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Well, we are back in the US after our first trip to Negril. I'll try to post some pics and more as the days go by, but we wanted to tell everyone what a great time we had! Other than our disappointment with RIU (nice AI but just too big, won't do that again)everything was fantastic! Soloman and Sienna were great, we'll never use a hotel shuttle from airport again, and do take the inland route. The stops for Red Stripe and cocobread were a perfect way to start our trip! Negril was exactly what were looking for, the beach, the sun and the people were just as we imagined. We both were planning our next trip even before we left.
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Re: Negril - Back from Negril...
Ohhhh, a new trip report. I can't wait to see the pics. Happy you had a great time.
Peace
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Re: Negril - Back from Negril...
Day 1 - Will never get over the feeling of excitment as you come in over the water to land in MoBay, and the heat you feel as you step off the plane. After listening to conversations on the plane, we felt like old veteran visitors (thanks to our previous trip, alot of reading, and message board browsing). Knowing the airport, we headed straight for Customs/Immigration, but were disappointed when we didn't see the singers. Down the stairs to find our baggage, and through the Nothing to Declare line [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] ! No problem there!Took us a couple of minutes and a few "No Thanks, we have a driver waiting" before we were able to escape through the lobby and out the door to find Soloman. Was so cool to walk out and see the brightly colored sign with our names on it, which by the way, we have hanging here at home. Exchanged greetings, got the luggage loaded and away we went. Tam and Sienna got along great and talked as if they had been friends for years. Soloman had suggested we take the inland route in a previous email, and we defintely were in favor of it. Reggae was on the radio, and we were all feeling a great vibe, only one thing missing - cold Red Stripes! Made a quick stop for some on ice in plastic bag (love that)and off we went, through the hills and all the little villages and towns with Soloman pointing out interesting things all along the way. I think my neck hurt the next day from trying to see everything that we passed by. Next stop in Sav at a great place called Cool Breezes Jerk Center for next round of Stripes. Back in the van and on to Negril. It was so great to see the areas of Negril you don't see with a big resort tour. Stopped at Cambio to exchange some $$, and to our resort (which was the new Riu, very big, too big for us). Relaxed the rest of the day on the resort beach, planning our attack on 7 mile beach the next day. Went to sleep wondering how tommorrow could be better than what we experienced that day!
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Re: Negril - Back from Negril...
DJ
That's a nice start. You know I have never taken that route. I guess I am always in too much of a hurry, and then also, all I want to do is stare and stare at that water. Maybe the next time though....Comment
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Re: Negril - Back from Negril...
Go DJ! lookin' forward to hearin' about Negril!!
PS: love your sig!Comment
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Re: Negril - Back from Negril...
Good report so far. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img] Keep it coming and please don't forget the pictures. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]
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Re: Negril - Back from Negril...
Day 2 - Wake with excitement as we will make our first real trip to 7 mile beach today. We were there for a couple hours on our day trip to Negril, during our 1st trip to Ja. But this is our first real chance to stroll the beach, soak up the Irie vibe, visit the beach bars and really experience what Negril is all about! Did breakfast at the resort (what the heck we paid for it right)then got a cab from the hotel to margaritaville. Picked it as a starting point because we were somewhat familiar with it, and it is near the middle of the beach. Got there, bought the rum drink wristbands, and it was go time! Had a great time, drinking Rum Punch, sunning, and talking to the lifeguard/security guy (wish I could remember his name cause he was very cool)! Swam out to the trampolines, and were joined shortly by some very athletic guys doing great tricks. After some conversation, we found out they were employees of M-ville in Ochi who had come to Negril for day-off party. Couple more rum punches and were off to explore the beach.
Think we headed south, just checking all the places we had heard about. Stopped at jewelry vendor and picked up some bracelets. Met with a couple folks from Rayon Hotel, very friendly! Had some drinks and great conversation at For Real Resort beach bar. Checked out their rooms, nothing fancy, basic rooms. But only 15 steps from beach, and prices were pretty good. A brief stop for hair braiding from a great gal (again wish I could recall the names)and an aloe vera shoulder rub, just great! Visited Idle Awhile (which was were I tried to talk Tam into staying before the travel agent got to her
)and am now pretty sure that is where we will stay on our next visit. Beautiful grounds, freindly staff, and great location. Spent most of the day walking and having to say "No thanks, respect" to all the salespeople on the beach (which don't really bother us, we like talking with them). Wish I could remember all the great little bars we visited before heading back to M-ville.
Here's the part that would be a cause for concern at home, but we just laughed off it off in Negril. We were told at our resort that there were shuttles every hour back to our resort from M-ville. Yeah right, and after checking our funds seems we spent a few more J's on cool drinks then we planned. Yikes, not enough for cab fare. We both just laughed about it and deceided to walk for awhile till we were close enough to get a cab with what $ we had left. But in typical JA fashion we didn't even get down the drive before a cab driver offered to take us back and we could pay him when we got the hotel. Valuable lesson learned about stashing the cab fare seperate from the liquid refreshment fund! [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]
Another great day and retired for the night thinking what a great couple days we've had so far. And Benji's Paradise tommorrow, can't wait!Comment
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Re: Negril - Back from Negril...
And I haven't forgotten about pics, will try and post some tonight!Comment
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Re: Negril - Back from Negril...
And... Where's the pictures???
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Re: Negril - Back from Negril...
Sorry no pics yet, been so busy with activities and such here at home. And trying to keep up with what has happened in JA from Ivan. Seemed sort of wrong to post of the great times we had just days before so many were in harms way.
I will try to continue/update trip report tonight! [img]/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]Comment
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Re: Negril - Back from Negril...
OK, I'm back... trip report - Day 3
Met our driver, I think his name was David (sorry, I'm bad with names)and we are off to Benji's! We were pleased to have Sienna join us for day. Stopped just past the round aboutto get our Digicell minutes, the place was bustling with people. People busy going up and down the road, I just had to stop and think what a great place this was! get our minutes entered and we head off towards Roaring River. As we headed out of town I saw the Golf course (where I had hoped to play) and places I had read about Sweet Spice, Tedd's One Stop to name a couple. i enjoyed our trip through the country to reach Roaring River, saw so many things I had read about. The sugar cane fields, the schools, and childen and adults in all kinds of daily activities. Even saw the sometimes troublesome motorcycle guys who can be a bit overbearing to 1st time visitors.
Roaring River was a beautiful place! I had read, and was told the same by our guide, that tourism has fallen off in recent years, and I could see that it was once a busy place. Vendors there are plentiful, but all were pleasant, helped that we were with a guide who knew some by name. Roads through town were rough but fun, and as we neared Benji's I was suprised as the road became more like path. Stopped at Blue Hole, just awesome! The cottages there looked like they could be fun to stay in, anyone know the name or ever stayed in Roaring River?
We arrived at Benji's Paradise and were greeted by Benji himself. He had the most wonderful demeanor and attitude. His son lead us down to the water where we could swim, and we were treated to jelly coconuts. We just sat in the water for a long time, relaxing and taking a few pictures, having conversation with anybody who wandered down. I even called my brother and his wife to leave a message, since we had tried to get them to come with this trip! After a while, we wandered up the hill and lunch was ready. It was the best tasting food I had ever eaten, an Ital stew cooked over an open flame. And the best fresh limeaid on this earth! Everyone there was so pleasant to be around, and I thought my neck would be sore the next day from looking up into trees and mountains surrounding us everywhere! We toured the terraced farm, and saw all the different foods grown. I could go on and on about how spectacular we thought this place was!
On our ride back David pointed out the caves and places he used to take visitors to walk the river. The ride back was just as great as the ride there. We planned to go to West end that night but rains came in late afternoon and stayed for a few hours. Ended up dining in and after a walk on the beach retired early.
Day 3 and we just could not beleive this trip is just getting better every day!
More soon!Comment
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Re: Negril - Back from Negril...
............. soon when, exactly? It's now October 
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Re: Negril - Back from Negril...
Ok Now, I just started in to this report and you are where?
Trip reports help all of us who go down more than once a year. For me it’s going on 6 months and that’s a true test.
It’s feeling like you will soon be planning another trip, good report, keep it coming.
GeoComment
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Re: Negril - Back from Negril...
Geo - that is a long time for you .... 9 months for me [img]/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] - will be 10 months by the time I get back.
I was just talking with my B last night about how long it has been since we last hugged ... it is months and months - but he says 'we do not feel "empty" or "unfulfilled" because we are so connected'; we know each of us are counting the days, we miss each other, are desperate to be together - but we both know each of us is waiting on the other - and that is a good feeling.' And then, once I do get there we are in each others back pocket, savoring each moment!
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Re: Negril - Back from Negril...
Ok..I'm back! Sorry for making you all wait.
Day 4 / Sunday
After a day at Benji's, what could we possibly do that could top that, right? Well, I had read so many good things about Selina's Coffee Bar and Big Roy's banana pancakes we had to try them. Waited for the wife to get ready, while watching the hurricane news as it hit Florida, and was suprised there was little news about Ivan and it's impending date with the caribbean.
Was another gorgeous Jamaican day, and we headed out to start our adventures. Strolled the beach at the resort toward the giant Riu lobby (and it is big). Walked to the gate and had a cab driver before we even got there. Had to offer directions as to where Selinas was located, must not be many Riu guests who find their way there. Short ride to our destination, but the driver was very cool, had some great tunes on, and told us about the artist (seems they were distant cousins). As usual we took note of all the different places we had read about as we rode down Norman Manley, and made comments as we passed each (OH, we need to stop there before we leave, or Hey, theres that one place, etc.)but there were so many, most ended up having to be part of our next trip.
Upon arriving at our dining destination, we were greeted by too young ladies with big smiles and friendly faces. Only one other couple there and we exchanged friendly "Hellos". Told the happy staff we were hungry and we were anxious to try the pancakes we had heard so much about! 2 orders please and a cheese omlette for us to split, and don't forget the Blue Mountain coffee, fresh and hot! Found a table in the morning sun and near the road where we could watch the world go by. I try to explain the ambience to our friends back here at home, but unless you've been there, it's hard to really know how wonderful it really was that morning. The pancakes arrived and not only were they good, but huge! You really must try Selina's if you've never been! Our smiling servers chatted with us after we ate way too much, and finished our final cups of coffee. They were more than happy to offer advice as to how to get to the beach. Ahhh yes, the beach. Will make that the next part of our report!
And I still have the pics to be posted, kinda new to digital photography and all it's splendors!Comment
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