2nd paragraph in I read, "Keep in mind, I had never been outside of the continental United States so I was sure it was going to be fun for me" and "I just never knew that it would change my life."... I have stopped, as this promises to be an awesome report! Returning with some Wray N Nephew and Sangster's in about 5 minutes so I can really enjoy this!
Now to settle in....LOL!
Happy Travels
SKB
Last edited by Smokin Kevan; 11-04-2012 at 05:46 PM.
Day 3 ~ We are not in trouble with Julie since we still got up early, had our morning coffee on the porch and were ready to go to the falls when our driver picked us up at 9:00. What can I say about Mayfield Falls, it was beautiful. I highly recommend it if you have never been there. But, I had even more fun driving there and seeing the people along the way. It is amazing to me how everyone would smile and wave, the goats staked to the side of the road and friendly people hanging their laundry. Our driver explained to us that in Jamaica many of the houses are not fully built because they don't believe in credit. You build what you have the money for, and then add on when you have more. I can't imagine living like that, but maybe it's how we should all be.
Once we get to the falls, there is quite a bit of hiking and the water was chilly once you got in. But, coming from the midwest, I have never seen a waterfall and it was exhilarating. Our guides were amazing here as well, I love the fact that they honestly cared about your experience because it made everything better. It was also great hiking back through the forest, seeing the different leaves, trees, and plants. Once again, if you have never been there, GO! But, it is tiring. We have a drink at the Mayfield bar, buy a few small crafts and head back to Negril. We are pretty quiet on the way back, tired, and navigating the narrow roads with pot holes everywhere must be a task for our driver. Suddenly, he comes to a stop and curses Bumboclot. In front of us, blocking traffic are 2 cars that must have gotten into a small fender bender. They are out of the cars in the middle of the street yelling at each other. Our driver assures us "No Worries" they are just settling it Jamaican style, he honks his horn for them to get out of the way. He is trying to pass them when one of the men pulls out a machete and starts waving it at the other guy. The other guy then runs to his car and grabs a pipe. "Can we get out of here?" we ask. Our driver is trying to get around them and keep us out of the middle of everything when the guy with the pipe hits the other guy and he goes down. The other guy gets up slowly and charges at the guy with his machete. Quickly but carefully, our driver gets us out of harms way as we fly past there before we see if any more blood is shed.
So, that was exciting, and we are ready to relax. We head into town with just a quick stop at the ATM before getting back to Grand Pineapple. It was an exciting trip and we decide tonight we are just gonna relax at GP because they are having buffet on the beach and a reggae band. We take a quick nap, shower and head down to the buffet. It was lovely and I got to try callaloo (must try) which is absolutely my favorite food. Love love love it!!!! The band was nice, people were dancing, and Andrew the bartender even got up and sang. We had much fun and met some other great tourists. We were sitting on the beach and our friends ~ Shama, Ian, Cyrano, and Greg wave us over. We go over to say hi and the first question I ask them is "Last night were you guys laughing at us, or were you laughing with us?" "No mon, we were laughing WITH you and WITH Eryn as she went skippity skippity skippity all over the beach. They want us to hang out again but we are too tired, but we make plans to go snorkeling and to the island with them in 2 days. Sitting at the bar on the beach, listening to the reggae... drinking some banana rum cream I am realizing how much I love this place & I honestly can't remember being happier in my life.
There's nothing more breathtaking in the world.Originally Posted by bjritz
Day 4 begins the same way, coffee on the porch. Today we are just gonna walk the beach, and do some GP activities. I spend much of the day relaxing and napping on & off in the sun. We do some kayaking, ride the big wheel bike in the water, and of course... drinking some Dirty Bananas. After lunch, we decide to walk into town and do some shopping and try out some of the jerk chicken on the side of the road. (must have) We purchase some shirts for people back home & the store clerk lets us use his phone to call home. I check in with my daughter and unfortunately have to talk to my racist brother. (more on him later) Despite his negative comments on the vacation destination I chose to take, I am not letting him bring me down because I am having the time of my life.
After much shopping, we head back to the GP for a much needed Red Stripe or three, or four. I can't remember. We spent a few hours talking to one of the security guards ~ Donovan and again I am blown away at the people in Jamaica. Some of the best people ever. Without being too nosy, I wanted to get an idea about what the average salary is in Jamaica. He informed me that as a security guard, he works 60 hours a week and brings home about $400 US every 2 weeks. He feels blessed to have such a great job as there are so many people in Jamaica struggling to find work. He gives much of his paycheck to his mom to help his family. He was so matter of fact about it, I never once got the impression he thought this was anything but norm.
Because it is still early-ish, we decide to walk the beach. But all the security guards advise us that maybe walking the beach after dark alone is not such a good idea. Lucky for us, we have friends in Jamaica now, and they are more than happy to walk with us. Patrick asked when we thought we would be back and where we were going. I loved that they were always looking out for us. So, we head down toward Bourbon Beach to listen to some music. As soon as we start walking, we realize why we shouldn't go alone. We are walking and a guy comes up to me and is very persistent with wanting me to leave with him. I kindly inform him that I am not interested, but he will not take NO as an answer. He becomes a little aggressive and tries to pull me away when Shama & Cyrano inform him that I am with them, and after some heated Patois, the guy says Respect & moves on his way. This was the only person in Negril I met that I didn't love. We are walking a little farther when they inform me that he was a Rent-a-Dread. REALLY!!!! My first time ever being propositioned by someone in that profession, strike that one off my bucket list!
At Bourbon Beach, they have a DJ and we are having a few drinks & some Bob Marley and a few rum shots & suddenly ~ right in front of us ~ we get to see what daggering is! (Sadly, no pictures of this.) Let me tell you. I wanted to close my eyes but couldn't look away. Somehow I don't think this will become a hot dance trend in Missouri. Later, I did get asked to dance but before I agreed, I made sure my dance partners knew, I was not eager to try that. Still, the regular dancing was almost as sinful as things I have only done behind closed doors before. But amazingly the rum shots made me not care. LOL We had a great time and headed back toward home for the night. Before we got to the GP, we stopped and sat on an empty stretch of beach and talked with our new friends for a few hours. It was great exchanging our thoughts, beliefs, and feelings with people with such different backgrounds. We finally made it back to the GP about 4 am and headed off to bed. It was not too crazy a night, but had some great conversations that I will remember forever.
Tomorrow ~ snorkeling again & the island.
I'm loving this trip report so far! My first experience in Negril was at Grand Pineapple. I really miss Andrew the bartender, Ralston, Patrick, Captain Sparrow and Shamma lamma Ding Dong, and of course watching Gilbert dance and hollar across the beach!
Love all your pictures, It looks like you all had the time of your lives! So many smiles!
Yes, Every group going to Negril needs at least one "VOR" lol
Thank you for sharing your experiences! Please keep it coming! I'm looking forward to the next update
P.S. I always wanted to try that water bicycle!
Carpe Diem
Day 5 ~ Spending the day with our friends on the island. I am so excited to talk about this day because it was by far my favorite day of the trip. I know I do not have the capability of putting it into words, but I am gonna try. First of all, let me start out by saying the cost of this trip which we left at 11 and didn't arrive back til 6:30 cost us $30 US. This included the snorkeling, the drink, the ghanga, the company, and the food. Not too mention, that because they knew Julie did not drink, they always had diet pepsi for her. If it would have cost $300, it would have been worth it. We start off on the boat and it was us and 6 other people. We first stop and go snorkeling for 90 minutes. Yes...90 minutes. Not only that but Cyrano went with us and personally showed us all the cool things we would have missed by ourselves. He took us to the anchor on the sea floor, and he dove down and brought up starfish, shells, sea cucumbers (gross), sand dollars and more. When we got back on the boat, Captain Jack & Shama told us the "Tall Tales" of the pirate ship & treasure down below. We settled in, I was drinking the rum punch & smoking. Julie was kicked back with her Diet Pepsi, and Eryn was taking it easy. We motored down the beach and as we got closer to the island Captain Jack informed us that there were people really enjoying their vacation at the shore. Apparently we had arrived just after Hedonism group arrived and EVERYONE was laying out in the sun naked as a baby. I have respect for everyone and if that is how they were free, more power to 'em. No worries. I however was keeping my clothes on.
We sat in the hut and talked to new people, we learned the history of the island.
We watched as they started cooking our food which was brought in from the cages right in front of us. We watched as the guys demonstrated their spear fishing and they even let us try. We were not successful, but it was still fun trying.
To be continued....
Last edited by lovenegril; 11-04-2012 at 08:38 PM.
Here is what we ate...
Roasted breadfruit which is my new favorite favorite favorite.
Fresh from the sea...
We drank....
Great trip report! Sorry you didn't have any fun on the sunset cruise. Ha Ha .......
Feb.1 - 16 Xtabi
[https://www.TickerFactory.com/]
Again, it was by far the best day. We didn't want it to end. After eating, we relaxed, climbed some trees, played some futball, and were sad to have to leave.
We had so much fun with our friends, but they had another group to take to Rick's and they were already running late. So we had to motor back. We get to shore and they ask what we are doing later. "Nothing" we say. So, come to Rick's with us. Although we loved spending time with them, we had already done that and we didn't want to spend the money to do it again. "No no no charge, come with us as friends." Well... okay you twisted our arms. But NO bats this time. "Yah mon, no bats."
So, off to Rick's again.
Since we were going on the cruise for free, we had to at least buy the booze for the 2nd trip, so we docked somewhere and spent a whopping $25 on rum & punch. We
are cruising along, and we earned our keep by being in charge of the boat's horn. We had to mark our arrival.
We are heading to Ricks and DETOUR ... bat cave again.
After making it out alive, we finally get to Ricks and tie up with some other boats and while Eryn & Julie go in, I decide to stay on the boat.
Great report, you tell it like it is, like that. You three look to have had serious fun.
Posting Permissions
