Gerry G's TRAIL OF ASHES TOUR Final Chapter -- The Mighty Californian's return

[gerryg123]

Margi soon arrived and joined all of us at Bourbon Beach.

Here was the scene: It was Brazzz and his two teen sons watching the NFL game; Juli being pampered by a local worker who was beautifying her eyebrows (why, I don't know because you should never mess with perfection!); a group of fellow tourists enjoying the sun (including a topless European lady, bam!); the oversized but clueless security guard; and of course myself, the Mighty Californian indulging in subs one after the other.

I don't think you could point to anyone who was not having a great time. But you know me -- I am always on the go go go. Margi, a sweet soul who is utterly artistic with a love for nature and trees and animals (a Vegan) and that sort of stuff, jumped on the back of the scooter with me, and like someone squishing a watermelon seed we busted out of there, hit the open road, and pushed it to full throttle (40 mph) to Half Moon Beach.

Half Moon was just as lovely as ever. When it's a bit windy and choppy on seven-mile, it's usually calm at Half Moon, located about 10 miles towards Green Island and Lucea.

We had the place to ourselves, and it was bliss. We frolicked in the water, enjoyed a red stripe or two, and of course told each other our life stories with all the dramatic twists and turns. There is a special bond between Negril tourists, a mutual love of Jamaica that brings you close in a flash. A day together in Negril can form a life-long friendship quicker than you can say: "gerryg123, ya mon!"

We had a nice time. God I love Negril.

[gerryg123]

Here's a nice little video of folks filling the Seastar Inn shuttle van to go to the beach. Among those featured are owners Francine and Chris, driver Henry, tourist Brasi (rare video footage) and of course myself with the usual ya-mon commentary ....

[gerryg123]

Here are some more pics (top to bottom):

1, Famous Vincent's new second mate, Babyface

2, Nice drink at Seasplash

3, Seastar Inn's Garrett hangin' in room No. 19 and unwrapping American gum

4, Perfect sunny day on the beach

[gerryg123]

The lobster came out so nice at Seastar Inn that Barbara, the hotel's esteemed server, suggested we do a little video of the plate. I was using my USA cell, so the volume is a little shaky, but I think we get the idea .....

[dash]

'Was that" bring your kids to work " day for the servers at Seasplash?

[Vince]

another KOOL video and pics THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[gerryg123]

Margi wanted to hang at Seastar Inn, so we made our way up the hill. We ate and swam and smoked, all the fun stuff there is to do in Negril, and we promised to see one another soon.

We said our goodbyes, and I took a little rest in room No. 19 and prepared myself for the night's festivities -- not sure where I was going, what I would be doing, or with whom, but I just knew it was going to be a great night. When the sun sets and the stars come out in Negril and the tree frogs let you know all is gleeping well in the world, there is no where more relaxing than Negril.

I went to Bentley's later and hung out with Marko, and we must have sat and talked for three hours about everything Negril, and of course Bentley would chime in with his wild thoughts and unbelievable memories, all of which he swears are true even though some are so outrageous you have to raise an eyebrow. One thing for sure, when you eat at Bentley's you get a floor show because the host sure knows how to tell stories.

I guess one of the reasons Bentley embraces life with such passion is because it almost ended many years ago when he was 15 and was hit by a car while walking his grandmother home. Bentley almost died in the street that night, but he says now he still remembers a guardian angel from above helping him to stay alive -- his surrogate father, a white tourist from the East Coast who joined his mother in raising him, drove Bentley to the hospital that day -- and Bentley now says that when he closes his eyes at night, he can still see that guardian angel. I believe him.

I gave Bentley a big batch of candy bars when I left. He doesn't ask for 'em, but I know he enjoys them (he never has dessert!). He also loves Pepsi. Sometimes I bring a bag of stuff (rum, punch, candy bars, etc.) and tell him he can sell what he can or otherwise he and I will consume it ourselves. Marko helps him too. Bentley doesn't ask (well, he does ask for some stuff!), but he's got the kind of personality that draws people in.

On the way back, I ran into a local guy I've known for a while, a friend of Jodie's when she used to live near Sir D, and through the years I've seen this guy go through a lot of ups and downs. He often begs for dollars but on this reach he was way up on his luck with fancy new clothes and a brand-new shiny red motor scooter. He even paid his own way into the Seastar Inn party later in the week.

After yet another drinking and eating session back at Seastar Inn, I fell asleep and dreamed of good things. I dreamt of being on the ocean, of riding my scooter through the hills, of meeting new friends and reacquinting with old ones, of writing trip reports and watching the view count shoot through the roof!

I am really in my element in Negril. People say I have a good time in Los Angeles, but that ain't nothing. I don't know if I could keep the pace for 52 weeks here (or even three weeks), but wow I am feeling good, having left all of my troubles 4,000 miles away. Let the good times roll.

Oh, and if you're wondering if I am exagerating or over-doing it about how fun it is to be a single tourist in Negril, please believe me 100 percent: This is the greatest place on Earth. If you like beach vacations and having the F-ing time of your life, then please, I beg you, buy a round-trip ticket from wherever you are in the world, book a Negril room one category higher than you can usually afford (lol), and strap yourselves in. It's one heck of a ride.

[jamaicarob]

hell ya, soon come

[NRV]

I hear ya gerryg123..... Leave your worries behind & party like it's 1999!!!

[HuskerJohn]

When the sun sets and the stars come out in Negril and the tree frogs let you know all is gleeping well in the world, there is no where more relaxing than Negril.

Always a magic time in Negril.