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Woke up at 2:00 am to catch SW flight Nashville to BWI to Montego. I was so excited that I didn't notice the 3 hours of sleep. My heart feels heavy because I am leaving my cat and dog for 8 days but I'm sure to get over that really soon.
Cat wanted to come with us in the suitcase.Attachment 40798
Flight was good. We were a bit pressed for time in BWI due to only one hour layover. Nice bumpy landing in Montego. We were picked up by Luxurious driver Max. Discovered he's Rocky's son. It's a small world there at times. Stopped at Mega Mart for limited supplies and headed to a rustic cabin room at Kuyaba for our first 2 days. Kuyaba is a beautiful property but I would recommend not staying in the rustic cabin (unless you get it w/kitchen) because we were literally on top of one another in it. Attachment 40799Attachment 40800
Here's a photo of our cute porch at Kuyaba. We shared it with the peeps that were staying in the room next door. Attachment 40801
Wow, great start! Warmed me right up after a snow blower morning. I'm going to be staying a week in a Kuyaba rustic cabin, but I'll be solo. Let me know how it is in one. Sounds tight, but for me that's alright. Have a fun trip. Was the cat in the suitcase upon opening?
Cabin will be good for one. And its a great location.
My husband and I visited Negril for the first time two years ago and stayed at the Spa for only 3 days which was not enough time. We were determined this time to get to really experience the people and the surroundings. We met a great friend on the last trip that I will call Mr. T. We've talked to Mr. T every week for 2 years. And Mr. T will be showing us the time of our lives this trip.
On our first night there, we ran into Alton that had a shop called The Giddy House which has since burned down. We sat on the beach and watched the sunset with Mr. T and Alton. While watching the sun set a few horses came running by us, within inches, full speed down the beach with a pack of dogs chasing them and barking. That managed to wake us up. We went to Bourbon Beach for some Jerk and fish sandwiches and called it a night. Attachment 40802Attachment 40803
sweet pics and report!!!- I'm ready for MORE!!
Never2many that cabin is super small my father in law stayed in it 2 years ago. See ya on the beach in a couple days..
few more pics from first day. first one is kuyaba, 2nd one is ironic sign at BB.Attachment 40805Attachment 40806
Loving this!!! We are at Kuyaba a week today for a week and never see much about it on here. Keep it coming :)
Day 2
I couldn't sleep. I was too excited that I was back in Negril. I was up at 6 am and hubby asked why I was waking up in the middle of the night. He slept and I strolled down to da beach and got a chair/umbrella and sand gravity hit me for a few hours. had breakfast at kuyaba. Callaloo tomato onion omelet and toast, juice. Why do omelettes taste so much better in JA or is it just me. Disappointed that Kuyaba flagged me at cup 2 of coffee and said I'd have to pay more for the next cup (which I did).Attachment 40830Attachment 40831
After breakfast headed back to my chair on the beach and swam. My husband finally joined me. I was still tired. There were 3 guys in the room next to us and they were sawing some serious logs all night. Today was the day I finally met the Fruit Lady, the banana bread guy and a host of others. Fruit lady is amazing. I helped prop that basket up on her head after buying fruit and couldn't believe how heavy it was; she carried another bag equally as heavy. I don't know how she does it!!!!Attachment 40832
Wish I were back! It will be below zero here in Nashville and there is so much ice I cant get my cars out of the driveway to make it to work. Nice to have a few extra days to recover however. Have a great trip!Quote:
Originally Posted by hey_mon
A little later that day Mr. T came by for a visit and met us a the beach. Things became weird. I invited him back to our room and the manager and security guard said no Rasta's allowed. After I pleaded my case, they said they would allow him to our room only with an ID which he didn't have with him. We finally had a drink at the bar and simply walked back to the room afterwards. Worked like a charm. My husband played guitar on the porch while we indulged in some adult goodies. Headed to the bank and if I'm not mistaken about the name, Hammonds Patties?? They were the best I've tasted but then I'm not a patty connoisseur. I wanted to try Nihahs but Mr. T insisted we try the others.
Spent the remainder of the afternoon hitting the red stripes. Did dinner at the Italian Cafe across the street from Kuyaba with Pete and Mr. T. It is a beautiful restaurant and the Pizza wasn't bad. It was also here that I discovered my new favorite beverage that I don't think I can get here in the US, called Malta. I LOVE this stuff. I am from Finland and it reminds me of a fermented drink we made there at Easter.
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Super reporting and greatly appreciated. You know how to enjoy. Happy for you and sad for me as no soon come. Thankfully, your reporting bridges the gap. Thank you for taking the time to make us happy happy.
Great stuff
Great report and pictures,thanks for sharing!
Here's some additional pictures of my walk on the beach earlier day 2.Attachment 40846Attachment 40847Attachment 40848
Clap Clap keep it up~~~ It gets me through the cold days~~
Awesome ! :)
Keep those pictures coming :cool:
Oh I almost forgot. On our way back from eating patties, we are walking down the sidewalk from town and this topless woman with concrete dust all over jumps up out of nowhere, tries to grab my cigarette and water and was hollering at me and wrestling with me to "give me some of your cigarette, give me water, give me something." I haven't stopped thinking of that moment. Sad. My heart hurt for her.
We finished our day by going to Barb B Barn to hop on some WiFi. I was there 2 years ago and the same lady (think the owner?) was in the same seat running the show. Had a few drinks and pondered heading to the Bunny Wailer show but was too exhausted. Vacationing is exhausting. I am still exhausted ha ha. We went back to bourbon beach and watched a reggae show. They system was pumping. I loved it. I love large Bass. Reggae was flowing. Nothing like it. Attachment 40854Attachment 40855Whew I was feeling good. Went to sleep early and was looking forward to moving out of Kuyaba the following day to larger digs. I fell asleep listening to Bunny Wailer jam next door. It was a good end to a great day.
Boston Bob, if you be in Boston you need some Negril. Now.Quote:
Originally Posted by BostonBob
thanks . . . we all need this constant "fix" of jamaica . . .
nice pics of my fav place, bar b barn . . . much better option than kuyaba's cabin right by the road, yikes!!!
So true Never2many, so true. Yes sad about the lady. Mental health care seems so deficient everywhere so sadly. I am sure that experience stayed with you for some time. I hope more is done to help those who need it everywhere. God bless her. Poverty too sad and is all too often seen everywhere. I just hope and pray.... Thanks again for your fine reporting.
Thanks for warming up my cold winter days...I hear ya I need a vacation after my vacation they are exhausting!
Day 3
Woke up and packed for our move across the street to Pure Garden and at the recommendation of others, headed to Bar B Barn for breakfast. Now I am used to Island time but it took 1.5 hours to get our breakfast and we were stressing getting checked out of Kuyaba on time. Breakfast was good, Pete had salt fish/ackee. I had another omelette. After breakfast we had a driver take us across the street due to the amount of luggage we had. We hung out at the Pure Garden pool for 1/2 hour until our room was ready. We reserved a room with a kitchenette as Mr. T had promised us some good Jamaican cooking! We were pleasantly suprised to find 2 hotel rooms connected, one room was the kitchen and the other was the bedroom. Pure Garden is not the Hilton but coming from the little rustic cabin across the street, well this felt like a palace. We had all the essential tools in the kitchen. We made a trip to High Low to stock up. I liked the drivers Red Stripe can hanging from his mirror.Attachment 40863Attachment 40864
Any chance the topless women had a bald head? We too were there the same week you were. Staying the Tree House and on Monday the 9th my 7 year old son and his cousin were in the water in front of TH looking at a star fish when a bald head naked women grabbed my sons throat. Luckily my niece grabbed her arm quickly while the TH security and water sports crew chased her off. I was grabbing something back in the room and did not see it happen. From what I heard they are trying to get her some help because she obviously needs it. Thankfully my son was fine, just a bit shaken up. Thank goodness to the fast actions of the security team, water sport crew and a few tourist that helped.
I think she had really short hair.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave1000
love bar b barn but the service can be off at times . . . you must have caught the "off" times . . . lol
Not to make this thread about this woman but we were there almost same week also and saw her kicking at cars in the middle of the street and then fall to her knees, pretty much butt naked, and shake and chant. Next day saw her laying in the sun in the ditch, dusty and mumbling to herself. Very sad,whether it's drug related or mental disorder she needs help.
.... so after stocking up on supplies, Mr. T cooked us an awesome dinner. We also started to make Jerk Sauce. I had mentioned I wanted to stop at Biggers on Green Island to pick up a few bottles but he told me to save my money and we'll make it on our own. And so that process started. We indulged in some curried chicken and rice/carrots. Delish!!!!! Attachment 40882
Definitely caught it at an off time!Quote:
Originally Posted by JitterBug
Making Jerk sauce was a challenge. Mr. T brought over his 2 year old blender but this blender acted older. The belt kept burning so we had to shut if off every 2 minutes to let it cool down. This process took days. Really!!! But as I am tasting it tonight here in Nashville with my roasted chicken it was all worth it!
So I've discovered a trip report is really hard work. Takes a major time committment. But I am going to keep on moving forward as the best is yet to come. We leave Negril to explore in the next day or so.
I have to back track a bit. Here's a picture of Buddy. Buddy and another bird Charlie live at Kuyaba. They have fresh fruit to eat every day and occasionally talk or say Hello. Buddy is 42 years old. Attachment 40883
Today we also stopped at the market in Negril to get some additional ingredients for the Jerk Sauce. Attachment 40884 and we stopped at the meat market. I have wondered what "white slice" is since I was there and still have no clue so if anyone could enlighten me?Attachment 40885