Mr. X does Negril (2010) with No Reservations

[Mr. X]

Mr. X Does Negril (2010) with No Reservations

Chapter 39 – Later at Catcha
September 7th, 2010 – Tuesday – (Day 4)
Hung out after dinner and have a few more drinks. Relaxing. Went back up to room and hung out on our stunning terrace. Few Big Ass Lizards on the ceiling of patio catching bugs. Between the Geico Commercials and being in Jamaica I am trying to be at peace with the lizards and not freak out.

These are not ur normal green lizards. This are tourist lizards. Tourists leaves patio lights on. Light attracts bugs. Lizard just sits on ceiling and bugs keep landing all around. All u can eat buffet every night. No wonder they are big and fat. If they get any bigger they are going to be classified as baby alligators.

Granville’s wife does not like lizards I am laughing she is Jamaican and she does not like lizards. Too funny. I don’t really know what to do. Fortunately Granville is smart and experienced in these matters. He waved his arms AND yelled at them and they ran off. I guess I had not thought of yelling at them. Damn why did I assume lizards were deaf? Jeez don’t think I would last too long out in the wilds. Anyhow. We all hang out on the beautiful patio overlooking the ocean. Nice freaking view. Even at night with the moonlight.. The brochure photos don’t do it justice. All the vines growing up give tons of privacy. Granville and wife leave about 11pm. We laid out on patio. Could fully stretch out. Nice . Our friends were laying on the sofa in living room. Stayed awhile so peaceful listening to the ocean. Layed there for an hour or so.

Could not help but think about those big ass lizards directly above me maybe doing some kind of sneak attack now that Granville was gone. Of course I asked whether they bite. Seemed pertant information to me. Since that’s not a big threat I am not scared of them it’s just if I have to wake up and one is crawling on me. I know. I know. I know they are more scared of me than I am of them. I understand that I just don’t give a sh*t.



If I wake up and feel one of those crawling on me. Not worried about screaming. Just hope it don’t come out too high pitched. It’s going to be a fight to the death. If wifey has one get on her. She will really freak and I will be on checking for lizard duty rest of trip. Sh*t maybe checking for lizards for the rest of my life. Can u imagine 20 years from now still making me check for lizards everywhere we go. Love laying out here but maybe should go sleep in bed.

Got to be way harder for the lizards to get me all the way in there. Get up walk inside. Friends are gone. They must have went to bed. Close patio door to give lizards another hurdle. Eyes shut and asleep within 30 seconds of entering room.

[yetta]

Maybe I'm weird, but I love the little fellows. I don't even mind if one is in my room. They eat insects, which is great, plus, I just think their cool. However, I have also found out that many Jamaican folks don't feel the same. One trip, at Xtabi, one of the female employees came out of the office restroom screaming at the top of her lungs. We rushed down to see wha gwan...it was a lizard.

BTW, absolutely loving your reports and photos!!

[gerryg123]

When i was at Banton's on the west end on my last reach, i witnessed a lizard eating a fly ... at first, the lizard made a grab for it and the insect escaped, but the lizard kept chasing it and got it on the second attempt .... I found it fascinating ....

[sunray]

Lizards are a good thing. I don't mind seeing one in the room. Effective insect control. They won't bother you. Only seems right to see them. Look for them on the trees and plants, they have very effective camoflogue, changing from brown to various hues of green as needed.

[Mr. X]

Mr. X Does Negril (2010) with No Reservations

Chapter 40 – am at Catcha
September 8th, 2010 – Wednesday – (Day 5)

Up early. Little before 6am. Slip out of room to go to down to waters edge. I so enjoy the peace and quiet. Coffee is almost ready.







I know sunset is the most beautiful time here. Sunrise the photos don’t come out as well but I love being here in the early morning.
Sipping coffee and giving thanks and praise.

I spend the early morning playing, jumping off cliffs. Photos. Taking a few notes.
Thanks and praise (3+).
Floating (3).
Snorkeling (3).
Going in swimming pool. More jumping off cliffs. Lots of coffee. Damn love me some Catcha Falling Star.

Breakfast at Catcha had Jamaican Special and fruit plate for the 4th day in a row. Ackee and Salt Fish. Callaloo on request. I requested it. Excellent yet different than same thing at Seastar and BarBBarn.



Our Friends get up and have leisurely breakfast and have to pack. They don’t have time to get in the ocean. Yup leaving at 1130am can see where time can be short







.

So between 1130am goodbyes and 130pm mostly I guard my float that just so happens to be floating off the western tip of Jamaica. I know I am scared of the ocean and deep water but damn if I am not in some deep ass water. Seems like 100 feet down but fisherman in small boats say it’s only about 70 feet. That’s only about 65 feet deeper than my normal comfort level. Damn the water is so clear. I can see the sand under me and where it changes to rock. I am floating in the middle of the freaking ocean. Every fish I see. I don’t have a mask on I am seeing this just looking down into the water.

Who ever invented flippers? Kudos. Don’t even give a sh*t about my mask and snorkel most of the time my float and flippers and maybe a cold beverage. Thanks and praise. Can’t get lighter wet. Life is not all bad. Get in the middle of ocean and lighter will not work. Damn. Dries out and finally works. Thanks and Praise. Anyhow where was I … so I am floating off the coast of Jamaica I appear to be the western mostest man. At least on a float. Don’t know if my cell phone works out here but I just don’t care have not seen the phone in a couple days. I am in the middle of the ocean.







Most places want you to check out by noon. They are not being rude. Usually want to get room cleaned up. So we just ask can we leave luggage in room or at desk here. Most check in is 3pm. So wtf u going to do for 3 hours. So I ask can I check in early at Blue Cave Castle say 130 or 2 vs. usual 3pm.



Friends left to go to airport with Granville and we are going to stay at Catcha until he comes back about 130pm. Then move to Blue Cave Castle. So we pack our bags and leave them in corner of room. So housekeeping can do what they need to do.

Granville and his wife come from round trip to Montego Bay dropping friends at airport.

Boss comes and yells at me that they are back and it is time to move to the Blue Cave Castle. I am floating in the ocean and having a pretty good time.

“Hey why don’t you guys take the suitcases down and I will just float on down and check in the Blue Cave Castle from the water. Don’t know if many people check in arriving from a raft but I bet not many people check in the Penthouse of the Blue Cave Castle from a float.” I shout.

“GET UR ASS OUT OF THE WATER AND LET’S GO!”

Ok guess she is not seeing the humor in that. Funny just to me I guess. Whatever.

[Mr. X]

Mr. X Does Negril (2010) with No Reservations

Chapter 41 – Blue Cave Castle
September 8th, 2010 – Wednesday – (Day 5)
We load up and move to Blue Cave Castle from Catcha it’s a 3 minute drive. Basically from far end of cliffs to start of cliffs.

Granville honks and they open gate. We pull in. Get out of car. Love me some castle. Wow impressive. Does not look faux at all.



Guard knows we are coming and helps us unload and leads us to our room.


From waters edge looking back at entry way where we parked


Curvy rock steps that lead down into a cave and directly into the sea.


Too cool.

Walk to edge of property. Little 2 and ½ foot rock wall and then straight down like 25 feet to the ocean. Wow. Water is so clear and 25 feet deep. Looking down 50 feet to the bottom and I swear u could see fish. Sweet.

No check in went right to room. So pulled in and security guy and Granville and me take everything up to the room. I had prepaid for room for 2 nights and had copy of receipt in my hand. Security guy walked us to the room and the key was in the door. Did not even go in the office do not even know where the office is. Only reason I know I can find my room because it’s the top 2 floors of the castle. Only castle (finished) around.



We walk up two flights of stairs maybe 3 flights. Last one being steep.




Doors to penthouse.
We enter double door into a hallway


covered open patio with a table and chairs.





Lower level of Penthouse.


Behind is a full bathroom with a huge walk in shower.

You can hang out here and be in the shade or u can walk forward and there is a large patio with loungers. What a view. Wow more than 180 degrees. Ocean to right and looking down coast towards SamSara on the point and the unfinished castle right before.

[Mr. X]

Mr. X Does Negril (2010) with No Reservations

Chapter 41 (cont) – Blue Cave Castle
September 8th, 2010 – Wednesday – (Day 5)

Up 1 more flight of steps




Looking down steps towards lower level of Penthouse

Turn left and there is another patio with a few chairs that kind of juts into a point. Almost like the bow on the Titanic that Kate and Leo leaned forward.







Wow what a view.


Looking into main level of Penthouse from jutting point ie balconey #2

Up few steps into main part of Penthouse. Large open room with king size bed. Sitting area. Open kitchen with refrig. Very unique. Not luxury but kind of quirky and cool. I love love love it.





Bath with tub shower. Clean neat not fancy. No AC. Slotted windows with screens. We throw our suitcases in.

Go back out room and there is another set of stairs that lead to another baloney on top of the penthouse and even a fourth tiny balcony up a few more stairs. From these top two levels u have an unobstructed view in any direction. Wow highest point in Negril. This is so cool.







Little embarrassed to admit that this is actually the first time I have ever stayed in a castle before. Doubt I will act any different just because I am in a castle. Much less a castle on the ocean in the Caribbean. Castle in Negril. Top it off today is wife’s birthday and we are staying in the Penthouse. Doubt if any of her previous suitors took her to stay in a castle before. Just how I roll.
Such a cool view.

[Marko]

Mr. X Does Negril (2010) with No Reservations

Chapter 41 (cont) – Blue Cave Castle
September 8th, 2010 – Wednesday – (Day 5)

Little embarrassed to admit that this is actually the first time I have ever stayed in a castle before. Doubt I will act any different just because I am in a castle. Much less a castle on the ocean in the Caribbean. Castle in Negril. Top it off today is wife’s birthday and we are staying in the Penthouse. Doubt if any of her previous suitors took her to stay in a castle before. Just how I roll.
Such a cool view.

excellent report....you are really getting spoiled mon....you staying at all mi favorite places......
there is so much diversity at all the different places in Negril.........
it really makes Negril unique and special in mi mind......
and why so many people keep coming back to Negril.........
and you always discover sumthin new there every reach.......

Cool Runnings, Marko

[marley9808]

Awwwww this brings back memories. I stayed in the Penthouse when I celebrated my 30th and it was awesome, nothing else like it. Highly recommend! The view from up there is amazing, we spent every single night lying on those chaise lounges on that little point area you described and just looked up and stared at the stars for hours (and the bats of course, lol) But it was and is still some of my best Negril memories, there were millions of stars, it was magical.
Thanks for the photos, the place looks exactly the same even though in about a month I will be there to celebrate my 35th. (Staying at Catcha this time though)
And I was laughing when you described that little area like the bow from Titanic because on my first day there I have a picture of me standing at the edge with my arms out looking over the water screaming "I'm King of the World" LOL
I am loving your reports....Catcha, Xtabi, BCC.....your hitting all of my faves

[Mr. X]

Mr. X Does Negril (2010) with No Reservations

Chapter 41 (cont) – Blue Cave Castle
September 8th, 2010 – Wednesday – (Day 5)



The heat is on. Don’t take me long to realize this is not the time to be hanging out up here in direct sun. Head back down to courtyard of my castle plenty of shady spots.

As we are coming across yard on 1 trip moving stuff to room I see Karl Ricketts talking to some other people that are probably staying here. We wave at each other and Karl comes over to me. Hey Karl give me 5 minutes to get moved in and we will talk. He was hanging out talking to a couple of guys on a patio in the new part of castle.

Cannot be moving on vacation it ruins the whole vacation? Late checkout at Catcha and early check in Blue Cave Castle. Lost time was the 7 minute drive. Sure we had to pack. Since I had not unpacked was not a problem for me. Of course the fact that my friend Grenville was here helping me with the suitcases and driving of course was big.



Vegas one night about 11pm only took 2 hours to check in busy hotel on Friday night. O minutes verse 2 hours. I know it can be done quicker in Vegas. I don’t care. I have been plenty. Don’t care about going anymore.

I was floating in the middle of the sea at Catcha Falling Star and then looking out from the highest point in Negril with a 360 view. Lapsed time 15 minutes. I know this is special circumstances. It is off season. Slow season. Mid-week. I checked out late from Catcha and early into Blue Cave Castle. I am just saying moving does not have to ruin ur vacation or mess up whole day. Can and often does. But does not have too. Was I sad leaving Catcha? Nope. Really? Not in the least I am pretty excited about 2 days at the Blue Cave Castle and our last day we will be back at Catcha staying in the Sagittarius cottage.

Did I mention that I was staying in the Penthouse?
(Prepaid total of $285 for 2 nights at $120 + tax)
Since I had paid before I got there it is almost like staying for free.

Don’t care i am feeling good.
Penthouse sweet!
Lol except for many steps up.
No problem for me I need the exercise.


I see Karl Ricketts down by the new part of castle.

Catch up with Karl. He has nice painting of … hmmm I guess view FROM the Blue Cave Castle looking down coastline.


Looked about like this.

Pretty picture but not what I wanted. Very specific. What to do now. I show it to boss. She doesn’t like it. Not Blue Cave Castle. Great. Karl it is beautiful but I want a painting OF the Blue Cave Castle. It is her birthday I got to make her happy and she is not happy. He did not ask for but I gave him the $80 (had already given him $20) cause I had it. In most cases I know u don’t want to pay in advance for anything. Takes away ur leverage. In this case I had the money and who knows what may happen money wise late in the week. I don’t know Karl that well and figure there is about a 50/50 chance I will get what I want this trip. But I know he is a reputable artist and man and he will remember me and I will get my painting next trip.
We got all stuff in room.

This is where i pulled off what i would self-consider #2 biggest di*kish move of trip. I only have big bills so I tell the security guy who helped us move all luggage and showed us around I will "catch up" with him later.

Hottest part of day so we decide to do a little trip.

Wanted to look at a few properties since it’s too hot to hang out in the sun.
Grenville was here so let’s go check out a few properties and see a few sites. We are planning on hanging out and eating here tonight so we got car here now best go do whatever and come back.