Why Negril? And first impressions.

[Homebrewer]

The Mrs. and I never had the $ for a BIG vacation, our vacations were usually camping in a tent somewhere. I don't even remember why we chose Jamaica the 1st time but it was probably around 1996 that we went to Sandals in Ocho Rios and we had a great time but that property had a terrible beach that was more coral than sand and it had a fence running into the ocean at each of the resort so no one could walk the beach.

After that we heard about Negril's alleged great beach that one could walk for miles without fences so a few years later when w could afford to return we booked Negril and have now been back 10 more times. We did take a break one year to return after Katrina to NOLA where we were married but otherwise when friends ask why Negril we always reply "If it ain't broke - don't fix it!"

[SandT CHI]

Love telling this story. I'll keep it short. First trip with then gf, now wife was Key West, Loved the island feel, great time. Second, Cancun. Food poisoning, rowdy crowds......not for us. Known as "the trip we never took." Read a trip report from a guy that writes a food blog I followed for a bit. He stayed at Bar B Barn. Did the local hang out thing. Decided that sounded fun but we set rules for ourselves since journeying into the unknown.

Booked Bar B Barn and off we went in October of 2010. Ride to Negril was beautiful but what turned out to be about 5-8 miles roughly away from Negril the van breaks down. Friendly local picks us all up and takes us the rest of the way. Crisis averted. Check in and go check out room. A/C not working. Small blood pressure rise but all was good, just pressing wrong buttons or something. Lets check out the beach!! Three steps into the beach what we now know is a rent a rasta/beach gigglo catches stride with us. We walk and talk as we now know as heading toward the roundabout. Reach the pier and decide to try and shake him, we are gonna go get some food......"no problem", he says...."no food back that way". "Lets go this way" (toward roundabout). We break a rule and walk thru the dark, dark fishing neighborhood by the mouth of the river. Head over to corner bar and have the most amazing curry conch and crackers. The only other tourist there is wearing a Blackhawks shirt and sitting with the only open seats at the place. We ask to sit, find out he lives about 25 miles from us, Pick his brain about Negril and we are much more relaxed afterwards. The four of us now and his Jamaican friend made five. We all head back down the beach to Sunrise/ Lobster House. Hang out by small store in front until the Rasta took us to the party, Risky Business. Partied the night away and had a great time until early morning hours. The rest of the week consisted of much of the same with highlights being Thursday night at the Jungle, Small fishing boat trip up Black River, Roaring River caves and Blue Hole. Fifth trip is scheduled for end of July and now we are definite westenders. Far west end is just so much more peaceful. There are day trips to the beach and when we have had enough we retreat to privacy. Thanks to all the great people that post on this board and keep us in touch between reaches. Nice to have a trip booked or planned or in thoughts just to have something to look forward to, because we know what we are in for!!!

Our inspiration if you're interested

http://chibbqking.blogspot.com/search/label/jamaica