I miss Negril.

We just returned from the most amazing trip of our lifetime. We were able to take almost two months off to travel. Southern Asia, mostly, Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, mostly. It was an absolute amazing experience, and we loved every minute of it.

However, it wasn't Jamaica. And, having been coming to Jamaica regularly, we couldn't help but compare. And really, it kinda confirmed my suspicion that Negril is my favorite place in the world.

We went to some of the best beaches in the world - Goa, Sri Lanka, Phuket, Phi Phi, Koh Phagnon - and while all were beautiful, I would prefer 7 Mile beach to any of them. We saw many beautiful places, but, really, few compare with sunset on the cliffs of Negril. And no where in the world compares to the wonderful people of Jamaica, with the possible exception of Nepal(and no beaches there).

The small things would be what I would compare. I much prefer the "HOT! HOT! HOT!" guy on the megaphone to the "THAI BOXING TONIGHT! TONIGHT!" guy on the Phuket megaphone trucks. People complain about Norman Manley traffic? They obviously have not been to Goa, or anywhere in Asia. But again, the people were the difference. People just seem more genuine and welcoming in Jamaica.

Traveling expands your mind, and this trip certainly did. I highly recommend India, for example, as a wonderful cultural experience, and you will learn a lot about people in general traveling there, good and bad. Traveling educates us, and more people, particularly Americans, need to travel, particularly to places outside our comfort zone, and we are much better people having experienced this.

But I miss Negril. For fun, relaxation, and friends, old and new, there is no place I'd rather be.

Thank you for confirming what I've felt all along. People wonder why I go to Jamaica all the time but can't think of anywhere I'd rather be.

Congrats on taking such an interesting and probably challenging at times, I imagine, trip! At different times of my life I've needed different kinds of vacation. Now, like you, I suppose, I crave the deep relaxation I get in Jamaica and the inspiration from the incredibly resilient people. I stay out at the Westender (obviously I'm not a big partier!) but there are times in the early morning when it's just me sitting on the cliff or playing around in the pool that I realize I am just living in the moment and it brings me to those good kind of tears. Being grateful and just feeling like a child of the universe ( oooops my 60's pedigree is showing...pretty soon I'll be singing the music from Hair!) Peace and love.

I can really relate to what you are saying. After I retired in'08 I made several trips to Europe and 3 times to Asia. In 2010 I was in southwest China hiking in the mountains which were beautiful and remote and spectacular and I clearly remember thinking; I wish I was in Negril right now.

Gotta say, I miss Negril too!!! It's only been about 4 months or so since last reach and all I can do is think about how many months until I return. Talk about wishing one's life away....well, maybe....but, each month that passes, I am another month closer. So it goes when one is enamored with the island and its people.

Soon come.............:)

My husband travels extensively for his work. Mostly to Thailand and China, but travels all over the globe. We travel as a couple as well, we have been together since 1973 so we have vacationed quite a bit at this point. Hey, we were kids back then, and though we are getting "up there" we are young at heart! We love a beach get away in the winter and head to the islands. Done many, but have done Jamaica for our last 5 trips. After he spent 8.5 weeks in Thailand this winter/early spring his boss said he would pay for a trip for us to get away. He really wanted us to try someplace new. Husband really just wanted Negril. He just wants to stay on the beach and take walks, head to the cliffs for drinks at sunset, that is about the extent of the activities he wants after working non-stop for over two months. I spent lots of time researching other destinations, Tulum, Isla Mujeres, Culebra and Belize. But in the end, we went with what we love, what we know and what we want. So we are heading to Negril on the 14th. Just something about the beach and the water and the trees and the sand and the sunsets and the low profile buildings and the food and the people and the chance for us to do nothing but be together. Of coarse everyone we know thinks it is kind of strange to keep going back to the same island, aside from my two sisters who joined us one trip and look forward to another vacation with us in 2014. Soon come.....indeed! I am so ready and love that I don't have to fret about what to pack, what to wear and dealing with all the other hassles that are part of a trip to other destinations. Fancy don't mean a vacation from regular life. Negril, for us, does.

I feel your pain...having left there 3/6/13 after my yearly 5 week stay...I'm having big time withdrawals more than ever even after this past reach being my 20th year. I've had the same question asked...why do you keep going back to the same place. We broadies get it...that said I tell them I can tell you why...but if you don't come there you'll never get it. As soon as I got back I started shopping for specific things for my Jamaican friends for 2014..pretty much done already. I will miss my dear hard working friends at Catch A Falling Star who lose their lives recently.

Thanks for starting this post! I truly miss Negril. The great people, the sun, the sand, the food, the ice cold Red Stripes! The Irie vibes mon'. My wife and I started to travel about 8 years ago. Had to borrow $ for the trip etc. and now even if we can't afford it, we're gonna keep traveling. We've been to Mexico & the D.R. and no dis-respect to those people & countries, but no place is like Negril! We have super nice Jamaican friends now, who we keep in contact with back here in Minnesota. Actually sit down and write actual letters, put a stamp on an envelope and mail it! Remember that??? The pictures & video that we have of Negril are a treasure! Even some of our friends back here "just don't get it". They've never been to Negril {and probably never will} For some reason they seem to think that Mexico is the only vacation spot. Oh, well I'll keep trying to convince them otherwise. But... I'm definitely having PNS {post Negril syndrome}. Actually think about Negril all the time. Effects my job here, can't stay focused! HELP! Well, there is one thing assuring for me. We booked for the first week of December. Gonna try a stay up in the cliffs area. plus a short stay back at the Tree House {which we really like! Thanks Gail Jackson!} Let me know, if you think about Negril all the time. Well, back to the salt mines! PS, if you like to read, and would like a tip on a really good book on Negril. Check this book out. "WALK GOOD" "TRAVELS TO NEGRIL JAMAICA" by Roland Reimer go to Amazon.com trust me! It helps to put your mind at ease. Sure you can buy me a ice cold Red Stripe Mr. Reimer ! Bye for now. Thanks for reading my rambling." Rock'n'Roll Farmer"

greatest place on earth.........

Cool Runnings, Marko

Absolutely right. My wife and I went to Ocho rios this year and while we had a good time, it just didn't have the Negril beaches. Never again...we're booked for Negril next March, and I can't wait.

Yes,I sometimes feel guilty for going to Negril 17 times but if it aint broke dn't fix it? I still like my steak cooked the same way I ate it 100 times,soo?????? I am in Negril in 3hrs from NYC/Newark. I meeet friends from Wales who fly like more than astronauts to get there.