It is always interesting to post onsite trip reports, but is not always easy due to slow internet speeds and the time allocated to make such posts. We are normally up early and to bed early, so the best time is usually after watching the sunset, then dinner then check for e-mails from the kids and post on negril.com,
Often our hotel selection is based on a minimum set of requirements and price. For instance we found a fantastic price for Mirage on the cliffs for about $75 per night. We normally stay at Blue Cave Castle while on the west end, but it was closed for renovations until November 1st. So Mirage it was. We got some good tips on places to eat in the neighborhood. The vibe is laid back and the traffic much less than around Blue Cave. We were told that Mirage should be completed with construction and renovations by the time we arrived. It wasn't, but no problem and we were actually give a room on the second floor as the first floor rooms were still under renovation. There was only one other couple staying there. Some locals would come daily to use the pool, but the place was very laid back. The rooms are very nice, large with a king bed, a\c a ceiling fan right over the bed that only ran on high speed, which was way too fast. The bathroom was nice with great hot water. And the view from our private balcony was great. About the 3rd day they decided to tear off the wooden deck, which was the only place on the property with shade. So when the sun finally got to the back of the property, I had to hunker down on to one of the first floor balconies for some needed shade. Still, not really a problem as the place was virtually vacant. We were out Saturday morning and came back sometime after lunch. Our room was being cleaned so we headed round back to the pool to sit for a bit. As I walked up to the pool with Janet in tow I thought "who is that fat guy sitting on the lounge" when she moved and I realized she was topless.....then also bottomless, and her naked husband was laying face down on the lounge next to her. We excused ourselves and waited for our room to be cleaned at the front desk. A bit later the husband saw us out front and said "I hope you weren't offend" which I replied "actually, I was" and my wife added "she was shocked. "Well you know, this is a clothing optional resort, we will try to be more discrete", which in the end they were not. It was Saturday, so we were headed to Seastar that evening and leaving the next day for Blue Cave Castle. The couple was gone Sunday by the time we got back from church and had only stayed there one night. At Mirage, the new breakfast building was still under construction and looked like it wouldn't be finished for a few more weeks. It will be really nice when down. I'm sure the deck is back on as that wasn't a big project. Would we stay there again? Not sure, as the clothing optional thing can take it's toll. There is nowhere else to go on the property, so it's right out there whether you want to see it or not. And I think I'd want to put a towel or something down on any lounge I wanted to lay on! The one thing I did miss at the property was grass. It is almost all concrete out to the water.
We ate at LTU, Sharks, Sips and Bites, Erica's, Jus Natural, Seastar, Ras Rody's and Out of Town Bakery. Didn't get to eat at Ahh Bees, but from what I understand, he has lots more than just beef burgers and will be adding to his menu. Some of the restaurants were just opening up for the season, and one (I don't recall the name) had music blaring so loudly we never stopped in. All in all, the deep west end is pretty cool.
A always, we go to church on Sunday when In Negril. We headed out to Strath Bogie (just past Sav) to Calvary Baptist Church. After the morning service they had an "agape" (or love) feast. All they ladies brought there best food for the meal. The jerk pork was the best I've ever had, including Red Dragon. It wasn't quite as spicy as Red Dragon, which suited me fine. And I love June Plums, so I was thrilled to get some June Plum drink, yummy.
And speaking of food.....I have it from a reliable source that not all fish served in restaurants was caught in Negril. The only way to know for sure is to order the whole fish. Some of the fried fish is fresh water fish that is similar to talapia. This information came from someone who used to manage a Negril restaurant. I did eat some of the fish and it was good, it just wasn't fresh.
Back down to Blue Cave we ate at Teddy's for breakfast, Pablo's, Pressa's and for the first time Pee Wee's. Pressa's seems to having a hard time making the business work after being there 3 years. Hopefully high season will be good for them as we love the place. Met an old friend who followed us into Pee Wee's and we talked for about 10 minutes.
Blue Cave was great as usual, now with the addition of a lifeguard. We stayed in the lower tower room, the least expensive on the property with no a\c (not needed) and no TV, also not needed. We met a few couples new to Jamaica and we were helping them out with places to eat and things to do. Four of us used Collin's taxi for a trip to Mayfield Falls and then to Roaring River. We had been to Mayfield Falls a few times before but love the place. It was our first trip to Roaring River. I had brought an inexpensive underwater camera ($60) and took a bunch of photos at both places. However, I lost the camera somewhere at Roaring River, either at the "deep hole" where I may have put it down and didn't pick it up or on the steps outside the cave where I sat to dry my feet and put on my shoes. Didn't know it was missing till we got back to Blue Cave. Oh well. When we told another couple about our day they decided to do the same trip with Collin 2 days later. I gave Collin all the info about the camera and who our guide was at Roaring River and told him I'd pay $50 for the camera or $25 just for the card. Collin checked for us but to no avail. We did get a few photos from the couple we went with, including of me jumping out of a tree at Mayfield falls.
Okay, can't add anymore photos, so will post this and keep writing.
Regards,
Bob
Originally Posted by rjonsun
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