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

[Clarity]

Okay, At this point I realize our trip report is becoming “the song that doesn't end”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmcP3MShzS0

There IS an end in sight. So I’m REALLY going to attempt to pick up the pace here. I can do this. *cracks knuckles* Okay here we go…

Trip Report Continued…

We last left off at the One Love Bus Pub Crawl. We had visited 3 bars already (Swordfish, C&D Country Music bar and BellaDonna’s) and we were on our way to the next bar stop on the route. At this point, the bus was standing room only and everyone was sitting on eachother’s lap to make room for those trying to stand in the aisles. Everyone was properly toasted and there was a lot of laughter all around.

The bus pulled up to a stop in front of Westender Inn.

I was excited because I’d heard a lot of good things about Westender Inn from Sweetness’s trip reports. I had always wanted to see it in person. It was beautiful…



I love the small beach area and the little hot tub (or is it a fresh water pool?) overlooking the ocean. It had a secluded and peaceful feeling to it. The landscape is beautiful. I could see escaping to Westender Inn with Markus for a few days to get away from it all and enjoy some romantic one on one time.

Gerryg123 was familiar with the grounds, so he took me and Sweetie pie on a little tour. We crossed the street and he pointed out the cabins in the far back with the hills surrounding it. He mentioned that the little cabins are really affordable. There is also a pool there too.

Sweetie Pie and I admired the view. When we turned around we saw that Gerry had already made himself at home.



I’m beginning to suspect that Gerryg123 carries around a floatie in his back pocket that he inflates as soon as he has access to any body of water. He loves his floatie. I can’t look at this picture without smiling

Sweetie Pie and I left Gerryg123 floating peacefully in the pool and went across the street again to join the rest of the group at the water front.

[Clarity]

Marley came up to me with a smile and said “Daisy! Guess what they’re serving at the bar?”

“What??”

“Lionfish.”

“LIONFISH?!” – I could barely contain my excitement and I sprinted towards the bar area. I didn’t want to miss out on this like I missed out on the pizza at BellaDonna’s. This was the moment I had been waiting for. It was time to get my revenge in the invasive predator that had terrorized me that fateful day at Xtabi. This was the first step towards overcoming my fear.





It was delicious – Crunchy on the outside, tender inside – The taste was very subtle and buttery. It was love at first bite. I was in heaven. I ate every piece and licked my fingers clean afterwards. I highly recommend trying Lionfish at least once during your next trip to Jamaica. You wont be sorry.

[Clarity]

After enjoying a dirty banana and great conversation, it was time to leave Westender Inn and move on to the final stop on the pub crawl.



Sir D’s



This was the perfect bar to enjoy another beautiful Negril sunset.

[booger]

Now that's a great Gerry G shot. The dudes passion for all things floatie is what inspired me to take one as well. Having a floatie on the West End is the only way to spend some quality time in the wata. Please continue before I grow so old I will no longer be able to read.

[Clarity]

Markus and the awesome Pub Crawl bus driver Lenbert

Afterwards we hung out at the picnic table in the back with Wpyogi, her +1, Marley, Sweetie Pie and Guirigay.



Here is Marley and Markus showing off their signature looks. Markus is doing “Blue Steel” and I believe Marley is showing us her “little Red Riding Hood”. It could be the “Cinderella” but her head is down and she looks more mischievous so I’m pretty sure that’s “Little Red Riding Hood”. The difference is so subtle, it’s easy to confuse them at times. Lol

The pub crawl had now come to an end. We were all in good spirits and we didn’t want the party to end. Instead of getting off at Seasplash, we all piled out of the bus at Catcha Falling Star with Marley and Ninja, Guirigay and Sweetiepie. We also convinced Katho to join, she lept off the bus just before it pulled away from the curb. .

When we entered the familiar grounds of Catcha falling star I felt this happiness well up in my stomach. It was so good to be back , It felt like a homecoming and I was happy to know that we’d be moving over here in only a few days.

A familiar smiling face emerged from the darkness.

Sweetness!!

This was my first time meeting her in person. I could barely contain my joy. I ran up and hugged her. Markus did too. She is just as sweet in person as she is on the bulletin board and she immediately pulled out a beautiful big colorful heart carved in smooth stone. She handed it to me and Markus, an anniversary gift. (thank you Sweetness!)

We invited her to join us for dinner, but she already had dinner plans at the Spa Retreat and she was heading out the door.

After a stopover at Ivan’s Bar, We headed over to the Sagi suite (Marley and Ninja’s second home) and cracked open the cake vodka again.



No ceiling fan incident this time. Long live Cake vodka!

Then we hung out on her balcony taking in the view. At this point, we realized that we had no idea what TIME we were supposed to meet up with Gerryg123 for dinner at Bentleys! We mulled over this for a bit and then decided just to go over there with the hopes that we’re not too early or too late for our dinner date.

So we hailed down at taxi cab and piled in

[Clarity]

We stopped at Xtabi so Katho could pick up something and then went directly over to Bentley’s.

Bentley’s Crab Shack is really off the beaten track. We made a few wrong turns here and there but we found it eventually. It’s in a residential area and easy to overlook. We stayed in the car while Guirigay jumped out to see if Gerryg123 was there yet and he WAS. So we all climbed up the wooden staircase to Bentley’s outdoor dining area.

We were greeted by Gerryg123, SuzieQ, Wpyogi and her +1. Bentley ran up to us and enthusiastically pumped all of our hands. “Welcome friends Welcome!!” – He had so much energy and such a contagious laugh. I loved him immediately. He had us all cracking up within minutes. I already knew this was going to be an experience I wouldn’t forget.





SusieQ poured us all glasses of a homemade fruit drink that Markus thought was alcoholic. (it was not) Regardless he became increasingly intoxicated with each refill and adamantly blamed the drink. I think he was just drunk off the excitement of being there. It was actually pretty funny.

We ordered the crab cakes and it took a while for Bentley to prepare this meal for such a large group. The time went by fast with all of the conversations going around the table and believe me, it is definitely worth the wait.



He emerged from the kitchen with steaming dishes piled with food. More food than I ever expected! He pointed out how there was 5 or 6 different foods on the plate and he poured his amazing special sauce on top. He carefully explained every item on the plate to me with flourish and excitement. The aroma was intoxicating and every bite was amazing. This man knows how to cook!!

[Clarity]

Bentley told us some funny stories too over the course of the night and had us all in stitches. It was such a fun night and the most entertaining dinner I’ve ever had in Negril.



Thank you Gerryg123 for organizing such a great dinner for all of us. I’m grateful that we got a chance to hang out with you. I’ve enjoyed your trip reports for so long, It was kind of like meeting a celebrity

Gerryg123, SuzieQ, Wpyogi and +1 had started their meal before us, so they headed off earlier than we did. I found it impossible to finish my entire plate, in fact everyone but Markus had that same problem. (He devoured his plate and licked it clean - I think Katho finished her whole plate too) The rest of us put the leftovers in a doggy bag.

We were all properly exhausted but STILL not ready to end this night together. Guirigay suggested Pee Wee’s which is walking distance just up the road. We decided to head on over there for a final night cap.

Pee Wee’s bar was closed and all the lights were off when we arrived. We stood there for a moment just taking in the view of the moon over the ocean. (It’s a beautiful location)

That’s when we heard a voice behind us. We turned around and saw a guy that I recognized from the One Love Bus Crawl. He turned on all the lights and opened up the bar just for us. Sweet!

“What would you guys like to drink?”, He asked.

I wish I could remember his name because he was truly a character. He was cracking jokes at records speed and had a great dry sense of humor. Something about him reminded me of my brother. Something I couldn’t put a finger on, but I liked him immediately.



After a round of drinks at the bar, he offered to play us some songs on his guitar. We all sat down in a separate balcony area with a view of the crashing waves and a soft breeze. He began to sing and his voice was beautiful. First he sang a playful song incorporating all of us in his lyrics and then he sang a love song. It was a song about love, loss and life.

Something about this moment on the cliffs, listening to this private show and surrounded by these amazing new friends was intensely bittersweet for me. His lyrics touched something deep in my chest, something I can’t even put into words… but it caused tears to fill up in my eyes and my throat to constrict. My brother used to play the guitar for me in his bedroom and his voice was so familiar. It brought back a strong memory and I felt his presence still in my life, every day in every moment. He wasn’t really gone. I knew he was there with me and this comforted me despite the tears. Markus looked over at me and squeezed my hand. That’s when Guirigay and sweetie pie got up to dance. Markus pulled me up to slow dance with him too. I followed his lead, I buried my head in his shirt, and just surrendered to the beauty of that moment.


(crop from Ninja’s pic)

It was such a special night..

Everything about the entire day was incredible... Swimming in the crystal clear calm sea… basking in the sunshine…the fun-filled One Love pub crawl… all the laughter with friends that I had only met days earlier but felt like I had known my entire life… an incredible experience at Bentley’s sharing stories about our lives and enjoying the most delicious meal…slow dancing on the cliffs to the most beautiful song just for the six of us…

I couldn’t ask for more. I knew this was going to be a special trip but it had already surpassed all my expectations and there was still 5 more days to enjoy in Jamaica…

To be continued…

[Seveen]

okay you got tears from me - lol

[irieworld]

Dang it Clarity--once again you have me crying in public. I might have to start holding you liable for this--so mortifying to be sitting in Panera or Starbucks with tears rolling down my face. But then again you equal it out in smiles and laughter that you draw as well. Many thanks to you for continuing your report with a plan to finish it. I love it, tears and all.

[lovenegril]

I am a newbie to these boards and I cannot tell you how much I have enjoyed reading your experiences. All your trip reports are amazing and I am just sad now that I am caught up because I feel like there should be more. You have inspired me to write my own trip reports so I can document them before I forget the details.