Pattison Family Negril Trip report 2014

Hello all, Not much of a writer but I think this might help some others decide to bring the little ones with them next reach. Was surprised at how few tourist children we saw and how fantastic Jamaicans were with ours!

Day 1 - At Toronto airport for 8am. Landed in Mobay at 2pm. No issues and smooth sailing at both airports but immigration line was very slow and long. Steve Positive was waiting with a smile and a cooler full of refreshments. Will talk more about him later but could not have asked for a better guide and friend through out the trip. With family loaded up we headed off to Mega Mart. Bought Juice, snacks for kids, a few cases of Smirnoff Ice, a few bottles of rum, and rum cream. While cashing out I noticed a lime booth in the store. Steve had given us a cell phone (with credit on it I must add), but we both wanted one, so I went over and checked It out. Wow! Only $900j for a brand new (basic) cell phone. Put 1000j credit on it and off we go to Negril. Arrived at Firefly to more smiles, checked in and hit the beach for dinner at Rainbow Arch. Although empty, they cooked us jerk chicken, curry chicken and fried chicken with great care. Fantastic first meal for everyone but Juliana (9 years old) she can b very picky! After, we took a quick swim and put kids to bed. The firefly one bedroom apartment was perfect for us. Large bedroom with end tables, large dresser, and armoire. Living area with double bed and couch. Full kitchen with large fridge, oven, 4 burners, and all the pots, dishes etc. and a nice large bathroom. Only thing missing was a microwave for warming leftovers, and to be honest they would probably have got us one if we asked, but we didn't. With kids in bed we wanted to go back to beach for a few drinks but were nervous about leaving kids in room. This was solved quick. After talking to security about it we got the "no problem mon" and he moved his chair by the steps to our room so no one could get up or down without his watchful eye seeing it. This calmed my wife and off we went to the firefly beach bar. After a few there and a few next door my wife was feeling wobbly but I was just getting tuned up. It was about 10:30 on a Thursday night but our part of the beach was quiet. Ended up at treehouse for a few and than taxied down to Bourbon Beach for a few final rounds. Good live music and very cool chilled crowd. Off to bed around 2am. Great first night!

Sounds like a great 1st day, love how the security guard moved his chair and helped you out.

yes!

Sounds great!!!:)

Day 2 - The Beach - The girls were up very early (around 6;30) and ready to go. But as per most of this trip they played quietly until we got up at 8. We loaded a bag with essentials (Suntan lotion, hats, goggles, etc,) a cooler ( ice, Smirnoff ice, and rum ) and went down to the beach. The best spot awaited us right under the lovely sea grape tree. This would become our spot the rest of our time here. We had Maxine make some pancakes at the firefly restaurant (delicious and a staple for kids) and spent the rest of the day on the beach. The kids were in the water non stop that day. not even getting out for the 2 hours of rain we had in late afternoon. We got showered and changed and headed to Best of the West for dinner but sadly decided against it as it had no choices for the kids. We found a nice place a few doors down on same side of road and ate there ( common to this thread, bad memory). Spent the evening playing games and enjoying the company at the firefly. After kids went to sleep we took a walk down the beach and retired to our balcony for a few subs and cocktails.

Day 3 - Same as Day 2. Lots of beach time. Swear my kids are part mermaid. They never want to leave water. we were really starting to get the hang of the beach vibes. Park in our chairs, smoke, drink, and enjoy the interesting characters around. First every morning was Flex the juice guy. We bought at least 3 bottles of this sweet nectar every day. Orange, Mango, Pineapple etc. Mmmmm. Next comes the bread and cheese guy, The fruit lady, the jerk pork guy, and finally the patty man. What hard working, kind soled people. I know there is a lot of talk recently about the "higglers" on the beach. I was expecting more of them. It really wasn't that bad. Not one person on the beach didn't take no for an answer. The boat captains were the worst bunch. Hard working but a little to persistent and have a sense of ownership towards you, just because they are close to your hotel on the beach. But nothing that would turn me off Negril. I could see how shy people are turned off though.
After a shower and getting dressed for dinner we caught the free shuttle to the Seastar. What a cool place. Buffet was far better than expected. Truly great food. The band was great but the kids were fading fast. When The beautiful lady with the voice of an angel came on (again don't remember name) they perked up. I got up and danced my butt of with them. There was also a fantastic middle aged lady there named Mrs. K (I remember some things) she was 102 years old! I would never be able to keep up with this lady. She led the congo line, danced, sang and carried on till we left, and I would guess till the wee hours. By the time the drummers came on both kids were sleeping so though we didn't want too, we called it a night! To add to the other thread it was completely acceptable for Children. You get the odd wiff, but you get the odd wiff everywhere. Even in mi yard at home sometimes! lol Thanks everyone at Seastar. Memorable night!

Hey once!nice meeting you at seastar,agree with you about the likkle ones,we've been bringing our son since he was knee high to a mushroom if you'll pardon the pun:) he digs it ,looks forward to it (almost)as much as we do,I always say we're setting the bar high(pardon the pun)for him!just got back our selves from yet another awesome trip,already booked for next jan and hoping to squeeze one in June as well,(no we're not addicted) (grin)

so its true, heard about the cheap phones. thanks for the nice first day send off. Leaving in "da morning". Soon come!

thanks for the nice read. you just capped off the night. will be back home (we wish) tomorrow. Soon come!

Nice! I can visualize it all. Flex, Leighton ( coco bread and cheese) Ms Corteze, Dean the pork guy and Norman the patty man :-)

Day 4 - This was Dads day. We started with the usual beach day. But this day I kept it to only 6 smirrnoff ice as I was going on the pub crawl. Lambert picked me up at the Firefly and bus was already Rockin'. went to 7 or 8 places, Fire water love nest, xtabi, on the rocks, Jenny's, Negril escape and a few others that I have forgot( see a theme starting, forgetful). The bus was partying hard! Big shout out to all others on the Feb2nd run. Had a blast! Highly recommended to all! Lambert was to drop me off at seastar but when I noticed round about I knew he forgot. Felling guilty about leaving family all afternoon I go dropped off at home and surprised them. Staggered over to Best of West for some Jerk and a drink. Noticed score was 36-0 so went back, ate, and snuggled up with wife for some needed sleep.

We have been to FF many times and the staff are always great! Is Leroy still the night watchman? Nice guy and vigilant. When we arrive late night (the taxi drops us off on the street), he appears out of nowhere, As soon as he recognizes us, we get a friendly welcome, I suspect that trespassers get a less friendly welcome.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by tahrheel

We have been to FF many times and the staff are always great! Is Leroy still the night watchman? Nice guy and vigilant. When we arrive late night (the taxi drops us off on the street), he appears out of nowhere, As soon as he recognizes us, we get a friendly welcome, I suspect that trespassers get a less friendly welcome.

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Yes he is still there, Never felt unsafe. Great staff

yes very nice meeting you! Kids put the seastar in there top 3 of Negril. And they didn't even stay awake long enough to see the drummers!

Good stuff!

Thanks for posting!

VVHT

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maybe have the hang of it will try more

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Day n 5 - Today the kids and I got up early and went straight to St. Anthony's. What a warm welcome! The minute we pulled up a young boy of about 6 who they called huggybear came up and gave me a big hug. Next, both kids got a hug and were led off hand in hand for a tour. I stayed back and introduced myself to the kitchen staff. Offered help but the women said they had things all under control. I went into the office and dropped off the socks, and school supplies I brought and joined the kids in the yard. All the children were playing and leading the kids here and there. They all wanted their picture taken and wanted to see it on the camera screen. They were thrilled to see themselves. As the kids received their lunch bags and had thier school rides arranged we said our goodbyes and walked back towards the round about. This is where we had our only trouble of the vacation. Rookie mistake made by me!

As the kids and I passed the round about and headed down the beach road right before the river we ran into a undesirable, drunken local. He came up the bank and hit me up for some food money. I should have just kept going but wanting to show kids my generous side, I told him I'd give him 150j for food. 2nd mistake, as I took the 150 out of my pocket 1000j fell on the ground. My youngest picked it up and held it for me. I gave him the 150 but he told me he needed more to eat. I told him that was it and time for him to keep walking. than I turned to my daughter and she held out the 1000j bill for me. The man lunged forward, grabbed the 1000 right out of her hand and started staggering away. Knowing he had no weapon by his lack of clothing to hide it, and being 100lbs heavier than him I grabbed him by the arm and shouted "thief give me my money back a few times" He pulled away and took a half assed swing at me and missed. My return shot didn't! After I stunned him I kept hold of one arm and repeated the "thief give me my money" mantra figuring someone would over hear or he would just give it back to avoid anymore trouble. Just than a few young men ran up. hearing that he grabbed it from a child's hand infuriated them. They grabbed him by the hair, removed my money from his hand, returned it, apologized to us and dragged him off. It all happened very fast. I was surprised I didn't seem to faze the kids much and they never mentioned it again. Just want to stress that know one was ever in any danger whatsoever at anytime and

A this point we hopped in a route taxi and went to café Goa for breakfast. Great food and cool atmosphere. When we returned to Firefly the wife was just waking up from a well deserved late sleep. We went down to the beach for a few hours and headed to Rick's. Now I know what some are thinking but the family hadn't been before and we really had a good time. One thing they have right is the tables and chairs in the pool! Kids played and swam and we could enjoy our drinks in close proximity. We watched a few dives and than headed to 3 dives for dinner and a sunset. Great day had by all!!!

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nice report! thanks for sharing

Day 6 - ROMANCE IS IN THE AIR! This was parents day. The family woke and we walked next door to chances for something to eat. A lot of their menu was out of stock but food was good, vibe and view was great and price was right. Spent day on beach and at 4 we returned to room to get ready for big night. Our cleaning lady had agreed to babysit for the night. She arrived at 5 and out we went. First we cabbed it to the Skybar. Beautiful setting but empty at this time. We had a few cocktails and jumped in cab for Ivans! WOW! If anyone is thinking of the 100 candles dinner don't hesitate! You cant buy that experience anywhere North for $1000. Right over the water! We were greeted by our own private waitress and taken down the path to our private oasis. Candles, and small white Christmas lights lined the path. Our seats were large high, super comfy captains chairs, the table and surrounding area were covered with flowers and a table and candelabras were full of candles. They had a bottle of champagne chilled in ice beside the table. We had a few glasses of bubbly and a sub at the table to get used to these amazing surroundings and than the meal came. Started with a nice but simple soup, than an appetizer plate with crab cakes, shrimp and jerk chicken skewers, next was a fabulous pineapple salad. Took a sub break and finished the champagne. Now the main course. I had the jerk chicken penne and she had the garlic shrimp. Penne was by far the best thing I ate in Jamaica !(ever) Dessert was a chocolate cheesecake and flambé bananas over ice cream. Yumm! All I can say about this is I was the most romantic, fantastic meal ever. We like the finer things and I have had a better meal but not much better. But you cant beat the surroundings and beauty of it all. Superb view, sounds of waves crashing, and subtle music. Cant even find the words to describe it properly. We will have 100 candles EVERY time we go to Negril. Please if thinking about it just do it. Cant be disappointed. Dinner with large bottle of champagne plus 2 fancy drinks each was $160. WOW WOW WOW. we stayed for another hour just chilling in our surroundings, didn't want to leave! When we left the gate keeper at catcha didn't want us to leave without taxi but we assured him we would be alright and off we went. We made a deal to stop at every bar with 4 tables or less. We found a few nice local joints to have a rum in. Met some great locals and shared drink and smoke with all. After the 3rd bar we jumped in a cab and finished the night with a few drinks at canoe. Don't remember his name but there was a nice older gentleman behind bar with great attitude. Really nice guy. By now the Mrs. was felling no pain so we headed back home. GREAT GREAT GREAT NIGHT!!!!

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Loved seeing that poster. Huge Stones fan! Love this video as well

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0zyWdGY8z0

Wow, pics are wicked, love the Mick picture and the sweet little school children. You have a lovely family and looks like your trip was enjoyed by all, thanks for sharing your pics.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Oncedeported

As the kids and I passed the round about and headed down the beach road right before the river we ran into a undesirable, drunken local. He came up the bank and hit me up for some food money. I should have just kept going but wanting to show kids my generous side, I told him I'd give him 150j for food. 2nd mistake, as I took the 150 out of my pocket 1000j fell on the ground. My youngest picked it up and held it for me. I gave him the 150 but he told me he needed more to eat. I told him that was it and time for him to keep walking. than I turned to my daughter and she held out the 1000j bill for me. The man lunged forward, grabbed the 1000 right out of her hand and started staggering away. Knowing he had no weapon by his lack of clothing to hide it, and being 100lbs heavier than him I grabbed him by the arm and shouted "thief give me my money back a few times" He pulled away and took a half assed swing at me and missed. My return shot didn't! After I stunned him I kept hold of one arm and repeated the "thief give me my money" mantra figuring someone would over hear or he would just give it back to avoid anymore trouble. Just than a few young men ran up. hearing that he grabbed it from a child's hand infuriated them. They grabbed him by the hair, removed my money from his hand, returned it, apologized to us and dragged him off. It all happened very fast. I was surprised I didn't seem to faze the kids much and they never mentioned it again. Just want to stress that know one was ever in any danger whatsoever at anytime and

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Nice work....... Love how locals do a great job of policing the place and love how you stood your ground.

Curious, what is the name of the small bar above the close up of Eddie? I really dig the little bars sprinkled all over the landscape and do not recall this place.

Awesome report.

Not sure Booger but it was the first place we came across when we left catcha and headed back towards town on foot. I am the worst with names of anykind. As you can tell from report. I always kick myself later for not paying more attention!

Thanks Gerry Certainly love reading yours

the smiles on your daughter's faces are priceless!

Love the descriptives of your travels and pictures. Your two little girls are very lucky to have such great parents. You know they are going to want come back evey year now :D

Looks like your whole family had a great time, it says it all on your faces.!!!

Awesome report and pic mang!