Mr. and Mrs. D go to Negril - A Trip Report

OK, so here it goes...

With all the great trip reports coming out lately - and especially the ones by first-timers - we have been inspired to document our trip to Negril in all its glory. The wife and I travelled to Negril in April 2012 for what was our first trip there - and will surely be the first of many.

This would be our first big trip since our honeymoon in November of 2010, which was to Virgin Gorda, BVI. Prior to our wedding we had taken trips to Puerto Rico and Bermuda. Needless to say, we love the Caribbean/island vibe, but we wanted to try a different location this time. Our goal was to find a destination that was easy to get to from Philly (e.g. quick, non-stop flights) and was relatively affordable. After much research, we found that Negril seemed to fit the bill. The more I read about, the more I realized that Negril would be the place for us. From its bohemian roots, to its casual, laid-back atmosphere, to its wonderful unique cuisine, the wife and I knew we found someplace special.

Knowing that we would want to go out everyday and sample the local food, drink and culture, we decided that an AI resort was not for us. Back in my single says I had gone the AI route when I travelled with friends. On trips to Cancun, the Bahamas and even Ochi, I opted to book an AI through a travel agent for convenience and budget reasons. On each of those trips, I can honestly say that I became bored after a couple days on the compound. I remember staying at the Sunset Grand in Ochi and convincing my friends to leave the resort and check-out the straw market and eat at a nearby Chinese restaurant, because we were tired of the resort food. (I also remember the "Welcome to Jamaica" talk we were given, where the resort staff discouraged us from leaving the property, unless it was with one of their approved tour operators.) So this time we were looking for a resort with more of a boutique vibe, had the basic amenities we we wanted (A/C, pool, restaurant/bar and ocean views) and was within our budget. Home Sweet Home seemed to meet those those requirements, plus the wife was interested in staying on the cliffs.

After much planning and anticipation, we found ourselves at PHL airport awaiting our flight to Montego Bay. We had about 2 hours to kill before our flight departed, so we grabbed some breakfast at an eatery in the terminal. Our 2 hour wait turned into a 3 hour wait as our flight was delayed. This is typical at PHL which has one of the worst records in the US for on-time departures. No big deal - we took it in stride, hoping that the pilot would be able to make up some time in the air. In the end, landed in Mo Bay 45 minutes late.

By the time we exited the plane, it had been over 6 hours since we last ate. With our stomachs were growling, I told my wife to hang in there as we would soon be eating jerk chicken and washing it down with a cold Red Stripe (my belief was that on the road to Negril, we would be stopping for some refreshments). We spent about 45 minutes at the baggage claim, customs and immigration. We finally exited into the Transportation Hall where I looked for the JTL Tours Desk, per the instructions on my voucher. It was easy to spot as there was a mob of people standing in several haphazard lines approaching the desk. As we approached the line, a JTL worker said that there should only be one person per party standing in line. I guess this was an effort to keep the line shorter. No problem - My wife grabbed the luggage and went over to the side, away from the crowds. I waited in line about 20 minutes before we were finally checked-in. After that we were given wristbands and shown to a small bus that was parked outside. By this time we were feeling hungry and fatigued, but we were happy to finally board the bus to Negril.

Our happiness was soon fleeting. Once we boarded the bus, I noticed that there was no cooler of Red Stripes waiting for us. "That's Ok", I told my wife, "We'll be making a stop soon". We waited on the bus another 45 minutes before it finally filled up with passengers. By this time, our driver was nowhere to be found. Finally, a women stuck her head out the window and yelled to a JTL employee, "Go get our driver. We gotsta go!".

We finally hit the road - just in time for the Mo Bay afternoon rush hour.

Here's a picture from the bus window of somewhere in Mo Bay, shortly after leaving the airport:
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As her fatigue worsened, my wife managed to take a couple pictures through the bus window before she closed her eyes and attempted to rest the remainder of the ride. Trying to ignore the slight headache I felt coming on, I stayed awake the entire trip, fixated on the Jamaican landscape. I watched the scenery go by as the concrete buildings of Mo Bay gave way to green hills on one side of the road and the Carribean sea on the other. After passing through some small but bustling towns we made our first stop at the Grand Palladium. As several guests got off the bus, it became apparant to me that we would not be stopping for jerk chicken. Most of the passengers were tired and frustrated and just wanted to get to their resorts. The bus drove a little while longer, then stopped at a Riu. Then another Riu. Then Sandals. Then Couples (you get the point). After the AIs, there were only four people left on the bus - us and another couple that was staying at the Rockhouse. The husband made a little quip about saving the best for last.

At this point, I was elated just to be in Negril. I was taking it all in, trying to identify all the places that I read about on this message board. My wife was now awake, but still a little weary. We passed through the roundabout and up towards the cliffs. Without slowing down, the bus passed by Home Sweet Home on the right. Seeing the sign, my wife spoke-up, "That's it! That's Home Sweet Home, right there!". I'm not sure if the driver passed it intentionally or if he missed the small driveway, but he replied,"I can not fit the bus in that driveway. I am going to drop them off first and then turn around. That way we will be on the other side of the road and I can let you out at the gate." What's another small delay? The other couple was dropped-off at the Rockhouse and then we finally made it to HSH. Just in time to catch our first sunset.
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Fantastic Mike!! Glad your doing a report :)

Enjoyed meeting you and your wife!

Alright! Thought the time for you to do a report had passed us by Mike! I've wondered several times how your trip went, now we get to find out. Crappy ride in to say the least and an excellent advertisement for all those private charters out there. Only way to go in my book! :) Carry on!

Thanks Tizzy! We enjoyed meeting you as well! That was probably the best night of our trip. (It's coming up soon in my TR, so I don't want to give it away).:p

Guirigay, I was recently looking through all our pics from our trip and decided it was time we shared our story online. We got a lot of helpful info from your's and Sweetie Pie's trip to HSH, so I thought I would pay it forward. More to come!

Very nice start to your report, looking forward to more. Glad you made it to HSH in time for sunset :)

I can't wait since hubby and I are staying there in November.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TizzyATX

Fantastic Mike!! Glad your doing a report :)

Enjoyed meeting you and your wife!

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We did? LOL. I'm guessing the night at C&D bar? Good time that night if that was the night. Glad you are still there to keep me straight Tiz. :cool:

T&A, thanks for the encouragement! I will certainly continue.

Mo, You made the right choice. We loved HSH! We're actually going back there next month. Hopefully my report will help confirm your decision.

LOL, Booger! Yep, that was the night. I think we spent too much time in the "Stupid Zone". I will see how much I can recall. Definitely good times!