I just got back last night and like everybody else, I wish I could have stayed longer. Not much of a trip report to write except to talk about some things I did for the first time.
Background: 20 friends planned this trip from earlier in the year and by time it was time to go, 2 dropped out which still left us with a large crowd (3 guys and 15 gals). I was suppose to arrive on the 3rd to enjoy ATI but another friend got married on a cruise so I had a pre-vacation before arriving Negril on the 6th. The group was a good blend of friends who are regular visitors and some newbies.
Trip Theme: We had a few "This vacation will be EPIC" and "It's about to go down" and "What happens in Jamaica, stays in Jamaica".
My Firsts:
BAR CRAWL -- I don't even know where to begin on this one. I've always wanted to do this and finally this group was willing to join in on the fun. Everybody is still saying this was the highlight of the trip. When the bus picked us up at NBCC, I still giggle about the facial expressions of the handful of people already sitting on the bus. Our group of 18 became 21 since 3 local friends joined us. Poolguy Windsor was there (I think I actually first met you over Xmas at Tic Toc's Travellers Party). I still need to look at the pictures to get all the names. Lenbert was awesome and even catered to our requests. We preferred the water side bars so we didn't do all the scheduled hillside bars and he added several unplanned water view bars. We stopped at so many bars and even a pizza stop. My all time favorite was XTABI....I met Lisa and Rob at the first bar and by time we made it to Xtabi, Lisa was nicknamed my babysitter! We ended at Rick's which is not standard but Lenbert did it. The crawl is supposed to be 2:30 to sunset so I guess either our group was a bit too rowdy for the others or maybe it had gotten too late for them but we had the entire bus to ourselves on the way back. I hope it is expanded to other days. Lenbert is awesome and this trip is not to be missed!
Enjoying the reaction of the locals when watching the Olympics -- The roar that erupted when a Jamaican won a medal was the best sound ever - the screams, clapping on tables and on walls was pure joy. The conversations that continued when replaying the win...it's just so indescribable.
Skinny dipping -- This was a pre-planned activity that the girls planned to do early morning - some were able to get up and do it while others slept in. I was in the sleep in group so we all decided we would do it again and plan it for our "last day on the beach party". Plan A was to strip as a group and run in together, well, we all pretty much have big mouths but none of us were bold enough to follow through so plan B was to walk in with our swim suits on and then get naked when in the sea! We did it and it was one of the most freeing experiences ever. Sure we had gawkers but we didn't care at this point. The guys in our group were riding scooters so after they returned to the beach, we told them how much fun it was so we all did it again!
There's more but will need to finish later.
Originally Posted by Jamerican71
