May trip report - The ginger goes to Jamaica

Ok,

So I have been to Jamaica twice as a kid. I was in 7th and 8th grade. We stayed FD resort in runaway bay.

My girlfriend (jackie) and I decided we wanted to go to Jamaica for our first vacation together. We had been together just over a year at that point. I really wanted to go back to Jamaica, so that's what we picked.

We stayed at RIU on bloody bay. Rather we slept there....

Here is what we saw when we arrived.

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Day 2 we got up and signed up for the catamaran booze cruise to ricks. We decided not to take the boat home because we got a bottle of rum.Attachment 16698Attachment 16699Attachment 16700Attachment 16701Attachment 16702Attachment 16703Attachment 16704Attachment 16705Attachment 16706Attachment 16707

Day 3, the day we lost our minds, and fell in love with Jamaica. First at RIU I made a friend with a bird during lunch.

Then we decided to head out to Margaritaville so we could use that as an entrance point to explore 7 mile. since we didn't get there until later we only made it to Sun beach and Tony's for an awesome awesome sunset.

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Day 4. Yellow bird, Niah, Random 7 mile shotsAttachment 16719Attachment 16720Attachment 16721Attachment 16722Attachment 16723Attachment 16724

Sorry, I am not much or a creative writer, but I thought you might appreciate the pics.

Enjoying your thread. I can't see your images on post 4 and 5. Please repost when you have time. Hope to see you in November. Are you planning on the bar crawl bus?

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Originally Posted by Ti2m

Enjoying your thread. I can't see your images on post 4 and 5. Please repost when you have time. Hope to see you in November. Are you planning on the bar crawl bus?

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You know it!

I will se what I can do. Can you click the hyperlinks on those images?

Nope all say link is invalid.

hmmm ok. let me try it again.


Day 4

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How we looking?

BTW. I have said it a couple times already. but Niah hung out with Jackie and I for about 2 hours that evening at tony's. He and I had a very spiritual conversation. Shared a little smoke and I bought him a few beers.

He gave jackie a bracelet that she wears every day.. and he gave me a carving of a face with his name in the back. He told me, it was for us to remember him even when we are in the states.

He told me "Hey mon, you are not on vacation. You are on a journey to find yourself, and you found yourself in Jamaica" From that moment on, I knew I had a connection with the island and the people. It was less than 24 hours before I had to leave. I had a lump in my throat the while ride to the airport and almost a month after I left. Until I booked this next reach. I am already looking for the reach after that.

He wasn't the only great person I met either. I just hope he remembers us in november. I'd like to hang out and talk with him again a few times.

he will remember you...if not it wont take much to "jog" his memory..lol

Pics came through fine this time. You found a lot of the great spots on the beach. Next time ... the cliffs.

Nice report and pics! Niah will remember you for sure! We first met him over 10 years ago and to this day...he recalls all details. A really cool dude that can cook his rass off!!! As well as a good friend for many years. Last visit, I stopped by to say hello...he quickly invited me into the kitchen area and we caught up a bit. My husband was visiting another friend from years ago. He insisted that he fix me up a meal to take to him...at no charge. He recalled just how much my husband loved his food. That is the kind of friend Niah is!!! Not to worry, we returned to have a formal meal and return the favor.
Hope you have some more pictures..if not maybe next trip!! Glad to hear you guys had a great time!

Hey Flip... I love pics more than a story any day! The smiling faces & the beauty if the island make spectacular trip reports! I had that same lump in my throat when we were leaving, but since I'm a girl I let my tears flow! :)

More pics please!

Excellent report. How was the service and accomodations at RIU?

Nice report,

Thanks all.

gerry, as for RIU - I would say we liked the resort overall. We stayed in one fo their normal king sized rooms. Each room had a mini fridge that had red stripe, water and soda. Some days it was better stocked than others. The bed was huge (but that's because we share a queen at home). The bathroom was on the small side, but it was clean.

I felt that there were not enough bars on the beach. The beach is really long and they only had one bar for beach access. So you'd have to either walk back and forth a lot or drink melted drinks, or warm drinks if you got multiple rounds to bring back.

We really liked the pool, and the pool bar. The only issue - which I hate to sound like an old man here - was that since this is a family resort, kids were playing in the pool. It got rather annoying sometimes, The wake would rush up over the tables that they had in the pool.. They had 2 pools. One did not have a bar, and I feel that the one with the bar in it, should have been no kids allowed. That's really my only beef and It's not a huge one.

The food was decent. They have a little jerk hut on the beach. Nothing compared to the quality of what you can get off the resort, but for those who do not know the difference, it is decent - since it is included.

They have a main eating hall where breakfast and dinner is served. The place is huge and clean and a ton of options for both. Not a whole lot of "Jamaican" options. It was really only one small corner of the buffet. However, what they did have there was good. Lots of "American" food.

They have a pizza spot opened late night. It was not good pizza. Not trying to be a hater here, but growing up in the Philly area. We do it right on the East Coast. I havent seen it duplicated. Not even when I was in college in Miami. It's got something to do with the humidity and getting the bread to rise I think.

They have a special area for lunch, closer tot he pool and beach. Similar quality to breakfast and dinner. The beach was ok. If you never went to 7 milie beach, you'd think that this beach was more than spectacular. The water is clear. The sand is white etc. (There was a lot of seaweed and mud on the floor in the water though) didn't bother me at all, but Jackie did not like it.

The staff was friendly. The grounds crew made sure we were "taken care of" right as we were walking to our room. We were already, by our bus driver, so no problem.

I wouldn't stay there again, unless I had a group of people that were steadfast on staying All Inclusive. I just felt disconnected being on the far end of bloody bay, from the rest of the area.

We didn't have enough time to see any of the west end, other than ricks. Next time, we will be doing a lot more, as we have 7 nights and will be staying on 7 mile beach. My family rented out the A and B sides of 2 cottages at Yellowbird.

I am worried about my mom and sister, because they are used to "living the good life" and might whine that there is not enough amenities. For my dad, brother jackie and I, all we need is a bed, a bar and the beach. Since we plan on exploring all of the bars.

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Originally Posted by yetta

Nice report and pics! Niah will remember you for sure! We first met him over 10 years ago and to this day...he recalls all details. A really cool dude that can cook his rass off!!! As well as a good friend for many years. Last visit, I stopped by to say hello...he quickly invited me into the kitchen area and we caught up a bit. My husband was visiting another friend from years ago. He insisted that he fix me up a meal to take to him...at no charge. He recalled just how much my husband loved his food. That is the kind of friend Niah is!!! Not to worry, we returned to have a formal meal and return the favor.
Hope you have some more pictures..if not maybe next trip!! Glad to hear you guys had a great time!

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There's more pics, I need to sort them out. Our camera was not very good, so a lot of blurry ones.

NICE pics Flip!! Just got caught up on this and I'm really enjoying it.....we're not done yet are we? lol ;)

hello Flip I'm a newbie but Ive posted quite a few times in preperation for my trip with my boufriend we will be staying at the riu palace just down the beach from where you were at. and my trip I belive coinsides with yours which i thought was a coinscidence. but anyway... The second day I arrive is my birthday the 11th and was wondering if you had any suggestions. For anything that day, I'm thinking of Ivan's for dinner but thats my only thought... hehe anyone have suggestions?

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Originally Posted by Beebeluv

hello Flip I'm a newbie but Ive posted quite a few times in preperation for my trip with my boufriend we will be staying at the riu palace just down the beach from where you were at. and my trip I belive coinsides with yours which i thought was a coinscidence. but anyway... The second day I arrive is my birthday the 11th and was wondering if you had any suggestions. For anything that day, I'm thinking of Ivan's for dinner but thats my only thought... hehe anyone have suggestions?

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I would not be the best person to ask. As I am only going to really be able to sink my teeth into Negril this time. we stupidly only stayed 4 nights which ended up being really 3 days and change of exploration time.

yeah Im only stayin 4 nites and I tryied to extend it but unfortunatly i booked through priceline which is a complete hassle so next time i know better but Its ok maybe someone will help hehe

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Beebeluv

yeah Im only stayin 4 nites and I tryied to extend it but unfortunatly i booked through priceline which is a complete hassle so next time i know better but Its ok maybe someone will help hehe

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My best advice to you is to take the Catamaran to Ricks Cafe your first full day there. It leaves at like 2. It will give you a full lay of the land, and if you guys are like us.. We didn't get back on the boat. You can do some cocktails at ricks and then head out to other places on the west end.

We accessed 7 mile beach through Margarittavill and walked along the beach down into town

Great pics, looks like you guys had a nice time. So, you probably wont be staying at an AI again while in Negril?

No AI unless circumstances demand it

Do the One LOVE Pub Crawl, and you can get a feel for some different bars. If you like one spot then just dont get back on the bus. lol

Also check the webcast schedule...those are fun and you might get to meet some real life boardies :)