Sunrise ... Sunset. Is there any place better that I could get? Trip Report

[Jaherring]

I have read a bunch of trip reports and this is one of the best!! Thanks for sharing!

[bjritz]

Last Full Day in Negril – Part 2

Stepping out of my room into the verdant gardens amazes me each day. I love the variety of plants and flowers.



How the tree above clings to the cliff is a wonder. It has survived much to be there.

I spent some more time on the Xtabi deck and saw Captin Kirk cruise by.



I have this one up for wallpaper on my computer at work, feel free to steal it.



I went down to town on my first solo walk about. All the people we'd been meeting along the way were asking me, “Where's your brother, mon?” I bought a little necklace for my son from a guy who has a table set up in front of the church half way down. My son is wearing it alla time now. Actually passed by Canoe for the first time without stopping, it wasn't open.


I'd learned from someone that walking with the traffic is the Negril way to walk down the road. I was used to my way of walking into the oncoming traffic. I thought this would be a bit nerve racking but the drivers seemed to be so used to it and it posed no problems. I picked up some cash from the ATM and headed back up the cliff road. The beach villa at the corner was having some party as you could hear music coming over the wall. I'd read the TA reviews of the place and just had to peer over the wall, the place is gorgeous.

I popped into Kaiser on the way back. Huge place, but falling down. So sad, looks like it was a great place. I've read other boardie comments about it.



Again the rest of my afternoon was spent napping, eating and swimming in the cove. My vacation goal was to unwind all the tensions of my life. On this last afternoon at Xtabi I'd reached it. I was so chill and very mellow. I was glad to lie in the hammock or swim a bit in the pool or cove.



A chance to change the air in your brain. This is what Negril, Jamaica is for, a place to become refreshed. There are contrasts between wealth and poverty, lush gardens and trash dumped on the side of the road, staff who serve you faithfully with joy and then return to Lucea or Sav to serve their own family. The contrast that was mostly mine for the trip was arrival and departure mindset. Miles apart these two. A mind cleansed by sea air, sand in the toes, food, drink, fire all add up to a purpose, that of freeing oneself from the stickiness of living. Ah, Negril did all that for me, ya mon!

[gerryg123]

Great report! Great details and great observations. I think you "got it" about the Cliffs. There is not another neighborhood like it in the whole world. Very special place.

[bjritz]

Last Full Day in Negril – Part 3

For my last dinner in Negril, I walked over to 3 Dives and ordered a big plate. While they were cooking it all up, I wandered down to the cliff’s edge with a Spitfire in hand.


(I know this is a morning shot, and as you’ve figured out my time stamps don’t always match my story days. But, that’s the spot.)

Just looking out onto the sea with the breeze blowing made my trip complete. What a terrific place.

I took my food back and ate on my porch. I strolled down to the Xtabi deck to take in the last rays. As I sat it clouded up and I wasn’t sure if I’d get a last sunset. Watching the change in the water, the sky, seeing the many of the beach boats carry their cargo up to Ricks, was so nice.



As the light trailed off I just reflected on what this was all about for me. Why did I come? What was the part that meant the most? Was it enough?

I came to clear my head. I hadn’t been on a vacation of any length for years. My heart was just yearning for the Caribbean as I’d never been before and it was on my list. Jamaica just happened to be affordable for me. I’d seen the travel channel profile of Ricks and the Seven Mile Beach and it all looked great to me. So, I came to see it, and participate in the Negril vibe. Yeah, it was great!

Meeting the people, both locals and travelers was the part that meant the most. People of like mind who wanted to while away time at the seaside. There were also people of a different mind who took some work for me to understand. I had many good interactions, many great discussions and a great deal of laughter, the medicine of which I was in need.

Enough? Of course not! No way, this was enough. I just dipped in a toe. But, there is a deep sense of satisfaction about my reach. I had a wonderful time, I was refreshed, renewed and some of my mind set was rebooted.

I ended this evening early again, drifting off with only the knowledge that tomorrow would bring a return to reality that I was unwilling to think about just yet.

No fan tonight, just the breezes and the sounds of the road, the party going on over at 3 Dives, the smoke, the waves and the laughter spilling over from the Xtabi bar to lull me to sleep.

[Guirigay]

Just great stuff BJ, thanks for taking us along.

[NikkiV]

Wonderful reading. Wishing you a safe journey back to Negril one day soon.

[bjritz]

Last Sunrise and a Beginning

A fusion of Caribbean input surrounds the homosapien cocooned in a sheet in #8, Xtabi, One Love Drive, Negril. Sea air dances across the receptors that trigger a deeper inhalation. Soft sloshing of wata bouncing against rock reverberates against a drum, setting a mind in slow motion. Blue luminosity creeps its way into a batted eye. A dawn, a peaceful dawn, and a dawning....its my last morning in Negril.

No breakfast today, must catch a van to the airport. Juta called and bumped it all up earlier. Once last ramble to the nice outdoor shower and the sun cracks the day.

[bjritz]

I have some time to shoot a few pictures of the gardens before I meet my ride. This little bit of time alone to take it all in one more time. To stamp my mind with the image of the tropical beauty that has surrounded me the last nine days. A stillness fills me. An awe of the connection to all of this that has become fused with my person. A vacation? Yes. A once in a lifetime experience, well, so far, but I sincerely doubt it. This will happen again.



Up report I had a picture of a couple of sailboats moored off Whistling Bird, this just might be those two heading west on an adventure.

[bjritz]

Omar the affable night watchman at Xtabi waits with me for my driver. We had a great talk. Some things interesting some things surprising. He'd never been snorkeling here at Xtabi or anywhere on the cliffs. He had grown up on the eastern end of the island, but loved living and working in and around Negril. He asked me why I was using Juta for my ride, as a personal driver would take me to the airport much closer to my departure time than Juta. Cost I replied, it's cheap. He asked me how much three hours of being in Negril would be worth to me? Good question, mon. I had a good experience with Juta, but I think I will take a private driver on my next reach.

My ride came, jumped in and had a nice morning. We stopped at Sandy Bay to pick up some people, but they wanted to eat breakfast first, so we wait. I look around a bit, nice place, but no funkiness. About a half hour later we start to roll.

Loved the whole trip back. A beautiful sunny morning, the sea was its perfect blue, the lush landscape and the things that make this trip enjoyable. Goats, camels, resorts, small colorful homes, sweeping hills, “Oh, my!” passing situations, the other one way through Lucea, all filled with Reggae as we drive on toward MoBay.



A drop off at the airport and inside I find that I have lost my little other part of my immigration form. Must have packed it in my checked luggage. Good thing there are about 3000 copies of this form under the giant mural with everyone who's anyone in Jamaica on it. After filling it out the custom guy asked the silliest question. “Where is the original, why did you fill this out?” Too funny.

Now this next bit is for those of you who have been paying attention to my report from the beginning. I walk around the corner and into the departure concourse and what on earth did I find? You're right! The Jamaican Bobsled Cafe. No wonder I couldn't find it to wait for my friend Ed to arrive. Nice Jimmy Buffett shop and restaurant in the terminal as well.

Here is a couple of shots of the sea and a sailboat from the gate.



Now, my new Negril, Jamaica friends, the sun has risen and set on this trip report a final time, however, this is a beginning for me. I'm going back! I'm setting my sights on the April boardie bash and will let you know when I'm booked. I want to thank you all for your caring and kind comments. Sharing my trip with you has been quite enjoyable. Thanks to Rob, for hosting this forum. I've learned so much about traveling to Negril here and all has been fueling desire to return.

My parting shot is just that, a parting shot. Goodbye fair place until I return I know the great people here will continue to visit, love, drink, dine up all that Negril has to offer and best of all, report! Ya, mon!



Can you see the goats?

[STRIPER]

Very cool