Big Thank You to this site and all posters

Huge thanks to all that share information on this board. First return to Negril since the 80's for me - don't even ask what's wrong with me, I think I'm cured now, will be back regularly - and the advice and info shared here truly helped to make our trip more enjoyable by limiting the hit or miss aspect of most vacations to an unknown place. Of course a lot of changes to the area, but Negril is still a very special place. Cannot adequately explain to others that have not been there, the magical/mystical process that envelopes you and transports you to a different level of awareness when in Jamaica, and especially when in Negril. A big thing today in some circles is living in the moment, the power of now, and all that sort of stuff. A person certainly gets a big dose of that watching a sunset in Negril. Certainly I do. Nothing else seems to exist in the world during those Negril sunsets. From Cosmos beach to Canoe and up to Sir D's. Of course preaching to the choir here.
Again, thanks to all for info regarding transportation, accommodations, eats, and sights to see.
My big thumbs up to:
Kingsley, and his son Damien, for private taxi service. Based at Xtabi.
Breakfast at Pablos and Canoe and Blue Cave Castle. And yes, very good coffee at Canoe, however best I ever had was at Charela at the bar.
Unbelievable.
Lunch and dinner - any small place up and down One Love Drive. Didn't have any bad food experiences. Aubies burgers are special and the two for one
lobster at Canoe is a great deal. Red Dragon is worth a visit or two.
Drinks - My favorite ended up being No Limit. Really liked the owners, vibe, and prices. Also Sir D's is a really unique place to check out.
Couldn't wait to get back to PeeWees, but only went once. Only time I got sad while in Jamaica.
Seastar Saturday nights. Fun stuff.
Bar Crawl courtesy of Lenbert. More fun stuff.
Jamaicans. What a People. Walk whenever, wherever you can. Meet people. Talk to people. The absolute best.

Sounds absolutely wonderful!!!

Welcome Back!

Your trip report is pithy, but helpful.
A thank you back to you!

You're most welcome. And pithy as in hemingwayesque, right?

Sure!*

BTW Have you read "Hemingway's Boat" (assuming you're a Hemingway buff)?
Possibly the best Hemingway Bio out there.


* I copied your report (above) for my to-do suggestions for my next trip.

Was fishing unabashedly and undeservingly for compliments. Thanks for the strike.
Have not read it, but will with the recommendation. Not a huge Hemingway buff, have read a few shorts and novels, but a big fan of good bios.

At the risk of side barring - although it does deal primarily with Hemingway in the Caribbean (next island north) and it explains so much about what was going on with Hemingway (internally) excellent as a Bio and excellent for Hemingway fans.

There is one aspect of the story that blows the Hemingway machismo mystique to smithereens.

Yes, you ARE cured !

Forgot to mention lodging in previous report.
We stayed at Xtabi due to location, setting, accommodations, and of course price. We were very happy with the choice. About half way up the cliffs with property on both sides of the road. The pricier digs on the cliffs are really on, and hanging over, the cliffs. Really beautiful. We stayed in one of the oldest buildings on garden side and loved it. Our door opened up to the pool, which was rarely used and hence pretty much our own private pool. A very interesting part of our trip was that the one person that did use the pool the first few days we were there was a guy by the name of Hank who told us he was the original owner and developer of Xtabi. Lives in Europe now and visits once in a while. I was certainly enamored of Negril back in late 70's and early 80's and here was a guy that went back way further. And he was most willing to talk about the old days, so I got to hear a lot of stories.
Xtabi also has a great bar area overlooking the water and some sun decks. A great restaurant serving all meals, but a lot pricier than the smaller restaurants out on the road. Some very cool caves with stairway access. And of course many places to jump into the water with ladders for egress.
Great staff everywhere - housekeeping, hotel, restaurant, bar, security.
A great place to stay, especially for price. Found a super deal on Expedia.

Took me days to get on here and now can't stop. OK, one more thing. Best beach experience. We walked entire length of beach from river up to Cosmos, a couple of times. We stopped at a lot of little places and met some great people and had some fun, but favorite beach experience was to take drinks and snacks up to public park just past Cosmos and just hang out. Not literally. Kept the suits on. Some strollers go by now and then but pretty much have a wide swath of beach and ocean to yourselves. Spent hours and hours on the best beach I have ever seen. When we ran out of snacks or drinks just took a short walk to Cosmos. And Cosmos is a great place. Great food. Had the best brown stew there. Can also pay to use the beach in front of Cosmos which comes with use of nice showers and changing rooms.

Would you mind sharing why Peewee's made you sad? I too have great memories there (also from the 80s) and I was hoping to check it out when I'm there in a few weeks.

There is no use trying to explain it to people who haven't been. It truly is "once you go, you know"! Glad you had a good time and welcome back .... this is all of our Home away from Home!

Curious if Omar the security guard is still at xtabi? Was there in July and he mentioned he'd gotten married to a lady from Montana but wasn't sure when he was moving there,wish all the best to him and like to see him again this reach if he's still on the rock:)

Onceyougo,
The wave of sadness was a big surprise when it happened, but could have been anticipated and expected. You mentioned "memories" and I guess the sadness was the result of too much reminiscing. Started missing things that are gone. PeeWee and his family, other friends I had run with back in the old days, youth and youthful ways. Just the whole "you can't go home again" meme. And the place could use more consistent maintenance and management.
But the water, sun, and sky are still there, and some new interesting characters. Move forward, carry-on.