Negril.com is 30 years old this year!

[Rob]

It really doesn't seem that long ago, sitting at the Ocean Edge Bar and allowing my mind's eye to see the framework of what would become Negril.com.

In 1995, the Internet had only been around for a couple years and there was less than 2300 websites in total at the beginning of the year. An interesting one was "Jerry and David's Guide to the World Wide Web", soon to become Yahoo.

The major browser was called Netscape and WebCrawler was the first commercial search engine available.

With the help of Garth Beckford from Green Island, we came up with the name Beingee's which was used for the various entities needed to make Negril.com become a reality.

I created my first domain, beingees.com as a test site for uploading pages over incredibly slow dial up. Below is a link to the very first test page uploaded. Graphics weren't a standard yet, so I did not include any pictures at all. The Internet was a text based environment at that point.

Here is a link to the very first page:

https://realnegril.com/beingees/beingees.htm

We will be celebrating Negril.com's 30th through the rest of the year, so please feel free to add your comments, memories and questions.

I have a feeling that a lot of the first pages will be filled with surprises!

[Ras Walleye]

Congrats on making a crazy dream reality!
The benefits to the community have been immense! It’s been a daily visit for me since I found it 26 years ago. So many friends made over the years. So many great webcasts. Thank you!

[VVHT]

Rob,

Thank you for creating Negril.com web site 30 years ago.
It has provided me with loads of great stories and advice over the years!

Shout out to Big Frank (may he rest in peace).
Big Frank ( a long time boardie) suggested I try the West End back in 2006 and specifically Seastar Inn.
I had been a beach guy since 1992 and was looking to change things up.
The Saturday night show at Seastar was in super charged mode in the mid 2000's and there were a couple of times we had at least 400 Boardies at Seastar for the show!!

My Negril.com journey began in 1995 when I bought my first home computer and signed up for AOL.com.
My very first Web Search was "Negril, Jamaica" and Rob's site came up.

Those early years I was mostly a lurker, most of boardies at the time had been coming to Negril since the 60's and 70's.
And too be honest, I was a bit intimidated by them and still considered myself a newbie and was amazed at their stories and knowledge of Jamaica.

Over the years we have lost many boardies and they are missed and will not be forgotten.

So many wonderful memories!!!

Enjoy,

VVHT aka Happy

[Jaherring]

Congrats! I always visit Negril.com with my morning coffee. I just stumbled across this sight in 2006 while trying to book my first solo trip. I often think about all the boardies that I dont see on here anymore. I wonder how they are doing and where they are. I'm glad that I got to attend a few live webcasts. They were always fun.

[1966 Hippie]

Wow Rob, can?t believe so much time has passed. Started coming to Negril in 1985 . Small out of the way village not visited by many. Can?t exactly remember when we first met. I think it was on the beach at Debuss. Remember going to Sav to the market and people staring at us . I asked our driver why are a lot of people staring at us ? He told me you might be the first white people they have ever seen. Scuba diving and snorkeling was the reason to come to Negril, I had read about it in Skin Diver magazine and fell in love with the West End. Made it my business to come back At least twice every year since. Even before getting married in 1989 i came with my Girlfriend Justine, who became my wife. When we got married I asked her where would you like to go on our honeymoon. She said where do you think dummy of course Negril at the Rock Cliff. We loved Mr. And Mrs. Allen and stayed there many years until unfortunately it closed. Over the years we have stayed at just about every hotel in Negril at least once. Justine would laugh and say our addiction to Negril became worse when you started the website. Gave us a chance to be in Negril whenever we wanted to,plus updating everything that was new happening there. Thank you so much for your friendship and being our Negril guide. Look forward to seeing you in November. All the best Dan 1966 Hippie

[Jambarney]

Big Up Rob. Some of our greatest memories are the numerous webcasts that Rob put on. They really helped eased the time in between trips! Too many to count adventures and good people met based on this website. A couple of the best that stood out were the time we missed our return flight and Rob wrote me a Dr's excuse saying I was unable to fly due to an earache! And also the time Badnaz embarassed that guy in that over proof shot contest at Doc's/Chicken Lavish.

The Seastar saturday night reggae shows and parties afterwards were always a great time. This was truly a golden age for Negril. Even though we're a lot older now and can't hang like that and seeing more spots along the caribbean, Negril will always be our 1st love.

Big Up Rob/ take care,

Jambarney & Badnaz

[Scott and Janet]

Congratulations to you and Negril. Com... We have loved it when we were at home and could catch up with things there. Over our 40 trips since 2003 and you both are still kicking. See you later

[Jamakafun]

Happy Birthday, We've been enjoying since 2005. You've provided so much info about everything and plenty of entertainment. Thanks so very much.

[ukran1ans]

Congrats Rob on your 30th! Your website has been my 'Go To' the last 10 years and I've learned so much from it (and the Boardies I've met thru it)!

[nori]

Congratulations Rob!
Thank you so much for all your hard work in creating this valuable, informative and engaging space for like-minded travelers and lovers of all-things Jamaica.
I discovered this site early on as Beingees and got to know and appreciate the great people of this community. Long may you run!
Peace and love