Vacation is a state of mind....

visit it for yourself by clicking on the link below! Enjoy folks!

http://negril.com/nt/nt101516.htm

Indeed Rob, vacation is a state of mind.

Many years ago when I first started visiting Negril life was a much more simple place. Airfare from NYC was like $200 and Miami-MoBay RT was about a hundred bucks. All you needed was a birth certificate for ID maybe even a drivers license. Airports in MoBay and Kingston were much smaller and I don't think either had AC. I remember the blast furnace effect stepping out of the plane and walking down the steps onto the tarmac. The fragrances were intoxicating... Standing in line at immigration dripping beads of sweat. Finally stepping out into the brilliant bright sunshine and navigating the taxi and bus drivers to find a good ride to Negril.

Being that getting down to JA was so simple, and once there so much fun, I would visit several times a year for a week or a month depending on my life circumstances. But I really never needed an excuse because the vacation was a state of mind and despite what might be happening at that point in time otherwise while I was on vacation everything was cool.

I like many of your other "Boardies" now face the reality of having grown up, having family, children and many complicated responsibilities, along with the other "Real World" stuff we are faced with don't have as much time or leisure (at least me) to at any given time spontaneously book, pack and go.

But you are right Rob "Vacation is a state of mind".... Good for you to have figured out how to capture it as "The vacation that never ends".

Thanks for doing such a great job for all of us who love Jamaica!!

johng

Quote:

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Originally Posted by johng

Indeed Rob, vacation is a state of mind.

Many years ago when I first started visiting Negril life was a much more simple place. Airfare from NYC was like $200 and Miami-MoBay RT was about a hundred bucks. All you needed was a birth certificate for ID maybe even a drivers license. Airports in MoBay and Kingston were much smaller and I don't think either had AC. I remember the blast furnace effect stepping out of the plane and walking down the steps onto the tarmac. The fragrances were intoxicating... Standing in line at immigration dripping beads of sweat. Finally stepping out into the brilliant bright sunshine and navigating the taxi and bus drivers to find a good ride to Negril.

Being that getting down to JA was so simple, and once there so much fun, I would visit several times a year for a week or a month depending on my life circumstances. But I really never needed an excuse because the vacation was a state of mind and despite what might be happening at that point in time otherwise while I was on vacation everything was cool.

I like many of your other "Boardies" now face the reality of having grown up, having family, children and many complicated responsibilities, along with the other "Real World" stuff we are faced with don't have as much time or leisure (at least me) to at any given time spontaneously book, pack and go.

But you are right Rob "Vacation is a state of mind".... Good for you to have figured out how to capture it as "The vacation that never ends".

Thanks for doing such a great job for all of us who love Jamaica!!

johng

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Thank you johng! This has been a real labor of love, promoting businesses and sights across the island.

And I would like to thank all of you for being a helpful part in asking and answering questions, supporting Negril businesses and Negril itself. Without our support from the local businesses, none of this would have been possible.

I remember that blast furnace experience with fond memories. And intoxicating it was, with that mix of salty sea spray and jet fuel... (grin).

And I kid you not, I actually vouched one time for someone who had no ID at all. How he got on the plane without one we never figured out, but the island immigration allowed him on through.

To this day I have no idea what the legal responsibility was involved with vouching for someone...

Yes Rob, those were some fun times. Before computers everything was done with little paper forms as far as immigration went.

Back then there was a departure tax that they collected at check in at the airport in MoBay before leaving JA. I had spent my last dime on the ride to the airport and when the Immigration Man asked for my $20US or whatever it was I told him I had spent all my money on the island, he just laughed and stamped my passport and waved me through.....

Yes those were the days my friends (sing it with me)!!!! I smile at the thought.

Keep smiling,
TG