Negril - A First Timers Report ..Snorkeling, Rockhouse, Mayfield Photos

**1stTimeGrl** · 03-31-2003, 11:49 AM

Re: Negril - A First Timers Report ..Snorkeling, Rockhouse, Mayfield Photos

Hurraaaaayyyyy! [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

I am LOVING reading your story, and loving your photo selection... so fun to "see as I read." Looking forward to snorkeling and Mayfield Falls sections!

Thank you, thank you, thank you for taking the time to post. I will savor it for days to come!

**Marilyn** · 03-31-2003, 02:24 PM

Re: Negril - A First Timers Report ..Snorkeling, Rockhouse, Mayfield Photos

dup dup dup another one bites the the dust. do de do do do, another one bites the dust.

**Guest** · 03-31-2003, 08:17 PM

Re: Negril - A First Timers Report ..Snorkeling, Rockhouse, Mayfield Photos

Part Six

Well…my sense of direction is none too good (see an earlier post)…but my timing can be impeccable. Was going to begin a report on our trip to the reef, and the pictures Alan took with the underwater camera there were ready to be picked up on my way home from work today! Nothing like the visuals to refresh your memory.

First, I have to give honourable mention to the wonderful breakfast we had at the Rockhouse…decided we didn’t need to venture out this morning since Vincent would soon be arriving…so we “dined in”.

I would never do an AI deal…but if I had to…the Rockhouse restaurant wouldn’t be a bad place to eat all your meals! The cuisine lives up to its hype. Some of you probably know that Alan isn’t an adventurous eater…but he does love breakfast…and we both give this place five stars for the first meal of the day! I have the Rockhouse special…a kind of eggs benedict…or is that florentine?…poached with hollandaise sauce and calaloo, homefries, bacon and fruit…delicious. Alan has the banana pancakes with a huge side of bacon.

Afterwards, I’m wondering if I’m going to be able to float!

We go back to our villa to gather our snorkeling gear and wait for Vincent to arrive. He came by earlier to pick up the first group of snorkelers…and we were wondering if we should have signed on for that first trip of the day….sometimes the clouds roll in around noon or shortly after…and we hoped the sunshine would prevail for our trip.

As it turned out…the 11 a.m. “sailing” was great for us….all the early birds had their fun and we were the only ones signed up for our trip (picked up another solo fellow at sam sara on the way…making 3 of us plus Vincent).

After a delightful ride out to the reef….getting to see all the properties from the water...right down past the beach places.…we arrived to tie up at one of the buoys at one end of the reef. That water looked so inviting.

Vincent is wonderful….knowing I was snorkeling for only the second time in my life, he got into the water with me and took my hand for most of the hour long swim above and through the reef and pointed out everything to me along the way. He handed me bread and watched underwater as all the yellow and black striped fish came to eat it out of my hand! That was such a thrill. Although he does this every day…Vincent’s genuine happiness to see my excitement was obvious…he has the biggest smile.

He also dove down to the bottom of the sea several times to bring back “treasures” for me to look at up close and hold…a sea cucumber – felt like a furry solid slinky! A spiny urchin ball that slowly attached to my hand and wouldn’t let go! And then we saw a sting ray….big black ghostly shape gliding through the water near the surface…and we followed it for a bit at a safe distance…WOW!

At times, we were only inches above the coral…at times we were navigating passages between them…and the fish of every colour and size and shape….it boggles the mind to be among them…they seem so at ease with human company.

All the time, Alan was along side us somewhere taking pictures….and today, I got to see what he saw! Those little underwater disposable cams aren’t so bad…at least now I have some proof that I did it! He caught me feeding the fish and floating along holding hands with another man! I think I fell in love with Vincent (grin)…he was just so nice to me and made the experience so easy and memorable.

And the sun stayed out and bright the whole time…hated to see the time come to an end…but we certainly made the best of that trip…climbed back into the boat for the ride back….me with a smile to (almost) match Vincent’s!

I told him that I was going to tell EVERYONE in the whole world that they have to hire him and his boat to go to the reef…so consider yourself told! Famous Vincent is the man!

It’s early afternoon…about half way through our vacation…sounds like nap time to me….

To be continued…

**Guest** · 03-31-2003, 08:22 PM

Re: Negril - A First Timers Report ..Snorkeling, Rockhouse, Mayfield Photos

another underwater picture

if you've never snorkeled...you don't know what you're missing!!

**loops** · 03-31-2003, 08:56 PM

Re: Negril - A First Timers Report ..Snorkeling, Rockhouse, Mayfield Photos

those snorkeling pictures are something else! The reef next time for sure for me...that looks like so much fun. Getting out the list...

**Guest** · 03-31-2003, 09:23 PM

Re: Negril - A First Timers Report ..Snorkeling, Rockhouse, Mayfield Photos

leslie...

i highly recommend a trip to the reef...as wonderful as the cove at rockhouse...and all along the cliffs...is, you will be overwhelmed by the sights at the reef...there is so much more to see...

the water is shallow in places...you have to be careful not to touch the coral...and the fish will swarm around you...and you'll be right up close to the beautiful coral in a way not possible along the cliffs...

i can't believe that scott wouldn't try it with you! you have to get him out there next time! i was very anxious about doing it...as you know...i'm not much of a water person...but i am so grateful that alan persisted and that i gave it a try...it's something you can't imagine until you've done it...

if i can do it...anyone can...and i truly can't wait to go back and do it again!

show scott the pictures!!!

**LaurieMar** · 04-01-2003, 01:38 AM

Re: Negril - A First Timers Report ..Snorkeling, Rockhouse, Mayfield Photos

Wow, those snorkel pics are incredible. We are heading down to Negril in 31 days and are first timers to Jamaica. I have been to a lot of Caribbean islands in my time, but am really excited about this trip. Can't wait to get in that water and snorkel!

**1stTimeGrl** · 04-01-2003, 01:57 AM

Re: Negril - A First Timers Report ..Snorkeling, Rockhouse, Mayfield Photos

I knew it!! The snorkelling photos w/ the narative are fantastic...

Mikell... is it possible to/would you want to edit your thread title so that it mentions Booby Cay/Mayfield/Rockhouse? It might help people "tune in" (which I KNOW they will enjoy once they pop in). Just a thought from a huge fan... [img]/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

**loops** · 04-01-2003, 09:59 AM

Re: Negril - A First Timers Report ..Snorkeling, Rockhouse, Mayfield Photos

yes Mikell, I couldn't believe he didn't get into it either! Oh well, that's my hubby, the proverbial stick in the mud. I managed to enjoy myself regardless...I think he was just too self conscious to be seen with a life jacket on...you know how that male ego can be!

Next year for sure though, your pictures have helped tempt him. We did go out on a glass bottom boat to the reef last year and I could see that there's lots more to see.

**sunshinechic2002** · 04-01-2003, 02:16 PM

Re: Negril - A First Timers Report ..Snorkeling, Rockhouse, Mayfield Photos

mikell,
great report! thanks for sharing those beautiful underwater pictures. after reading your report, i think i am finally going to give snorkeling a try. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

**schultz** · 04-01-2003, 04:24 PM

Re: Negril - A First Timers Report ..Snorkeling, Rockhouse, Mayfield Photos

Don't get jealous Mikell but Vincent holds my hand too! He is absolutely a great guy and he works so hard with his boat business. I too recommend Vincent...he is awesome. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Mikell, I got injuries from a sea urchin [img]/forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif[/img] one time...from that time I've been a little nervous about snorkeling...but now Vinnie makes sure that I don't get too close to the reef. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

Your pictures are great! So glad that you had a good time.

**Guest** · 04-01-2003, 06:40 PM

Re: Negril - A First Timers Report ..Snorkeling, Rockhouse, Mayfield Photos

Part Seven

This evening was another great adventure…

We decided to get Alan some good old PIZZA for supper tonight and hoped Mr. Slice would satisfy his withdrawl craving…

We’re getting used to walking as much as possible…I know that it can be a bit hair raising as the cars whiz past…and all that honking and stopping to offer a ride…but you really do get to see so much more and get a better appreciation of your surroundings…

We stop in at the Easy Rock Café for an opportunity to send a quick “trip report” back to our friends and family at home…(just to make them a wee bit jealous!)…

Meet Sue and a couple of her partners there who are often the ones who post and answer messages on the board…lovely people…and a really nice vibe in that place. So great that they have the computers all ready to go with hotmail up and running…I get to delete all my JUNK email quickly and send off a big hello from negril to everyone in my address book.

Also get a nice surprise…another boardie…Lee Smith…is there with his wife…and after a few minutes talking to him…we find out that we have more in common…he was a DJ years ago in the town I grew up in in Ontario! I probably listened to him and maybe even met him when I was a “teeny bopper” back in the 60s! small world!

Finally out the door…and just down the road we spy Mr. Slice…great little location on the corner of a busy piece of road where the beach is starting.

The folks there are so friendly and the pizza turns out to be very good too.

Not only is it close to the all-american meal Alan is craving…but guess what? They have a TV and they’re watching CNN!!! We haven’t seen or heard much news in the past few days (get the BBC broadcast on the radio in our room) …but it seems that nothing much has changed….glad to hear a war hasn’t started…yet!

We enjoy a few minutes of transport back to the “real world”…and then a young boy takes the remote and changes the channel to some american cartoon/adventure show….guess we export this stuff all over the world and it seems to be irresistible!

The sun is starting to set…we take a couple of pictures of dogs across the street…they all look like the same “breed” in negril….travelling in packs and counting their blessings too that they live here!

Taxi back to the Rockhouse…another 60 mph wild ride…in seconds we’re in front of the restaurant entrance (“beam me up scotty” couldn’t have got us there any faster!)

Decide that a “dirty banana” nightcap is in order…

A group of young men wearing Canadian t-shirts arrive and I ask where they’re from…when I hear the name Minedosa (not far from Winnipeg, Manitoba)…I ask which one is Steve Smith…much to their surprise…one of them is another boardie I exchanged posts/emails with not long ago! Just another “magic moment” in a trip full of them…

And it’s time to turn in at the end of another glorious day…

To be continued…

**Guest** · 04-01-2003, 07:39 PM

Re: Negril - A First Timers Report ..Snorkeling, Rockhouse, Mayfield Photos

Part Eight

Oh oh! Another full day! Alan has been very good natured about my need to “do things” while I’m here (his idea of a holiday was to do NOTHING…except snorkel and nap)…so I’m aware that I’m dragging him off again this morning…but promise that I have a solo adventure planned for the afternoon…and I will leave him to float in the cove for a couple of hours by himself later…

But I know he loves breakfast…so maybe he won’t mind taking another “short” walk with me…and it was he who spied the “voted best breakfast” sign in front of Home Sweet Home yesterday…so he’s not complaining too much.

We’re up and out so early…we usually beat the real traffic on our morning walk…and arrive as the very first guests at that lovely covered patio restaurant with another great sea view from the cliffs. A big coffee pot is on…and we’re told to help ourselves…no problem with that!

Alan orders french toast and oatmeal (comes with papaya, pineapple and bananas) and I get the spanish omelette. Both are very good.

Pirate is up a bit earlier today and sits down to talk awhile with us…very nice man…Negril looks like it agrees with him. Tells us a bit about how he came to be here…and I tell him again what a lucky man he is!

Full tummies…we hop into a taxi for the ride back to Rockhouse…less than two minutes…another wild ride!

Soon we’re off again….this time to meet Leslie (loops) and Scott at Idle Awhile…we’ve been exchanging email for a few weeks and have arranged a trip together to Mayfield Falls tomorrow. This morning, we’re going to meet up and go to the board meeting at Fun Holiday together.

After finally getting to see “loops” in person…we take a quick walk through of Idle Awhile and peak into their Jr. Suite…quite lovely…and then head down to the beach to meet Scott. He’s trying to stay out of the direct sun…while Leslie’s lounge chair position shows why she’s so tanned!

“Beach life” is very different from “cliff life”….it’s a whole different scene down here! The world comes to your lounge chair…people peddling food, drinks, crafts…and just about anything you need. And if you’re a “people watcher”…no better place.

It doesn’t take me long to unwrap my sarong and head into the water…it’s way too inviting in this heat. Just standing there waist deep….float a bit….so warm but refreshing…marvel at the length of this beach…the white sand just goes on and on…and the colours are spectacular.

Ready to head up the beach to Fun Holiday…a short walk….and some “friends” are there already…the webcast has started…everyone looks so happy and relaxed….

We finally meet Kahuna3….big, tall man with lovely smile…but, sadly, he doesn’t have any copies of his book with him…had hoped to get my autographed copy today…oh well…just nice to talk to him and will have to order one the regular way later….I’ve heard so much praise for it…Leslie is reading a copy now.

Another big moment….Smith arrives! So this is the man! You know what I mean…everyone wants to meet Smith…the DC’er who seems to have fit in Negril as if he were born to her. I’ve enjoyed his writing so much…it’s colourful and never fails to make me smile…his simple love for the people he meets and places he goes is obvious in every word…and a true delight to share. He has a kind of shy demeanour…but there’s a little twinkle in those eyes too that belie his reticence…he’s been around…just not hollering about it!

Jeff & Vickie, Leslie & Scott and Maggie & Arjay sitting with us at a table in the sand under the canopy of the bar…and I order my very first RED STRIPE! (light)

I have a confession to make…I’m Canadian…but I don’t like beer! There…I’ve said it! I’m a disgrace to my nationality…(and some say a traitor too since I married an American and moved to New York…but that’s another story!)

But hey…Red Stripe Light isn’t half bad…in this heat…anything cold and wet would taste good. And how could I go to Negril and not try it?

Goes good with the conversation…laughing and drinking up the vibes…soon time for the boardie group photo…loved that one! And it made the photo of the day on the site when I got home.

[img]http://photo.msn.s8.com/MS8zLzEwNDk0MTc0NzUvMS80MDE4LzE1NS8zMi80Rm9Odld1el RHREo2ZjI4SVhDS0tB/82cadfa92ce8fbec37640003785129ab/clbk=HcZNnT9kkUhrEeCinm8CRWUacCLD*WvUl92Lxiy37fpDn F4xr6OPVQGYFnuYS38NIQOIIyKMMdA$/jpg.jpg[/img]

Well…the day is getting on…and I must go meet up with Maggie at her café next to Rondel Village…my trip out to the “parishes” is next on the agenda…and it will be a highlight of the week, I’m sure…

To be continued….

**sammy** · 04-01-2003, 08:33 PM

Re: Negril - A First Timers Report ..Snorkeling, Rockhouse, Mayfield Photos

LOVIN YOUR REPORT! [img]/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

**Classy** · 04-01-2003, 08:36 PM

Re: Negril - A First Timers Report ..Snorkeling, Rockhouse, Mayfield Photos

Great report! I love all the pictures

Negril - A First Timers Report ..Snorkeling, Rockhouse, Mayfield Photos

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