Day 8 in Negril (day 9 of trip):
I couldn't figure out how my days were off, but then I remembered - I didn't count the travel day as day 1. I literally had to count the days out on my fingers to make sure I wasn't crazy. Ok - enough of my struggle with numbers and back to the report.
This morning we wandered over to Alfreds for breakfast. It was good, although, Canoe has ruined french toast for me from anywhere else, the girls gave it a go. It was good. Tom had saltfish and ackee and Brian had his regular - eggs/bacon/potatoes. We headed down the beach and cut through Bourbon Beach to Time Square.
From there we walked to Time Square to get some cash and do a tiny bit of shopping. We really aren't in need of any trinkets, but our son wanted a "dad hat". He said to his dad - you know a dorky one. Uh....
So we grabbed some cash at the ATM and then hit it again on our way out. Let me share my two cents on the ATMs and the fear of being skimmed. We used to always use Traveler's Cheques. I liked the safety of them. Then they stopped being available. So we opted for the AAA debit card. We add a set amount on it and bring some cash. When we withdrawl - we take out the max meaning we only have to do so a couple times. We took almost the rest of it out on our last full day so that if someone DID have our number - they wouldn't get much - and it is protected - we would get it back from AAA. Some people complain about the fees. In truth - they aren't that much. I figure this way - if I can afford to go on vacation to Negril once a year - I can afford a few dollars in a transaction fee. I consider it part of the cost of vacation. When we go out of town at home and if I have to get cash - I sometimes have to pay a fee at home. 2 or 3 more dollars isn't a deal breaker for the safety net it provides me. To each their own - but that works for us.
Ok - so we find a couple "dad hats" but I can't decide. They give us a good price if we buy both - so we do. Tom and Amy are shopping and eventually we meet back up and head out. I think I need to change a bit of these US dollars in to J so I run into the cambio. I prefer to use J when I'm there and 20's sometimes cause a problem with change. It's cleaner to me - I struggle doing the conversion when I pay US and the change is in J....so it's easier.
We walk back down the beach. It's hot as hot today. I love walking the beach - the people watching in Negril is like no other place on earth to me. I think I may have covered this...but still, I just love it. The things you see...like this:
So we stop in to Sunnyside - run to our rooms to drop off the hats and put the money away. I sure don't need to be carrying that cash around! Fall into our routine of beers/sun/water/bathroom/ repeat. A little later - we decide to head down and catch some music at the Boat Bar. It was getting cloudy - so we grabbed our stuff and headed out. It was getting busy so we grabbed a table upstairs and decided to order lunch. Grilled cheese is so much better in Negril. Why is that? And fries? Lawd have mercy - I love me some fries and Grace ketchup. After we arrived - it started raining...heavily! Now the place was really packed! It rained for quite a bit - all through our lunch and a bit afterwards. We just hung out and enjoyed the vibe.
Stayed and let the rain clear up and headed back down the beach. Our towels were soaked, but the rain cleared out and the sun was back out in full force. Hung for a bit on the beach and just took it all in. Our time was drawing to a close and nothing kills the vibe like knowing it's your last day and night in Negril. Is it possible to have PNS BEFORE you leave? Yes, indeed it is. Ok - I needed to get rid of the melancholy and enjoy the moment. Off to our room with a view:
Stay tuned for our last night and the shenanigans that are to come. Let's just say - we did it up right and in the meantime, did a good deed.
