gettin my groove on "TRIP report" boardie bash style--april21-may11,2013

[Rob]

Groove - glad you has a great time this weekend - and thanks for helping getting all the pics restored! Much obliged!

[groove16]

trip report continued...

okay today was moving day...finally getting away from white sands...bittersweet in the fact that we were separating from our friends, Rina and Larry, but they were going back to the cliffs and we were staying on the beach...

I had set up with my driver the day before...told him I would call him at 615 and need to be picked up at 630...he said no problem...I call him, and the problem was he didn t answer...so we gather our things, take them to the drive way, and then I go flag down a taxi...Let me tell you, we bring alot of stuff...and instead of packing it all in our suitcases, I had alot of these purple grocery bags to give away...well, i had about 15 of them, plus cooler, beer, all of our regular bags...it was a mess....anyway, the taxt driver looked at all of our stuff and said no, I can't take all that stuff, too much...I offered more $$$, he said not about the $$$, but too much stuff, it won't all fit...I tell him it will fit, and he said ok, or he will make 2 trips....it all fit...,lol...as we pulled off, my regular driver called...it was about 700 by now, and he was a little upset that i didnt wait on him...oh well, I have 1 hour before Chickens Magic Bus picks us up for todays excursion...

We get to SHields, and no one there but security...well I know Stewie, and he remembers me, and he calls the manager/owner, Shauna Shields, who is on the property...she tells him our arrangement, and he stores my stuff for me...we change, and are ready to go...

[groove16]

We get back on the road and head on to our 1st destination...We were advised by one of the passengers that this was a non smoking bus, but chicken told me to go to the back of the bus and roll the windows down..it would be alright...we we did....several on the bus enjoyed a piece of a sub, when it was announced again that this was a non smoking bus....so everytime the bus pulled over, the smokers got off to smoke...which actually, as my wife and I discussed, added to the expierence...everyone would go smoke, use the bathroom, buy drinks and snacks, and mingle..etc, and i could eat subs, take pics, and mingle..anyway, I go into a store at one of the stops, buy a few things and realize I didn't have my money on me...I was fixing to go back to the bus, when the jamaican guy gave me a 1000j to pay for my things...I say thanks, please follow me to the bus...he says, no problem, I am on the other bus....turns out he is friends with a passenger on the other bus...very nice of him...



I had not ever been to Belmont Beach, and didn't know anything about it...

So we pull in front of this sign


we were told this was the Peter Tosh house, and I think his mother is still living here...there was a small admission, but everyone were talked into just taking a few pics from t he outside, cuz most wanted to get on to the beach...I gave the camera to Janet and I went on a quick walk to enjoy a sub...walked across the road to the small beach...this would be a nice place to hang out for awhile, I think to myself...

a few of Janets pics


the bar...Princes Bar resturant and coffee shop



inside the bar and posters on the wall


the two buses that made the journey

[groove16]

our group invaded Belmont Beach

[groove16]

Gary and Steph adn Shauna


sign for the His and Hers Restaurant and Pub


our crowd, the coolers, people everywhere

[groove16]

After an hour or so we load up the buses, headed down the road for lunch....we drive for what felt like eternity....

lol...or again maybe 3 minutes....a couple hundred yards....lol


we all get out, go to the small building and Chicken helps take our orders...box lunches, fried chicken, jerk chicken and fish....

Janet disappears for a minute, and she is found giving away candy and toys to several little kids....Janet and Sandy also bonded a little as they both cared and fed several dogs in the neighborhood...




grants sunshine plaza


this is the place we got our food..box lunch ...yumm

[groove16]

541lion, this is the best I got for belmont.....hope you guys have fun, and let me know how it went....


gonna finish this part tomorrow, including lovers leap, and pelican bar,.....

[groove16]

So we get started..we are the last ones picked up on the "beach bus"....these buses are set up for about 20 people each, and last night I was told we had 22 on the cliff bus, and aobut 14 on the beach bus, some of the cliff dwellers were gonna switch buses...so we get thru the roundabout and right outside of town we stop for beer...the other bus pulls up and we all get out to mingle...as the other bus is unloading, who do we see get off? Our friends, Rick and Carolyn....they were talking about going last night, but didnt hear from them, so didnt think they decided to go...they swapped buses and joined us...

this is nice estate right out of negril...



we stopped in front of this school, as chicken had to get something from the other bus....chicken hired 2 drivers for this trip and he just jumped back and forth betweeen buses, trying to keep everyone entertained...well, another stop, all pile out again...

the school, and the swing is the only thing in the yard...



we get going, and then stop down the road for ice, well no ice..after 2 more stops, we get ice...on the sav la mar...

once we get there, we decide to get pattys for a snack cuz we dont know when the next food will be...

we stop at a famaliar place, juici patties...


Flip and Jackie on the bus with us

[groove16]

These are the boats on the beach across the road...


We all loaded up and drove for what seemed like forever.........


or maybe not......more like 2 minutes, about 200 yards down the road, we pulled into a parking area...I had walked to here eating my sub a few minutes ago...


boats


meat belmont beach



the beach and we invade the beach

[booger]

Hey Groove,
First off, Man u take some great pictures. And I love the pic where you see the branch but the people are blurred. I actually remember looking over at you peering thru the tree taking that pic and saying to myself, WTF? To see it thru your eyes makes perfect sense. Sandie and I were just talking about your lovely wife and I kick myself for not spending more time with you guys and getting to know you more. Please sir carry on.........