10 Years, 12 Nights, 6 Hotels, ONE LOVE - April 2012 Trip Report

​LOL! Classic! I haven't laughed that hard for a couple of weeks...

Aww thank you Wpyogi! It was so great meeting you in April! I hope our paths cross again soon! Such a fun time!

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Originally Posted by marley9808

YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!! You finally reached Negril! LMAO

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LOL!!! Yeah! it only took us six pages to get there! We're on a roll!

We love you too!! :o

It really was a dream come true to be able to spend our 10 year anniversary at Villa Sur Mer. Most romantic two days ever. I still can't believe we were actually there when I look at the pictures.

It's a memory I'll treasure for the rest of our life.

Markus is up next. Two entries in one weekend! Unheard of for us, I know, lets see if we can keep it up..lol

I have been asked several times during our trip to describe Villa Sur mer. I tried, as some of you know, but now I finally have the time to think about the right words.

Our first impression was Kimmi the manager, who I knew from an email that had come moments before our departure. It said:” It is my pleasure to inform you that you have been upgraded to the honey moon suite. How is that for a start?” - Pretty damn great! :)

All our dealings with Peter, the owner and now Kimmy, previous to our trip, had been extraordinary. The courtesy extended to us was beyond what anyone could ever expect. So naturally I am somewhat prejudiced in their favor. Still I believe that I am not exaggerating in saying, that our welcome at Villa Sur Mer was the warmest and most relaxing one I have ever had at any hotel.

At first glance the grounds were beautiful, but not radically different from what one might expect. We were standing next to our suitcases in the midday heat with full Bay Area gear, jeans, jackets and all. The sunlight from almost straight above was blinding. All I could see were pitch black shadows and bleached out bright spots.

When the aperture of my pupils adjusted and my eyes focused, I found myself in a spa like environment with unusual twists and turns. A dark wooden fence lines the property. The houses were also framed with the same very darkly tinted wood. This provided a uniquely ideal background for the tropical plants, which shone with unusual green vigor against the black backdrop.

One quickly had the impression every plant and even every leaf had been arranged individually, just to make the whole more beautiful - much like a drip-painting by Jackson-Pollock: utterly random and yet carefully composed.

Every palm frawn seemed to be curving over the pathways between the houses in just such a way, as to allow a person to pass below it with a pleasant breath of space between. The garden sort of gently caresses the person walking through, giving shade and just brimming with beauty and color.

http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/...fthevillas.jpg

http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/...1flowers-1.jpg

I later learned this was indeed no accident as I found countless branches and frawns gently tied together using their own fiber, as to conform to someone’s delicate and deliberate vision of height, proportion and design.

Between the black framings all walls were freshly whitewashed. All Elements in concert, the place had the appearance of a Japanese Zen Temple, a perfect Harmony of architecture, nature and light. I almost did not dare touch any part of the beautiful composition.

http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/...01ourvilla.jpg
(Honeymoon suite)

While the amazing honeymoon suite was presented to us we collected a small entourage.
• Kimmi the manager, wiping the tears out of her face Daisy's own tears had caused her to cry (This will not be the only time this happens on this trip)
• Richard, the concierge, who explained more remote controls to me than I had ever seen in one room,
• Jonalee the house keeper, who assured us that we were in good hands, and,
• from outside the window Shakespeare (“Shakes”), the gardener, was peeping in, curious about all the commotion.

Kimmy warned us about Shakes obsession with his home-made broom and told us to halt him, should he not quit with the sweeping at 6 am outside the bedroom window.

Shakes, overhearing the slight, mouthed “I-don't-know-what-she's-talking-about” and continued sweeping.

Richard was excited about showing us the underground access to the cliffs on the other side of the street, where the original villa of the Villa Sur Mer is also located. So after we got settled into our room, he took us on a tour.

Near the entrance a stone-staircase led into a dark cavern locked by a rusty, pirate gate. Richard removed the chain and padlock and the double doors opened with a long squeak. Cool!

http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/...e82/01cave.jpg

We followed into the darkness and fumbled forward until the eyes adjusted again, then went around a bend and suddenly faced a breathtaking view. A large half-dome shaped room had been cut out of the rock, beyond which lay a terrace with sun-chairs and then ...the mighty Ocean!

http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/...ay1/03cave.jpg

Waves were crashing thunderously against the cliffs, spray was misting the terrace and whitewash framed the perfectly turquoise snorkeling paradise in the middle of a large cove. I was still wearing my jacket, which suddenly started feeling really uncomfortable on me. My body was itching so bad to jump into this water I felt imaginary webbing grow between my toes. The Sea is calling!

http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/...y1/02chair.jpg

http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/...vebottom-1.jpg

But the tour was not done yet. Daisy hopped around excitedly: “Let’s go, let’s go see the main villa!”

Richard left the entrance to the cave open and got another key from the office. Across the street the fence was not nearly as fortified as on the garden side. Daisy of course had read up on everything there was to know, but I had no idea this property had been the original extent of Villa sur mer.

Through the fence my first thought was that this must be Ian Flemming's house! The structure to the right was large and looked tropically pompous with the Mahogany shutters. To the left was an industrial size grill over a fire pit, for all your occasions, that call for a whole side of beef.

Straight ahead, through the arch formed by two palms the turquoise water sparkled even more enticingly.

After we passed the side of the house, the full extent of the wooden deck came into view. It included a good size swimming pool, a basketball hoop and a hot tub. There was room for at least 20 sun chairs, stacks of which were dispersed strategically.

http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/.../02house-2.jpg

http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/...1villapool.jpg


Daisy just so much as looked at a sun chair and Richard immediately jumped to grab her a cushion, to make sure that her highness' buttocks did not have to suffer painful indentation by a hard surface.

She giggled and waved off: “No, no, I just wanted to touch it.”

We peaked over the handrail, which was mainly built from bullet-proof glass, as not to obscure the fantastic view. To the left was Ricks Cafe, and a quick glance told me that the handrail was slightly higher up from the water than the cliff diver’s platform, raised above the ground next door.

http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/...ay1/02view.jpg

“You gonna jump, Mon?” Richard asked.

“Hell, no!” I replied “This is higher than the highest spot at Rick's cafe!”

“Mon we jump all a de time here. Just don't hit the dark spots!”

“Are you kidding me? It’s like a marble cake down there! How can you make sure you come down right?”

“Ash just close your eyes! But if you hit the coral it's very bad!” he comforted me.

Another guest was lounging on a float in the pool. Richard explained: “As long as these rooms are not booked, all the guest can enjoy this area. Let me show you the house.”

Daisy and Richard disappeared through the enormous glass doors. I just couldn't be inside right now, but I could see the decked-out sound system with large commercial speakers on movable tripods. This place was a grown-up kid’s playground! I could just picture what kind of parties could be happening at this pool.

(Wouldn't advise to bring Sandy, Booger or Tizzy here though, since they surely wouldn't be able to help themselves from leaping off that dang hand-rail at night. (“Now I am paraplegic and I know why.. cause I got high , cause I got”....and so on)).

Daisy saw all of the six bedrooms and took some great pics from one of the master bedroom windows.

http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/.../02view2-1.jpg

To be Continued....

Why haven't we rented that villa yet? The place looks killer! That last shot has Travel channel written all over it........

wow, that last shot is amazing--that lovely blue sea all the way to the lighthouse. So inviting. Very nice digs. I am surprised you were able to refrain from stripping and jumping in, Marcus. I always do the rush to change into my suit and hit the sea the moment I am at the spot I am staying. Love seeing Sur Mer as there is a chance I will never be there. I like how you took us on that walk through the property and from one side to the other.

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Originally Posted by booger

​Is there a link to the cliff notes version?

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Hubby-man

Glad you asked, actually there is http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s...od_excited.gif:

http://negril.com/forum/showthread.p...ood-Times-Trip

jk ;)

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OMG I actually fell for that!!!! Hilarious! And I do sincerely love the pics and the simplicity of Booger's trip report!!!

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Originally Posted by booger

Why haven't we rented that villa yet? The place looks killer! .

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Exactly!!! Get on it, booger! Like I said the other night....this is totally in my future plans!!!!

Six bedrooms, 12 people, could be messy!!!!