Here is the Ocho Rios report .....
Knowing that I could never beat the first visit.... seeing Jimmy live at the opening on M-ville Ochie in 2002, I had hoped that the visit this year would be decent at best. WRONG. NOT ONE SINGLE BUFFETT TUNE PLAYED !
From the resort we stayed at it is a 5 minutes bus ride to Island Walk, the complex that houses Buffett's place. We went last Monday night...on the 4th of July. At the door we were handed American flags and American flag paper fans and one of those 18" TALL plastic drink tube cup thingys. The place was packed and hopping with American tourists and some locals.
We headed for the bar.... and had our 2 glasses filled with frozen concoctions.....for $20 US! Pricy, but since the glasses were large, Ok...no problem! Milled around and found a seat near the waterslide pool. The music was blaring and people were lined up to a stage where someone was pouring shots of some kind into your mouth from the bottle. Very Carlos and Charlie's like.
Bunches of TV's playing Sportscenter, CNN, and Buffett in some kind of recording session...but I couldnt tell which one as there was no sound. Very Buffetty athmosphere in the decorations and overall theme........But NOT ONE SINGLE BUFFETT TUNE PLAYED
during the 2 hours we were there!The music was pounding.....but it was hip hop or whatever they play at the "hot" clubs these days! A server came over and we ordered 2 more drinks.... but in regular 12 ounce cups.... The 2 drinks came to $7 US. Out of couriousity, I poured it into the tube cup and guess what...FILLED TO THE TOP! (IE.... a little p*ssed that we were blindly ripped off the first time)
Then I asked the server if I could request a few Buffett tunes.....I rattled off a few SYKBH numbers and he looked at me with as if I had 8 heads. So I went up to the DJ booth and made the same request. My answer? "We don't have those tunes". I swear..... thats what I was told. I WAS SEETHING. I asked for the manager....thinking I would get a little better answer but he never appeared.
Of course that didnt prevent me from dropping a few bills in the gift shop stocking up on some new gear.....
but what a disappointment. We had planned to return during the day, thinking the athmosphere would be a little better, maybe more Buffetty like it was back in 2002.... but Hurricane Dennis put a damper on that!More to come................
