TRIP REPORT**Mobay to PortAntonio & back to Negril

[Guest]

Re: TRIP REPORT**Mobay to PortAntonio & back to Negril

Sept 20th Friday

We wake up early and go for a walk on the beach. Quiet and peaceful. We have to turn in the car today and also need to check and see if Mrs. Marie and Bob made it. Stop at Café Tiano and buy a few things for a snack, and head to the Treehouse. We go in and ask if they have seen the people that we ,
1. Don't know their name
2. Don't know what they look like
3. Don't know what room they are in
4. Don't know how they got there
5. Don't know where they are from
6. Don't even know if they are there
And we get a lot of help!

So we go for a walk down to the beach. We notice a couple of people lying on some lounge chairs, kind of walk by them but don't stop. We go for a short walk to Magarittaville and then back. Some one that looks like a Murry (swimming) and Bob (sitting) look our way. Laura says he looks like he is from Tennessee(redneck). Then Marie yells "Jim". And we all smile. We find out that their plans changed due to Leeann's car being wrecked and that Soloman drove them here and that they got in later than expected. We head for their room and we all sit and yap. Yap. Yap. Really easy going couple. We sit on their porch and talk about how we all love it here and all. We make plans to go to eat later and off we go to turn the car in. We get our bike and head back to Marie's room. Low and Behold there is a sign on the door. DO not disturb! Disturb WHAT?? Just what are two people that have been married for 24 years be doing that they can't be disturbed? KNOCK, KNOCK , KNOCK. Hey do this at home. We are in Jamaica and have lots to see and do. No answer. SO we walk away. Then we hear our names being called. Marie comes out with a sheet wrapped around her, and Bob puts his pants on over his head. Come on back they say. Laura feels embarrassed, I feel fine. We talk about going out to eat at Alfred's, but this time, we make a time 7pm. We sit around for a bit and tell them we have our bike now. They follow us out to the parking lot and Bob tries out the bike to make sure he has a handle on it. We make plans to go for our trip on Sunday. Laura and I go for a ride into the back road for a bit to make sure that the road is fine to take them up there. O.K. We get back to our room around 5pm and take our showers. Laura is a little pokey, so I go to Alfred's to see if Bob and Marie are there yet. It is now 7pm and they are there. I tell them that Laura is at the room and to come and I will show them our place while Laura gets ready. So we sit on our veranda and burn one. They really like the view from up here overlooking the road. Beats looking at people walking by your room. Up here you see all the people on the street and life's hustle and bustle. Off we go to Alfred's. We order our food and wait for the band to start. We tell them that they usually start testing around 9pm and play at 10pm. Sure enough. On time. The beach is so little form the storms and there is little room available for all that make it here. We have front row seats. There is standing room only now. People everywhere! A good crowd! Seems everyone is here tonight. A nice lively bunch. It is a ball just looking around at all the people and goings on. The band finally gets to playing and we sit and watch for a while. Not bad, not the best, but good. We finish eating and drinking (who knows what Laura and Marie have ordered. Yuck! Ginger pop?? Getting on about 11pm and we all decide to call it a night. And off we go. Kind of like old pals. We all hit it off good. We reaffirm our plans to go on the trip to the back roads on Sunday and we walk Marie and Bob down close to where they are staying .We head back to our room. It was a real nice time being with them. Off to bed, and call it another day. Running low on days now! Just 4 to go!

[Guest]

Re: TRIP REPORT**Mobay to PortAntonio & back to Negril

Sept 21st Saturday

This is the day I have no idea of what we did except lay around, take in the sights of downtown Negril and all.


We go shopping for all that we need to take home, go see the cliffs and stop in a few places to see the view.


This day just flies bye. Walk and talk, walk and talk!. We see alot of people that we know and feel at home. We go to BarnBBarn's to check on Sarge who is still not there. Seems he is closed for this time of year. Not much to sell I guess. We notice the sign in town and wish it would be sooner.

You know this is going to turn out great. We go out to eat at Kuyaba's for my bamboo chicken. Back at our room we sit upon the veranda and lay around for a bit. We talk to the girl that is staying across the hall from us and she says to join them on the beach later if we make it. We make it and hang out till we decide to call it a night. A big day tomorrow. So off we go to bed. Next***The back roads with Bob and Marie.

[Guest]

Re: TRIP REPORT**Mobay to PortAntonio & back to Negril

Sept 22nd Sunday

Today is the day we promised to take Marie and Bob on a bike ride thru the back roads of Negril. So Laura and I go hide our bike, take a bus to the other end of Jamaica and hide out so that they don't find us. Here we are in Kingston hiding under a table and who taps us on the shoulder, Marie. We are ready, are you????
Shoot, they found us. Hi Marie & Bob!!!

We take a walk on the beach in the morn, figure we should run into Bob & what's her name cause they walk every morning to.

But we later find out that they had a jump on us and have already been to this side and are already back to their place. Laura goes to take her shower and I go get my dumplings at Gary's. Just putsing around in the morn is a ball when you are here in Jamaica. We go and check to see if maybe Sarge (the jeweler) has opened again. Nope, not going to see him this trip! Still not there. We go into town and buy a few things and head back toward our place. We get ready and head to Mrs. Marie's. Butler Bob asks what he can do for us, we tell him 2 eggs over easy and some pancakes. Bob tells us that he and Marie are going to walk with the people that they met at their hotel for a bit, and when they get the chance, loose them by hiding behind a tree or something. So Laura and I give them the finger and go back to our place and wait, and wait, and wait.

We must have waited 3 minutes. Maybe 2. Just seemed like hours. What's taking them??? It's only 11/2 miles down the road. We are waiting at Gary's to show them the place, but see them stop at a store down the block. We head back to where they are and they get a pop and while we are sitting there, the guy from the bike rental place next door, comes over and tries to strike up some business. Little did he know that we were in the market for a bike, and he offers Bob and Marie a real good deal on a bike for the day for $20. We try to talk the other couple into going too, but to no avail. The other couple say they will just go for a walk into town. So off they go. Bob goes to get his bike, no credit card. Bob goes to get his credit card, no key. The guy comes for the key, no Bob. Yep, you can tell this is going to be an adventure. They finally return, and the bike guy says, hey you can get a bike with air in the tires for $5 more and Bob agrees. The guy throws in the helmets as a bonus. And off we go. Well, Laura and I did. I drop off Laura at our place and see what is taking Bob and Marie. Now I'm going one way and they are going the other. This ain't gonna work, so I turn around and catch them near our place. We come up with a plan, Marie goes to the bathroom to lighten the load, Bob will follow us and we wait till Laura finishes getting ready and off we go again. Just a rolling along now, kind of slow, but a good pace to see whom, if anyone we may run over. Getting near the turn around and I slow down to let them catch us, to make it thru this first obstacle. No problem, no cars, piece of cake. We take them to the shaved ice guy and order two snow cones. These are great to take on a warm day to keep you cool on your bike rides. Off we go again towards the road to Sav and thru the turn around again. I love these turn a rounds. They make sense. Now we are getting on the outskirts of town and turn to go out to the Great house on the hill. Remembering that there is a hill we have to go up, I stop and tell Bob to just floor it up the hill. I have stalled going up it a few times before and then having to have Laura jump off so we don't fall over. Everything goes up the hill. We make it. If you sneeze when you get up here you will miss the turn that you need to take to see the House that nobody lives in, doesn't have electricity, no water, no doors, and no windows—then why do they call it a house???

Forgot to tell them that it gets a little rough riding over all the rocks and ruts, Ohh well, that’s part of the fun. Marie jumps off before they fall, so does Laura. Bob and I drive over to the opening in the field. I look down the hill to see if the guy that we always visit is there. He's not. In fact his whole little shack is gone. Like vanished. He had such a nice little place with a fence and plants everywhere. Gone. Down comes this guy that works up there and we all talk for a bit. New people they are. In fact they are cleaning up the place so the new owners can restore the place.

[Guest]

Re: TRIP REPORT**Mobay to PortAntonio & back to Negril

We talk about the guy that had to move on, was kicked off the property by the new owners. He was part of the whole adventure up there. Use to take us to his garden and show use the herbs that he grew. So up to the house we go. Climbing like little kids upon the walls to get a better look out across the land. This view shows Negril and all it's glory. To the right is the mountain range behind Sav. Next comes the Great Palm reserve and the Morass. Then you can see the road with all the properties and the sea accenting the beach. What a view!
We check out the place for a bit and end up getting something for the ride. Tip the guy for his info and guided tour, and down we go to the bikes. Pass the bikes is the tree that is 900 years old, kind of beat up and a lot of it is gone due to the hurricanes of past years. But it still has a sense of awe to it. Big !!! Massive!!

We hang around for a bit and burn the herb, and wander up towards the bikes. Now while walking you have to watch out for the cow pies up here. They will consume you if your not paying attention. We all watch as Larua, steps, misses, steps, misses, step, got it. Yuck!! My Wife is full of $hit. Literally! Figures. You can just tell her to watch out for them so many times till she doesn't get it. SO she goes up with the guy and he cleans her shoe for her. Tip him again and off we go. Over the rocks and the holes to the road. Now up here, you turn off your bike and coast and just listen to all the wildlife and listen as the sounds of Jamaica come alive. Down the hills, up the hills.
Thru all the little towns and pass the police car. Hey put on your helmets. Yea right!. Away we go like we didn't hear them. Opps, Bob and Marie are behind us and get the raft of the Policeman. Put YOUR HELMETS ON! OR YOU WILL BE IN JAIL. Marie puts on hers real fast. Then she puts on Bobs and mine and Laura's. She ain't going to jail, that's for sure. Sure does look funny with 4 helmets on. And away we go. I love this ride. Can do this ride everyday and never tire of it. So much to see around every corner.

We finally make it to the turn in the road to go to the light house. The other way is to Lost Beach but would take another day to do that. Bob and Marie are having a ball. Bob tells me though that Marie is getting a little sore from riding this far. So I tell him we will stop just up the road.

But I forgot that it isn't just up the road a bit. It is still a ways so we keep ahead of them so they can't ask us how far!! I show them My favorite house out there.

[Guest]

Re: TRIP REPORT**Mobay to PortAntonio & back to Negril

And we finally make it back to civilization. Coming up to the lighthouse and figure we can rest here a bit. Take Bob and Marie to the edge and wanted to take them down to the rocks and ledges that you can climb around on down there. But the ladder is gone. This young guy tells use the storm took it away. So we just hang out for a bit, watch as people come and go and walk back to the Lighthouse. Bob wants to see it, and him and Laura go up to it, look inside and out again. To many steps I guess. So we hop on the bikes and down the road we go. Past Rick's and a few more of the Hotels and finally arrive at Joseph's Cave. A long needed Pepsi is had by all. Miss May is there to welcome us back home. We see her every time we come. My second Mom! I first came here in 1972 and jumped off their cliff. A Whole different experiences back then. Before the development of this area, they had fish galore. It was like jumping into a fish tank. Now they have all moved out to the reefs and away from the people that are always around this area. We take a walk out to the cliff,


Laura and Marie go bird watching and tree picking. Looking at all the fruit upon the trees that they have there. Then we all go down into the cave. The waves are pounding the walls. The sound is incredibly loud. The spay for the air rushing in and the water feels really good. Bob and Marie fall in love with his place.

We stay down there for I have no idea how long. The view is just great! We finally go back up and sit around the bar and talk to May for a bit.
This guy comes over and tells us he will jump off the cliff for us for a price. I tell him I will jump off the cliff for him for cheaper. So we all go and see him jump cause he says he will climb up the 35 foot ledge, not up the ladder. I have to see this. Ploosh, in he goes,.


and up the cliff he comes. Just found a new way to come up. I will have to try that one day. Getting a little late, and decide to head back to our side of town before it gets dark. Then in pops Soloman. Said he was visiting some friends next door , saw us and came over. Bob and Marie make plans to meet him later and off on the bikes we go. I mean off the bikes we go. First there is the Marie and bob, you lean right and I'll lean right and see if we can't rub the nose of this bike into the ground. And down they go! So startled me, that I hit the gas and into the bushes Laura and I go. Shew! They didn't see that. Cool. We still look cool. Except in the eyes of Soloman and May. They saw it all. But we won't tell Bob and Marie, And we don't. Let them believe they are the only goofs on the island. So off we go again. Laura and I can hear Bob and Marie laughing behind us. And we are a mile ahead of them now. They just couldn't stop laughing. If thats all that it took to please them, we would have knock them over a long time ago. Down towards the Hilo we stop,
and Laura go to see our driver to buy some cigarettes. We hang out on the street for a few .
Getting dark, we all hurt, and home we go. What a day. Got our monies worth on this trip. What a ball. Thanks Bob and Marie! Probably get a job at Disneyland with no problem. Got to our place and Juanitta had some soup for us to eat. Chicken feet. The soup was really good. But gave the chicken back his feet. That wasn't me. Went out on the beach for a walk. People watched for a bit and called it a night.

[Guest]

Re: TRIP REPORT**Mobay to PortAntonio & back to Negril

Sept 23rd , Monday

This was the day we went around and said goodbye to all. Took a ride out to the Palm reserve, but it was closed. We still managed to spend a few hours out there in the Morass just looking and nosing around. So peaceful and quiet out there. Just something to do to kill the time I guess. On our way out, we sat at the bridge and just melted in the sun. This is home away from home. Just love this island. Went thru the Negril golf course and ran across the water ponds. Now I see where they get their water from. Hours fly by when your on these bikes. So much to listen to out in the boonies. Just a relaxing day to say the least. Figured we would let Bob and Marie recoup from the day before and passed on asking them out there. A whole day thing going out here.Got back to the room and started packing everything. The 3 foot giraffee just fit in the suitcase. After this we went to the beach and just walked and walked. The part of the trip no one really likes to remember. The Last night. How 12 days seemed like forever was great. We seen alot and went a lot of places. There is nothing I'd trade this trip for. Met some really wonderful people, Leeann & Tony, Libby & CHef, Bob & (don't go there Marie), and will see all of them again soon. Made some really nice friends. And they all put up with us!! Amazing. Everyone asks what the driving was like. It was fun. It is a piece of cake. You drive defenceively at home, same there. Go slow and enjoy. Just leave room for all to pass. The car was worth every pothole. Will rent again the next time. So that was the end of our vacation. Now for the crying, I don't want to go home!

Sept 24th Tuesday

We are all packed and ready to go. Just in time. I've got $400 ja left, and a credit card for the stuff at the Airport -Ciggarettes, Souveniers, Pop to take home. So off we go to say bye to Bob & Marie. Knock Knock, Knock knock. A pan comes flying out the window. See you guys later. And off we went. Well not really. They took us out for breakfast. And Bob bought us Milk. A lot of Milk. So much milk he could fill up three goats and have some left over for the cow. We all sat around and talked about everything that we did, and got our huggs in. Then we had to say goodbye. Put Bob and Marie on the bus in our place and took over their room. Nice bed, no wonder they are in it so much. Was a ball guys, will have to do it again, soon, like tomorrow! Thanks for everything everyone!!!!
And off we went to turn in the bikes. CHicken came and got us and to the port we went. You sure do a lot less talking on your way out. Took some pics of the trip to Mobay





and then we were gone. 30000 feet in the air looking down at the blue/green waters thinking, mister airplane driver, please turn around, please!