely apologetic. He loaded my heavy bags and we were on our way – 40 minutes late. But I really didn’t care – I had arrived in Jamaica – no problem, mon. Clive and I had a good chat on our way to Negril. It turned out the reason for his tardiness was somewhat out of his control. He had planned to pick up a woman in Negril and bring her to MoBay, then pick me up. He said the timing was good – that is, until he arrived at The Tree House to pick up his fare. She was otherwise occupied – seems she wanted to spend more time with her Renta. She made Clive wait and wait – he said he almost left her there, but finally she emerged and got into his van. That’s why he was late picking me up. Oh well – I would’ve left her there, the inconsiderate b%t&h.

I got to White Sands at 8:30pm. Francis greeted me and we talked hockey for a while. In my room, I quickly dug my shorts, sandals and tank top out of my bag.
Then I set off for the beach. I’ll be brief here because it’s getting late.

Sandy Haven is not open yet – still dark and fenced in.

Myrna’s store has been re-arranged, it’s very spacious and Myrna is just a sweet as ever. They had to put a new engine on Red Stripe; Myrna told me “the old one blew up!” They had the boat up near the shore at Boat Bar – she told me they were welding the new engine onto the boat so that it wouldn’t be stolen – whuh!
There was a concert at Roots – 15US or 1200J – I passed it up.

Stopped at Sunnyside talked to Robert – he is well and it was good to see him. There's a big party planned at Sunnyside tomorrow – I’m going.

There’s a new store just north of Roots called ‘Irie Needs’, it just opened – the building is new and spacious and bright – one of the owners is a beautiful, bright eyed Canadian girl – I got some plantain chips.

Called home on my laptop – used the Skype ‘call phone’ feature (not the video Skype). With this I don’t need a phone in Negril. I bought $14.00 of credits and with that I can use my laptop to call anywhere in North America at really, really cheap rates. I used to get a phone when here but I’d always leave it in my room, since I refuse to carry a phone with me. I hate cell phones; I actually don’t even own one.

I know I’m gonna get behind on this report – my problem is I’m so long winded. But I will try to keep it in real time – I know how much I ‘need’ trip reports when I’m between trips – I’ll try . . . just don’t expect perfect, organized prose – I’ll be posting rough 1st drafts.

Plans for tomorrow morning include a long beach walk and a swim along the buoy line from White Sands to Sandy Haven.

I’m sitting on the verandah here and the tree frogs are gleeping. A dog is barking in the distance. The moon has just set. It’s pleasantly cool. I’m so happy to finally be here.
I’m tired and I’m going to bed to lay my head on my perfect pillow.

Likkle more . . .

[Momthor3]

Thanks for the glimpse-soon come!

[poolguywindsor]

Ok so I am no writer and even worse typer, but now that I have a seatsale 8 day trip coming up soon, hope to accidentally run into the kahuna!

[jan24]

Sweet dreams Kahuna3...enjoy the day.

[Brian]

Just finished Sunset Negril. I could NOT put it down! Great, great read! Looking forward to your trip report!

[Kahuna3]

Just finished Sunset Negril. I could NOT put it down! Great, great read! Looking forward to your trip report!

Thank you Brian and Deanna! (your checks are in the mail - just as arranged)
PGW - would like to meet up with you, mon

Ahhhhhhhhhh

What a difference a night makes! I was feeling a bit uppity when I posted last night. But now I can feel my Negril Groove coming on.

This morning, well rested, I totally organized my room. Then I lathered up with 30SPF and set out on my beach walk. Big smile on my face. Wow – the beach is crowded! No really big changes to report – the sands have shifted, there is now a lot of beach in front of Moon Dance Villas, other years you’d have to walk around the trees to keep your feet dry. Walked all the way up to where the big AIs start at the north end of the beach. There I went for a dip.
Check out the gecko on the leaf in this photo. . . .

Then I walked back to White Sands, donned my swim goggles and nose clip and swam the buoy line there – does anybody know of a good nose clip? I guess I’ll just have to live with sea water in my sinuses. For me, a swim in Mother Ocean first thing in the morning is pure bliss; a coddling realm of bubbles, muted sounds and shifting light. I zone-out when I swim - it’s like a mini return to the womb.

After that I went into town to get some supplies. My God, do I have a large ‘JUST ARRIVED’ sign on my back? By the time I had walked from the route taxi to Value Master, I was asked no less than half a dozen times if I wanted:
- a taxi (no I just got out of one),
- if I needed a guide to ‘walk with me’ – when I said no he accused me of having ‘no respect’
- did I need a taxi,
- did I want to change money,
- would I Iike to see a fellow’s store – oranges and bannanas?

- Again – would I like to change money??
Well, the Cambio was closed. I had intended to change some CAN$ in JMD$. Hmmmm.

“What rate will you give me - for Canadian?” I asked the guy. (yes, I know – I should know better).

“Eighty-five,” he said. That sounded decent, so I said, “OK, change me 100 Canadian – that will be 8500, right?”

“Yah, mon, come over here,” He went behind a bush.

He shuffled a wad of bills and then handed a stack of Nannies to me. While tightly gripping my two 50$ CDN bills, I counted the J$. “That’s only eight thousand,” I said.

“What!? He replied, incredulously. I handed the bills back to him. He counted them rapidly. “So I owe you five hundred?” he said.

“Yes.” I still held onto my bills.
He slowly pulled another $500 from his back pocket, then grasped my bills. He tugged on my bills and pulled his bills back at the same time saying, “Let me give you some thousands.”

I held fast to my bills and let him take his stack of Nannies back.

“No thanks,” I said. I turned and left. I was followed by a stream of muttered invectives, some of which I’d never heard before.

Went to the Value Master and stocked up; bananas, coconut, papaya, water crackers, cheese, scallions – and a Rock Bun!

Crossed over to the Chinie-Mans and got a flat of 24 Cranberry Wata. All set now.

It’s clear and hot this afternoon. I’m going to the party at Sunnyside and will visit Rob and Lisa (good Canadian girl) at Aqua for sunset.

Lay-tah!