Has anyone ever made this mistake!

[jojo p]

So I was all set to go to Negril last February, when I got an offer I couldn't refuse.
An all expense paid Caribbean cruise with a '' friend''.
I decided the offer was to good to pass up, so I cancelled Negril, and went. What a mistake.
First stop ,the Bahamas, sorry to anyone that likes it there, but not impressed.
Then it was off to Puerto Rico, and St. Thomas. I've been to both, and while lovely islands, still
wasn't the greatest.
Last stop, Grand Turk, on Turks and Cacois. Very surprised, beautiful Island, I think the best of
the stops as far as beaches, and water etc.
So here comes the hard part.
We booked A catamaran/snorkel trip and as we all piled on, there they were,three Jamaican guys
that were handling the boat. Wearing the swimtrunks in Jamaica colors, flashing big smiles.
The sound of reggae blasting from the speakers. I jumped on and smiled, and said "wHA GUAN''
and I get the reply, hey spice girl welcome aboard mon.!
The rum punch started a flowing and as sappy as this sounds, I longed to be in Negril, instead of where I was.
Never make that mistake again!!!!!
On the flip side, no pun intended, lol, I had changed my Feb trip to the boardie bash, and ended up
meeting a whole bunch of great peeps, if I hadn't changed, thing s happen for a reason???

[Todd]

Thanks for sharing that jojo. It re-enforces what the wife and I have been saying for years. Why go somewhere else when we already love, are familiar with, and know what to expect (a real good time!) We appreciate every second, every sight, sound, and smell in Negril.

[Mike_D]

After 4 straight trips to Negril, the Wife insisted that we try someplace new this year. So, this past June, we took a trip to Elbow Cay in the Abaco islands of the Bahamas. I did much research and found that this island was remote, had a chill vibe, no big resorts, cheap cottage rentals and nice beaches. What it didn't have was any culture to speak of. The very few locals on the island were basically Americans. Everybody else were wealthy folks that could afford huge vacation homes or people that could afford yachts to sail there from Florida. There was no local cuisine. No locally sourced food. Everything was imported, including Kalik, the native beer of the Bahamas (@ $18 a six pack!) I cursed to myself every time I paid for dinner and the bill came to $80-$100. To top it off, the island is very difficult to get to, involving 2 flights and a ferry ride. On the way home our first flight was delayed and we missed our connection, forcing us to stay over night in Ft Lauderdale and pay an additional $800 for new flights. Although I did enjoy the beaches, the snorkeling and the tropical environment, most of the time we were there I found myself longing for the vibe, the food, the affordability and the people of Jamaica. And to be honest, the beaches there cannot hold a candle to 7 Mile, and of course the Negril cliffs are one of kind.

This is why we are now planning our return to Negril at the end of this year!

[Gailieb]

Almost..... we just returned from a week at Sandals LaSource Grenada and absolutely loved all the Jamaican staff there - we had great conversations with all the staff but the Jamaicans were exceptional. Made us remember how much we loved the Jamaican people that we're going back to Negril next year !

[Ziggy]

It was great meeting you.

[IRIEchic]

Yes I know the feeling! No matter where I go and I've been to many islands I always seem to compare them to Sweet Jamaica can't explain it the vibe is just different!

[Hussyband]

Twice.... Maybe three times, but the third kind of does not count. 1.). Did the Dominican Republic one year. Where we went was so remote, we had to stay on resort for everything. Nothing to do,out of the resort, literally barren beyond the walls, and no swimming allowed... 2.). Sandals, dunns river. Horribly sick from their food second day (along with a large number of other guests we found out after the fact) sick for three days, finally went home early. 3.) last year, leaving the cliffs and thinking a week at couples would be fun for our second week. Still negril, but awful after the freedom and fun of the west end.

[Babalew]

Oh I was all set....I had made up my mind that I would spend the majority of my winter trip in barbados. easier to get around, getting some real got deals for oceanfront kitchenettes. I'm going to pull the trigger. After a few days of floating and meditating in the sea, i came to my senses. Why would i go anywhere else when i would be there wishing i was in jamaica? this is what i know, what i'm familiar with....why mess with perfection??!!! I will take smaller trips to a few places i can do for a few weeks but the majority of my time is down for jamaica!!!!

[Big_frank]

Made the mistake of trying the Bahamas around the turn of the century for a week.
It's not better in the Bahamas. Might as well be in Florida. Stayed at the Radisson on Cable Beach.

[mmtripoli@earthlink.net]

Great Thread JoJo -

Maybe this one should be Titled "Has anyone NOT made this mistake?"

It really got me thinking as to how many times and the situations surrounding those times - this has happened to me. I had to laugh. Let's see... made this mistake in Acapulco, Puerto Vallarta, St. Thomas, Hawaii, numerous cruises, Europe (13 countries) as a whole....LOL

Only a few exceptions where I was just like..."this is worth 1 less trip to Negril". Those exceptions were Amsterdam, the Fjords of Norway-up near Arctic Circle and the Cinque Terre Italy. I guess 3 out of about 50 isn't the best percentage. Even so, I do keep attempting other places but now I try to never let one of those other trips interfere with a visit "back home"-Negril. LOL

Also, I totally agree with the irony of being somewhere else and hearing reggae or patois and it making you homesick for the vacation YOU SHOULD HAVE WENT ON! It has happened to me in the strangest places (Germany, France, Vancouver.)

Again, thought provoking thread!