I've got to find my way back, back to summer paradise - Nov 2011 Trip Report

His spirit was easy and I could see his mind was at rest. He seemed to find some extra pep in his step on that beach, which in all honesty followed him home.

There was a bit of time that afternoon where the risk of my turning into thundershower was high, but Sunshine's enthusiasm was so infectious, it turned out to only be a passing cloud.

Really great perspective on your TR.
The writing, to ones heart.

I believe the fruit lady is Jenn and she makes me lift that #### basket also.

They always do this.....suck you in and then stall with the writing.

I appear to be dragging my feet a bit today. I don't really want this to come to an end either.

Lorax – Total trip report addict here, too. I am sure Negril will provide plenty of new material.

Iowagirl – I can so understand and appreciate that. I am starting to get that look from people and it is only our second trip. Negril can't be explained. Once you go you know, right?

Lovs2travel chic – There are some pictures for you today. Thanks coming along.

Misti1 – I hope speechless is a good thing! I getting there… I'm getting there. Thanks for reading.

RockRobster – we saw an ice cream vendor on at least 3 different days down on the beach.

HuskerJohn – Thank you! I wish I could take credit for the timing of that! All part of the magic.

Marijane – You are very welcome :)

Signmon – Negril brings out the love.


Alright, enough stalling. Time to go home…so we can return again.

Chapter 12
“Though the road's been rocky it sure feels good to me.”
-Bob Marley

What is that squawking sound? Ugg, alarm clock. That can only mean the party is nearly done.

Coffee brewed, orange juice poured, it is time for a brownie breakfast - after everything is packed into the suitcases.

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I should have mentioned that there was actually a third member of our traveling party. Meet Bristoe. If elephants needed passports, his would have a lot of stamps. I do have his permission to be in the trip report.

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We got down with our bags with 15 minutes to spare and got checked out. We begin waiting. After 20 minutes or so, the lady from the front desk wanders out and asks when our ride was due. She takes our info and calls JTL for us. Yes, they know we are there and the driver will be there shortly. Our flight is not for another 5 or so hours, so I am not worried. Brownies help make the worries go away.

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Another 15 minutes and security wanders over and decides we should call again. Now we hear that an earlier stop is not ready so the driver is running behind. He pulls up shortly after and explains we have to go back for the tardy ones. We get to their resort and after 10 more minutes, the late group decides to make alternate arrangements for their trip to the airport, which gets a collective grumble from everyone already on board. I absolutely get not wanting to leave, but if you aren't getting on the bus, don't make the bus wait.

Our driver was clearly fussed at having his well organized day get behind so early and he took off like we were running from the law. This was not a ride for the faint of heart. I had a great seat up at the front and thoroughly enjoyed the dogde'em style of driving. We made it to the airport in great time and just ahead of the Saturday rush. There was almost no one in line to check in when we arrived and we couldn't see the end of the line by the time we were done.

Having only had OJ and brownie, we both were ready for some food. With the only obvious choice this side of security being Burger King, we headed in to get ourselves some Whoppers. Now we had observed throughout our visit that there was a certainly pace at which things got done in Jamaica, especially around food preparation. Your food is made to order and that takes time. We weren't the least bit bothered by that, I think it was part of the charm of the place. It sure made for good eats.

How ingrained this was in the culture, we didn't appreciate until we got to the airport. There have to have been 20 people in line at Burger King. Burger King makes and sells hamburgers, mostly. It is fair to assume that at least one or two of the people in line would be having a burger. The perpetual grilling of meat patties is almost a hallmark of the fast food industry. This was not how it was being done at Sangster. I swear, it seemed they weren't even pulling the patties out of the fridge, never mind cooking them, until the order was in and paid for. Long slow process, but it was a very fresh Whopper.

We had dragged our feet as long as possible and it was time to head into the immigration/security process.

Right ahead of us in line was a family of five with teen/tween age kids. They were decked out in the AI's logo souvenir T-shirts. The oldest boy had on a green wrist band (you know, the rubbery type that it seems every cause has so we can show our support). I have seen enough green and orange in the last few days to realize it was in support of one of the main political parties.

As the family gets to the double doors leading to the immigration hall, one of the two ladies manning the door takes exception to this kid's wrist band. For the first time all week I actually understand what is happening and this woman wants scissors. The family is a bit lost at this point, seeming to think she is trying to remove the AI bracelet from their resort. The father explains that no, this is his son's souvenir, one of the resort workers gave it to him. Her voice amps up a notch and there is some finger wagging coming out. She is going too fast for my understanding and the family was clearly in the same boat.

The fuss has attracted the other women manning the door. They start back and forth in patois. Guard Lady #1 is clearly voting for the orange team. Low and behold, Lady #2 pulls up her sleeve and reveals a green bracelet identical to the teenagers. A few more loud phrases slung back and forth and Lady #2 ushers the family through the doors wristband intact and the incident is done.

Man, Jamaicans do take their politics seriously. Should you find yourself there during elections, might I recommend avoiding the colors green and orange, unless you are really prepared to defend your stance. Just my suggestion is all.


I was amazed how much shopping there was once we were through immigration and security. Though it wouldn't support the locals in Negril, I can understand how folks might leave their entire souvenir shopping for when they got to the airport.

Somewhere earlier in this report, I think I mentioned that I am a bit paranoid about keeping an eye on my possessions in the airport. For someone as paranoid as I am, I actually manage to lose things with alarming regularity. Sunshine and I have developed a system to try and identify early when a piece is missing. It is not complicated. At the start of the day, we figure out how many 'detachable' bits we have (bags, cameras, items of clothing, etc) and every time we leave a place we count and make sure the number matches.

It is a simple and effective system, as long as you remember to use it.

We did a bit of shopping for others on our list and bought some Red Stripe gear for Sunshine. I remembered that nutmeg was actually on the list on the fridge back home, so I picked up a bag. We had a bit of time, so stopped for a last Red Stripe at their branded bar. We wandered over to our gate and counted our bits. One is of course missing and it has all of Sunshine's newly purchased Red Stripe gear. Our plane is due to board in like 10 minutes, so we start the mad scramble retracing our steps. Our third stop back, there is our shopping bag, exactly where we left it.

We rush back to the gate and they are already loading up. It is hard to deny that this trip is coming to an end. I am a bit choked up, but I know I'll be back.

We settle into the seats. On the way down, I had thought that the airline seats were design specifically to maximize my discomfort. Coming home it felt like sinking into a feather bed. One thing I will say about the places we visited in Negril, they weren't much for cushions on their chairs.

Somewhere over the mid-west, our breakfast brownie finally wore off. Reality was setting in. Spots on the ground beneath us were starting to be white. Brrrrr. I looked down at my bare feet, still in sandals and wished we were already heading back to summer paradise.

Epilogue

Thank you all for joining me on this newbie journey to Negril. It has been a real pleasure to share it with you. I warned you at the outset that it would be long, but I'm not sure any of you were prepared for the marathon that was coming.

This has been an interesting exercise. I haven't written for pleasure like this in a long time and it felt really good, good like a really good long stretch. When I started the report, I hadn't planned to follow along with the days of the week. Rather by accident I posted Saturday on Saturday and the concept kind of clicked into place from there. I have enjoyed living it in real time. If you caught it in the beginning, I hope it has felt a little bit like you got an extra week away in Negril.

Mine and Sunshine's story really did unfold together. Rest assured I did have his permission to be in the report. Though he had never really been to Negril.com, he has been lurking about since I started this report. Your response to my efforts has left him with him with nothing but the highest praise for the community that gathers here.

If your travels to Negril correspond with ours, I sincerely hope our paths will cross. Should you spot us on our wanderings, help a shy girl out and say hello. PM me if you don't want to rely entirely on luck crossing our paths.

I will keep posting as our countdown gets into the single digits. I want to tell you all about how we plan to do nothing on this trip. The title of our next trip might be 'Brought to you by Negril.com.' The board's influence is woven all through our plans.

Leaving Negril is no fun, but with my ticker just inches away from single digits, the long wait to return is almost done. I can say two things about the waiting game. Red Stripe is not the same when you have to carry it through a snow bank to get it home. Same goes for tropical fruit.

Soon come Negril, soon come.

What a trip report! Thanks for taking us along.

awesome report!! I'm even more excited about going.... about this time in two weeks I should be drinking my 1st or 2nd rum punch! Will definately look for you - Seastar on the 1st?

Great report, I've enjoyed it immensely. . . .and, I envy your ticker!

Here is an airport tip for hungry people. After you check in your luggage and before you go through the security, exit the the airport entrance and head over (maybe 50 yards away) to the area where the buses and taxis pick up people that are leaving the airport. You can buy a few patties (beef, cheese, vegetable etc) and something cold to drink for a last taste of Jamaica. We stop here when arriving and when leaving.

Regards,

Bob

Thank you Cherry for the trip report! And thank you for actually finishing it :rolleyes: It was enjoyable to read from start to finish - I can't wait for your next one, I just hope you don't wait so long to write it! :) We still have just under 4 weeks to go and I need something to pass the time!

Bravo Bravo.... and yes it was a VERY good speechless

Great report, it was a pleasure reading it, I'm still growing some balls to write mines.

Cherry be glad that's all you witnessed during the elections. We arrived on December 9, 2011 and got stuck behind the 'green party' caravan traveling to Lucea. Must have been 500 cars at least. We landed in MoBay around 2 pm but didn't reach Negril til 7 or so.

Loved the report Cherry it was one of the most enjoyable reads I have had thank you so much. We will be on the One Love Bus on the 30th and I will be sure to say hello.

Thank you.

Now, that was FUN.....

CherryN49 and Sunshine (lurker), I did keep up with the day by day week long trip and that was a great way to do it. It was a fun week! Thanks again for sharing. Have fun on your next trip sponcered by Negril.com.

This board is one of the best places on the net. Love hanging here with all the boardies. The serendipity of this past week is meeting you here, and I'm so glad I have.

Keep writing, you're quite good.

clap, clap, clap...standing ovation....

i know a trip report is time consuming but in my case, so worth it, because it takes me back to when I was there. I haven't opened my notes or looked at the pics far awhile and will not look at them until time to post for the day...Janet always says not to forget this or that, but I have to respond, we haven't got there yet..it hasn;t happened yet so we cant look at it yet....she thinks I am soooo crazy!!!!!lol!!!!and I am!!!!I read all the reports on here, which also takes me back to negril....


our hangout here at negril.com rocks, doesn't it....

come on in and get your fix....

cherry, what a wonderful write you are . . . thank you for sharing . . .

Bravo!!! Loved your report so very much...thank you for your labors of love writing and sharing your trip with us here :)

Wonderful report Cherry. Thank you soooo much

Excellent Excellent Excellent Great job Cherry

I've enjoyed every page of this report. Normally, when trip report is too long, I sorta skim through them and can easily skip pages. Not yours!! You kept my rapt attention for every sentence. I'm at the one-month mark for my first trip to Negril and I have to say, you've definitely got me all a flutter about my upcoming trip! Soon come, Negril, and mi gratitude, Cherry!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mamade11

awesome report!! I'm even more excited about going.... about this time in two weeks I should be drinking my 1st or 2nd rum punch! Will definately look for you - Seastar on the 1st?

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I have already emailed about booking my tickets. Do I remember you posting at some point that you were starting out at Catcha? If that is the case, we will likely see you at Ivan's, as we are checking in to Catcha on the 1st. I figured on just being able to walk up the lane to the show.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rjonsun

Here is an airport tip for hungry people. After you check in your luggage and before you go through the security, exit the the airport entrance and head over (maybe 50 yards away) to the area where the buses and taxis pick up people that are leaving the airport. You can buy a few patties (beef, cheese, vegetable etc) and something cold to drink for a last taste of Jamaica. We stop here when arriving and when leaving.

Regards,

Bob

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Thanks Bob, that is a great tip! I would much rather my last meal in Jamaica be a couple of patties. I won't mindone bit if this was the one and only time I ate at BK on the island. :)

Cherry - We get in on the 1st - to Catcha :) I emailed also, but on facebook they said we could just get them at the gate. I was a little worried they would sell out.

Thank you so much for the time you put into your report! It was worth every moment of waiting!! Enjoy your upcoming trip~ looking forward to a 2nd edition from you!

Cherry (and Sunshine!) - thank you so very much! Your trip report was funny, sweet, thought-provoking and just plain good! I sincerely hope you keep stretching that writing muscle. You have a real voice!! We hang out at Sun Beach when we are there, which isn't far from Coco. Will keep an eye out and holler if we see you two. Would love to share a Stripe or two!

Fantastic!
Loved every single minute of it.
Thanks for taking us along on your trip....I can't wait to do it again in a couple of weeks! Yahoo!

*Applause*Applause*

Thanks for sharing! Now get to packing!

i devoured every word!

Awesome Cherry! First class all the way. I love the day by day bit. I tried to post day by day the first time, but write day by day for a week? Enormous effort and extremely well done. And I do mean fearless. It's not easy to put it all out there, to reveal little bits of yourself reserved for the few - if any. You do it so beautifully and in doing it through the eyes of a first time Negril visitor offer us all a reflection of ourselves and the magic of enchantment we've all experienced.

I've often quoted the Groucho Marx line - "I'd never want to belong to a club that would have someone like me as a member!" I feel a little different about the crew that hangs around this clubhouse. I hope I don't offend you by saying, "Welcome!" It's been a pleasure getting to know you... :)

Hi Cherry! Thanks for the pictures...quick question is yalls room an Oceanview room?
I so look 4ward to following some of you and sunshine foots steps when staying at the Rooms!

I understand the woo wah woo wah and can explain it...did by chance you eat mushroom omlets or anything similar...maybe some strange tea...

Would you be interested in writing my next Trip report? Or maybe you could finisht the one I have going? lol

Seriously, Cherry this was unbelievably good. Thank you very very much for sharing it with us. I look forward to running into you and Sunshine one day and I will be sure to say HI. I'm not shy and really loud so you wont miss me. haha

Bet your so stoked about your upcoming trip. I'm sure looking forward to hearing about it :)

When does the movie come out? Awesome writing......Thank You! :D

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Originally Posted by love2travelchic

Hi Cherry! Thanks for the pictures...quick question is yalls room an Oceanview room?
I so look 4ward to following some of you and sunshine foots steps when staying at the Rooms!

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I am sure you will enjoy it!

No, we were in a gardenview room. It turns out thoug that there are 4 gardenview rooms that just by virtue of the layout of the resort actually have a bit of an ocean view. They are all on the second floor, facing towards the main pathway through the resort. The actual oceanview rooms all face directly onto the beach. There are three second floor rooms that have great big patios. There are also 3 or 4 that have no balcony at all, just a slidding glass door that opens to a railing. The main floor ocean view rooms have steps right down onto the sand.

Thank you all for reading and saying such nice things back. There is something really special on this board. It is a nice place, without all the nastiness that the internet can bring.

Guirigay – I knew I wanted to get it all in before we left, so I must confess I had done a lot of work before I had even put the first post. I also wanted Sunshine to know where I was going before I shared our story with the everyone. This did not all get written last week. :o

BR Mon – funny, but it was not the wacky tea that had us befuddled. Now if the brownies could be blamed, you might be on to something!

Tizzy – I am always available for trip reporting services, as long as you can afford to bring me along. You gotta go to know :p

So as my excitement builds, I am gonna fill you in on our plans for this year...