Marley and Ninja: Having Their Cake And Drinking It Too! Trip Report - April 2012

[SweetSue]

Marley, Ninja... I enjoy your reports. Now I really am sorry that I did not take more time to hook up with your group. I was supposed to at the Belly Flop but life got in the way. My trip was too short (aren't they always?) to do all I wanted and/or needed to do. It is a schizophrenic existence, 'mi Jamaica Life' in the country side, my beach/cliff tourist adventures and then coming back to yet another reality in NY.... I really hope our paths do cross, as I am sure they eventually will. In the meantime, Happy Travels and keep those trip reports coming!

[monk]

Day 3, cont.

I was busy spending all of Ninja’s winnings in the gift shop so we actually were part of the group that headed out in the last bus, but funny enough we were the first group to arrive to Travelers Beach Resort…..uh, how did that happen? LOL! So we walked in and headed to the front desk. We told them we had a donation to make to the Buy A Brick program and asked if we could speak to someone. They called for someone to come talk to us and about that time the next group arrived….where were you guys?!?!?! Haha So we had several representatives of the program come out and speak to us. We told them about the event we just had and about how we decided to donate all of the money collected to N.E.E.T. They were very appreciative and they took some time to explain the program and also talked to us all about the new Hospital being built. We all were so thrilled that we had raised $9100 Js to donate, and since each brick is only $100 Js we pretty much knew that we could all paint a brick (and then some) so we decided we each would get a brick to paint but that we would also paint some for those who were there with us in spirit, etc. I have said before that the Bellyflop was one of the most fun things I have ever done in Negril, but this moment painting the bricks was probably one of the coolest things I have done. We had all just been laughing and having a ball and then once we got here and starting painting you could just feel the vibe change, and you could sense that everyone there was equally aware of just how special this moment was, it was amazing! I painted my brick and then one for Clarity too as they had gone to check in to their next place and didn’t make it to Travelers with us. Tizzy painted hers and then one for Markus. Patty painted one for her and one for Joe, and Kopper covered his and one for Manda. I also painted a brick each for Sweetie Pie and Guirigay who had not joined us down to Travelers….everyone had a brick and when we were all done it was such a site to see everyones name on those bricks. I took a moment to take a few pictures and then just looked at them all and thought about the school or library or whatever they would all one day build! What a great program!

Painting a brick for SweetiePie and Guirigay
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Everyone painting their bricks

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Group Photo

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Crazy Group photo

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Everyone's bricks all together...what a masterpiece!

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After we finished taking the group photos I paused to take it all in and then I walked over to wash up a bit, when I looked up EVERYONE was gone. There had been a big group of folks and now all that remained was Ninja and I and Indy Bob and Cindy….where did everyone go? And how did they move so fast? This group NEVER moves fast. So I said, well I can only assume that Booger and gang are at the bar, so we headed towards the beach where the bar was. We walked up and no one was there….weird! So we walked back towards the lobby area, however Bob and Cindy appeared to be happy with staying at the bar so we waved and kept walking. No one was in the lobby. We walked out front and saw Patty, Kopper, Beachgirl,+1 and Beccajean. They didn’t know where everyone else was but they were waiting on their ride to take them back to their hotel. So I said to Ninja well we are down at the beach, we might as well hang out, so I called Daisy and Markus to see what they were up to. They had just checked into Seasplash and suggested we stop by for a drink at the bar. So we got in the van with the FH crew and then had the driver carry us down to Seasplash…….

(p.s. I only recently found out that Booger did indeed leave us, but apparently we also left Jon and Tizzy, mistakenly of course, as they were out swimming in the ocean....LOL)

wow, you guys knocked it out of the park!

all respect due.

[Muzikdoc]

Marley...thanks so much for the Compliments..You all are treasures to me..thanks again for including me in this group of wonderfull people. I can't wait to meet up again!

[marley9808]

Right back at ya Muzikdoc!

Ok, folks.....so sorry for the delay. I plan to continue the update tonight...stay tuned!

[TizzyATX]

....tonight....you're such a tease

[marley9808]

I try....

[spottycatz]

Harruummmph!!! Tonight for you is tomrrow for us!

[marley9808]

Day 4: April 24, 2012

What on earth is that noise?!?!?! Oh..wait….it’s the alarm. But surely it can’t be the alarm already….we JUST laid down, right? Well, sadly, it was the alarm. I think it was set for 6:30am, so we could get up, shower, get ready, have breakfast and then be ready for the bus. After all, we had told everyone that the bus would arrive promptly at 8am and that everyone MUST be ready…..this was something I was not about to hold my breath on…..not with this group!
So we were both tired (something we would grow quite accustom to on this trip) but we were also excited, so we got up. I had been waiting for this trip for a while and I was so ready to go! I showered and got my stuff together and headed out to Ivan’s…..my normal breakfast partner, Sweetness was there at our table, she had just ordered. Raul was still showering and gathering his stuff. I looked at my watch and it was 7:30 but Kaniesha assured me that I had enough time for breakfast, so I ordered. Moments later booger emerged from his room, and I have to say I was somewhat amazed….he came out ordered a light breakfast and then soon after Tizzy and Jon emerged, I think Tizzy ordered something too….wow…..was everyone here at Catcha awake….I was so proud, honestly I was….proud…AND shocked! So we had me, Ninja, Sweetness, Booger, Sandie, Tizzy and Jon….the first pick up obviously was at Catcha. It was 8am and I knew the bus would be there….it is always on time. So we headed to the front gate and sure enough the bus was there. We waved to wait though because we decided we would head over to Wise Choise and get some more ice and drinks/snacks for the trip, so a few of us crossed the road and headed out…..of course we weren’t used to being up and about that early so we did not even think that the store was not open, oh well, we can stop somewhere in town, we thought. So with that, the first bus stop was made, we loaded up and were on our way…..Next stop…MiYard!

It was 8am but you would have never guessed that by the loud, cheerful gang on the bus already laughing and talking. We pulled up to Mi Yard and saw our next passengers, Sweetie Pie and Guirigay, they boarded to some pretty impressive applause. Then right after they sat down, Guirigay pulled out some banana rum cream to share with everyone, and there was, of course, more applause! The bus headed down the cliffs and past the roundabout and on to the beach road, next stop, Fun Holiday! We arrived to pick up Beccajean and guess who we saw there? Another one of the Fun Holiday gang, Patty! She came on the bus briefly to say hi to everyone and wish us a fun day, then Becca boarded and we were on to the next stop. We arrived at White Sands and the bus pulled in to the long drive across from the beach…..no Brasi to be seen. So I picked up my phone and called his number…..no answer. Uh oh, this is what I was fearing and we had already been so successful so far which was surprising. I thought for a second, what do I do? I don’t want to leave anyone….so I called again, and this time he answered! (Oh thank goodness) Of course I will admit he sounded asleep or sick or something but he told me he was standing by the front. How did we miss him, I thought. But the bus pulled back out to the street and sure enough, there he was, only he was over on the beach side. I waved to him and he crossed the street and boarded the bus! Phew! He was extremely quiet and didn’t look so good but he made his way to the back and sat down.
Next stop was Rayon hotel. We pulled up and again no one was around. This stop was to pick up luvsdaislands, but no one was outside. Luckily I had her number as well so I dialed it and she answered. I said “Hey, this is Marley, the bus is here” And she said rather surprised “Oh no, that is today? I thought it was tomorrow and I already have plans today! Oh no!” Oh my gosh! We were all so sad, but hey it is Negril and it is Jamaica, we all know what it is like to lose track of the time or the day….no worries….hopefully next time luvs!!

The bus headed further down the road and this time the stop was at Seasplash. We were there to pick up Daisy and Markus and they were ready. However, I forgot to mention that on the previous night, we had convinced another passenger to come with us (well maybe not convinced so much as he volunteered to go!) When we were at Seasplash last night we had a nice chat with the owner Boombastic. We mentioned that all of us were heading to YS falls and Pelican bar and he said “I want to go, I LOVE the Pelican Bar!” So I told him we could probably make room since 1 or 2 folks had decided not to go. So he said he was in. I told him when we were going to be picking him up and he said ok. So there we were at Seasplash, Daisy and Markus had boarded but no Boombastic…..he was nowhere to be seen. We asked the front desk to call him and they did. A few moments later he wandered up and stepped on the bus. He greeted everyone and then told us all how his extreme fun from the previous evening would be preventing him from joining us all for the day LOL!

And that brings us to our last stop, Idle Awhile, to pick up none other than…….SPOTTYCATZ! What was failed to mention though is that we actually passed right by them on our way to Seasplash (oops) but no worries, they were still there waiting when we came back by, and so they got on the bus said there hellos and we were on our way.

So there we go, one crazy bus loaded with some crazy folks about to have a crazy good time. On the bus were Marley, Ninja, Booger, Pooper(Sandie), Tizzy, Jon, Sweetness, Guirigay, Sweetie Pie, Beccajean, Brasi, Clarity, Hubby-man, Spottycatz (Mr. and Mrs)
We had 3 coolers and we needed to fill them for the pretty long trip ahead of us. Some folks needed to hit the ATM as well so we headed back to town and stopped at Scotia Bank first. The bus unloaded and everyone went to get some cash. Some folks even took the time to go across to the Chinaman store to get some beverages. While we were parked there we saw the infamous Gerryg123 on his scooter along with his lovely sidekick SuzieQ. We all got back on the bus after Becca and Markus returned from apparently being stuck in the ATM (I am guessing….because they were in there forever! Lol) and we were off, but then we realized some of us still needed snacks and drinks so we stopped at the little grocery store near Juici Patty. All of us in the store buying snacks and drinks and everything we could think of, lol. And none of the group was moving very fast doing anything. Every stop we made took forever with this group, and it was this stop when trying to get everyone back on the bus that the infamous phrase was first spoken by our Becca "It's like herding turtles" So after that good laugh back in the bus we went. About a second down the road and we realized we still needed ice, so we headed up the road and stopped at the Gas Station on the way to Sav. As you can imagine….by now it was probably after 9am maybe even close to 10 and we hadn’t even left Negril yet! About that time was when we realized there was an issue with the bus, something with the shocks in the back and so the wheel was hitting the frame over the back wheel. Uh oh! But never fear, we are in Jamaica were there are No Problems! Only situations! So Chicken’s friends brought another bus and met us at the gas station. And while they were pouring the ice in the coolers and arranging the drinks we all got off the first bus and onto the next one…no big deal, right? Of course not….we have snacks, we have booze, and we have happy people….right everyone?

It’s never too early for a Red Stripe, right?




And if you don’t drink beer, you can always partake in some REALLY strong rum punch! (Thanks to my lovely bartender hubby!) And since we passed it around to everyone, they all can comment on how strong it was. WOW!



Are we all ready?
CHEERS!!!




TIZZY: Pay attention to this part, this is where I am going to explain the wedding song.
Ok so everyone knows I put this trip together. I planned to take this day trip to YS Falls and the Pelican Bar and I asked if anyone wanted to join us and in the end we had quite a bit of people who said yes and seemed just as excited about the day as I was. But there was a reason that this day was so important to me, and I told that story this morning on the bus as we were heading out (clearly Tizzy did not hear it, but in her defense she was far in the back, and also with Jon LOL) The story was that this was the trip that had originally been planned as the day trip we were going to go on with all of our wedding guests when we got married in 2010. We had long planned to take all of our friends and family on this day trip to YS and Pelican because it was our favorite trip to take and we wanted to share it with all of them. But as you know, Tropical Storm Nicole ruined A LOT of our wedding plans that year, and one of them was this day trip. We were unable to go because YS was flooded and no one was at the Pelican Bar, so we had to cancel and we did not get to take all of our guests. Not only had we wanted to share that with all of them, but both Raul and I had agreed that taking a big group of folks to the Pelican Bar would be awesome, and of course I think YS is so amazingly beautiful I just love sharing it with people. So I told everyone on the bus that morning that they were all now my friends and family and that this trip I would finally be taking our wedding guests on the trip we had planned, so I told everyone to pretend that Raul and I were newlyweds and this was our wedding trip…..and with that…..he put on the wedding march music, and we laughed. Though I do think it played several other times throughout the day LOL

And NOW we are FINALLY on our way!

[Sweetness]

Oh I love this day so much......it will live in infamy!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[booger]

Nice update and you covered the events PERFECTLY. Did you film the trip? LOL! And as Tizzy, I had no idea why the wedding music was playing. So cool and you just put the day in a whole new perspective.... I cannot freaking wait for the rest of this story as the day was EPIC!

And nice work calling out JIM. Brasi was in worse shape and manned up. Big ups to Brasi. If there is one day that I look back on with this trip it's this day. There was so much joy and good times in the air and it was great to be able to spend some amazing time with such a great group.