The Jamaica ocean was just as beautiful as I had remembered. The sun rays were glistening off the glassy sea, and a few other snorkelers had joined in as we laughed and smiled our way to the reef.

I jumped in and was immediately surrounding by beautiful fish of all colors, plus eels and rays and squid and Jack fish and even a sea turtle. Seems I lost my shooting touch and did not hit much, but I had just as much fun snorkeling and splashing around and trying to keep up with Vincent and the rest of the group.

I love being underwater looking at the sea life and the beautiful corral. The water was warm and calm, and everyone had a great time.

All of us wanted the excursion to continue at Booby Cay, a small island about a mile off shore, and there we landed the boat and all picked out lobsters from my long-time friend Homie to cook. After the requisite arguing and bargaining about the size of the lobster and prices – just before we hit the shore, I volunteered my services to bargain for EVERYONE so we would get a group deal – and a few moments later for $20 each, there were sat, eating lobster and garlic bread, drinking stripes and enjoying watching the sting rays who would swim close to the shore, put on a little show, then disappear for a bit before an encore or two.

I didn’t want to leave, but I was eager to see Bentley, a local restauranteur with whom I get along really well. It’s a perfect relationship – he is fun and easygoing and serves large portions of the best food in Negril, and me, well I’m gerryg123.

Bentley has been calling me every few days in the USA for nearly six months – sometimes up to twice a day – because he’s been so eager for me to return. When I motored up the hill, made a left about halfway up on a small street called Ella Lane and parked in front of his crab shack, Bentley hugged me so tight it was like I was returning from the army.

God I love Negril.