Trip Report January 24-31. A great week and new friends.

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Our first trip on Southwest (Midway/Chicago) went off without a hitch. We took the advise of a friend to buy the early bird package, and glad we did. We had spot A27 &28. The fifth row was great. So glad that we found Club Mobay at Sangster a few years back. I bet we walked past at least 500 people going to immigration. Talked to several line standers later in the week and they spent almost 3 hours in line that day. Note to self, never travel on a Saturday with an arrival time afternoon. Thanks to Club Mobay, we were out of there in 25 minutes. We found Patrick Grandison with Esparanza Tours and we were off to Negril with a cooler of Red Stripes. First stop was at the Digicell store on the hip strip but their computers were down. Oh well, off to Negril. Potty stop and a quick stretch halfway was a very good thing. We stayed at the Grand Pineapple (AI) again with this being out 35th night there. Love the place! We used some Pineapple Perks points and we were all in with flight and hotel for about $1800.00 for both of us in an ocean view 2nd floor room. The staff was great as usual. The Digicell store downtown was closed by the time we got to Negril, so the phone calls home would have to wait. Sunday wakeup was to beautiful skies and calm seas. After a quick breakfast it was time to see some old friends on the beach, including the famous Gilbert. Our biggest decision of the morning was to either walk north, or south. Flipped a coin, north it will be. Our first stop would be at Tony's Hut for a reunion with our favorite bartender Grace Ann. We love her and her dirty bananas. Wearing a tiara, she was the princess of the beach, and we were her loyal subjects.

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Our next stop was with Mason and his beautiful carvings a few steps north of Tony's. Once again, great to see an old friend. He was in doing good but said that business could be better.

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The rest of the afternoon was spent doing a whole lot of nothing on the beach, except for a much needed massage on the beach. Sunset, cleanup, dinner and early to bed after a long day of travels.

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Still to come, new friends, new adventures , and a top 5 day in Jamaica.

nice report so far. great pictures!
where do you recommend a massage? I just might do that this trip. thanks!

Nori, Thanks, many more pics to post. It depends where you are staying. There are a lot of great massage stops. I recommend Pat behind the Boat Bar and next to the Mariposa. She is the best!

You are getting me excited thanks for the great pics. I have 15 days to go the itch is getting bad. Soon Come

Thanks for the report! We love pics.

Probably ran into you. We were at GP from Jan 23 to Feb 1. Nice report cant wait for more.

Another suggestion for a great massage is Evette at The Palms.

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Originally Posted by justchuck

Thanks for the report! We love pics.

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What he said...

great t.r,nice pics, soon come

Day 3 and beyond! The first thing we must do is run up to the cliffs and stop in and meet Ardia at Whoopies. For those that don't know of Whoopies (1/2 half block past the light house) or the man that started Whoopies, Dennis Lynch, here is the short story as I know it. We met Dennis about 7 years ago on our first trip to Negril thanks to our Jamaica teachers, Chet & Coleen. Dennis's place was known as a place of extreme relaxation and was famous in our eyes, for his fresh squeezed orange juice and Appleton's rum. What a treat! The cliffs were nothing like I had ever seen before. The colors of the sea, the formations in the rocks and sounds of the crashing waves. Unfortunately, Dennis was involved in an car accident about 2 years ago and didn't make it. Now his daughter Ardia has taken over for Dennis as host and proprietor. They have added a new menu along with a new chef, Tony. Another reason why I hold the place so close to my heart is that I proposed to Cindy a few years back. The next time you are close, stop in have a cold one, you will be glad you did.

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After a lengthy stay at Whoopies, it was time to head back down for the Tuesday night webcast at 3 Dives. It was great to see Rob and Lisa again.

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Up till this time of the week, I thought that 3 Dives had the best lobster on the planet but, I found out later in the week, there is better.

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Days 4&5 coming soon

Thanks!- Irie pictures!

Great report and pictures,looking forward to more,thanks for sharing!!

Phil, can you walk to Whoopee's or do you need to take a cab?

Fantastic report and pics. We sure appreciate it. Thank you.

Thanks for the intro to Whoopee's. Sounds like the perfect stop on the way to or from Jus Natural. Nice report.

Your pics are making me feel alright:)

We all have our top 5 days in Negril that seem to be few and far between as we spend more time on the rock, but we had one of those days thanks to a couple of ladies (not that kind of ladies) that we met at The Pineapple. Believe it or not, it is a small world out there. Keri and Jamie came into out lives by chance as most new friends do while in Negril. And the small world thing comes into play as we find out that they live a mere 2.5 hours away in our state of Iowa. They were supposed to be part of a group coming down but Keri and Jamie were the lone explorers left in the bunch. While talking to them we find out that they are Jamaica and Negril virgins, never stepped foot on the rock, and looking for an adventure. So, Cindy and I would run down to see my friend Desmond (next to the Boat Bar and The Mariposa) as see if we could fit in a day of snorkeling at the reef and then onto Booby Cay Island for some lobster. Out Captain Jonny and diver Christopher picked us up and we were on our way. It was a bit murky at the reef due to choppy seas but still a great time. I am not quite sure how the conservation about Hedo got started but Jonny was going to go by and check out the naked people. Thinking that we would stay out a ways from the ropes was incorrect on my part. Hell, I could of reached out and touched the ropes. Oh the naked humanity!!! On to the island we went cracking naked people jokes all the way there. We broke out the Red Stripes immediately upon exiting the boat. As Jonny and Christopher prepared the lobster for the fire, the 4 of us decided to explore the rest of the island. There was a path that took us to the backside of the island which we found a very secluded beach. It was a great place to take some pictures and play in the water a bit. And that's where we will end the story of the secluded beach and pictures (K & J). I once thought that 3 Dives had the best lobster on the planet but, I now know that Captain Jonny prepares the best lobster, hands down. OK, the lobster Thermidor at Catcha comes close but no cigar. You gotta try it to believe it! It was a fun ride back to the beach as our white moons and 1 black moon (Christopher) came out as we passed a catamaran and another boat. As the 4 of us shared a table for dinner, we were all smiling at the great day that we had just experienced. I hoist a glass to my beautiful wife and our new friends who gave me a top 5 day.

The back side of Booby Cay Island
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Honey, do you think we can find any shells on the island?
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Good stuff, thanks.

Excellent report ,please keep it coming!

If u don't mind me asking what was price point on a boat trip like that . I'm very interested to do same thing on next reach in march ?

You captured the essence of the day without giving away too much! Thank you for sharing your time on the island with us "Jamaica virgins"!!! That trip was made a thousand times better for our having met you and Cindy! Love your story and picts!

Great report, you are capturing the essence of Negril.

Great report. Thanks for sharing.

It was a wonderful experience for all!! So glad that fate put us together for this time. Thanks for the memories and great adventures. We continued them after you two unfortunately departed before us. We were much more relaxed and seeking of beauty and fun. Can't wait for the next time we can all be together.[ATTACH=CONFIG]40708 A spot to remember!! :)

Great report and pics. where are the moon pics?

Great picture Jaime. I have such fond memories of that rock. I will try to finish my report tomorrow. Can't wait to see you and Kari again. Phil & Cindy. Hugs

Bigtime, I think that Desmond charged us $60.00 each but I think you can do better. Go see him next to The Boat Bar. which is next to The Mariposa. Make sure that you ask to have Jonny and Christopher take you out. You will be glad you did.

It was a busy weekend so I will finally get back to my report. Our two new clan members had never seen the cliffs before so, a day on the rocks would be appropriate. Our first stop would be back to Whoopies. Fresh squeezed orange juice and Appletons to start the day. All of those vitamins, truly a breakfast of champions. I personally took great joy in just seeing the expressions on our guests faces as they first gazed at upon the beauty of the cliffs and the sea. I remember the first time I saw it and remember that feeling to this day. The conversation turned to how you have the beauty of the beach, but just up the hill is a completely different world and how we mustn't ever take for granted the things that are in our own back yard at home. After a satisfying stay at Whoopies, it was back down the hill. What's next they say? well... is it time for lunch? No, it is time for a 5 minute stop at Rick's, so we thought. Personally we not a fan of the place as it is to touristy for us but we will stop for the newbies to take a look. That 5 minutes turned into at least 45 as Cindy and I were informed that it is time to jump. Jaime was the first one to break the ice, then Keri followed by myself. Our Olympian Jaime decided to dive this time. A 8.5 from the Russian Judge. Cindy was in the yes-no mode. After a bit of encouragement she was a yes and glad she did it. I was so proud of her!. On to lunch! I had seen several pictures of the burgers at Aubees and since I really like cooked meat with bacon and cheese between 2 buns, we decided we would try it. Cindy had the snapper burger and I the bacon cheeseburger. Both got a very high rating. Our waitress, who's name escapes me for the moment, made one of the best dirty bananas and pina coladas I have had. The rum punch was excellent also. They are doing some improvements behind the restaurant and is was nice talking to one of the locals working on the concrete. He lives in the back and was more that happy and proud to show us his well kept garden. I think I will give Aubee's a 8.7 for a lunch grade. Back down the hill for a stop at Times Square where we parted ways with our driver. Spent a few bucks and walked back to our hotel. Just another day in Negril? Not even close, it was a great day!

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That Last pick says it all. Love it.

The drink at Whoopies was wonderful and the setting couldn't have been more beautiful. We appreciated that you shared such a special place with us! The dinner we enjoyed together was better than any fine restaurant I've ever eaten at........both the food and the company! The people that we met were so willing to share their place of business, their food/drink, and their lives. I will never forget how loved I felt while in Jamaica! And the new friends will last a life time........thanks for including us!!!

great trip report!! Thanks so much!! :)

LOVE Whoopies.......MISS Dennice.........Looking forward to eating at the new grill. God I miss that sweet place~~Finally the restaurant will be used again.

Nice photos and reporting. Thanks for doing it.

Thank you for the wonderful trip report and pictures! I will definitely be making it a point to go to some of these places.

Thanks for sharing Phil, I really enjoyed the pictures-only three more days and we're there! Sure wish we could have gone the same week with you and Cindy!
Dawn