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

[Juli]

Have a relaxing trip, Gerry!

[Tattoo]

Gerry , get ready see you in 2 bless.

[Muck]

This is the 3rd time today I've jumped on this message board hoping to see the first installment of GerryG's trip report....don't keep us waiting much longer!!!

[gerryg123]

We landed safely in Montego Bay, where a nice lady from the Mobay VIP services met me with a sign, gerryg123 or something to that effect. I had actually managed to sleep a bit on the plane -- I've lost some weight, and that makes a big difference in terms of comfort in a small seat -- and soon I gathered my luggage and met the Clives rep.

Bad news. The Clives rep was there to take my money, but no driver. He kept calling on the cell and delaying me, and after about 45 minutes I started asking around for anyone driving to Negril. I've used Clives a lot, and I must say I was disappointed, but it all worked out. A Juta guy whose face reminded me of Kareem Abdoul Jabbar gave me a lift, and away we went.

It was drizzling on off as we made our way past the strip and up the hill. I was VERY eager to check into Seastar Inn and to make my hellos.

There is nothing better than that first day, when you have a stack of 100s and 50s and 20s, and you're ready for ANYTHING.

Ya mon. It's going to be a good one.

[VVHT]

Gerry, I'm very envious!! Enjoy your home away from home!

Very Very Happy Traveler

[Vince]

Sorry to hear about Clives.We used Ashton Pitt our last trip.~This trip will get better!!~Your in Ja.!!!!

[kaycee]

And its beginning! Ready to hear more! Clives has gotten a little slow, I waited an hour on a previous trip.

[gerryg123]

Garrett at Seastar Inn gave me the keys to his scooter and said to have fun. He rents it out ocassionally to guests, and it's a great deal because you have the power of Chris from Seastar's fairness if something bad happens. I filled up the tank at the same gas station near the rouhdabout with the same nice worker who still remembers the incident three trips ago when a teen on a motorcycle loosely threatened to "put a gun to my head and pull the trigger" if I didn't donate some gas to him (I shrugged him off, but I will always remember Bentley saying later: "If a Jamaican says he will do something, he WILL do it!"

This time, the coast was clear. In fact, it's a couple of days later now and I haven't had any hassles at all. Negril folks are SO nice.

I motored up to see Banton, a local bar keep who I've befriended through the years, and as usual Banton was in a great mood. Like a lot of business owners, he is really hurtin. But at least Banton has Keith, my friend from Philly who takes care of a lot of the rastas on the block. Keith is a former Wall Street Whiz kid who has retired here, and we have great fun together when we're on the island at the same time.

Keith emerged with a big smile. We've missed each the past couple of trips. It was my first day, like I said, so I didn't have much time, plus it started to rain pretty hard, so I quickly jumped on the motor scooter and headed back to Seastar Inn.

[gerryg123]

By the way, please keep Bentley in your prayers, as the great chef from Bentley's Crab house has been hospitalized with an undisclosed illness.

Roundly considered among the best cooks in all of Negril, Bentley has closed the restaurant and taken down the sign -- just for the time being, I hope -- and his neighbors have said they think he is going to be OK. However, it is serious.

[murph]

(((bentley)))