So I cancelled my camping trip and went to Negril instead.......

[booger]

. A few of you have throw some WTF's out there when I wrote that we decided to cancel our camping trip and book a last minute trip to Negril. Allow me to clarify that it was not a pack your sleeping bag and tent and go camping kind of trip. It was a rent a motorhome, drive 7 hours each way, and set up shop in a National park type of camping trip. When you factor in the cost of the motorhome, gas prices in California over the last couple of weeks, food, etc., it made sense at the time that I could spend a little more and go to Negril instead. Last minute airfare was surprisingly low when I checked it so I pushed the button. Problem was I didn't partner with my better half, so it didn't work out as smooth as I had expected.

So on the way home from work I picked up two of the super Red Stripes that I have only seen here in the States. I walked into the house trying to contain my excitement and approached Sandie and said "Hey, how about a Red Stripe to celebrate our vacation." She grabbed it and looked at me and knew instantly that I was up to something. So I came clean and told her that I cancelled our camping trip, set up my mom to watch Booger and the house, and had booked a room at Catcha and purchased the airfare as well, and had Kingsley set up to pick us up on arrival. She instantly said "No way, we are going on vacation and taking Booger!" WTF? Did she just hit her head? I can't believe what is happening right now. So I said a couple of parting words and went and pouted in my living room.

Next thing you know I'm canceling the room, ride with Kingsley, and room at Catcha. I hadn't hit up my mom yet and just about the time I was about too Sandie rolls in with a change of heart. Alright, now it's time to rebook the airfare, the room, and the ride! "Hey babe, do we have any more beer?" Cause right about now I could use one or 20. Oh great, airfare has now gone up $400 in a matter of half a day! Maybe this wasn't a great idea?

So now that you have some background, it's time to talk about the trip.......

[Melody]

OMG!!!

I wondered when I saw your post about going on the pub crawl last Friday....thinking, geez, trips planned for December, April, and how many times now since this past April? You've got it bad Booger!!!

So, let's hear about your most recent trip....

[nutz4travel]

Too funny... Next time maybe you'll give it a few minutes for it to sink in before pulling the plug Let's have it, I'm having trip report withdrawal...

[Hettie]

Is the other Booger a child or a pet?

[Eden]

Ha! I love it, a camping trip turned into a Negril trip! I don't blame ya one bit, I think Negril is hands down better than camping (of course I haven't ever gone camping!). I think it's so sweet of Sandie to think of Lil Booger missing out on a vacation. Hope you are both having lots of fun in the sun!

[booger]

Is the other Booger a child or a pet?

Booger is my daughter and I have been calling her that since she was a snot nosed kiddo. She loves hanging out with Grandma though, so it was a non-issue as far as she was concerned. I'm good with a Booger break every now and then and Mom soon found that she was too. Love her to death, but I have learned to have no problem about being selfish with my time as well.

Grandma has hinted that she wouldn't mind watching Booger in Negril as my Mom loves to travel as much as I. And I'm looking at trying to make that happen for the April trip, and if I can pull it off I will. They would just have to stay somewhere down the street.

[Hettie]

That's so nice that Booger has a grandparent to spend time with while you two get away for some alone time. Sounds perfect to me, everyone wins!

[booger]

I had three days to do pre-vacation stuff. First thing that came to mind is that I need to get Bentley some Old Bay and I remembered someone(Blake?) showing a link to a 7 lb tub. I looked it up and ordered it for Friday delivery. Also crossed my fingers that my new credit card wold be here that "might" make it by Saturday, which would be too late. Thanks to the POS who decided to use my credit card for your own gain. The one that I was going to use for the trip on everything that I could. The one that gives me miles to use for tickets back to Negril. I hope that when you get caught Bubba is your cellie....

Leave out of LAX at 9am which is in fact our first day time flight to Jamaica. We always do the red eye, but I am getting too old for those flights as I do not sleep too well on flights, unless the Doc has been nice enough to give me some valium to calm the nerves. We land around 7:30 PM and I am expecting customs/immigration times to be tiny. Nope, it took a bit but I could care less. I'm in back in Jamaica on three days notice and I'm freaking stoked.

Make it out in about 45 minutes and just as I do Kingsley is driving up to scoop us up. Hugs, handshakes, pleasantries are exchanged and off we go, with Mrs Kingsley along for the ride. Stop a few blocks from the airport to grab some beers and haul booty to Negril. We pull in about 9:30 and figure we missed most of the Seastar show so instead swing by Eddie's to put in an order. Soon come Eddie, I need to go check in at Catcha Gardens.

[booger]

Hit the gate at Catcha Gardens and Marshall the night guard is there to handle all the details. He escorts us into the second building back, lower floor room with AC and I am pleasantly surprised with the room. It's a good sized room that was super clean and presents a great value on the West End. We only stay one night here and than it is on to the sister property for the rest of the week. If you have given thought to this place I would tell you to check it out. I think I paid $77 for the room, and you could get a fan room on special for $49. I believe the $49 advertised is not inclusive of tax, and the $77 was. Nice pool area in the back and you are across the street from LTU, just a stones throw away from Sexy Rexy, and a 3 wood away from Sir D's.

Wake up and decide to head over to Catcha to check the new construction out while Sandie sleeps in. The weather is perfect and I have a good stride going and make it there in no time. I had to stop by and say hi to my girl Mauvette, whom always starts your stay at Catcha off on the right foot. Head down looking for the new building and was surprised with it's location. It is directly to the right of Star and it ties in well with the newer 6 room unit to it's right. Workers are busting butt trying to get it finished, so I'll have to check it out later. Say hi to the rest of the staff, many who just laugh when they see me because they know I'm hooked. Time to head back to wake Sandie up so we can check out and hit the other place.

I get there and she is up! Surprised as the night before we closed Eddie's down and than hung out with Sexy Rexy till sometime in the morning. My freaking head hurt no matter what I threw at it and I knew Sandie would be in the same shape. If you hear karaoke coming from the Gardens it is probably coming from Rexy's. Still not sure if I sang that night, and hesitant to ask Sandie if I did because she likes to play the "what can Booger remember" game. LOL.

[booger]

Our room is not ready, but is now next in line. Leave the bags on the porch of Moon and start our way down to the bar. Get just a few steps and see Jackie and some guys looking at a newly poured concrete hole in the ground.
"Hey Jackie, what's going on here?"
"New septic tank mon!"
"Hey Jackie, is it going to smell like $hit here all week?"
"No mon" Laughing
"This is a new one Mon"
Alright, good cause half off a night won't work if I have to smell $hit all week. I need to get into the zone and not worry about anything for the rest of the week. Grab a beer and this was about the time I took the following pic. I already posted it, but thought it came out pretty good using the new panorama option in io6, Apples new mobile software.