The MOST wonderful time of the year - a trip report

I've been home for 5 days & feel I owe a trip report to my fellow boardies. Don't get yor expectations very high, as it has been years since I have written one and no way can I write like some of our well known boardies! Bear with me, as I am a gremlin and may have some technical difficulties... I used to post aka TL, but being a gremlin, I couldn't remember my password, blah blah blah, so we'll just settle with NRV. Hopefully I will be able to post some pics, as I took a whole bunch!
I planned a family Christmas vacation to Negril last April after my Mom passed away. I knew I would not be able to handle the holiday without her. So, my husband gave me the green light to push the button. I booked Rooms Negril for 12/20 - 12/27. Really wanted to stay at Rondel Village, but it was not available. Later in the summer, I found out that Rondel was available, so I changed hotels. Booking this vacation gave me something to look forward to and helped with my sadness. Thank goodness that I booked a vacation, as I lost my aunt in Sept and then my sister the day after Thanksgiving. I needed Jamaica really bad.....The days between Thanksgiving and the day before we left were very hard to say the least. I truly wasn't excited about going until I started to pack. My spirit was broken, I was broken.
Wednesday Dec. 18th - go time! Packed and ready to go to Charlotte. My husband had actully packed days before, not last minute! We get to Charlottle early & kill some time by shopping. Bought a cool little speaker from Brookstone that you can hook up to your iPhone or iPod to boost the sound - pretty good for $35 and very compact. Checked into the hotel for the park & fly. Went back out shopping, as my husband realized he forgot his Nike's ( you got to be kidding me). Got back to the hotel around 10:00. Ready to go to bed - NOT! Excitement is settling in. Couldn't sleep Tues - too worried. Listened to my new little speaker all night! Jump in the shower at 6:00 am and catch the 7:15 shuttle to the airport. Breeze thru the airport and get to our gate and wait for our daughter's plane to arrive from Richmond. In no time she arrives and they are calling for our flight to board. We need a picture....here she goes with the pictures (husband & daughter make fun of me all of the time).

Excited to read the rest of the report! Sorry to hear about your Mom.

Quick & uneventful 3 hr flight. Notice that there are 3 planes already at their gates when we land, not a good sign. We had about an hour wait for immigration & customs - long lines, but what the h*ll, we are here! Kingsley is waiting outside for us - Yay! Pack our suitcases in the van & 1st stop Mega Mart. I wait in the van w/ Kingsley while hubby & baby girl pick up champagne, water, supplies. Mega Mart is really crowded - it takes about 45 min for them to return. Off to Bigga's for lunch. We are starving. Bigga is open - chicken not ready. Hubby has fish, baby girl & I get jerk pork. I notice baby girl looks green - whiter than white - not eating - damn she is car sick. I let her sit up front for the rest of the ride. We get to Rondel & are welcomed back by the staff. Love this place! Johno gets are bags. Two guys on scooters leaving - one says "you are going to like it here" and takes off. I think it may have been Gerryg123!
Hubby heads to the beach while I unpack. Baby girl emerges from her room just as I am heading to the beach. Got to catch the sunset. There it is and there it went before I could get my camera out!

So much for the sunset. I ask Carl if Pat is next door. He runs over & checks for me - she is still in her massage hut. I go over & ask for a quick massage on my feet & legs, as they are killing me from all of the shopping from the day before. We make a deal for four massages & she gives me a quick massage. I feel like a million bucks. Just a few hours in Jamaica & hubby says that he hasn't seen me smile that much in months!
We order 2 pizzas at the bar & have a few drinks & call it a night. I am so excited I can't sleep. I play music all night & just smile - I am in Negril...happy for the first time in a long time!
It rained really hard, like buckets throughout the night & was very windy. Got everyone up for breakfast. Off to Alfred's

Thank you for the report and pictures.
19 days to go and we had to drive by the airport yesterday.
I wish I could go to sleep and wake up on the day to leave.

NRV enjoying your report! Sorry to hear you've had some very tough times....

Wow...what a great start! I'm so sorry to hear about your losses. I know how difficult they can be. I am looking forward to hearing more of you report! :)

Since today was Dec 21st & the world was supposed to end, I figured WTF, I am in Negril with my two most favorite people....Let's light the drinking lamp right after breakfast! If the world is gonna end, let's go out with a good buzz! Bought some mangoes & had Delroy whip up some mango daiquiris. Got to love Negril - you don't have to leave your chair to shop! Went over to see Pat for an hr massage. She is wonderful! The sea was very rough, hubby went swimming. He said the waves really weren't bad. This chicken sh*t wasn't getting in w/all of the seaweed & cloudy water! Naps for hubby & baby girl - do you see a routine here? Me - not so much sleep - them - sleep all the time! Wake them up for sunset & have Carl call Balo to drive us to DeBar for dinner. Good to see Balo. Had a yummy dinner. Two redheads are tired and ready for bed when we return....Seriously? Sandals & Beaches were having a staff party at Wavz. What a hoot - went on til 2:00 am - some good music & kareoke (not so good). I turned on my own music at that point. Party ended - could hear everyone leave. Tree frogs quit bleeping, dogs started barking, birds started chirping as the sun rose. Time to catch a few winks before breakfast!

very nice! awesome toenail polish,lol!;)

Hi NRV I do remember you, I am sorry for your losses. Negril is a good spot to heal.

Pat does give some great massages, awesome pic's glad you and your family had a great trip.

Jamb

Really enjoying your report. I think Da Bar is Da Bomb, such a great place for jerk chicken and a wonderful Jamaican experience. I think that I would have to say that Eddie's chicken is my top #1 choice for jerk chicken in Negril. Also love the pedicure. Very festive ;) I'll keep watch for more posts, stories and photos, I hope 2013 will be a much kinder year for you and yours.

Peace,
Islander ~ Brynn

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Originally Posted by kaycee

very nice! awesome toenail polish,lol!;)

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Hehe - I had to go with some festive polish! Hubby & daughter just rolled their eyes when I showed them, but what do they know? Everyone that saw them commented how much they liked it!

Your report is wonderful. I love simplicity & can't keep my attention on long drawn out things :) ... so thanks. I hope your heart healed while in JA, and I am truly sorry for your losses. Keep writing & posting pics :)

Great pictures - especially the picnic tables on the beach. Love the toenail polish too.

Up 1st again & ready to drag the two redheads to breakfast. Going to try Whistling Bird today. Just next door. Service was a little slow, but who cares, we don't have anywhere to be/go. Food was good. Beautiful place - very quiet & peaceful - nice views too! Ready to hit the beach & flop. Lunch from Niah's today. Also got coco bread w/cheese from the guy on the beach. Nap time. Heading to Chicken Lavish tonight. Yummy fried chicken! Addena came in while we were eating. I remembered her & her husband from several years ago. I am shy & won't interrupt someone unless I have met them before. I saw several boardies while we were in Negril, Weathermon & MiLady, Bella Bea. Next time I'll get my nerve up & say hello! After dinner, I was hoping to go to Alfred's to hear some music. Lord help me with these two - Jamaica has put them in a sleep mode. Oh we'll, they work hard & have put up with me & have taken good care of me the past year, so I will let them slide...Me, I am partying by myself - trying to be quiet haha! Tripy trapping around the room, getting snacks, going out on the porch,reading, listening to music, repeat. Guess I should get some sleep. Sleep? Who needs it? I can sleep at home. I'm afraid that I might miss something!

Jamaica is such a great place to heal and sort things out. Thank you for sharing!! Enjoying your report!! Please continue...:)

Sorry about the upside down/sideway pics. I told you I was challenged. Don't know how to fix that. You would laugh at me if you saw me trying to post - iPhone & iPad both rolling, trying to get this done! I am hopeless....

Doing a fine job on the report NRV,thanks for sharing!!

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Originally Posted by NRV

Sleep? Who needs it? I can sleep at home. I'm afraid that I might miss something!

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That is totally my theory. I have never been able to nap, even failed it in Kindergarden. I am to afraid to miss anything.

So sorry for the losses you had in 2012. Hoping 2013 is a wonderful year for you and your family.

You're doing great! Thanks so much for Trip reporting, it does not go unappreciated!!

And I'm with you....sleep? Who needs it!?! I dont know if it's whatever they put in those craven A's or what...but I can't sleep much when I'm in JA either. lol

Awesome! Who needs sleep in Negril...

Except for a nap during the afternoon shower!

Happy Travels,
Skb

NRV. I'm sorry for your loss of family. I'm enjoying your reports. Yes I do remember you. Please continue the report I'm enjoying the pictures.
Wishing you and yours all the best for 2013.
Much respect
Carol-Ann:cool:

Pretty pedi!! You are making me want a Delroy special....

Okay, I think I may have figured out this picture thingy. Got too frustrated with the istuff and had to retreat to my PC. Here are some pics of Whistling Bird.

Loving it! Thank you.

Great pics. Always wanted to go in and see Whistening Bird, thanks for the tour. :-)

Dec. 23rd - Back to Alfred's for breakfast today. You just can't beat their food. Large portions & tasty! Back to the room to facetime my little sister. Today is her birthday. The first thing she says to me is " you look like crap - have you slept?" OMG, I laughed so hard! "Thanks for telling me how I really look! Why don't you tell me how fat I am while you are at it!" Geez, after all I have been thru, I really don't give a crap how I look. I am in Negril! I feel a little guilty that she is spending the holiday at home. I know she is feeling sad, but I'm not going to let anything get me down on this trip! To da beach we go. More mango daquiris. Hubby wants vodka instead of rum in the daquiris & Delroy takes good care of us. Back to Niah's for lunch. Niah's sister, Maude waits on us. I asked if I could take her picture, and she smiled and said yes. I asked if they would be open XMas Eve & XMas. She said that they would be open everyday - busy season! Hubby buys a lb of jerk pork from the guy on the beach. Yum! We go back to the room & mauw down our lunch. Baby girl stays in her room & we head back to the beach & bar. Delroy is a great bartender. He plays some really great tunes. I just love to sit & watch people & shoot the sh*t with Delroy. We get showers & head to Bourbon Beach before sunset tonight. A band is practicing - that's the only live music this chic will see the whole trip.... :( The chicken was great - I love to dip the fries in the granny sauce! Hubster has the red snapper. We asked the bartender if he would call a cab, as we didn't want to walk back. He said no problem, we will have one of our employees give you a ride. Awesome! Seymore gave us a ride back to Rondel. Very nice fellow - he didn't want any $$ for the ride, but I gave him some anyway. I have to say that we had great food & wonderful service at Bourbon Beach! Same evening ritual, redheads in bed & Mom prancing around the room all night partying by herself - its cool.... I am good with being by myself! Loving life!

Christmas Eve - trying not to think that we only have 3 days left... Redheads wants to try some place new for breakfast. We head down the beach to Country Country. Wow, what happend to the beach? You can't walk past Treehouse - the water would be up to your chest. Neat place. I was a little worried that the redheads would get fried while waiting for breakfast, as we were sitting in the sun. There were lots of people there, so I knew that we would be having a "leisurely breakfast". We go back to Rondel. The little redhead has blown up one of the three floats that I brought. She better get skippy with it, she has two more to blow up! We go out on the beach, she & I float on the one raft - nice! Hang out on the beach and as usual the biggest decision of the day is "where are we going to eat?" Hubby & daughter want to go back to DeBar - their favorite place. We ask Carl to call Balo to pick us up at 7:00. I have a few dirty banans & hubby has another mango/vodka daquiri. I go see Pat for my 3rd massage. Have I told you what a wonderful massuse she is? Damn, I feel right as rain....Balo picks us up & to DeBar we go. We ask Balo to have dinner with us. We have known him for years & he has always taken good care of us. Pam & Eddie know Balo, but for some reason Pam calls him Barlow....??? Chicken all around for us & Balo has the curried conch. We have the place to ourselves. Eddie & Trevor each come over & thank us for coming back. After dinner, we are heading back & hubby wants cake - plain cake. Balo stops at Devon House downtown. That shopping area is packed. Someone has his car backed up almost to the door with the hatch back open & the speakers blaring. You can hardly talk to the people at the counter it is so loud! We ordered some banana cake & plain cake - no icing. We take it back to the room & wolf it down. I put up a tiny Christmas tree that I had brought to Jamaica back in 1987 when my daughter was very young.

WOW, not getting by the Treehouse. Great report. Keep it coming.

can we see a pic of the hristmas tree you put up,pls?

Last night during my evening ritual/prancing around, I did turn on the tv to watch midnight mass. Felt a little sad, but I can't go there....Finally got a little sleep. Christmas morning, everybody up! Holy cow, Santa came to Negril & left something under the tree for baby girl & I!!! Nice...First things first. Pop the champagne & make Mimosas with fresh orance juice (from Tony on the beach). That is our family tradition always - Mimosas 1st thing Christmas morning. My Mom always loved it! I toasted my Mom, Aunt, & sister. My voice started to crack, but I smiled and pulled myself together. My husband & daughter just smiled, they know how hard it is for me. Okey dokey, bottle of chamage down, I'm drunk, lets go to Alfred's! Hubby has a Christmas morning swim on the way. What a beautiful day! I am blessed... Alfred's is crowded, but service isn't too long. We go back to Rondel & hang on the beach. Baby girl blew up my pink floating chair. We lounge around & I decide I need to get on the raft....OMG, too funny. I think I peed myself laughing. I had so much lotion on that I couldn't get on the raft. It kept flying out from underneath me. Hubby & daughter are holding the raft while I am trying to get on it & I flip backwards into the water. I almost drowned I was laughing so much. I hope nobody was filming & putting drunk lady trying to mount raft on utube!!!! I was almost embarrassed to get out of the water. Of course the redheads were having a big time making fun of me. WTF - I don't drink very often - its Christmas - give me a break! :) We order 2lbs of pork today. Can't miss a meal! Baby girl heads to her room. Hubby & I walk up the beach. Damn, I need a drink. We stop at Bourbon Beach. Man, their dirty bananas are very good! We run into Seymore. He wants us to come to the Bourbon Beach Party. He will pick us up, get us VIP seats, take good care of us, & take us back to our hotel when we want to go home. Right....He doesn't know who I am travelling with. They can't stay up past 10:00 and that is really late! We head back to the room & shower. Where are we going tonight? Rondel has a Christmas dinner. The dining area looks really nice. Carl asks if we are eating there. I really don't want to eat turkey & ham, I can eat that at home anytime. We would rather go somewhere else. We have a drink & watch the sunset. Then we catch a cab for a short ride to Jamaica Tamboo. We are the only people there. We order lobster pizza & a veggie pizza. Lovely evening, just the three of us. Our driver comes back to pick us up 2 hours later. Balo went to a reggae concert near Sav tonight. He wanted us to go. He said it lasts all night! I'd be game, but the other two would need a cot so they could get their sleep. Hubby passes out on the bed, while baby girl & I chat. We bought some sweet potato pudding & bread pudding from the coco bread guy on the beach yesterday. Had the sweet potato pudding - like a really moist cake - not bad. She goes back to her room. I stay up really late & break into the bread pudding early in the am. That is some good stuff. Looks like a texas size muffin, very moist with raisins. Wish I had a cold glass of milk.....

Love your pics.... more please

Some random pics :)

The picture of the the Tree House is unbelievable! Was this a one day occurrence? Or is the erosion really getting worse?

thanks for the pic of the Christmas .. tree :))
Re The tree house..mother nature giveth and Mother nature taketh away..

My wife is really enjoying your words(me too), we are sorry for your losses.

Blessings and Respect...

Skb and Sb

Love that you brought the Christmas Tree! And Ackee I'm with you,would love to see a pic of the tree. Keep it coming.

Thoughts and Prayers to you during this time in your life. I hope that 2013 eases some of your pain. Thanks for sharing your trip and photos with us. We also love De Bar and can't wait to be there. You need a partner in crime while you are down there if your loved ones sleep all the time. I would be willing, I never want to sleep either in case I miss something. lol

Thanks for sharing all your trip. Your special and your family is lucky to have you! I am really enjoying your nightly fun by yourself ( i do that often)
Please cont share ! You are fun and full of life !

Great report. How was the cheese on the pizza at Tamboo?