January 2014 Trip Report Day 1 - First timers get a taste

Coming in for my fourth trip to Jamaica (three times Negril) and my husband and daughters' first trip. Flight was uneventful except for Spirit's ridiculous charges for every cotton pickin thing. Never again, I must remember, even if it is $100 cheaper, the fees will more than bump the price up.

We had booked Cocolapalm. I had stayed previously at FunHoliday and Foote Prints as a single gal, but I wanted something nicer with a pool for the family. Turns out we basically used the pool for a dip after beaching it all day and could have done without but with a three year old, you never know.

Attachment 33535

I should mention that we used Kingsley Tours for our airport pickup. Right on time, Dave was the driver, comfortable van, two red stripes, a coke and a fresh squeezed OJ for the little one. Nice. I personally love the drive and so did the newbies. We arrived at 12:30 so everything was visible. Oh and we picked up some Tastee patties from the stand outside the airport, perfect for the ride, beats stopping. (which we had to do anyway because my husband had to pee)

Very good first impression of coco. We had booked a Junior Suite. I requested a pool view but didn't get it. The hotel seemed quite full so those probably went to the regulars, that's fine. Our room was near the back but it was fine and I didn't notice any noise. The bathrooms are HUGE, loved that.

It was raining but we still went swimming in the pool.

For the first night we did dinner at Best in the West across the street.

Attachment 33536

Probably the best jerk chicken on the trip although BarBBarn was good too. (3 Dives on the other hand was DRY DRY DRY) The rice and peas at Best in the West were very dry though and seemed like they had been made yesterday. Maybe we got a bad batch, who knows. For the rest of our trip I loved all the rice and peas everywhere. My husband got fish and didnt like it with the bones but hey, thats the way things are in Jamaica!

I can't really remember what we did that night, oh well!

Yes!

Nice start. I will be looking forward to more of your observations. You seem to be giving an honest account of your feelings and the standouts or shortcomings of what you experienced.

I like to hear the good and the bad of someone's trip. As you say "maybe we got a bad batch" or "3 Dives was DRY DRY DRY". Everyone has a unique experience and I never hold something against a place for being "short" on their presentation. I feel it makes those places try a likkle harder to please the next person.

I will be looking forward to more observations.... please continue.

Peace and Guidance

Great start, love the pictures. I did prefer the jerk at Best in the West over 3-dives too. Step-a-side remains my favorite though. :)

More please!

Oh ya...nothing like the first time!

You should write the book on trip reporting. Great start. Looking forward to more. Thank you!

Soon come can't come soon enough!

Nice report, keep it coming!