Negril - Days in Negril (pre IVAN) 2004 (pictures now!)

[dr. bones]

Re: Negril - Days in Negril (pre IVAN) 2004 (pictures now!)

Love the pics and report, Ale. Keep it comin. Unpack? What's that? I still haven't fully unpacked from my last trip, and that was in July It's my own little way of saying that I am going back soon, and can be ready at a moments notice.

[Marilyn]

Re: Negril - Days in Negril (pre IVAN) 2004 (pictures now!)

Never in my life have I been to the Pelican bar (where is it anyway), but the funniest thing is that when I heard Ivan was coming was that the Pelocan Bar probably would make it through where aas other structues would not. However, I did hear that it got blown away. I also know that I bet one week later they would have built it back.

[Cowboy]

Re: Negril - Days in Negril (pre IVAN) 2004 (pictures now!)

Yes ale,

Please, keep it coming. A very good report so far and I'm interested to see what other pictures you have taken.

Hopefully when you say the weekend, you mean today, (Saturday)! [img]/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[Pepper]

Re: Negril - Days in Negril (pre IVAN) 2004 (pictures now!)

Hey ale, I am loving your trip report.

Originally posted by ale:
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These two shots are fabulous.

I can't wait to read the rest. Keep it coming.

[jamlove]

Re: Negril - Days in Negril (pre IVAN) 2004 (pictures now!)

Loving your report. Can never get enough of Jamaican adventures. More!

[ale]

Re: Negril - Days in Negril (pre IVAN) 2004 (pictures now!)

Wed. Sept. 8th

Nothing on our schedule today. We slept in a bit and then went looking for Sean and Lyndsey. Talked with Donovan a while then walked to Selina's for brunch.

Like usual...it started to rain as we walked back to CocoLaPalm. We seem to have a knack! All we have to do is walk down the road and we get rained on on the way back.

This time we stopped in at Jah B's so we didn't get soaked. Waited it out a short while, took off again and just as we were cutting to the beach at Root's Bamboo it rained more. Waited under the trees at the entrance a few minutes then headed on to the beach. Almost made it back to Coco before it started to rain really hard. We ducked under a sheltered area at the beach by White Sands. Talked with a man who does aloe rubs for awhile. The rain finally stopped and we walked back to Coco. That's about all I can remember from this day so will just post a few pictures.


















These are all veiws from CocoLapalm's beach area.

It looks a lot different post-Ivan but just narrower and less shade!

[ale]

Re: Negril - Days in Negril (pre IVAN) 2004 (pictures now!)

NYC_GYAL, we noticed that we didn't see you once after we moved to 313. We thought maybe you got a flight out on Monday.

Dr. Bones, we have to unpack. We have to nest our luggage for storage space. That doesn't mean, that they are empty though. Both the pilot's cases that we use are packed pretty full with our usual travel things and beach stuff. (About the only time we go to the beach is in Jamaica. We live too far away from one in IN!)

Marilyn, to be honest I'm not really sure where the Pelican Bar is/was. Somewhere offshore between Treasure Beach and Black River is all I know!

Cowboy, sorry I didn't get to more today. (Sat.) Slept in finally, then paid bills! I think this is the first I've really set down to do that since we got back. Then we both were involved in a local theater production tonight.

Pepper, thanks for the encouragement. More to come.

Jamlove, I know what you mean. It's sort of like being there youself, again! Already, we are starting our savings for our next trip!

More to come tomorrow, I hope. ale

[Sugar Shug]

Re: Negril - Days in Negril (pre IVAN) 2004 (pictures now!)

Wonderful trip report. Can't wait to hear more.
Peace

[Jamaicamiss]

Re: Negril - Days in Negril (pre IVAN) 2004 (pictures now!)

Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule for posting the report and pics. I love to see anything about Jamaica. Your pic of the Pelican Bar is great!!!

[cinnni]

Re: Negril - Days in Negril (pre IVAN) 2004 (pictures now!)

Great report so far Ale.
Can't wait to read more and see more pictures!!!

[ohliz]

Re: Negril - Days in Negril (pre IVAN) 2004 (pictures now!)

Woohoo pictures!!!!!!

SO glad you got to see dolphins, that is SO much fun!

[ale]

Re: Negril - Days in Negril (pre IVAN) 2004 (pictures now!)

More Sept. 8th

I forgot to mention that on the way to Selina's we stopped in at YellowBird to check out the accommodations.

The grounds were really pretty and I kind of like the seclusion the fence gives. It is open on one end so getting out to actual ocean is no problem.

The room they showed us was sort of a duplex. The door entered into a wide area that had a kitchen in the center with sitting areas like a living room on either side. There was a door leading off each sitting area that went into a bedroom that had 2 double beds. The bathroom is entered from the bedroom. Not huge but serviceable. I'm pretty sure each bedroom locks so you really only share the kitchen and sort of the living area. (Your area is separate but not locked away from the other end.)

The rooms were a bit more rustic than CocoLapalm but they were also cheaper. (We had a "hot deal" special of &70.00/night at Coco. If I remember correctly, Yellowbird lists at about $45.00 for rooms like I'm describing. They were clean. The bathroom fixtures were not as nice but I'm thinking that the climate has something to do with that. Just some corrosion and rust, not dirt.

After being in Jamaica during Ivan, I'm not sure I would stay there during hurricane season. I'm now a big fan of concrete buildings! But I would be willing to stay there during the rest of the year if money were a big object.

Sorry, we didn't take pictures.

I also called the 1-800 # for US Airways, checking on flights for Friday since Ivan was heading for Jamaica. I was assured by the agent that if Ivan was not going to hit landfall till the evening hours of the 10th our 2:30 flight should be no problem. Obviously, this person had no idea of how Jamaica prepares for a hurricane! Didn't know that at the time. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]

[ale]

Re: Negril - Days in Negril (pre IVAN) 2004 (pictures now!)

Sept. 9

We hear that Ivan has now gone to catagory 5. OK, now I'm getting really nervous. I so want to be home by Sunday. We (my sisters and I) had been plannig my Dad's 80th birthday party for months now. It was planned for the 12th. Our family has a yearly gathering we call the "Dan Clan" in the fall. (My grandpa's name was Dan and all my dad's siblings and there families try to come.) Since the date had been moved up this year (after we had arranged our vacation!) we were cutting it close but shouldn't have had any problem being there, just worn out!

So I call the airline again. I try to get tickets for earlier flights. NOTHING is available. Not even 1st class, which by this time I was willing to pay for to be sure I would be home for the party. Not to be. Ok, maybe the lady I talked to yesterday is right. There is still the chance we can get our Friday, 2:30 flight. We'll just have to wait and see.

We had planned to go to YS Falls. Sienna and Sala picked us up right on time. Because of Ivan, Sienna suggests we go to Mayfield since it is closer. We have been there and liked it alot. Sean and Lyndsey have never been to any of the falls yet. So, off we head for Mayfield.

I remember that we got really soaked doing Mayfield and today is not a good day for Lyndsey to get wet so I mention this to Sienna and we change plans again.

They have a shorter trip that is closer to Negril. They take you to Brompton beach to see fisherman bring in their catch and watch the locals buy it to take to market. Then go to Sav-La-Mar and just look around. Then on to Benji's. That cinched it. I had read about Benji's and had added it to my places I would like to go but had already made my plans for this year when I remembered it so had decided it would just give us another reason to come back! Anyway, we change plans again and head for Brompton.













We walk down the beach while waiting for the fisherman to come in. A couple of pictures are where fresh water is meeting the sea. Caution..we found out the hard way...the sand right at the waters edge where the fresh water curves around before it meets the sea is like quick sand! Sean went in with one foot up over his ankle! A few steps more down the beach and Sienna went in with both feet almost up to her knees. Even she didn't know she could move so fast! She was in and out before we knew it!

There's also a couple of pics of the catch for the day. The big fish they called a "tobacco (sp) fish.

When we got to the beach, those boats that were already in were being pushed up the beach and put behind a bamboo fence in preperation of Ivan.

We watched them sell their catch and then walked around the Lost Beach property. It is beautiful. Full of dolphin carvings and furniture with dolphin arm rests, etc. Of course, there was not much going on today. This "resort" is lovely but definitely for the laid back sort of tourist. You would be sure to get a taste of the local culture. No tourist shops in the area. Very peaceful and I'm sure pretty quiet when not in preperation for a hurricane.

It dawned on me that we were being very selfish to have Sienna and Sala out while they needed to be getting ready themselves for Ivan. I mentioned this to Don. He said he had already talked with Soloman and Sala wasn't concerned. I went ahead and spoke to Sienna. While she felt bad to cut the day short she did agree that IF we were lucky enough to need a ride to the airport the next day that they should probably begin to board up and stock up this day. So after some convincing Sala agreed. Oh well, Benji's for next time.

We stopped in Sav-La-Mar for Juicy patties. Don't know why but all four of us love them. Partly because they are cheap eats that fill you up. Mosstly because they are good.

(I had so hoped to try Miss Sonia's patties. But the only time we were within range of her place we had eaten not too long before. Sienna said her patties are VERY big and filling. I know that if Ivan had not interferred I would have made it but just the thought was distracting. Driving past after Ivan it looked like her stand got hit pretty hard. I hope that she is able to get it back up and running because I really want to try her on our next trip.)

Back in Negril, we stopped at the Hi-Lo and we picked up some bottled water and Sienna stocked up her kitchen some. Sean and Lyndsey needed to fill one last request of a souvenir so they went to the shops in Sunshine Village. (We weren't sure what chance there would be to shop after Ivan.) The first shop they hit they found the bell and soon we were back at CocoLaPalm and Sala and Sienna were on their way to batten down.

We go to the beach and Sean decided to try to fly the 1 of the 2 stunt kites he brought with him to try to fly on the beach. He hadn't tried them yet and we thought we might not get another chance. (How right we were!) It takes a few minutes to get the lines set and we realized that we didn't have our camera with us so I went back to the room to get it. By the time I got back he had had it up and already tangled the lines with Coco's sign and a tree. Not too badly though and we got the line down. But the winds were gusty and he decided better not chance it again. Packed the kite back up.

We went back to the room to watch the weather reports and I called the airlines and were told all flights were still on for tomorrow. We crossed our fingers, ate some supper and went back to the room to pack. We're still hoping that Ivan doesn't speed up and we'll have a chance at our 2:30 flight. On to bed with prayers being said.

[Snuggles]

Re: Negril - Days in Negril (pre IVAN) 2004 (pictures now!)

Beautiful Pics!!!!

[sammy]

Re: Negril - Days in Negril (pre IVAN) 2004 (pictures now!)

you are doing great ale!

love your photos

thank you for the photo of the inflated ring i don't think i've even seen anything like that before...where did you purchase???