first trip to Jamaica 3 weeks to go

Ok so 3 weeks from now I will be on my way to Jamaica and staying at couples negril. This will be my wife and I's first trip to Jamaica and 2nd to the Caribbean we did Aruba for our honeymoon 10 yrs ago. We planned doing this trip ever since but was not untill april 2011 that we decided exactly what island and location we were gonna go. The reason for this trip is we wanted to originally get married on the beach but my mother really wanted to see one of her kids have a big wedding so that is what we did and decided on our 10year anniversary we would renew our vows on the beach somewhere. Now you all know a little background, I have been holding off on doing alot of looking and researching things to do and avoiding message boards and forums to try and help the time go by quicker since we paid for this over a year ago. Now with 3 weeks to go I am non stop looking on the Net. I have been making lists on places to eat, drinks to drink, places to go, and things to expect but could allways use more. Me and my wife are both laid back and get along with most and of all ages, we are really getting excited about going but not to happy about leaving our kids behind but I think we deserve this trip and are determined to have a blast and I am sure get hooked on Negril as I see many others have.

staying at couples negril ocean view room from July 31-aug 7th. Anniversary is aug 3rd and my 36th b day is aug 6th

Welcome! This is one of the best boards around for info about Negril. Congrats on your anniversary! Trust mi mon, you are going to love it. Take time to venture out and discover all Negril has to offer. It is truly life-changing! My best advise is to just be yourself...be smart, but be friendly...respect the people and you will get it back multiplied. There are so many places to discover. Don't be afraid to just drop in and grab a drink...or a meal, even if it doesn't look like the type of place you would normally stop stateside. Some of my favorite meals and experiences have been at small local places.

Drop in at some of the webcasts and don't forget the infamous pub crawls. Hit the west end fi sure!! A whole new world to discover with some of the best folks that I have ever met! Don't forget to snorkel with Vincent. He is truly the best!! Like a reef taxi!!! Enjoy to the max and enjoy!

weewane - First, let me also add my Congrats and welcome to the board.

I don't know if you know, or did it on purpose, but you picked probably the wildest week Negril has all year.
ATI, from Aug3-6 is a wild 4-day weekend in Negril as people from all over Jamaica come in for 4 days/nights of huge, organized parties.
Dreams Weekend, is also a huge 6-days of events in Negril - at the same time Aug1-6.
This year they are taking place to coincide with Jamaican Emancipation (Aug 1) and Jamaican Independence (Aug 6). And with it being Jamaica's 50th year of Independence, both ATI and Dreams will probably be off-the-hook this year. So the party may last that whole week, being "bookended" by the 2 weekends, not just the normal 4-days.
So get ready to PAAAAAARRRRRRTTTTTTYYYYYYY!

The good thing, your hotel being on Bloody Bay and not the main 7-mile beach where ATI mainly is, will mean you can go and join the party if/when you want - but also go back to your hotel and be far enough away not to have your sleep disturbed.
The down side, though, from what I hear (too hot/humid in Aug in JA for this big guy to go then) it's about the only 4 days that create a traffic jam on Norman Manley.
I don't think is all along the road, but clustered around where each event is. But it will make it tough those 4 days going from the north beach area, where you will be, to the south part of the beach, downtown, or the Cliffs. It might be only certain times - so talk to the drivers and see if you can plan around it. The parties go from like 2PM to 4AM, so I think if you plan for the mornings you will miss it.
Or plan to get your visits there done the other days when ATI is not taking place.
Or best idea - hire one of the many boats to take you around it in the water and avoid the road.

Here is the ATI site for more info - http://www.atiweekend.com/
Also, the Dreams Weekend site - http://www.jamaicadreamweekend.com/

Also, there's a pretty informative thread about it already going here:
http://negril.com/forum/showthread.p...?highlight=ATI

And another thread on another common travel site:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic...l_Jamaica.html

Have fun - remember you'll be on vacation and don't have to be anywhere at a specific time (especially in Negril - LOL)!

First off Wow I got reply's and not only a reply but detailed replys this quick. When we planned this trip we had no idea about ATI and Dreams I discovered that last week and I consider that a bonus. I don't mind partying at all or the people doing it as long as they keep it under control and are respectfull. They are there to have fun the same as me so lets party woohoo. I deff plan to get off the resort and see what Negril has to offer and most definitely stop at the hole in the wall places cuz they normally have the best food and people at least they do in my neck of the woods. One place I wanna check out and I know it is a tourist trap but Rick's cafe just because. I know I need to get a Bob Marley shot, and a dirty Bannana, the red snapper sandwiches, the jerk chicken close to Mbay cant remember the name of the place but it will be on the list. Any other must Do things that ya'll think should be done please let me know.
Ohh and as for the heat and humidity I live in Newport news, VA it is allways very humid and has been over 100 degrees outside for the last 10 days so 85-90 and humid will be just fine for me haha

Good choice. Not too big and umm no kids. To your right you will see Riu Trop which has like TONS of guest.They also serve you drinks on the beach.Get in a cab with the red plates and go to the cliffs,Canoe bar,Xtabi,Sea Star drum show sat nts,Sips& Bites...Use cash at Ricks.....

weewane....5X Couples Negriller here.....we love that place, and bloody bay is heaven....we are more hooked on Negril at large now..The cliffs, west end, Long Bay Beach, and all the people and businesses, and probably won't do CN again for a while because of cost...but, you've picked the best property in all of Jamaica to start your love affair with the island!!!!

Thanks lisapat I think so to even though I have not arrived yet I know I will be in paradise when I get there. Last night I spent about 3 hours reading alot of the pages of the " I wish I woulda thought of that " thread on the couples message board and have a pretty good list of things to bring with me that I would have never thought of also figured out what we are gonna pack as far as clothes, mostly bathing suits, clothes to get remarried in, and toiletry's. Gonna pull the suitcases down from the attic this weekend and start doing some packing. Gotta make sure I leave room to bring things back ie... rum cream, shot glasses, shirts, souvenirs for the kids and friends back home ect... and I plan to bring a scale to weight my bags to get the most in them I can LoL

weewane... Walmart has a suitcase scale in the travel section! Well worth it to me!

I couldn't agree more....we have one of those handheld luggage scales, we take it with us on every trip.....comes in very handy!

went to walmart tonight and got a bunch of stuff, got a luggage scale, a small roll of bubble wrap to protect my breakables on the way home, ziplock bags, some lip balm with spf, bug spray, and got alot of school supplies and snack packs of M&M's to give to the staff while I am there. I have a few other odds and ends to get prior to leaving but all in all I think I am ready to go and I know my wife is. Now its pretty much a waiting game.
I am officially down to the teens 19 days till I am in Jamaica but whos counting Hehehe

Should be on the beach 2 weeks from now as long as the shuttle is close to ready to go when I arrive at mbay. Suitcases are down from the attic and will start packing them up over the next few days. I am so ready to be there I cant hardly stand it, anyone else get this way?

I think we all get that way when it comes to the final trip countdown. Enjoy the anticipation, it is part of the fun. The difference in the way I travel is I usually don't pack till the night before--not really the greatest plan--and has made for some late nights pre-travel.

Definitely go to the cliffs. If you do Ricks, maybe you could follow it with a great dinner at one of the cliff properties--Ivans at Catcha Falling Star has delicious food and is a romantic, beautiful spot. And definitely try some barrel jerk chicken from roadside vendors, or any kind of fish dish from any little place. The soups in Jamaica are off the hook too--some of the barrel guys sell soup as well--conch soup is great, as is pumpkin soup. As Yetta said, some of the little hole in the wall places have the best authentic Jamaican food--dishes that I dream about. Also on the seven mile beach, you will find guys carrrying patties for sale, and jerk pork--always good. Fresh squeezed juices sold in recycled rum bottles, fresh fruits, peanuts, all kinds of wonderful snacks walking up and down the beach. It is great you are planning to venture off the resort to explore. I am sure you will want to go back to do more! Have fun.

Yes I want to see the "sights" I guess you could say. I am a street smart person and not blind to the world so I feel I should be ok, I can tell when I am getting to a area I should not be in. All I hear from my friends is be careful and dont leave the resort its dangerous, and I just reply with ok thanks for caring LoL. When my wife and I went to Aruba for our honeymoon we rented a car and drove around the entire island our first day there, we deff enjoy seeing the people and area.
Jerk chicken, snapper sandwich, Ivan's after rick's, and lots of fruit are all on the list of to do's as well as a bob marley shot and a dirty banana. When you say barrel guys are you talking like little roadside cart or cooking stations?

yes, there are quite a few roadside guys that cook jerk chicken and fish over a converted barrel grill--some of the best chicken to be found. They all vary as far as their sauces and level of spiciness but I have never had any I didn't like. There are some threads on this board about the best jerk chicken (you could do a search). Everyone has their favorite place.

That is what I was thinking I will be shore to stop at one, or two, or three while im there and probably from different one each time, just to taste the variety. Really starting to get anxious now, stayin up late, not sleeping much thinking about going, first thing I do is check forums, and message boards in the morning and last thing I do before bed. Worst part is I still have 11 more days before I am there. We have been waiting 10 years to do this trip and I think the last 2 weeks are gonna be the longest wait.

Weewane...to torture yourself even more before you get here :)...check out realnegril.com for the live webcasts & chat. There`s a schedule of events on the main page...it will give you a little taste of Jamaica live from the Negril beach & cliff properties on an almost daily basis!

I have been watching some of the live webcast when I catch one on, haven't really seen alot going on during the broadcast, and can't get the chatroom to open up for some reason so I have not been able to join in on any of the chatting.

10 days from now I get to leave my house to begin my journey towards negril, so the single digit dance is being prepared LoL

Quote:

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Originally Posted by weewane

All I hear from my friends is be careful and dont leave the resort its dangerous, and I just reply with ok thanks for caring LoL. When my wife and I went to Aruba for our honeymoon we rented a car and drove around the entire island our first day there, we deff enjoy seeing the people and area.
Jerk chicken, snapper sandwich, Ivan's after rick's, and lots of fruit are all on the list of to do's as well as a bob marley shot and a dirty banana.

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If you've read the numerous trip reports, even from this year, you will know that there is so much life outside the A.I.'s and providing you keep your 'home head' in place, you will have a ball. Can't wait to hear your First Time trip report. :D

Weewane...to chat on realnegril.com....make sure your Java is loaded and updated.
If you were watching last night, it was the beautiful sunset from the Canoe Bar & Grill, tonight will be from C&D's Country Western Pub, Saturday is from the Seastar Inn's One Love live Reggae show & Sunday from the Seasplash hotel on the beach w/a very lively band - MUCHO ACTION!! :)

If you have trouble with Java/chat - let Rob know during the webcast here on Negril.com - he'll be able to help!

Ok Ill message Rob later tonight. I did the Java update as I needed it but still no workie after I updated. And Spotykatz my wife and I will deff be doing a review after we return home. We are bringing a notebook to take notes and write down what we did each day, who we met, and overall impression of the day. I would guess I will have a rather long review with picts when it is all said and done with.



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once you go..you know
don't forget to check out the rum bar and grill at the negril police ststion

hummm rum bar and grill at the Police station are you serious? That dont sound like a good mix LoL

Will be there at that time maybe see you at a webcast if you escape the AI, lol

poolguy I am planning to get out and see things and do my best to stop by one of the webcasts if I can. I know the AI's try and keep you there and busy but I also want to see Negril. Wish I had a month there to soak it all in but I only have 8 days so I am gonna pack in as much as I can while holding to the slow down and enjoy everything attitude.

ohh ya Officially doing the single digit dance! 9 days to go until we are in Jamaica!!!!

awesome ... the single-digit fidget ....

Now I have one of my longest known friends considering going with us if they can make it happen I have his 50% so on the fence and his wife is 125% so hopefully she can tip the scale. I allready put in a call to my travel agent to get her working on it to see if it is possible. Its crunch time looks like they have to pull the trigger by tuesday

weewane - CN won't try to keep you "in". The problem will be whether or not you can pull yourself off the beach to go anywhere - aka - sand gravity!!! Enjoy the resort, the staff (who are all spectacular), and all the other adventures you have planned!! We've been to CN 6 times and have booked our 7th for next July. We love it there!! That being said - Negril is beautiful and you do need to get out and explore!

Bloody Bay, Couples Negril= Sand Gravity times 10!!!...we have been to CN 5X, and each trip never wanted to leave....actually had a group convince us to come with them for a trip to Rick's Cafe.....we couldn't wait to get back to CN....DO....please DO, however, if nothing else, sign up for the catamaran cruise that's free and included(minus tips)...they will take you out to Pirate's Cave for some swimming, snorkeling, cave exploring, and, if you dare, cliff jumping....well worth it....we were doing that twice each trip, since the non-A/I excursion on a similar "booze cruise" costs a pretty penny....but..if there is any way you can break yourself of the wonder that is CN....the rest of the beach, the cliffs, and west end have a lot to see and do....and the loca

I will be impressed if there is vacancy at this late date...ATI is the busiest time.

Ok update my friend and his wife decided they dont want to rush things to try and go so its not gonna happen but there are actually 3 open rooms so it coulda happened. Its would have been nice if they went but it aint gonna slow me down. My Vacation starts in 1 week from today ohh boy I am excited to say the least.
So Sand Gravity at the couples resorts are pretty strong I see, but I am gonna try and pull away for atleast some of the time and see outside the resort. Deff gonna do my best to get by one of the webcast's while im there.

woohoo down to counting with just one hand, 5 more days and I am out of here and on my way to Montego Bay, then on to Couples negril

Last day of work is today and only working a half day so my Vacation officially starts today around 1pm, so excited to be on the beach in Negril, Jamaica in 4 days. bags are all packed, unloaded and repacked, and sat night we are gonna unpack and repack one more time I think more just to pass the time then anything else. We are gonna head out the house monday morning I decided to just take monday off since I wont gonna get anything done anyways. Should be in DC a little after lunch, spend the day with my brother and his wife, then a early rise tuesday morning to catch a 6 am flight.

Have a fantastic time!!!

That 3 weeks went very quick. :eek:

ya the time is getting closer for sure but I would not say it went by fast lol, iv herd every tick and tock. But I am now officially on vacation, this feels great. It has only been 15 years since I have had this much time off of work.

well it went by quickly for us cause I was thinking the same thing! LOL

Have a great time...travel safe!!

You do realize we expect a trip report upon your return, being your first trip and all ;)

Thank you all and for those that have been I am sure you allready know I am gonna have a good time LoL, and I definitely will be doing a review when I return I just hope ya'll dont mind long reads.

So far since I got home today I have played on the net, did a few things around the house,drank a beer and then rode my Harley to the pool for a couple hours, now back home and cracked open beer #2, gonna head to dinner with my wife and kids in a few so Vacation is going good so far.

down to 45 hours 25 mins till I am on a plane on my way to M bay and I am excited, it is deff nice to switch from counting by days to counting by hours.

suitcases packed and loaded into the truck. Gonna eat some breakfast and button up the last things on the house and I am out of here. I get on the plane in a little over 20 hours. Still gotta drop my kids off at my brothers up in DC then its on to the airport at 3:30 tomorrow morning. Couples Negril soon come