Oh man this is fun...

So at work, my co-workers have been hearing of my excursions to Negril for some time now... we'll I finally talked a couple of them into pulling the trigger on the Treehouse Google offer deal (4 nights for $349 with transfer and breakfast) this was a few months ago.

Now its getting fun. I'm teaching them about the infamous Bamboo hahaha

One of them has really never left her 20 mile radius of rural maine. I mentioned the word "black" and she was like "OMG Jamaicans are black?" This is for real people. I explained most are but not all. I wonder if shes even seen a black person before- no really... She'll have so much fun though, she's going with another co-worker who has been to MoBay so she knows what their getting into!

So I did my 7 page writeup for them of tips, rules, cheap eats, to-dos, not to-dos, happy hours, etc.

This should be good- Ill keep you up to date and hopefully get them to do a trip report!

Are you willing to share your "7 page writeup"? Our first trip was in 1997 and I'm pretty sure there are a lot of changes since then.
We're there October 19th for 16 glorious nights !

Please do share

Looking forward to hearing more about the adventures of the newbie ;)

Fun!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by murph

One of them has really never left her 20 mile radius of rural maine. I mentioned the word "black" and she was like "OMG Jamaicans are black?" This is for real people. I explained most are but not all. I wonder if shes even seen a black person before- no really...

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Wow! Not only will she be introduced to Jamaica but to LIFE...

:confused: So where is this write up?? :)

i would also love your list:) i'm working on compiling one of my own

Okay- Heres some of it minus the maps, pics, and things Ive verbally told them. Remember this is based on 2 middle aged women of which only one has been to MoBay once, staying at the Treehouse for only 4 days. This isnt always 'the best' way to do things, but it would be the best (in my opinion) for these women considering their time frame.

Before you go:

Tell bank you’re going to Jamaica
Get Jamaican currency at your bank in US (right now it’s about $1.00US= $100 Jamaican)
Bring a pen with you on the flight down- for the customs forms (otherwise you will wait)
Bring bug/flea repellant with DEET and lots of sunscreen (they have both in Jamaica but its super expensive)
Bring a waterproof floatable necklace type of $ holder that you can put around your neck and swim with

Getting to the Tree House Hotel from Airport:

Be on the lookout for a duty free shop in the airport. If you find it- this could be the cheapest rum that you will find- so pick up a bottle of Appletons
They will most likely use Kenny Tours to travel from Montego Bay to Negril. They're located at desk 2, right outside the arrivals area of the airport. Tons of people will swarm you trying to get you to take their taxi. Just say “No thank you” and proceed to Kenny’s Tours
On the way to Negril, if they don’t give you Red Stripes ‘ask to stop and buy’ –makes the ride more fun
On the way to Negril, also ask to stop at “Bigga’s in Green Island” for the bomb ass jerk pork. try the sauce!

Food:

There is a convenience store (or shack) right across the lobby- great prices, get rum & juice for the room.
You receive 10% off all food & drink charged to your room at Tree house. (Although try to only eat the free breakfast there)
At some point during breakfast- you must try the “Jamaican Breakfast” which is ackee and saltfish. Just try it- it rocks, the fruit ackee tastes just like scrambled eggs.
‘Flex’ sells fresh juice in recycled rum bottles for $5, you’ll find him in the mornings walking the beach. Fresh squeezed OJ, Pineapple & OJ mix, etc.

For Lunch: find “Niah’s Patties”= take a left from treehouse, walk til you see big metal gates, go through gates and walk to last shack on the left (or just ask people for Niah) He doesnt have drinks, so get your patty & walk back through gates and take a left, there is a place called ‘Tony’s Hut’ right there and you can sit, eat and drink.

For Lunch: head out to the road and take a right, look across the street for “Best in the West”

For Cheap Beers & rum punch: $2 Red Stripes and $3 rum punches are just steps away from Treehouse (take right on beach from treehouse). Look for the yellow shack called Auntie’s Thrill Corner, ask for “Nackus”- great guy. They also have cheap $2 patties for lunch. Remember Red Stripes at treehouse are $3.20, so you can save lots of $$

For Dinner: walk out to road, take a left and head to “The Cool Spot” This is more Jamaican cuisine and casual

Saturday- For Dinner one night: cab it to the West End around 4pm to a place called “Canoe” –this place rocks and has 2 for 1 specials. It’s also the start of the west end, so start here get some drinks then walk up the road going in the same direction. Chicken Lavish is a nice place for dinner and is on the way. Swordfish is also on the way and has a great view. Make sure to stop into C&D Country Western Bar- Connie owns the place- she is a trip! Just keep walking up west end hitting up all the drink shacks. No Limit Bar, Blue Cave Castle… but for sunset make sure you make it to world famous- Ricks Café- you will need to hail & take a cab there. Kill some time in between sunset and 7pm then go to Seastar! Seastar does have a buffet available before the reggae show.

At Treehouse- There is a Managers party for the guests on Saturday, it has grown into quite an entertaining event. Free Drinks and finger foods are served and enjoyed along with the music of the house band. After that (or instead of that depending on what time it is), I highly suggest hopping in a cab and go to “Seastar” get there for 7/8pm- there is a buffet and there are performers and drummers- it’s usually pretty wild. After that, walk down the lane back to the main road & take a right. Head to Eddie’s Da Bar. Get some jerk chicken and drinks and sit out back by the fire- Eddie and Trevor are awesome and fun to chat with. Cab it back home after that.

For fancy dinner in the West End:

Ivan's at Catcha Falling Star is the best- go there for a drink just to check it out or for dinner.
Try the Blue Mahoe which is located inside The Spa Retreat.
Try Rockhouse
Try the Lobster Thermadore (best dish in Negril) at Teddy’s Hideaway which is inside the Blue Cave Castle. This is the place I always stay at.

Happy Hours:

Canoe Bar 2-6PM Daily
Yellowbird has an all day 2 for 1 happy hour until sundown
Legends (beach) has Daily Sunset Happy Hour (2 for 1) from 4-7 p.m
Cocolapalm has happy hour from 5-7 every day
White Sands different two for one every day

General Tips:

You have to pay for wireless in your rooms but it is free and fast in the lobby, or just above the lobby on the terrace where breakfast is served.
don't walk along the beach at night
If menu is in US- pay in US, if it is in JA- then pay with JA currency. This way there are no exchange fees
Free lounger chairs are found at Sunbeach (take left at treehouse) Also cheap & powerful drinks there!
Sellers on the beach or road, a simple "No thank you" works best, not "maybe later" or "not now" or "I dont have $ on me" as they will remember you!
Dont open your hand for any "gift". Everythings free until its in your hand.. then its only $500 jamaican!
Dont get your hair braided. It hurts and is expensive

Pubcrawl:

**Call & email Lenbert for the Pub Crawl!!! It’s a free drunk bus that will show you around to the little bars in Negril, just give driver a good tip 876-874 6631 bananaznegril@hotmail.com Sometimes they will do a live video from the bus online. If this is the case, make sure to post to your friends back home the link. Before you leave for Jamaica, its best to contact Lenbert and tell him your dates and where to pick you up.

Using the Cab System-Tips:

Never get in a car with a white plate- EVER
Red plated cars have insurance and are real cabs, white plates are just normal people who pretend to be cabs
For cabs, use the rule= $100-200 per person will get you from Treehouse to the “Round about” Get out walk SOUTH (the direction you were heading in, just follow water) then get in another cab taking it to “West End”. The new cab will be 100-200 per person. You can take one cab the whole way, but it will cost you more- like $10-12 US.
Cabs outside (parked in the actual parking lot of Treehouse) will attempt to lure you in- these cabs cost WAY more than just walking 50 meters to the road and hailing one.
Here's a tip- make friends with another couple and plan trips to town with them to reduce taxi costs

Overall:

Relax, have fun but keep your wits and always be aware of your surroundings.

Also- if anyone has anything they think I should add or change- Im all ears! thanks

Your co-worker really didnt know most jamaicans are black??:confused:


Glad you told her and made them a list or else they would have gotten a big suprise!!

always pay in ja $ , soon come

Ohliz created this one back in 2007. Still priceless information!

http://www.negril.com/discus/messages/9472/51312.html

Hey Murph,

Great list of suggestions and pointers but you may have omitted some others that they might need to know. You also refer to the infamous bamboo, have you warned them about the Big Bamboo??? Two white plain Jane's from Maine heading to Negril? Unless things have changed drastically over the past couple of years I hope you've given them a heads up about not smoking Ganja and getting so wasted they don't remember what's going on or about not taking a ride to the hills with someone that don't know. I know your not your co workers keeper but you have encouraged them to go so you better tell them the whole story as everybody knows Negril isn't Portland, ME.

Hahaha Good points johng. Its funny how I have to 'present' details to them. The one that has been to MoBay is a little more worldly, so I feel like I can tell her 'the truth'. Example- dont go to the hills with a guy you met on the beach, dont tell anyone where your staying, etc. The other one who didnt know about the 'black jamaicans' I give the sugar coated version of everything to. Neither of them smoke- so no worries there.

But the Big Bamboo... do I need to ask... whats the diff between the infamous and the big bamboo?

some places you may not need to hold or touch anything....to notice your feelin good, and hungry lol :)

wonderful country

I like the list.... but I don't agree with not walking the beach at night... I have seen other people mention this, but on all of my visits it has never been any different
than walking the beach during the day.... and it really is a peaceful part of my Negril experiences.... if danger is the issue, there are streets here at home that I'd
consider to be much more of a risk... just my experience..to each their own..... love the list.... I think you have set them up well....

Hey Murph,
The Ganja part was just a metaphor regarding keeping oneself under control. If you went to Negril with some guy from work many of the tips are different but you are talking two women, one of whom seems like she has been quite sheltered so far in life. I have seen many American girls (pretty much like you describe) who were not prepared for the scene they encountered. I don't mean that in any negative way just that things can happen far from home. Negril has been and is an awesome place and to recommend it to friends is what most everybody does after going there. As far as the Big Bamboo goes if you don't know the difference between bamboo and "Big" Bamboo check this out

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xif818y9z3g

Marko would be proud of this list.

hahaha funny sh*% johng! I will email them this link the day before they leave hahaha We laugh all the time when I tease them about the bamboo. Two single good lookin ladies headin to Negril- I can only imagine the proposals they will receive.

yeah, the walking at beach at night part... Im just regurgitating what others have said. Ive never even really walked the beach at night come to think of it!

Another guy in the office just got back from sailing- Montego to Columbia. Sweet deal helping his dad on a sailboat. he was lucky enough to stay a week in Negril on the boat cruised over to Ricks, made it to the Jungle, etc... sweet deal indeed- no hotel or taxi expenses! And yet another person in the office to chat about negril with!

Murph,

Why don't you go with them? Be their tour guide and protector and maybe get a little twofer deal??????

hahaha I just got back from two weeks in Greece/ Santorini and am scrambling getting our Nov trip together... squeezing in a Sept reach just isnt in the cards.

Four days on the beach... what could happen? Not like they need a tour guide to say "sit in chair... stare at water and people and drink rum" hahaha

Murph,

I hear ya, but never any good excuse not to go to Negril especially with two good lookin chicks!! Four days on the beach... what could happen? Well mon you need a little more imagination!!!! Not talking about tour guiding day trips ya kno, more along the lines of a Magical Mystery Tour if youz knows whats Iz means!!!

haha I gotchya! That sounds more like me n the wifey go down!

I gotta ease these two into negril. First jaunt- a 4 day beach people watching session... next trip straight to Teddys! hahaha

Sorry to hear the news, ball n chain, oh well just tryin to help. Wishing you a black fly free summer in Maine "The Way Life Should Be" at least in America.

hahaha no really though- thank god Im married! Or I would have most likely quit my job a long time ago and would be living in one of the $4000 ready builts somewhere prob inbetween treasure beach and sav... just fishing and working the land.... actually doesnt sound too bad.... hahaha

So todays the big day! Co-workers land at Treehouse within the next hour... Gail and the treehouse staff rock- they have this laminated and ready to hand to them upon checkin.

Almost $34,000JD raised- not too shabby... (for 4 days)

Attachment 30233

Our mutual friend and shop owner in town here got a good kick out of the whole "jamaicans are black?" thing... so now the whole town is laughing!

Attachment 30234

*side note.. bonus round!... the $ I raised was filtered through my frequent flier credit card... so helping them have a wonderful vacation is in turn helping me on my next vacation! Cool Beans

Thank you for sharing Murph !

VVHT - thanks for sharing that link too - I'd wondered where I'd find Rizla again !

murph

classic....cant wait for the tale to unfold and a few pics.....

HAHA!! Murph your freakin brilliant

Alright they made it and are having just a horrible time... I mean look at these poor ladies just realizing their drinks are paid for... hahaha

Attachment 30303

*They will also be making a guest appearance today at 5pm EST on the Ricks Webcam. Well thats the plan anyway.... lets see if they make it!

http://www.earthcam.com/cams/jamaica...?cam=rickscafe

Great

you made their vacation one to remember for sure and to give someone the gift of fond memories is one of the most meaningful things you could do for them... karma's got something good in store for you!!!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Beebeluv

you made their vacation one to remember for sure and to give someone the gift of fond memories is one of the most meaningful things you could do for them... karma's got something good in store for you!!!

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Totally agree Beebeluv! How can you not love a feel good thread like this?
One question Murph.....are you guys hiring?

update... The 'newbie' to the rock informed us that she is tearing up at least twice a day... reason... "just in awe!"

Thanks for the kind words guys.

Awww so cool :o

Love this thread

My job is done... I got newbies to get off the beach and make it to the west end! And they looked pretty slopped up to boot!

Attachment 30315

They still on there murph?

nope they split outty- hopefully they are walking the road as we speak! I told them "go to tensing and love yourself!"