10 Years, 12 Nights, 6 Hotels, ONE LOVE - April 2012 Trip Report

[Clarity]

On April 19th, 2012 we went on a vacation to Jamaica to celebrate our 10 year wedding anniversary
It was the longest trip we've ever taken: 12 nights
We stayed in 6 different hotels during our stay.
We made memories we'll treasure for the rest of our lives.
This is our story....

[Hubby-man]

Wow! - ...where to begin…..

How can I explain what happened during this trip? How can I bring you all along on this journey, so that rather than being just readers of a trip report, you can become experiencers - participants yet - in every lick of joy and love and miracle that this trip was to us?

It was not the broad strokes and big events that made this trip so special. The greatness of what happened occurred between the lines, lay in the subtleties of the interactions, in the how rather than the what. We gathered as a small tribe of human beings, brought together by Negril.com, and made a big celebration out of life. A window opened in the fabric of the Universe and a fresh breeze came through.

Something opened up inside as a consequence. The walls came down and we talked. We had good talks, and angry ones, short ones and long ones, deep ones and shallow ones. But most of all we all had open talks. Talks with words and hugs and gestures, Dollar bills and coconuts.

I also want to explain the word above: “EPIC”. At the end of it all, we felt, it was the most appropriate one-word description for what we experienced

I found the following definition on http://www.urbandictionary.com :

“The most overused word ever. [...].Epic car. Epic haircut. Epic movie. Epic album. Epic shut the ***** up! “ (voted #1)

and:

“A word, whose meaningful definition(s)and correct applications are now obscured and have been raped to death mostly by the 25 and under crowd. It has been overused as "the" catch phrase used to describe a situation, person, event, movie, taking a sh*t ,etc. .” (voted #2)

Angry stuff. That is certainly not like OUR “epic”.

Here is Merriam Webster-with some help:

“extending beyond the usual or ordinary especially in size or scope”

Better, but still not perfect... . I think, what we meant was : “Meaningful, timeless and unforgettable, something that we have never experienced quite like that.”

When we left we also agreed that the end of this trip was not an end at all, but rather a beginning. Not like a high or an acid trip, but a shift in insight. A shift that everyone can participate in and be part of. The kind of shift that going to Jamaica causes every time, but when you share it with so many people you love, the energy changes an order of magnitude, like a chain-reaction in a nuclear explosion.

Like the meaning, that the mysterious book had to my trip last time, I cannot promise this trip report will live up to the expectation this introduction promises. After all, I am writing a preface to a book before the book is written. Not a smart idea, but that's how this works. On the web everything is “work in progress”, and revisions are already too late before they are made. So let's hope words soon come, and we won't let you down with a taste, but no sustenance.

If I can't get the words out the right way, the best way to experience this trip might be to read about it from the perspective of the others as well, to get the whole 3D-idea. Hence I will keep posting links to other trip reports that describe the same experience here, as they pop up on the board :

Marley and Ninja - http://negril.com/forum/showthread.p...ort-April-2012

Guiriguy & Sweetie-Pie - http://negril.com/forum/showthread.p...pened%E2%80%A6

Booger - http://negril.com/forum/showthread.p...ood-Times-Trip

SpottyCatz - http://negril.com/forum/showthread.p...es-What-a-Trip!

Katho - http://negril.com/forum/showthread.p...pril-2012-EPIC

PattySather (w/Joe & Manda) – http://negril.com/forum/showthread.p...-big-adventure

Gerryg123 – http://negril.com/forum/showthread.p...-Negril/page31

Luvsdaisland - http://negril.com/forum/showthread.p...-Stay-With-You

Sweetness - http://negril.com/forum/showthread.p...iddle-Quarters
http://negril.com/forum/showthread.p...-2012-YS-Falls

Investigating a Love Story - http://negril.com/forum/showthread.p...ATX-amp-GonJon

[car]

Nice montage...I like to see visitors loving Jamaica. www.turnerexquisitetours.com

[Clarity]

After breakfast we swam in the lagoon pool. I just floated peacefully on my raft listening to the rushing waterfall...I'm in love with this pool...





Kimi extended our check out time so we didn't have to leave until 2 PM. We decided to go back to the main villa for some more snorkeling off the cliffs.



Markus wanted to snorkel further then my comfort zone allows, so I told him to go ahead while I dried off.

“You sure you'll be okay all alone?”, he asked

I glanced around the private villa, not a single soul in sight. “Yeah, I think I'll manage” I laughed

Markus went off to explore a cave to the left of LTU pub underneath Citronella while I watched him from a distance.


(markus waving his arms around inside the cave)

That's when I heard someone shout “Hey beautiful!!”

I looked around in confusion. Huh??

“Over here!!”

I turned to the sound of the voice and saw 3 muscular cliff divers waving at me from Ricks Cafe. I laughed and walked a little closer to greet them.

“Hey!” I waved.

“Do you want company?”, they yelled

“No!”, I shouted back. But then I laughed and politely followed it with a “But thank you though for the kind offer!” I didn't want to seem rude...

“It's no problem, We'll come over to you!!”, One of the divers hollered

Suddenly they started scaling the wall between Villa Sur Mer and Ricks Cafe..balancing on the edge of the precarious wall and heading towards me all smiles. A daring move, one wrong step and they would plummet down onto the ragged rocks below. I was shocked!

“No no no!!” I said gesturing wildly with my hands for them to turn back “I'm here with my husband! No!” It was so bizarre, that couldn't stop laughing, What in the world?? I couldn't believe how agile these men were, but of COURSE they were... they jump off high cliffs and out of trees.

I could just imagine Markus's response to this. He would flip out. How would I possibly explain the presence of 3 ripped shirtless men lounging around me in our private villa?!

“Well, Where is your husband then??”, One of the guys asked

“He's in that cave!” I said pointing to my right. Then I added “We're celebrating our ten year wedding anniversary!”

The leader of the threesome laughed and gave me a thumbs up sign. “Okay! Gotcha! Back up guys..back it up” They all jumped off the ledge back onto Ricks Cafe, cracking up and hitting eachother playfully.

I breathed a sigh of relief, waved goodbye to them and returned to watching Markus.

I wonder what it must be like for a single girl in Negril?.. Really flattering but wow! A little crazy..

Markus returned 10 minutes later. He was excited to report that the cave was FILLED with bats, hanging out all over the walls.

“Come! You've got to check it out! It's amazing!”, he said grabbing my arm.

I pulled away and just stared at him wordlessly with a horrified expression.

“Oh that's right, you're not a fan of bats”, Markus said laughing

No. I'm not. But for those of you that ARE... feel free to check out that cave. You can reach it from LTU Pub, Villa Sur Mer, Citronella or swim over from Ricks Cafe. (Markus was probably waving his arms around in the cave to fight off the dive bombing bats)

We realized that it was getting late. It was time to pack up our belongings and bid farewell to the beautiful and amazing Villa Sur Mer..

[Clarity]

we said goodbye to Shakes and his homemade broom...


We said goodbye to Radcliff our awesome bartender...


We said a tearful goodbye to warm hearted Kimi. Before we left, we took a tour of the more affordable room that we WOULD have stayed at if we hadn't been upgraded for our anniversary. If anyone is thinking about staying at Villa Sur Mer, I'll send you the pics. They're really nice, like little houses with full kitchens and livingrooms.

I know I've said this a million times already, but our stay at Villa Sur Mer was truly a dream come true for us.

We were prepared to just walk to Seastar with our luggage, but Kimi wouldn't let us. She insisted that we accept a complimentary drive on behalf of the hotel. Wow!

We were driven to the gates of Seastar and said our final goodbyes..

[Clarity]

When the gates opened and we stepped inside Seastar Inn with our luggage, a familiar feeling washed over me.. It felt like coming home. It made me think of Webcasts, good times, and friends. Last time I was here was in November. I gazed over at the table that we had sat at with Rob, Lisa, Bella Bea and Jamar. I remembered our late night party closing down the bar and the laughter... Meinvancouver and his beautiful wife, Dolly, Blandy1 with her pretty blue eyes.. All the boardies dancing around...Luciano on stage... all wonderful memories! I just felt so happy to be back!!

Check in was a breeze, just like last time.

We explained that we had 2 nights booked but that there was a change of plans. Now we would be staying in Mandeville tomorrow night to visit my family instead. Would it be possible for us to have friends stay in the room that night on our behalf?

“No problem!”

Now we just had to find the right friend that would appreciate a complimentary night at Seastar Inn. We knew exactly who to offer this to and we just hoped that they would accept it.

We were led to our room. Room 12. It is one of the older rooms located in the back, second floor. I really liked how it was so quiet and removed from everything..

The room was spacious with large arched wooden ceilings, a fridge and big bed..




The balcony was my favorite part of Room 12. It is huge, with a view of the lush backyard...




(view of the garden from our balcony)

I lay down on the bed and immediately fell asleep while Markus sat on the balcony bird watching.. I don't know what it is about the beds in Seastar, I can't lay on them without passing out. They're just too comfortable.

I woke up with a start two hours later...

“Oh no! What time is it? Did we miss the concert??” I sat up anxiously.

Markus reassured me that it was still early and we were fine.

“So who is going to be at the Luciano Concert?”, Markus asked after we both showered and changed “Will My Boys be there tonight?”

My Boys = Ninja & Guirigay. (The two boardies Markus has been in contact with leading up to this trip. He was really excited about meeting them.)

“Yep, Your Boys will be there” I laughed “and My Girls will be there too”

All of the rest of the turtles were landing in Jamaica today and meeting for the first time at Seastar Inn.

I looked forward to seeing Patty Sather, Becky, and Beachgirl66 again..

I also couldn't wait to meet Marley, Ninja, Guirigay, Sweetiepie, Booger, Sandie, Tizzy, Spottycatz, Indybob, RastaStan, Gerryg123!... the list went on and on! AMAZING!

“Ready to go?”, Markus asked swinging open the door to our room.

I took a deep breath and smiled “Ready.”

To be Continued...
Markus is up next

[Sweetness]

Love the photo collage EPIC graphic - you are so talented sweet man. I am so excited to live this with you as you write about your adventure. I loved you both before I met you (I know that sounds weird) which is why I felt so much love when I did meet you. You are beautiful souls. Waiting with baited breath.....whatever that means lol.

Your title is so clever......you really should be a professional writer/photog.......

[booger]

Yes sir, and I loathe the word as well. Epic indeed with all sorts laughter, debauchery, and good times for sure. And like Sweetness I love the collage. Do me a favor and let me know when you are done, like 2 weeks from now or so, so I can read the best ever trip report. LOL!

[Coco]

Love you guys !!

[gerryg123]

Rubbing hands together .... this is going to be GOOD.