Don't drink overproof rum especially where it's "free pour" by the bartender.
Printable View
Don't drink overproof rum especially where it's "free pour" by the bartender.
Great story! The hangover pic is awesome, it's the cherry on the drinking story, glad you decided to include it :)
Kevin, reading your report made me LOL! :D Especially the "walk of shame".
I'm so glad you two had a great time. Next time though, be careful! You want to remember most of your vacation.
Really nice job on your trip report.
loving the story,,,,,, now if you were ever to wake up with your resorts security dogs sleeping in your bed, that might be the walk of shame,,,,, happens to the best of us, usualley about once a trip
Day Six
This was our last full day in Jamaica and we still had a lot on our to do list. On the top of the list was getting to the beach. During the months leading up to our trip I had been in contact with utenlov from the boards who was making her first solo trip to Negril. We would be in town at the same time and on our first trip as well. We had emailed each other trying to arrange a meet up over the course of our trip but as most of you know it’s easy to get sidetracked. If we were going to meet up this would be our last chance.
Late in the morning we get a taxi to the beach. We got dropped off at the hotel utenlov was staying at and made our way to the bar. As we sat having a drink we kept our eyes out for a person who fit the description that utenlov had provided us. It wasn’t long before we spotted her lounging on the beach just a few paces away. I approached her and introduced myself. She joined us at the bar even though she was still recovering from the night before.
We sat and shared our experiences and the contrast between the beach and the cliffs became a little more evident . Beth was sold on having herself sketched by a beach artist and then was sold on having me sketched as well. The Fun Holiday webcast was starting shortly and I wanted to venture along the beach so we parted ways with utenlov who was still not ready to fully start her day. We walked the beach and found Rob set up at Fun Holiday and had a seat at the bar. It was 2 for 1 Red Stripes so Beth decides to have a beer which is very odd for her. I think she was playing it safe since we had another early start.
The beach seemed really busy and a similar vibe to other beaches I've been to. Of course this was much more beautiful than any other in my experiences. Other than that I didn’t feel too far removed from the neighboring Jersey Shore at home.
After the webcast we made our way back the other way and stopped to pick up a few souvenirs. I recognized a voice selling patties and peered in the direction I heard it coming from…Neville! We purchased a few patties over some light banter, the first we had a chance to eat the whole trip, and then shortly headed out to the road to catch a taxi. If there was one thing I enjoyed at the beach was how anything you could possibly want would eventually come to you whereas on the cliffs you had to often seek out whatever was you wanted. I welcome the hunt though.
Again the taxi ride went pretty much the same as the others. We weren’t really given an option to negotiate and were hustled to get in. Considering the cost of the last two rides I wasn’t as concerned of being gouged. This time I did take note that we were in a route taxi. We wanted to stop at an ATM and have him jump to the west end route for us. I took notice of a few locals trying to hail our taxi as the driver waved them off. I felt really bad and made a comment that he could pick up others. When we arrived at the hotel the fair was much more than the other rides. I think we ended up paying $16 (converted to US) but even this wasn’t so bad considering I had paid more for lesser rides in the states. One of the goals of our next trip is to find a driver or two that we can rely on regularly. We also plan to do much more walking now that we have a better idea of the lay of the land.
At the hotel we started to get a little sad realizing our last full day was slowly coming to an end. Not wanting to waste what little time we had we found ourselves heading back to Pee Wee’s for one last visit. First we needed to make a stop at L&M so Beth could buy a big metal ladle she had her eye on. Back in our usual seats at Pee Wee’s they of course wondered where we were the day before and we joked about the state of mind I was in that other night.
I asked them about the peanuts too. I never really did get a straight answer but I’m certain they were teasing out of good fun. After a drink or two we asked about soursop and within minutes a soursop was produced out of nowhere and we were all snacking on it. As far as fruits go, this had to be one of the best I’ve ever tasted. After that there was a flurry of picture taking as we finished our drinks.
We then took a cab to 3 Dives for lobster and another webcast. Lisa was there this time and it was nice to finally meet her. I was starting to feel a little sad about leaving at this point and this unending thought kept me quiet. I kept thinking I wish I had a few more days, as I know everyone else does too. It seemed just as we got into the groove and could put our guards down and relax it was time to go.
The lobster was delicious at 3 Dives and making it even better was the garlic butter they serve with it. As the sun went down I just wanted to sit there forever. I didn’t want to leave but we still had a few more things on our to do list so off we went back to Pee Wee’s for one more to say our final goodbyes. On our way back to our room we pop into No Limit for a couple of drinks and some nice conversation. Again I sat there thinking I don’t want leave.
On our second attempt to get back to the room we remembered we didn’t get any jerk chicken from our local barrel guy. We stop to get some but he had just sold his last fully cooked piece but was told to come back in about 20 minutes and the rest should be ready.
Back at the room we start packing for the trip home. After awhile we walk back over to check on our chicken and was told it will be a little longer. Back at the room again we relax in the bed and drift off to sleep till we were awoken by a knock at the door. “Are you waiting on chicken?” we were asked. “yea mon” rolled of my tongue as if it was a natural part of my language. We head out to the road as our chicken was being plated and wrapped to go. Back at the room again we both picked at our chicken still in a haze from being woken out of our sleep. Before long we were back in bed sleeping.
Our final day
We woke up bright and early and again we went through our usual morning routine. After my shower I sat on the edge of the bed and began to put on my shoes. As I get the second shoe on I looked down and started laughing. I stand up and tell Beth to take a look at what I just did. I struck a pose as I showed my outfit off to Beth. It consisted of nothing other than a pair of underwear, socks and shoes! It wasn’t my best look. I called to confirm pickup with Alfred who advised another driver would be getting us. It wasn’t too long before we were on our way back to the airport. The ride back was much more uneventful then the ride in as we were much more relaxed and accustomed to our surroundings now.
Once at the airport we made a trip to duty free. I was then drawn to the smell of greasy food that I had mostly managed to avoid the whole trip and happily overpaid for a fast food meal. Before we knew it we were boarding the plane and taking off. On the flight home we started to plan our next trip and were kicking ourselves for not taking the time to research other rooms and booking our hotel before we left. We also discussed which of our friends we would encourage to visit Negril and which ones would not be a good fit. We have had this same conversation several times during the course of our trip.
As we approached Philadelphia we were told the current temperature was 63 degrees. It turned out that for all of our planning to escape the cool this particular winter it would be a very mild one and some of the mildest weather occurred while we were away. Of course that didn’t take anything away from our trip.
Having safely landed we head to customs and immigration. I was called to the desk to produce my passport and declarations. As Beth followed me I was asked.....”Is she family?” It was really hard to say no. I had known Beth since grade school and we were very close friends before we became a couple. Technically we weren't family so I had say no. Beth was asked to wait back in line until I was done being processed. I didn't like her not being recognized as my family and thought to myself we need to do something about that before our next trip.
Safely back on US soil and connected with our ride home we proceed to do what anyone else should do when in Philly.....get a cheese steak! So off we went to Pat's for two “wit out “and "wiz". I won't go into details about how all of this greasy American food affected us but let me just say I think our digestive track was missing Jamaica more than us.
Final thoughts
One of the things I quickly realized is that Jamaica can be whatever you want it to be. It's up to each person to create their own experience. If you're like me and most of your knowledge of Negril came from reading trip reports and watching webcasts, you'll discover there's much more going on when you get the blinders off and can see the full picture for yourself. At first it seems like such a big foreign place where your only welcome for your money. It doesn't take long though before you realize you do have a place in Jamaica if you're willing to drop your guard and open up to her.
We've already started booking our next trip and intend to make the trip as often as we can for many years to come. There's even more excitement this time than there was the first. It seems since our return we always start working on scenarios that could get us back there sooner. We always say if it wasn't for the cost of airfare we'd be there right now! We're still holding out hope that some small fortune will be bestowed upon us unexpectedly at which point we're there! Until that happens we'll have to wait and budget over the next year. We’re just thankful that a return visit is near certain and feel fortunate just to have an opportunity to return and pick up where we left off. We may have taken baby steps this time but next time we intend to walk good.
Soon come!
It sounds like You (both of you) are hooked on Jamaica.
No more Baby Steps. Next time both of you will do it in Your stride/swagger.
One Love
B
Great report...next trip a wedding:)
Love it!!!!!!!!!
Well done and so happy to hear you fell in love with Jamaica, just as we all have. Welcome aboard, to the Officially Hooked Club!
Oh YES! YES! I second what Marie just said! :)
Dear Marie, ( same name as my sister who is VERY wise) Sounds like it. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Marie
But first we will have to wait for The Announcement, Engagement Party, Stag Night, Hen Party. Wedding Shower, Pre Wedding Romantic getaway etc.
Hopefully all spent in Jamaica and reported in full technicolor .
Then The Big Day.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDGjWY6AxpU.
Love the fun you both had.
B