Negril.com is 30 years old this year!

It really doesn't seem that long ago, sitting at the Ocean Edge Bar and allowing my mind's eye to see the framework of what would become Negril.com.

In 1995, the Internet had only been around for a couple years and there was less than 2300 websites in total at the beginning of the year. An interesting one was "Jerry and David's Guide to the World Wide Web", soon to become Yahoo.

The major browser was called Netscape and WebCrawler was the first commercial search engine available.

With the help of Garth Beckford from Green Island, we came up with the name Beingee's which was used for the various entities needed to make Negril.com become a reality.

I created my first domain, beingees.com as a test site for uploading pages over incredibly slow dial up. Below is a link to the very first test page uploaded. Graphics weren't a standard yet, so I did not include any pictures at all. The Internet was a text based environment at that point.

Here is a link to the very first page:

https://realnegril.com/beingees/beingees.htm

We will be celebrating Negril.com's 30th through the rest of the year, so please feel free to add your comments, memories and questions.

I have a feeling that a lot of the first pages will be filled with surprises!

Congrats on making a crazy dream reality!
The benefits to the community have been immense! It’s been a daily visit for me since I found it 26 years ago. So many friends made over the years. So many great webcasts. Thank you!

Rob,

Thank you for creating Negril.com web site 30 years ago.
It has provided me with loads of great stories and advice over the years!

Shout out to Big Frank (may he rest in peace).
Big Frank ( a long time boardie) suggested I try the West End back in 2006 and specifically Seastar Inn.
I had been a beach guy since 1992 and was looking to change things up.
The Saturday night show at Seastar was in super charged mode in the mid 2000's and there were a couple of times we had at least 400 Boardies at Seastar for the show!!

My Negril.com journey began in 1995 when I bought my first home computer and signed up for AOL.com.
My very first Web Search was "Negril, Jamaica" and Rob's site came up.

Those early years I was mostly a lurker, most of boardies at the time had been coming to Negril since the 60's and 70's.
And too be honest, I was a bit intimidated by them and still considered myself a newbie and was amazed at their stories and knowledge of Jamaica.

Over the years we have lost many boardies and they are missed and will not be forgotten.

So many wonderful memories!!!

Enjoy,

VVHT aka Happy

Congrats! I always visit Negril.com with my morning coffee. I just stumbled across this sight in 2006 while trying to book my first solo trip. I often think about all the boardies that I dont see on here anymore. I wonder how they are doing and where they are. I'm glad that I got to attend a few live webcasts. They were always fun.

Wow Rob, can?t believe so much time has passed. Started coming to Negril in 1985 . Small out of the way village not visited by many. Can?t exactly remember when we first met. I think it was on the beach at Debuss. Remember going to Sav to the market and people staring at us . I asked our driver why are a lot of people staring at us ? He told me you might be the first white people they have ever seen. Scuba diving and snorkeling was the reason to come to Negril, I had read about it in Skin Diver magazine and fell in love with the West End. Made it my business to come back At least twice every year since. Even before getting married in 1989 i came with my Girlfriend Justine, who became my wife. When we got married I asked her where would you like to go on our honeymoon. She said where do you think dummy of course Negril at the Rock Cliff. We loved Mr. And Mrs. Allen and stayed there many years until unfortunately it closed. Over the years we have stayed at just about every hotel in Negril at least once. Justine would laugh and say our addiction to Negril became worse when you started the website. Gave us a chance to be in Negril whenever we wanted to,plus updating everything that was new happening there. Thank you so much for your friendship and being our Negril guide. Look forward to seeing you in November. All the best Dan 1966 Hippie

Big Up Rob. Some of our greatest memories are the numerous webcasts that Rob put on. They really helped eased the time in between trips! Too many to count adventures and good people met based on this website. A couple of the best that stood out were the time we missed our return flight and Rob wrote me a Dr's excuse saying I was unable to fly due to an earache! And also the time Badnaz embarassed that guy in that over proof shot contest at Doc's/Chicken Lavish.

The Seastar saturday night reggae shows and parties afterwards were always a great time. This was truly a golden age for Negril. Even though we're a lot older now and can't hang like that and seeing more spots along the caribbean, Negril will always be our 1st love.

Big Up Rob/ take care,

Jambarney & Badnaz

Congratulations to you and Negril. Com... We have loved it when we were at home and could catch up with things there. Over our 40 trips since 2003 and you both are still kicking. See you later

Happy Birthday, We've been enjoying since 2005. You've provided so much info about everything and plenty of entertainment. Thanks so very much.

Congrats Rob on your 30th! Your website has been my 'Go To' the last 10 years and I've learned so much from it (and the Boardies I've met thru it)!

Congratulations Rob!
Thank you so much for all your hard work in creating this valuable, informative and engaging space for like-minded travelers and lovers of all-things Jamaica.
I discovered this site early on as Beingees and got to know and appreciate the great people of this community. Long may you run!
Peace and love

Congratulations Rob ~ I remember logging into negril.com back in 2000 on our newly purchased computer. Always looked forward to the Sunset webcasts from 3 Dives & the chat room!!

Congrats Rob
I go back to the webcasts from Selina's and
having a few Red Stripes with you at Canoe Beach Bar
over the many years Enjoy and thanks for all you do
Negrilbound

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Rob

It really doesn't seem that long ago, sitting at the Ocean Edge Bar…….

I have a feeling that a lot of the first pages will be filled with surprises!

---

Congratulations Rob ~ You need to string it up with a book !


See ya later this year :encouragement:

Rob. Congratulations on your Anniversary of 30 years !! Your Service is essential to so many Folks that Love Negril and Jamaica. Including ourselves !!
We have always used your Website over the Years. It's really a invaluable Service for us All !!
Wishing you Many Years of Success Mi Friend !

Congratulations, Rob on your 30th! I like the book idea posted above. It's been a long time since Banana Shout was published and I'm sure you've got a few stories of your own to tell. Years ago we met at LTU. I mentioned that I brought my copy of Banana Shout to reread and you said you had been friends with the author and were around during the writing process. I believe you have it in you to bring the Negril story forward.

Thanks Rob for the many years of answered questions and a great place to get accurate information.
Regards,
Bob

From one old timer to another, congrats Rob. This winter will be my 49th year staying in Negril.

Congratulations on 30 years, and thanks for all the information on our second home! - R & L

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ol'yardie

Congratulations, Rob on your 30th! I like the book idea posted above. It's been a long time since Banana Shout was published and I'm sure you've got a few stories of your own to tell. Years ago we met at LTU. I mentioned that I brought my copy of Banana Shout to reread and you said you had been friends with the author and were around during the writing process. I believe you have it in you to bring the Negril story forward.

---

ol,

I have trying to come up with a story that I would be able to actually put into writing. It would have to be fiction as the truth could get a lot of people in trouble. I have been kicking around the idea of doing a very laid back 007 type story.

If you want to get a literally day by day account from November 1995 to May 2003, please check out the Negril.com Archives. Go to the link below and click on the Main Menu - then click on Reference pages - and choose what you want to see. It is a daily journal - uploaded on day at at a time - over 6000 pages! Give it a click!

https://realnegril.com/beingees/

Thanks Rob. I forget how small the Negril community is. But, as they said on the old TV show "Dragnet", the stories are true but the names have been changed to protect the innocent. I have thought about writing down some of my own Negril adventures (and misadventures) from over the years but they're locked up for safe keeping in my mind and my heart.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Rob

ol,

I have trying to come up with a story that I would be able to actually put into writing. It would have to be fiction as the truth could get a lot of people in trouble. I have been kicking around the idea of doing a very laid back 007 type story.

If you want to get a literally day by day account from November 1995 to May 2003, please check out the Negril.com Archives. Go to the link below and click on the Main Menu - then click on Reference pages - and choose what you want to see. It is a daily journal - uploaded on day at at a time - over 6000 pages! Give it a click!

https://realnegril.com/beingees/

---

How about your Hurricane Gilbert story that was a excellent read

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bikescott

How about your Hurricane Gilbert story that was a excellent read

---

It's in the Flashback forum, here is the direct link:

https://negril.com/forum/showthread....-Gilbert-Story

We've only been around for 20 out of the 30 years. I remember Googling "Negril" back in 2006 when we were ready to leave Montego Bay behind and move our stays to Negril. Negril was at the very top of the google results (and still is I just checked!!!). Got a ton of advice for our first trip from this site. It was a godsend. Plenty of characters on the site back then who were more than willing to tell you everything they knew about Negril (I think some of it was even accurate!!). It was a tremendous help to us as we prepared to go to Negril for our first stay. Without Negril.com I am not sure we would have made the move when we did. We've been hooked on Negril and Negril.com ever since. Attending live webcasts and waving to our kids when they were young and staying at Grandma and Grandpa's house while we were enjoying our favorite place were among our (and their) favorite memories.

I hope Negril knows how lucky it is to have someone like Rob living there and promoting Negril to the masses. We know how lucky we are to call you a friend. Congrats on 30 years of Negril.com and here's to 30 more!!!

Monty & Melo

Thank you so much for all you do Rob and congratulations on your 30 year anniversary!! I too stumbled across this site after doing a search for Negril prior to 1 of my trips. The stories, pictures and information from all of the boardies has been entertaining, educating and just downright beneficial in making my trips more enjoyable. Absolutely love the Gilbert story. One of the best short stories I've ever read. Once again, CONGRATULATIONS and thank you!!!!!!

Congratulations Rob. Wishing you continued success.

Congratulations Rob! You created such a valuable resource for all things Negril and we appreciate it. I remember watching the livestreams from Cafe Goaa on Sunday mornings! Great way also to connect us all. Here's to many more years!

Hi Rob! Thankful for your vision so many years ago!!!
The board and it's members were instrumental in helping me plan my first few trips back in 2013. It's where I started chatting with CaptainD and how I met Linston, now a longtime friend.
Respect to you Rob, the true Negril internet OG general!!!