thank you thank you!
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thank you thank you!
Can't wait to read more we are going in April on our first trip and i love trip reports
This report just keeps delivering! Loved the idea of excursion during hotel transfer. Your day looked wonderful and the smiles say it all. I like your descriptions so far of CCLP sounds fantastic. Loved your beach shadow picture. Each new chapter is a thrill, thanks and keep it coming!
Chapter 12
“Earth's crammed with heaven...
But only he who sees, takes off his shoes.”
― Elizabeth Barrett Browning
This beach day starts like most, down to Marley-by-the-Sea for breakfast. Tough call on whether Catcha or Coco has the better morning view, as they are just so different. Either one is sure better than the snow banks at home.
Afterwards we wandered back to the room and enjoyed a bit of time on our huge patio. We had exhausted our supply of Shamrocks O.J. so decided to make the walk up the road to get more. Even at a slow shuffle, it really wasn't that far a walk. Fifteen minutes maybe? I'd walk a lot further for that juice.
When hunger called we decided to wander over to Sunbeach for some lunch. They were setting up the stage for a show that night.
This day was probably the most questionable we had, weather wise. It was overcast most of the day and it rained periodically. By periodically I mean each time we thought we might get to some loungers on the beach. It went kind of like this. Pick lounger, spread out towel and look up to feel the first drop of rain. Shrug, fold up towel and seek shelter. Oh well, tough luck having to drink Red Stripe at the bar instead.
There is something fundamentally different about the vibe on the beach versus the West End. A year later, I am still struggling to put my finger on what that difference actually is. When people call Negril the Capital of Casual, I feel that more on the beach than I do on the West End. Up on the cliffs as the day wound down, I found myself feeling like getting cleaned up a bit before heading into the evening. I straightened my cowlicks and even put a spot of makeup on a couple of times. On the beach, I didn't feel that urge. Maybe it’s the fact that there is always a little bit of sand everywhere that makes the extra effort seem kind of unnecessary.
Another big plus on our room location was that as the sun began to set, instead of being roasted on our balcony, the greenery acted as a lovely shade.
Aahhhhh. Sunbeach. Our favorite beach bar and lunch spot! At least you had a great place to chill on a weird weather day!
And btw - thank you so much for the thorough West End (especially Catcha!) report and your attempt to differentiate the vibes there and on the beach. Last year was our first cliffs stay, but we were way out at the Westender - which was truly wonderful - but a little remote. We are looking forward to experiencing that vibe in a few weeks!
You are very welcome!
I feel pretty confident saying you will absolutely love it. Based on your handle, are you coming from Ireland? That will be quite a journey! I had the chance to visit Ireland for the first time this past St. Paddy's day. It was a great experience.
Thank you. :o I do highly recommend doing an excursion on moving day. It was a lot of fun. Depending on where you are going and in what kind of vehicle, it might make sense to make arrangements for your luggage not to make the full journey. I'm sure either Catcha or Coco would have held our bags as we made the trek. I have been dragging my feet figuring out what we are going to do this year - I'm too busy writing about last year! Looking at my ticker, I had best get on it...
You almost broke me, but I pretty much bounced right back! All those good Jamaican eats helped fix me back up. Really, it was all my own doing. I know the hot tub rule, but we were having so much fun!
If we are going by the pattern so far, the marathon report is probably another year away. It seems to take time for the story to come together in my mind. I'm hoping to have better luck technology wise this year, so I might manage to post some pics along the way. No promises though, because once my feet hit the ground, I get a little caught up in the moment. :cool:
I suspect
Somewhere during this day, my smart phone had its second encounter with my chug jug. The darn thing opened up in my bag, soaking the contents including my phone. I don't know whether I was more annoyed at the jug at myself for still using it. I didn't notice it right away though, so I have no idea how long my phone was in the puddle. It seemed to still be working so I dried it off and went about my day.
Our streak of fantastic sunsets was finally at an end. If everyone was perfect, would we appreciate them as much?
After sunset, while we were playing in the surf, we couldn't help but notice there seemed to be a bit of party going on at Sunbeach. The band was playing and they had set up a bunch of tables set right out on the beach. Drawn in by the music, we thought we'd head that way for dinner.
The staff was working so hard to achieve this fine dining on the beach vibe. Dennis was expertly serving as Maître 'D. It was candles and white table clothes, albeit on plastic patio furniture. It still all came together as a bit of a pinch me moment. We are sitting on the beach, in the sand with the sound of the surf on one side and reggae on the other.
At some point, we gained a new friend. I'm hoping it says something positive about us that strange dogs seem to find us to be good napping companions.
As the meal wore on, we discovered one drawback to dining in the deep sand. We were slowing sinking. When we first arrived the table was a normal height. Eventually I'd sunk far enough that I actually couldn't get out of my chair. I was tucked too close to the table and had sunk far enough the geometry just wasn't working any more. It desperate times, I could have slid out of the chair and managed to get out using a crawl under the table approach, but I think I aged out of that approach somewhere around kindergarten. I didn't really want to draw attention to my dilemma, as hilarious as I found it.
Eventually the call of nature brought the issue to a head. I leaned over to Sunshine, "Honey, I can't get out of my chair. I don't want to make a scene, can you help?"
So he made like the perfect gentleman and jumped up to 'pull my chair out' for me. That statement has never been so literal, as he was pulling me and chair a foot out of the sand. The whole thing was just striking us so funny. When I returned, he had moved my chair a bit, but the sand was already loosened and as I sat back down the chair, I sunk right back down. I was in stitches laughing, while trying to still trying to remain dignified. The harder I laughed, the more the chair sunk. I don't know how well we succeeded at the dignified part, but we were having fun. By the time we left, I could almost rest my chin on the table. The legs of both our chairs were almost completely buried in the sand.
We got some star gazing in that night. The clouds must have cleared out at some point. The moon was coming up much later now, so we had a period of darkness when the stars got to show off to their full effect. Normally that would make me feel like just a speck in the universe, but somehow in Negril it just feels right.
When we were at Coco a couple of weeks ago, every night it was calm, a bunch of people would go down to the water to see the dinoflagellates. Apparently they luminesce when you move your hands in the water. Not sure if it's seasonal or not, but you might want to try it next trip, add it to your "nightly routine" :) I didn't try it myself, I'm not going in the ocean in the dark, but many did and they claim to have seen them...
Thanks, always a pleasure to read!
i was patiently waiting lol
Chapter 13
“Summer's lease hath all too short a date.”
― William Shakespeare,
Lazy found a new level on our last day. We pretty much spent the first half of the day in bed. It was as though we could feel the trip winding down. We took an 'If we didn't get on with the day, the day wouldn't end' approach. We actually told housekeeping not to bother with our room. We didn't want to vacate it long enough for them to clean it.
I had put my phone on the charger the night before and I when I checked it in the morning, nothing had happened. The battery was down to less than 10%. I plugged it back in and checked back a while later, not only is it not charging, but it won't connect to wi-fi and I'm down to about 2% battery. Within the hour, my phone was a paper weight. Now really, who cares about a phone on vacation, right? That would depend on if you had been dumb enough not print out any of your return flight information stored on said device. So I knew we were leaving the next day in the afternoon, but I didn't actually know what time. I didn't want to alarm Sunshine, about the trouble with my phone or my total lack of information about how we were getting home. I also don't want to admit I'd made such a rookie mistake. E-tickets are great, but in paradise having a paper backup is even better.
We didn't have much for food supplies in the room so finally about 3 pm, the need to eat chased us out of our room. I don't know why we didn't order in. I think because I was still having trouble understanding people in person, the thought of trying to do it on the phone was that much more daunting. We walked down to the grill and ordered a couple of cheese pizzas. Sunshine has seen a couple come off the grill the day before and thought they'd be just the thing. When you are really hungry, food can seem like it takes forever, but I swear this was the longest I have ever waited for food in Negril.
Given the day and sky, I was a bit concerned our last sunset in Negril would be a bust. It turned out to be anything but. It was just playing a bit of peek-a-boo with the clouds.
http://i1327.photobucket.com/albums/...psc9e73540.jpg
http://i1327.photobucket.com/albums/...psdbbf801e.jpg
We ran into Mamade11 and Frank just taking it all in. We'd all be venturing home the next day. Mamade captured the moment for us.
She did more than just capture the sunset though. On our way back to our rooms, she wandered over with me to the one spot by the pool where the free Wi-Fi actually worked and lent me her phone so I could find our flight info. Westjet's website did me no good, because I didn't have my darn confirmation number. Those are six very useful digits, without which I was out of luck. There would be no web check in for us. I managed to find the departure time on the airport website. It was about when I thought. It was going to be tight given when Kingsley was picking us up, but he'd known our flight time when we'd set the pickup, so I was relying on his expertise.
Very interesting. I someday want to get to the other side of the island to do the Mystic Waters thing for just that experience. I love the concept of the water literally lighting up around you. Do you know how far out into the water they had to go? I stick my feet in the water at night, but getting any further in than that kind of freaks me out!
mystic waters . . . is it real? . . . love your report . . .
It was our last night and we still hadn't been to Step-a-side. We decided to walk up to Shamrocks and pick up some chicken on the way back. We'd been debating smuggling a bottle of Shamrocks home. It would have to go into our suitcase which is a spillage risk, but it is a plastic bottle. I know how cold the luggage gets in the hold during the flight, so I figured the lack of refrigeration wouldn't be a big deal. I thought it would a nice transition our first morning home. We got juice, a few snacks and headed back out onto the road.
How do you know you have found the best jerk in Negril? When you walk up to his barrel, the barrel master is on a chair the other side of the ditch, looking at his phone with no concern as to who might be passing by. No need for him to be loudly hawking his wares. Business finds him. This is how we found things at the Original Step-a-side. He was set up in his usual spot between the Jungle and Montana's, nearly across the road from Fun Holiday.
"Evening! Is there chicken ready?" I call over.
He looks up with a start and with a, "Yamon, no problem," he coming hustling over to his barrel. We share with him how happy we are to back, as his is the best jerk chicken we've ever had. We are not the first to tell him this, but he seems to genuinely appreciate the praise.
Our chicken in hand we head back to our balcony.
This is the best picture I have of our room and its through a closed door. We are both shutter bugs, I don't know how neither of us managed to get anything better. I think when we arrive at a new place we are just living in the moment. It takes less than 15 minutes for us to have spread our crap everywhere. Then I don't want to take a picture of our mess. I've made a mental note, we shall see if I do any better this year.
On one of our evening trips between the sea and the room, we decided to go for a little walk around Coco. We were really feeling the Christmas lights and set about getting in some Christmas card shots. We don't actually do a Christmas card, but if we did, these would be the shots.
I think back home that kind of silliness would have me feeling a bit self conscious, but after a week plus in Negril, it just felt right.
Vacations are wonderful things and vacations in Negril may be the best of them all. We dragged the night out as long as we possibly could. Unfortunately, there was no denying that tomorrow we'd be homeward bound.
now i'm getting anxious that your vacation (and this trip report) is almost done lol
That shot with the two Red Stripes with the lights in the background.... best Christmas card ever!!!! Didn't you
love CoCo. Fun report.
Awesome report! Such perfect timing... cant wait for my first stay at CoCo!!!
here's a link to glistening waters you can swim or boat --- and don't go when there's a full moon
i would plan it in as a part of a longer trip to that side of the island --- maybe hit up Ocho Rios and 9-mile and spend a couple of nights
not sure it's worth the trip from negril for the night
http://www.glisteningwaters.com/
Loved your report and photos. What a nice trip. We don't have our trip booked but your report reminds me we have to get to it! We will be bringing our grown family with us this year so we have to wait until June. Man, the winter will be a long strange trip, indeed, here in Jersey without a trip to Negril.
Loved looking forward to you report these last several days! And the pics too! Also look forward to the report from your upcoming trip!
Oh I so enjoyed this report Cherry. Love you style of writing. Anymore?
Chapter 14
“Don't worry about a thing, every little thing is gonna be alright”
― Bob Marley
Waking up on the last morning in Negril is bittersweet. I know we need to leave so we can come back, but I don't have to get excited about it. We get most packed and have breakfast. We wander around the property and take a few last pictures.
If you are looking for ice at Coco, take the right fork at Bob. There is a big commercial ice machine in that wooden fenced space you see. The sign on the gate said keep closed; since it didn't say staff only or do not enter, we peeked. We accessed it at all times of day and night, no one seemed to object.
I was anxious about the amount of time we had to get to the airport. I thought we were cutting it a bit close. If I hadn't drowned my phone, I would have likely emailed Kingsley and pushed the time up by at least half an hour. I was trying to be calm, but my inside voice was howling.
We were done checking out and sitting at the curb fifteen minutes early. I don't have a watch; that is my phone's job. At about two minutes to twelve I am losing my cool. Sunshine got to be the calm, cool and rational one. He literally has to tell me to chill. At five past twelve I am just shy of hyperventilating. Two minutes later Robert pulls in driving Kingsley's van. I've got my bag to the door before he has the van in park.
I have to admit, I wasn't quite sure how long the drive was supposed to be. On the way in I'm so lost in the just landed feeling of bliss that it could be 30 minutes or 3 hours. Our other trip out was on the JUTA run, which has too many stops to really judge time. I also don't know the road well enough to be able to reassure myself as the landmarks pass.
I know that I am supposed to be looking for a safe, law abiding driver, but in this moment, I wanted Robert to drive like the wind. Instead, we are out on a casual Saturday drive. I'm sure it's purposeful because I was such a gawker on the trip to Mayfield Falls. I'm watching the clock in the van. I should be checking in right about now, but I'm still on the coastal road with miles to go.
I start a conversation with Robert, trying to get him to come to the conclusion that he needs to put the pedal down, without actually tell him to do that. When he realizes how tight we are on time, he gives a bit of a grunt, picks up his phone and calls the boss. I don't know what is said, maybe it was patois, maybe I just didn't understand. The outcome is all that matters, because all of a sudden Robert's driving style has dramatically changed. We might have set a new record for the amount of time it took us to get through Mobay. He was weaving in and out of traffic like a pro. If I hadn't been so stressed, I would have been cheering. I felt like he was totally in control and never took unreasonable risks. Some traffic laws may have been violated, but the man knows how to drive. We pulled up to the airport with the tires almost smoking; we paid our fare and sprinted into the airport.
The line at Westjet is painfully long. Sunshine gets in line with the bags and I try to at least get us checked in on the self-serve terminals. At least that way they would have to consciously leave us behind. Nope, need that blasted confirmation number. We are literally the last in the line for the three flights all leaving about the same time. In the thirty or so minutes we stood there, no one came in behind us.
There is only one agent and we are on Jamaican time. I want to scream with frustration. Finally, there are only two groups ahead of us. A couple decked out in AI logo wear steps up to the counter. Their bags go on the scale…and now we spend five minutes watching them repack half a suitcase into their carry-on. I mean what is the point? Do you think the airplane really cares whether the weight is in the hold or in the overhead bins? Burns the same amount of gas either way.
Then it is our turn. I ask the agent if we are going to make our flight. It's like he doesn't hear. I ask again and get nothing. A third try and I give up. Just give me a yes or no for pity sake! The good news is he checks us in and we make a dash for immigration/security. The only plus side to being late is the line has gotten considerably shorter.
We make it through, manage to get duty free and a pretzel to eat and they are calling our flight. It seems like an instant and we are pulling away from the gate. Oh sweet Jamaica, I don't want to say good-bye.
This is the last picture we took in Jamaica. It is of our balcony at Coco.
This is the very next picture on the camera.
If I close my eyes and sip slowly, maybe just maybe I can imagine my way back to the island.
Do you see it; see my hand raised up into the sky?
Epilogue
“There is no real ending. It’s just the place where you stop the story.”
― Frank Herbert
Thank you for following Sunshine and I along in this marathon recounting of our journey. Your comments give me comfort that our love for Negril stands us in good company. Our story is not glamorous, nor tabloid worthy. It is an honest account of how we remember our experiences in Negril. For the veterans, I hope that it helped take you back to your own adventures on the rock. For those of you just setting out, I hope it helps you feel more confident for the road ahead. Negril is worth getting to know and we can't wait to get back to it.
Sunshine's been lurking about and continues to be amazed at the warmth and support demonstrated daily on this board. The on-line community here at Negril.com has a bit of the same magic that makes Negril so great.
Having channeled pretty much all of my excess energy into writing this report, I am certainly the most relaxed I have ever been before a trip. With my ticker down to only three days to go, I figure I'm only going to be able to wind myself up so much at this point.
So what is up for us this year?
We are starting our trip in the Gatehouse at Catcha, where we plan to spend four glorious nights ridding ourselves of a year's accumulated stress. I think knowing the magic of Catcha will be waiting for us when we arrive is part of why I am so calm.
Then we are heading up the lane to the Seastar Inn for a week. This move is so short we may just walk up the lane, bags and all. It is our hope that Seastar will be a good base from which to explore more of what Negril has to offer. We have taken the recent safety warnings to heart, but we aren't going to let fear of bad people get in the way of our continuing to get to know Negril.
Our last three days we are going to give AI a try at Grand Pineapple. This will be a first for Sunshine and I, as we've never been to an all-inclusive. I think the small size and great location will make it a good fit for us both.
If our paths should cross on the island, and I hope they do, please say hello. We met some great people last year and really hope to continue the trend this year.
Soon come Negril, soon come.
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your wonderful trip and pictures with us.It has helped our much needed fix to hold us off until our arrival this Friday,hope to see you guys some where in our travels.We will be moving to Catcha on the 27th and then visiting Seastar for the Saturday evening festivities on the 30th.Safe travels to you and Sunshine and have a fantasic vacation!!
Thanks for sharing your trip report and photos with us. Loved it all!
Thank you for sharing - I enjoyed each and every instalment :)
Have a great trip - can't wait to read your next trip report!
Well done!!
thank you for sharing your trip . . . was a pleasure to read . . . we are riding home on the same flight and will shout out . . .
i don't care to be last minute for the return home . . . there are always 2-3 flights checking in at the same spot . . . prefer to be at the top of the line . . .
Fun report ~
Great job on the report. Enjoyed reliving it with the two of you. Thank you for sharing. Having stayed at the Pineapple, I know you two will love it as much as I did. A tip...when on the beach, although the shade by the fence is inviting, try to sit closer to the clubhouse so you won't be disturbed by the guys from the other side of the fence. The food was pretty good but my favorite meal was breakfast. The omelets are fantastic. The bartenders are fun and friendly while the drinks are excellent. The staff members are friendly, accommodating and professional. They are a close group and treat the guests like family. Are you staying beachside or garden side?
What a (another!) great trip report. So much fun to read and experience your journey through your wonderful writing and perfect pictures. Thank you so much for sharing yourself like that!
We will be at Catcha (and the Gatehouse!) shortly after you. Keep it warm for us! :) Have a wonderful trip, more adventures and don't stop with the trip reports!