Holy Smokes! I'm going back to Negril!

I just pressed the button!! I have an airline ticket to Jamaica for August!! This feels very surreal because an hour ago, I didn't know that I would be going to Negril this summer...

I haven't fully digested this yet...

A while back my family booked a trip to Negril for August. I had requested vacation time off to join them it was denied. I was disappointed, but eventually I just came to terms with it. That's life and you have to roll with the punches. I started helping my family plan their trip. (i.e. arranged for their driver and contacted hotels for them)

Bottom line: I was happy for them. It took me an entire year to convince them to do this. It's been many years since my father and mother had their Honeymoon in Jamaica. My two sisters have never been. I knew they were going to have a wonderful time.

This morning my boss pulled me aside and informed me that my vacation time has just been approved. I was so happy and grateful, I almost started crying.

I realized if I was going to make this happen than I didn't have a minute to lose. I immediately went online and started searching for flights. This is really last minute, even for ME. The initial prices weren't that great, so I switched the search to ONE WAY TICKETS instead to see if that would help and it DID. The price went down $200 by booking one way with one airline and booking the way back with a different airline! It was surprisingly cheap. I've never actually booked tickets this way. Try it! You'll be amazed at how much you can save by doing this! (also search multiple sites. These tickets didn't show up on Kayak or Orbitz but were available on Travelocity)

I just called my family to tell them the good news and they are freaking out right now! All accomodations were already booked months ago. I'll be sharing a room with my teenage sister. This will be my shortest trip to Negril ever (only 5 nights) but I'm really excited!

Has anyone traveled to Jamaica in August? This will be my first time being in Negril during the summer. How is the weather? The ocean (waves or calm)? I know this is the beginning of hurricane season, Did you experience a lot of tropical storms?

The second question involves my arrival.

My family gets into MoBay 7 hours after I arrive. Rocky will be coming to pick them up. Should I:

A. Wait for my family at the Montego Bay airport and drive with them to Negril? Is there a place at Montego bay for visitors to chill out, like a waiting room of some sort?

B. Take the JUTA directly to Negril and meet them at the hotel? Markus can't come with me on this trip. I've never traveled by myself to Negril, so I'm a little nervous. I only would have about $30 to spend. I'll be on a very tight budget for this trip. Will that get me to Negril?

Thank you so much for your advice and help with this! This is going to be a very special trip for me. It's been over 12 years since my family traveled all together like this. It's been 38 years since my father last saw his family in Jamaica. I know this is an experience we will treasure for the rest of our lives.

Been waiting to see the post!!!Congrads!!!!!!!!!

You're so funny, Clarity. I predicted this months ago! Clives can do a shared ride for 30, you're all set! This is HUGE news!!!!

Thanks Vince!! I'm so excited right now!:D
Thanks for the heads up on Clives Gerryg123! I'm going to look into that.:cool:
Have you ever gone the JUTA route? I noticed last time I was there it looked like there was a bus waiting for passengers going to Negril.

Yeah Juta is like 16 but you might have to wait a while for bus to fill up and -- worse -- go to several hotels to drop passengers before you get to yours .... unless you're staying at the RIU, lol.

How exciting for you!! OMG I'm sensing another killer trip report - yeah!
Enjoy your trip with your family.

Thanks so much Daydreamer! I have to finish our april TR first lol - I have to put some fire under Markus's butt to get that one moving again. :)
Gerryg123 - I'll stick with Clives then. So I just have to wait for one other person to share a ride with me?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by gerryg123

You're so funny, Clarity. I predicted this months ago! Clives can do a shared ride for 30, you're all set! This is HUGE news!!!!

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Yes I take Clives for the regular ride and it cost me 30$. Very reliable. I've taken him about 5 times.

Have a wonderful trip with your family :)

B.




And I am soooooo excited for you! Beach or the cliffs?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Clarity

I'll stick with Clives then. So I just have to wait for one other person to share a ride with me?

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Even better: If no one is booked for the same arrival time, then they take you solo -- with free beer!!! Whoo hoo ....

Thanks Christine! I'm definitely going to go that route then. :)
Thanks Lady Jane! - 4 days on the cliffs (Catcha) and then 1 day on the beach (Nirvana) - My family is staying an additional day. I'm flying out before them because I don't have any more vacation days to take.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by gerryg123

Even better: If no one is booked for the same arrival time, then they take you solo -- with free beer!!! Whoo hoo ....

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Now THAT'S awesome!!:D

Congrats Clarity!! Awesome news!

I like Negril in the summer, wll be there in 2 days for an extended stay! Can't wait! Water is warmer (so it feels to me) like a warm bath, rains a bit but is a nice cool off from a hot day, not as busy, nice, I like it.

Have a great time with the fam!! So fun! Enjoy!

You can go ahead of them and be waiting for them in Negril. You have the longer flight. I'm happy for you to be able to spend the time with your parents and sisters. You have a great boss. I've been in August don't worry, you've booked now pack and goooooo. Have a wonderful time. Sorry Markus is not going. So a trip report to finish then a new one.

I thought that you'd find yourself there when your family was going after I read about that phone call with your dad in the car. That's awesome!!!
I was in Negril in July. Not August, but close. It was lovely (hot, but that's fine). It did rain a little bit in the afternoon almost every day but we lived in Florida for many years so that seemed normal to us.

yay! so happy for you, Daisy!! I just knew you weren't going to pass up a trip to Negril with your whole family!! I was waiting to see this post, I guess I knew you were going before you did! haha! We have been to Negril in August and it was great! Water was nice and warm, and it seems a lot of Europeans also like to spend the month of August there. How nice for your family to have you there to show them around. Can't wait to read this trip report! I'm sorry that Markus can't get away and join you, too. :-(

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Clarity

I just pressed the button!! I have an airline ticket to Jamaica for August!! This feels very surreal because an hour ago, I didn't know that I would be going to Negril this summer...

I haven't fully digested this yet...

A while back my family booked a trip to Negril for August. I had requested vacation time off to join them it was denied. I was disappointed, but eventually I just came to terms with it. That's life and you have to roll with the punches. I started helping my family plan their trip. (i.e. arranged for their driver and contacted hotels for them)

Bottom line: I was happy for them. It took me an entire year to convince them to do this. It's been many years since my father and mother had their Honeymoon in Jamaica. My two sisters have never been. I knew they were going to have a wonderful time.

This morning my boss pulled me aside and informed me that my vacation time has just been approved. I was so happy and grateful, I almost started crying.

I realized if I was going to make this happen than I didn't have a minute to lose. I immediately went online and started searching for flights. This is really last minute, even for ME. The initial prices weren't that great, so I switched the search to ONE WAY TICKETS instead to see if that would help and it DID. The price went down $200 by booking one way with one airline and booking the way back with a different airline! It was surprisingly cheap. I've never actually booked tickets this way. Try it! You'll be amazed at how much you can save by doing this! (also search multiple sites. These tickets didn't show up on Kayak or Orbitz but were available on Travelocity)

I just called my family to tell them the good news and they are freaking out right now! All accomodations were already booked months ago. I'll be sharing a room with my teenage sister. This will be my shortest trip to Negril ever (only 5 nights) but I'm really excited!

Has anyone traveled to Jamaica in August? This will be my first time being in Negril during the summer. How is the weather? The ocean (waves or calm)? I know this is the beginning of hurricane season, Did you experience a lot of tropical storms?

The second question involves my arrival.

My family gets into MoBay 7 hours after I arrive. Rocky will be coming to pick them up. Should I:

A. Wait for my family at the Montego Bay airport and drive with them to Negril? Is there a place at Montego bay for visitors to chill out, like a waiting room of some sort?

B. Take the JUTA directly to Negril and meet them at the hotel? Markus can't come with me on this trip. I've never traveled by myself to Negril, so I'm a little nervous. I only would have about $30 to spend. I'll be on a very tight budget for this trip. Will that get me to Negril?

Thank you so much for your advice and help with this! This is going to be a very special trip for me. It's been over 12 years since my family traveled all together like this. It's been 38 years since my father last saw his family in Jamaica. I know this is an experience we will treasure for the rest of our lives.

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Thanks Northerncaligirl! Have an awesome trip! How long are you going to be in Negril?

Thanks Angel! - I would love to be there to experience their first drive to Negril but you're right, I'll be exhausted after 9 hours in the air and a 5 hour layover in Atlanta. I think I'll definitely go straight to the hotel and try to squeeze in a nap before my family arrives.

Thanks Sbeth! - A little afternoon shower sounds nice after a hot summer day. I'm just crossing my fingers that there isn't a tropical storm. I would be happy in Negril no matter what, but I want my family to experience the beautiful sunshine and turquoise waters.

Thanks Eden - It seems like everyone knew that this was definitely going to happen before I did. I just figured that expectations lead to disappointment. If it was meant to be, it would happen. If not, then it wouldn't. I'm so glad I am going though. :) I can't stop smiling!!

Juta Negril is not always a bus, Lulu and I met you in April, we picked Juta and they gave us a car...just the two of us and the driver...each way for the 18 dollar fee, per person, so for 36 we got a car, by ourselves and driver stopped when we wanted to, same guy came back to Bar-B-Barn for our ride out of Ja!

That is awesome! Absolutely love your trip reports, thanks so much for sharing with us.

A while ago someone started a thread about round trip to Negril for $30.

http://negril.com/forum/showthread.p...ghlight=justin

Below is the link to the website he mentioned.

Here's the link: http://www.viator.com/tours/Montego-...-3316MBJAPTRND

Yep! I told you this was going to happen....it just had to, so it did!
We were ALL pulling for you, and I am so very happy for you and your whole family.
You're going to have a wonderful trip....and I can't wait to hear all about it.

So happy for you <3

Wow, you are becoming a frequent Negril visitor. Over the years I've taken Juta a few times when traveling alone, usually its been on a bus and there was never a long wait. One I was sent by van with one other passenger, but its always been a good experience, sometimes quite an experience. One trip on the bus there was a bout a dozen partiers who wanted a couple of stops along the way. As the Red Stripes began to flow and the lettuce passed it seemed I was watching a Cheech & Chong bus trip to Negril.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Clarity

I'll stick with Clives then. So I just have to wait for one other person to share a ride with me?

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Clives is essentially the same as Juta...you could wait for one other person (or none) or you could be waiting for a few people to share the ride.

You just wait, this will be one of the best trips you ever had because you didn't know you were going.

Thanks Bnewb, Lulu and Al, Luvmylabs, and Justchuck for the helpful transportation info!! I really appreciate it!

Justchuck - I love the description of the cheech and chong bus ride. I would love to experience something like that. That sounds like fun!

I think I would feel nervous as just a solo female traveler sitting in the front seat of a ride alone with a male driver that I don't know. It's an hour and a half ride so I definitely want at least one other person traveling with us. The bigger the group, the more comfortable I will feel....

Aww thanks Marley & Misti1! <3 I've still got the permagrin! I can't wait for this trip, the best part is sharing this excitement with my family. I'll finally get to show them my favorite place in the world. I hope they love Negril as much as I do.:)

I wonder what my father will think of the changes... He was 16 years old the last time he saw Negril. It was during his summer break from highschool. This was back in the 1960's! We'll be taking a road trip to Mandeville too. It will be a real trip down Memory lane for him.

Sooo Happy for You!!!!

Clarity,

What are you dates?

Even though I just got back I am JEALOUS! If we win the lottery we will see you there. Fingers crossed.........
And I hope you know how stoked we are for you. Have fun Clarity and don't forget your water shoes.
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And don't forget your bubble suit. You just never know who might be lurking........
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It was funny too when I saw the title as I knew exactly who it was before I looked at the posters name.

Man....ok....I am just going to put it out there.....something tells me there should be some sort of miracle that takes me back to Negril soon!
August will do...or September...or of course my favorite October! Or TOMORROW! lol

All of these boardies going back so soon makes me jealous too. Of course I am nothing but happy for Clarity. I wanted this trip for her so bad!

But Booger! If you go back in August! Don't even get me started! LOL

The stars have certainly aligned for you, Clarity!! Enjoy every moment with your family! So excited to hear about your trip!!

So glad you are going back with "the fam". Enjoy!!

Congrats-But I would really love to know how you guys do it-we save and save and save and can only make one trip a year

I'm so happy for you! Should be very interesting to hear your Dad's impressions of the "new" Jamaica!

Thanks Maddiedog - Every year I make a trip home to see my family in New York, Usually in the Fall. I have that money set aside. This year I won't be visiting them in New York, I used that money to buy a ticket to visit them in Jamaica instead. That's how and why this trip is even financially possible for me.

As for our previous trips, We started a box. We call it "the Irie Box" - It requires a lot of sacrifice to raise the funds for our trips in that box. We sold our car. This is only possible because we live in San Francisco and It's a 30 minute walk to work for me. The car was a huge expense that was entirely unnecessary. Now I walk every day. I pack my lunches. We don't go out to fancy dinners or have weekend get-a-ways. We cancelled all subscriptions and our cable service. We rent and we don't have any children... YET. :) We live a very simple life. This is what enabled us to travel.

It took us 8 years to take our first vacation because we couldn't afford it, so I know exactly where you are coming from with that. My brother loved to travel and when he passed away, I decided to continue his journey. We tallyed up our monthly expenses in an excel spreadsheet and then saw what we could cut out to make travel possible. You'll be surprised how much unnecessary spending happens when you really break it down. I'm not going to say it's an easy feat, but possible if you want it badly enough...which we truly did.

Thanks Dconkle, Jenn and patty sather!

Thanks Judy! I can't wait to see Jamaica through my family's eyes. :o

Booger!!! LOL!!! Thanks for that helpful advice!
I'm going to throw a bucketful of sea urchins at you when we cross paths again. You do know that right?

Marley - You guys crack me up. Okay, Hold up! Both of you!
You and Boogs are sporting not one... but TWO turtle tickers right now. TWO!
You both need to put away your violins LOL!;)

Man, I really miss you guys!

Daisy,
Those are some really great ideas on saving up money for vacations! The irie box is a cute idea! Smart lady! I had to smile, cause if you think money is hard to set aside now,oh, just wait until those cute babies start coming, haha! Let me tell ya, kids are hella expensive! Much more than I ever realized they would be! But, they are ohhhh soooo worth it!:-) Enjoy your freedom now though! Vacations are a totally different vibe with the kids along.
I hope you have an incredibly amazing time with your family in August. You all deserve to be together and experience Jamaica along with your newly found family. Especially excited for your dad to be reunited with them! Just, wow! Now, don't you have some packing to go do?! lol :-)

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As for our previous trips, We started a box. We call it "the Irie Box" - It requires a lot of sacrifice to raise the funds for our trips in that box. We sold our car. This is only possible because we live in San Francisco and It's a 30 minute walk to work for me. The car was a huge expense that was entirely unnecessary. Now I walk every day. I pack my lunches. We don't go out to fancy dinners or have weekend get-a-ways. We cancelled all subscriptions and our cable service. We rent and we don't have any children... YET. :) We live a very simple life. This is what enabled us to travel.

So freaking awesome! You deserve every bit of this good fortune, girl! I feel like dancin a little jig for you right now!

And thank you for putting the "irie box" idea out there some time ago. We started one and it's the single reason we are able to go back again this year.

We have a huge container what we drop loose dollars and pocket change into at the end of every day. That usually ends up being our spending money on our vacations.

To actually book our trips, we get paid Bi-weekly - Which leaves us 2 months where we get 3 pay checks instead of 2. Those extra paychecks are usually enough for flight and hotel.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Clarity

Marley - You guys crack me up. Okay, Hold up! Both of you!
You and Boogs are sporting not one... but TWO turtle tickers right now. TWO!
You both need to put away your violins LOL!;)

!

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I'm glad YOU said it.

Can I get a "amen'

LOL

You know how happy I am for ya girl :o

Hey don't lump me into that one!

Both Booger AND Daisy have now been to Jamaica more than me in the last 2 years...so I can be jealous all I want (nah nah nah)
And Tiz you know you are coming back too so don't start

LMAO :p

Fantastic news Clarity--it seemed to me that the universe HAD to make that one happen when I heard about you family returning after all these years. Don't sweat getting your own ride to Negril. 7 hours in an airport when you could be showering, sitting on a porch relaxing with a cold one.

I have taken Juta solo about 8 times, including my first trip ever there, and have gone with Clives, too. The Juta rides can be fun--full of people amped about there trip and being kind of foolish. I like sitting up by the driver for good views. I have never had to wait too long. I am usually the last off as many passengers get off at AI's .Cives was a smaller car with one other couple. Both very dependable.

Have fun! IT is going to be hot hot hot!