Negril is beautiful as always.

I was not ready to post anything yet, as I am not sure how to add pictures. My idea of a good trip is different than others, but I will give a brief synopsis.

Flight here was really turbulent. UsAir left 20 min late (airport issues), but we got in on time. Used the mobay arrival service. For $160, I am not entirely sure it is worth it at this time of year, as immigration / customs line were short, but we were taken directly to the front of both, and they did go find our driver for us.

At the airport, as appoint of reference, I checked the rates for obtaining jamaican currency.... 14% difference from what I was able to get next to the hi lo in negril. Rates there were pretty much on par with what my xe currency converter said for that day.

We are staying at tensing pen, at least one other boardie is here. The resort did not suffer much from the hurricane as we all know negril was largely spared. I did learn a new phrase this year however... A lot of the vegetation is gone. As I sit in the south house I am looking at a patch of grass that was verdant last year, and is that way in most photos. When the storm surge hit, the sea water soaking into the grounds multiple times killed a lot of the plants. Three locals have called this "sea frost". Plants are coming back, but it was something I would have never even considered since I live inland.

Monday was short, but we managed to grab lunch at sharks, I had the ubiquitous jerk chicken, the wife a pasta dish. Owner of sharks was lamenting on how slow it has been, but this week is looking good for a lot of folks. People are coming back. A small bar has opened where Alice's used to be, neat little place.

Couple of swims after lunch, some sun time, an early dinner at tensing -- lobster for me, chicken stuffed with calaloo and ackee for the wife, then dropped into bed for early sleep.

Out and about on Tuesday.....

Sounds great so far, enjoy your trip and happy thanksgiving!

I'm going to try and refrain from shortening your name hahaha

Thanks for reporting, very much looking forward to hearing more!!

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I am not sure how to add pictures

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Click on the icon above in the Quick Reply tool bar. Then select the file from your pc, or whatever device you are entering your trip report on, and it will appear like this: [ATTACH=CONFIG]somenumber[/ATTACH]

Once you post the pic will show.

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please explain the mobay arrival service. i'm traveling during the holidays and expect crowds

dem pictures of breakfast looks yummy..Not bad atall for a first timepicture poster :cool:

Mobay arrival service. Rep meets you at the end of the ramp when you get off the plane. Long timers may not find this so useful, first timers might. I've been a number of times, but liked the service. She took us to the head of a dedicated line in immigration (no waiting) straight away to luggage and then again, to the front of the line in customs.

We are staying at a small resort without a waiting area like sandals, etc... So while we waited, she went out and found tony, our driver. Time saving was pretty decent, not huge though as we arrived on Monday and lines were not terrible to begin with.

Interesting - I guess the big question is would you do it again? We'll be landing around 2:30 on a Friday afternoon in December, wondering if it would be worth it? Just looked at the arrivals for today and there are 4 planes landing within 11 minutes of each other...

Thanks for the pics of breakfast, made my mouth water :)

Can't wait to enjoy my ackee and saltfish on Sunday morning!

2nutz4travel,
How did you get the info of how many planes were arriving at a given time at Sangster? usefull info.

Here's a link

http://www.mbjairport.com/arrivals

For the aviation geeks out there (guilty!), I love getting flight and airport info from FlightAware.

Since most of the flights in are scheduled the same time very week, you can get a sense of what is landing around the time you arriving. You can look back through about a week. I don't know if you need to be a member to see the history, but it is free to sign up.

http://flightaware.com/live/airport/MKJS/arrivals

I have the app on my phone. It seems to be on time enough that you can actually watch the planes landing at the airport and know where they are are coming from. It is not a bad airport time killer. My father is a retired Air Force guy - he looked like a kid on Christmas morning when I first showed it to him. He was sitting in my living room telling me where the plane flying over the house was coming from and going to.

Thank you captaind!.

Sigmon - I just looked at the MBJ airport site captaind mentioned. Since today is a Friday, I figured Friday 3 weeks from now should be roughly the same. I guess there may be more flights, but probably not less...

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Originally Posted by 2nutz4travel

Sigmon - I just looked at the MBJ airport site captaind mentioned. Since today is a Friday, I figured Friday 3 weeks from now should be roughly the same. I guess there may be more flights, but probably not less...

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I don't think the arrival schedule changes much from day to day even at Christmas. The difference is how big and how full the aircraft are.

No matter what you still have to think that there are 15 or so flights coming into MBJ and their arrival depends on when they leave the US (weather, mechanical, etc) . MBJ is a turn around destination. Every aircraft that lands takes off shortly thereafter full going back to the US or Europe.

There jest ain't no tellin' how long it will take...

Don't worry...be happy

Tell me about Shark's. That's up by Tensing Pen right?

Sharks is really has good food and at a reasonable price. Juliet, Shark's wife, is a sweetie. Her pan fried snapper is to die for!! If there is anything you want that is not on the menu, she is always happy to hook you up. If she doesn't have the ingredients to make it that night, she will cook it up the next day for you. This place is consistently good! She also makes a great sweet/sour sauce that my husband likes poured over fried chicken! Choices also has this on their menu. Nice folks!

Yetta - Thanks! That sweet/sour sauce sounds like me!!

yeah, i am interested in that sauce, too. Through the years, I've drove by Shark's a million times but for some reason never ventured in, perhaps cause it's set off from the road a bit ....

You won't regret it!! The food is slamming!! Plus, as I said, she will adapt to requests....which is a real joy!! Husker John, I saw in another post that you are staying at Catcha Gardens part of your trip. Sweet!! Wish you were coming earlier so we could meet up. Great resort fi sure!!!! Soon come..... GerryG123, Seems as if you are going to be in Negril during my stay....See you pon da rock!

hussyband hope your still on the island having a good time. could you how to contact this Mobay arrival service? curiuos on cost for 8. we land xmas eve 3 in the afternoon. THANKS

http://clubmobay.com/

Jackie, the service rep is quick to get back to you by email. She will attach the reservation form for you to complete and email back. Then you get a letter that gives your details.
If only this had been available back when I was bringing in medical supplies, sigh.

I am looking forward to the convenience and time saved in Feb on a Saturday afternoon when it will be very busy.

Sharks is barely off the road, Gerry... It is right next to ras roddys. Also, we went to bentleys on your recommendation... Pretty good. He is certainly a character. Off to sips and bites for breakfast now.