A few observations from this years trip.

1.). Not gonna beat the taxi horse anymore. It happened, I learned, and I am over it.

2.). Ahhhbees is selling mind changing burgers. Honest to goodness addictive grade hamburgers which I have been unable to get out of my mind. I was very close to taking a $40 round trip taxi ride to just get one last one towards the end of our second week, and that mediocre crap they serve as food at couples.

3.). The cliffs and the resorts along the cliffs have better food, atmosphere, entertainment and pure people watching joy than any of the all inclusives up in Hanover Parrish. Those resorts are bigger and flashier, but I honestly felt comfortable and in my element in the cliffs... During our second week at couples, I felt like we were in the Jamaica warehouse vacation experience, utterly soulless, predictable and often appalling.

4.). While I have been an advocate of club mobay for a couple of years now, I am withdrawing my favoritism for the service. On departure, using club mobay for the "fast track" actually took us longer than those who just went through customs, the arrival was nice, and I enjoyed the attention... However, I am hard pressed to see the value added service. I fly first class, so my bags are first on carousel, the ladies who help (while quite beautiful) are not much in the way of help manhandling four 60 pound suitcases and assorted carryons. Their arrival lounge is nice, but I take private transport, and he is always there... Departure has been surpassed by the sheer elegance MBJ has become.

6:). The negril police force may have one of the hardest jobs in the country, and are doing it with technology that is inferior to what most 7 year olds have at their disposal. The professionalism they displayed during my issues, and their attempts to help will not be forgotten. They were utterly fantastic given the limited resources available, and treated us better than I had expected.

7.). Man... I really want an ahhhbees burger.

8.). The smoking ban is still a joke, while smokers in general do not bother me, the filthy ones do. I saw people on more occasions than I can count grind out their butts and bury them at the waterline in the sand. Really ecologically savvy of them, wouldn't you say?

Thanks for your insights. I was seriously considering the Club Mobay service after a 3 hour disaster last year. Thinking about it in retrospect, that wait made the taxi red stripes that much more special.

Ahbees...here I come. :)

Respect.

Great post.
Here's hoping the robbers will someday answer for their crime.

That's Club MoBay clarified for me. Going to save my pennies (well £40) and spend it at Ahhbees!. I would only ever consider using this for arrival anyway as I like shopping and a quick bite to eat at Margaritaville (the fuller the tummy the more chance of sleeping through the night flight).

Today is the day and our 4637 mile journey to Negril begins - happy days are here again <BigSmile>

Thanks Hussyband for your on site reports and for your insight :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Hussyband

3.). The cliffs and the resorts along the cliffs have better food, atmosphere, entertainment and pure people watching joy than any of the all inclusives up in Hanover Parrish. Those resorts are bigger and flashier, but I honestly felt comfortable and in my element in the cliffs... During our second week at couples, I felt like we were in the Jamaica warehouse vacation experience, utterly soulless, predictable and often appalling.

---

The West End is the Best End. You have perfectly described the way many of us feel.

Thanks for the insights.

YUP, Mike_D!!!!

I have never had a burger in JA! But after 10 years, I guess I'm gonna have to try one of those Ahhhhhbie's burgers. Did I hear it's at the old Alice's restaurant spot?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Mike_D

The West End is the Best End. You have perfectly described the way many of us feel.

Thanks for the insights.

---

where is Ahhhbies's??

NO disrespect to police but I like them in the same way I like grizzly bears....from a distance. :) If they're in my face it's usually not a good thing. LOL

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Fred Stripe

Can I ask you how long it took the police to arrive??????? I still don't GET how,,,,with all those hotels,,all that taxes,all the money from the tourist to help Negril...... You STILL have no police.....No excuses please....

---

The police experience was not a bad one, Fred. They were there within 15 minutes of the resort calling them. I had no way to call from the incident, but their response time was admirable. They took us to the station for our statements, and returned us to the resort, showing what I felt was extreme professionalism. The constable in charge even took us to the one store on the road (supermarket closest to the roundabout on main road) that he knew had a road cam in an attempt to identify the vehicle, and even ultimately found a roadshot of the vehicle from the canoe bar camera while we were giving our statement.

While their overall resources may be limited, I can find no fault in how they treated us, or the effort expended in identifying the car. Really, they are working admirably with what they have.

And... I still want an ahhhbees burger.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by WestEndGirl

YUP, Mike_D!!!!

I have never had a burger in JA! But after 10 years, I guess I'm gonna have to try one of those Ahhhhhbie's burgers. Did I hear it's at the old Alice's restaurant spot?

---

It's basically right across from Tensing Pen. Hop skip and a jump from Mirage. :)

if i am not mistaken, it is the old alices, it is right next to sharks....love me some aubees....some great brownies as well...the peanut butter brownie is so moist and yummy...

With all due respects to Ahhhbee's awesome burger, Island Grill Jerk burgers ring my chimes! There is one at Departures at Mobay airport, and one sort of near Mega Mart. Skip KFC and hit Island Grill! Totally awesome! Wish there was one in Negril! Rob - work on that for me, eh? :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by groove16

if i am not mistaken, it is the old alices, it is right next to sharks....love me some aubees....some great brownies as well...the peanut butter brownie is so moist and yummy...

---

Sorry for my ignorance. Are these actual "brownies", if you know what I mean, or just dense but delicious "chocolate cake"?

Thanks Hussyband for your insightful comments. I feel mad/sad for what happened to you and your wife and hope the criminals are caught!

Thanks, Melody & Groove!
(Sounds like the name of a new reggae band...... :)

The old Alice's spot is better; roomier & not as close to the road.
I will pass it every day, Melody!

Craig.....you don't just wanna do the old taste test?! Lol

I gotta say the burger at Seastar is one of the best I've had anywhere,and yes I have had an AhhBees burger.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by WestEndGirl

Craig.....you don't just wanna do the old taste test?! Lol

---

I'm a little dense. EXACTLY what do you mean? :)

Seriously.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Craig123

Sorry for my ignorance. Are these actual "brownies", if you know what I mean, or just dense but delicious "chocolate cake"?

---

this is why I am talking about them....1st batch of real brownies I have had....everything else was cake, sometimes dry and "gritty"...but these brownies are moist and delicious....has both regular and happy brownies...lol

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by WestEndGirl

Thanks, Melody & Groove!
(Sounds like the name of a new reggae band...... :)

The old Alice's spot is better; roomier & not as close to the road.
I will pass it every day, Melody!

---

So close to the road was my only drawback at the last Aubees place (old salt and pepper place, beside wise choice) cars would go flying by...and the dogs were always so close to the road...cant wait to visit the "NEW" place....

It's still close to the road, but he has it fenced in, and has an area under cover. Frankly, the spot has some serious potential once he gets his kitchen up and running. I think he was scheduled to do so about is week, based on a conversation we had when I was there. That little chunk of road has some good eats. Ras Roddy for some good Ital food (hold the okra, please on mine), Juliette can cook damn near anything at Sharks, and Aubie for the burgers.

Always something learned when in Jamaica...I've been in a couple sticky situations myself.

I'll be staying in the west end this time for exactly the reasons you mention...although I love Negril beach...I'll visit in the morning and explore the cliffs the rest of the day. Guess Ill be having a burger too!

As for Club Mobay...its worth it coming in...especially during busy times of the year..but I can do without it on departure. And you are correct...likkle ladies were not much help with my cases either...lol

Great job with the observations ... Especially like #3! Absolute perfect description of the difference between the AI & the cliffs.

Aubie is a good man with some delicious burgers! Very glad he has been successful!

p.s. Sorry about the whole cab experience! Glad you guys didn't let them win!

I can't find out on the thread what happened to you guys so that police got called...

Is Aubie's open for lunch or just for dinner?