Live entertainment late Oct?

[GLF]

We are coming to Negril the last week of Oct. staying on the beach for the first time and was curious if there will be live entertainment any weekdays, afternoon/early evening? We are planning on Drifters for Fri/Sun afternoon and Seastar Sat. night. I know Oct. Is slower but hoping for some suggestions. Stayed on the cliffs only other visit 7 years ago and after following the posts on this board it looks like we will be much happier on the beach. We like walking everywhere we go.
I'm travelling with my two sons 24 & 25. Don't think sand gravity will keep us down to long. Thanks!

[Rob]

There will be some Halloween parties at various properties as well as Tarrus Riley at Rockhouse if you happen to be here on November 4th.

Keep checking our Entertainment section for upcoming events!

[GLF]

Thanks a lot Rob! Unfortunately we are arrving the 25th and leaving on the 4th noo, we'll just miss Tarrus!! We never knew about the Entertainment section, that is exactly what we were looking for. It looks like there is 2-3 options each day so that's wonderful. We did some research ourselves and know about Drifters and a couple of other places but its nice to have it all in one place on the entertainment section. Makes it a lot easier!! I know there are a few Negril maps out there plotting where each location is, anybody have a favorite/updated one to use? I see some in google images but I was curious if any of you more experienced travelers had a favorite one. I appreciate it in advance!
Another question, if we are at one of the venues on the beach at night, when we want to go back to our grounds (Nirvana), is it best to walk on the beach or on the road, or get a taxi? I know this is a question that is not cut and dry since one person's opinion of "sketchy" can widely differ from another(some say its safe some say they wouldn't be caught dead there). We are a group of 3 men that would mostly be sticking together(not anywhere near heavily intoxicated) so I don't know if this has a bearing on anything. My thoughts are, when we are there we will just see how we feel, if its sketchy etc. and go from there.
The hagglers do not bother us at all(meaning it doesn't annoy us when they come up), this is a question about being stuck up(gun/knife) walking back where we shouldnt be. Just browsing some people make it sound very dangerous, and I would like to know if that is true? Or are there just as much people who find it not dangerous? A little more info, we aren't as scared as most people in sketchy situations, so I really am not worried, it is just I know a lot of you have a ton of more experience there, and a friendly tip or reminder would be great!! TLR : How safe is beach/road at night(various times of night)(safe being a highly relative term)

On another subject, I may start a new thread for this if I fall short using the search function, one or two days we would love to have a driver take us away from the hustle and bustle into the country and see rural Jamaica. We aren't too interested in the falls, from pictures it looks like there's always a crowd(or else we'd love it). We would like to have a beautiful drive through some nice scenery seeing the rural side. As I said in the first post we came to Negril 7 years ago and stayed on the cliffs, but we never ventured too far(just lounged around haha) and we've regretted it since. I'm not looking to have all my answers handed to me on a silver platter I do realize there is a search function but I figured since I was posting this reply anyway, might as well see if I get any personalized answers to my situation. We'd like to have an authentic Jamaican experience.. maybe sit down have a red stripe with a few locals in the country or something. We all love hiking too but I haven't found too much on any hiking near Negril. I would like a recommendation for a beautiful drive, just the driver and us, nothing too crazy of a destination if its going to be tourist-packed. I want to see the Jamaica away from the hustle and bustle of Negril for a day or two. Maybe 1-2 hour drive each way preferably.

Thank you VERY much in advance for any replies given!! Can't wait, Gary, Randy, and Brian

13 days till Paradise..!!!!

[Accompong]

On another subject, I may start a new thread for this if I fall short using the search function, one or two days we would love to have a driver take us away from the hustle and bustle into the country and see rural Jamaica. We aren't too interested in the falls, from pictures it looks like there's always a crowd(or else we'd love it). We would like to have a beautiful drive through some nice scenery seeing the rural side. As I said in the first post we came to Negril 7 years ago and stayed on the cliffs, but we never ventured too far(just lounged around haha) and we've regretted it since. I'm not looking to have all my answers handed to me on a silver platter I do realize there is a search function but I figured since I was posting this reply anyway, might as well see if I get any personalized answers to my situation. We'd like to have an authentic Jamaican experience.. maybe sit down have a red stripe with a few locals in the country or something. We all love hiking too but I haven't found too much on any hiking near Negril. I would like a recommendation for a beautiful drive, just the driver and us, nothing too crazy of a destination if its going to be tourist-packed. I want to see the Jamaica away from the hustle and bustle of Negril for a day or two. Maybe 1-2 hour drive each way preferably.

Thank you VERY much in advance for any replies given!! Can't wait, Gary, Randy, and Brian

13 days till Paradise..!!!!

For a "one of a kind" experience, you might consider going to Accompong Town either for a Day Trip or overnight. Here is a Web Site where you can read more about it. http://www.jamaicanmaroons.com/ Some backround information is that the Leeward Maroons of Accompong Town fought a war against a superior English Army and won the terms of a Peace Treaty in 1739 that is still honored today. There are no police or laws (other than common decency) here and they elect a Colonel who governs the town for a 5 year term.

There are miles and miles of hiking trails called "The Original Trails of the Maroons" http://www.jamaicanmaroons.com/cavehikesafari/ and the guides are certified in First Aid procedures.

I live in Accompong Town and will be there after the middle of this month until mid-January if you want to contact me. CaptainD's son Linston can be contacted to take you for a day trip or longer. Modest accomodations are available at @ $3,000Jamaican a night.

Peace and Guidance

[GLF]

Thank you Accompong for a great response. That sounds exactly what we are looking for! We would love to take a day trip there, we'd love to stay a night but we are locked in with our accommodations, yet, my one son would like to stay a night(he's more into local culture and such) though he knows he'll be paying for a seperate ride back :P What kind of accomodation are we talking?(nothing fancy I know, just a little detail I'd like) That same son is ecstatic about the hiking there, already talking about Cockpit country. What is the best way to keep in contact with you or Linston for further questions and pricing? Does he do airport transfers to Negril? On a slightly different topic, Do the police target foreigners in hopes of a bribe or do they tend to be more tolerable with respectable tourists? I know some of you don't like talking about it and such but I was also curious what our best option will be for any day rides we take, should we bring a few J's with us driving(less preferable option) or will we run into it wherever we go(into the country) Thank you very much for your time and recommendations. Maybe we will see you Accompong! We would love to see your town. Gary, Randy, Brian

[captaind]

Linston and I will be going to see Accompong in two weeks.

Stay tuned for a trip report

Cap

[Sam I Am]

GLF - A few answers / my opinions:

Here is the map I use... a bit outdated but still quite useful: http://media.tripod.lycos.com/2567851/1586661.pdf

Captaind's son Linston is a great driver that could probably hook you up with a great day in the country: http://redplate-negril.com/ 876.376.3652

As you mentioned, one man's sketchy is another man's calm... that being said, I typically feel fine walking on the road at night.

[GLF]

Thank you Sam I Am, that will be a big help for us. We will definitely set up something with Linston! We would love to see the country side for a day or so. Thanks for your input on how you feel walking at night(latest we would be out is 10-12). It sounds like the road is the best bet for walking at night, thank you. What about at night in front of Nirvana, anybody feel safe enough taking a stroll down to the water when its dark (7pm-12am) or is the whole beach pretty dark( which i guess makes it more "risky") after sunset? Thank you so much in advance for your replies!!

[Accompong]

Thank you Accompong for a great response. That sounds exactly what we are looking for! We would love to take a day trip there, we'd love to stay a night but we are locked in with our accommodations, yet, my one son would like to stay a night(he's more into local culture and such) though he knows he'll be paying for a seperate ride back :P What kind of accomodation are we talking?(nothing fancy I know, just a little detail I'd like) That same son is ecstatic about the hiking there, already talking about Cockpit country. What is the best way to keep in contact with you or Linston for further questions and pricing? Does he do airport transfers to Negril? On a slightly different topic, Do the police target foreigners in hopes of a bribe or do they tend to be more tolerable with respectable tourists? I know some of you don't like talking about it and such but I was also curious what our best option will be for any day rides we take, should we bring a few J's with us driving(less preferable option) or will we run into it wherever we go(into the country) Thank you very much for your time and recommendations. Maybe we will see you Accompong! We would love to see your town. Gary, Randy, Brian

Greetings GLF,

I responded to your Private Message and how to contact me further.

Contacting Linston for everything concerning getting you there and back is how you should proceed. Once in Accompong Town, I can help you with all your other needs and wants. Accompong Town is a "locals" experience and you will be treated as a friend and not a target for your tourist dollars.

I have travelled around Jamaica for over three decades now and I know that sometimes Jamaicans and the Police prefer to "grease the wheels" to get things done but I have never experienced the police targeting foreigners. In fact, the police have always gone out of their to help me when needed. Everyone's experience is, of course, different but going around with a notion that you need to pay bribes is not a normal thing (though more common a few years ago).

I look forward to talking with you further.

A picture from a recent hike Marshall took with a visitor to the Peace Cave.


Peace and Guidance

[Accompong]

During the Maroon War from 1655 to 1739, the small band of Maroon Warriors and their families were able to hide from the English Army using the large, cavernous caves found throughout the Cockpit Country. There were some caves that had small lakes in the bottom to supply drinking water and could hold as many as 50 people at a time. Near Accompong Town are a few like: Wondrus Cave, Cook's Bottom and of course the Peace Cave. Here is a picture to enjoy.


Peace and Guidance