We just returned from the most amazing trip of our lifetime. We were able to take almost two months off to travel. Southern Asia, mostly, Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, mostly. It was an absolute amazing experience, and we loved every minute of it.
However, it wasn't Jamaica. And, having been coming to Jamaica regularly, we couldn't help but compare. And really, it kinda confirmed my suspicion that Negril is my favorite place in the world.
We went to some of the best beaches in the world - Goa, Sri Lanka, Phuket, Phi Phi, Koh Phagnon - and while all were beautiful, I would prefer 7 Mile beach to any of them. We saw many beautiful places, but, really, few compare with sunset on the cliffs of Negril. And no where in the world compares to the wonderful people of Jamaica, with the possible exception of Nepal(and no beaches there).
The small things would be what I would compare. I much prefer the "HOT! HOT! HOT!" guy on the megaphone to the "THAI BOXING TONIGHT! TONIGHT!" guy on the Phuket megaphone trucks. People complain about Norman Manley traffic? They obviously have not been to Goa, or anywhere in Asia. But again, the people were the difference. People just seem more genuine and welcoming in Jamaica.
Traveling expands your mind, and this trip certainly did. I highly recommend India, for example, as a wonderful cultural experience, and you will learn a lot about people in general traveling there, good and bad. Traveling educates us, and more people, particularly Americans, need to travel, particularly to places outside our comfort zone, and we are much better people having experienced this.
But I miss Negril. For fun, relaxation, and friends, old and new, there is no place I'd rather be.