A silly money question - US$ to JA$

[MissBlue]

You also get a better rate when you convert at the Cambios/banks...just my opinion.

actually that is not just opinion - it's a fact. cambios & banks do give the best exchange rate.

and Rob i actually DO miss a lot of those things. Obviously i do not live there, but for a travel destination, i prefer no phones or tv - and rustic, (so-called) "uncivilized" ways, and the old road when you never quite knew when, how, or 'if' you'd even get there on the same day .... the whole reason i loved it is because a trip to Negril was 'adventure travel' - heck just GETTING there was an adventure. You never knew if you'd have water or current or ice, and as such were forced to be creative and make-do, and take all as it comes ... for me personally, that's where ALL "the juice" is about traveling; it's not just a luxury trip, it's a life-lesson - and that's why I travel in the first place. The day Gilbert slammed us was some of the most profound heartical experiences i have ever had, and cemented my love, respect, and appreciation for the Jamaican people and culture.

Before the modcons, yes there was less creature-comfort - but on the other hand, the whole vibe of the place was much more mellow, quiet, and serene. To some travelers, that means more than comfort or luxury. A built-up tourist 'attraction' with 'resorts' and organized tours and pub crawls is boring and generic to me.... once a place gets to that point there's nothing very special about it any more.

[Hussyband]

actually that is not just opinion - it's a fact. cambios & banks do give the best exchange rate.

and Rob i actually DO miss a lot of those things. Obviously i do not live there, but for a travel destination, i prefer no phones or tv - and rustic, (so-called) "uncivilized" ways, and the old road when you never quite knew when, how, or 'if' you'd even get there on the same day .... the whole reason i loved it is because a trip to Negril was 'adventure travel' - heck just GETTING there was an adventure. You never knew if you'd have water or current or ice, and as such were forced to be creative and make-do, and take all as it comes ... for me personally, that's where ALL "the juice" is about traveling; it's not just a luxury trip, it's a life-lesson - and that's why I travel in the first place. The day Gilbert slammed us was some of the most profound heartical experiences i have ever had, and cemented my love, respect, and appreciation for the Jamaican people and culture.

Before the modcons, yes there was less creature-comfort - but on the other hand, the whole vibe of the place was much more mellow, quiet, and serene. To some travelers, that means more than comfort or luxury. A built-up tourist 'attraction' with 'resorts' and organized tours and pub crawls is boring and generic to me.... once a place gets to that point there's nothing very special about it any more.

So, if there is nothing special about it anymore, you are not going back?

I've only been going since 98, and we started out in the mega resorts, have since found happiness at a hotel with no phone, TV, or otherwise (tensing pen). I don't really drink, never smoke ganja, but have found the island to be incredibly relaxing, and remains special to me even after only 15 years of travel there...

[Rob]

actually that is not just opinion - it's a fact. cambios & banks do give the best exchange rate.

and Rob i actually DO miss a lot of those things. Obviously i do not live there, but for a travel destination, i prefer no phones or tv - and rustic, (so-called) "uncivilized" ways, and the old road when you never quite knew when, how, or 'if' you'd even get there on the same day .... the whole reason i loved it is because a trip to Negril was 'adventure travel' - heck just GETTING there was an adventure. You never knew if you'd have water or current or ice, and as such were forced to be creative and make-do, and take all as it comes ... for me personally, that's where ALL "the juice" is about traveling; it's not just a luxury trip, it's a life-lesson - and that's why I travel in the first place. The day Gilbert slammed us was some of the most profound heartical experiences i have ever had, and cemented my love, respect, and appreciation for the Jamaican people and culture.

Before the modcons, yes there was less creature-comfort - but on the other hand, the whole vibe of the place was much more mellow, quiet, and serene. To some travelers, that means more than comfort or luxury. A built-up tourist 'attraction' with 'resorts' and organized tours and pub crawls is boring and generic to me.... once a place gets to that point there's nothing very special about it any more.

MissBlue,

Gilbert was a life changing event for me, essentially the sole reason I chose to move here in the first place. That is something I will never forget. But it would have been nice to know about it say a day or two in advance, and I as well as most of the residents of Negril appreciate at least the option of knowing about things like that in the year 2013.

As for the things I mentioned, no one is making you use any of them. An you dont need to venture very far from Negril to find a "more rugged state". You can choose to not use a phone and there are still places in and around Negril that you can rent with no running water or electricity. And you can always choose to take a route taxi through the interior of the island to get to Negril to recapture that "adventure travel" feeling. I assure you that there are still life lessons there for you to learn. Even after 20 years of living here, I am still learning things.

But in all fairness to those of us who do live in Negril, while it may be an "adventure" to have no phone, water or electricity for week or two - spending your life without those things is not all that pleasing.

As for the tourist attractions and pub crawls, once again - no one is making you do those things, they are simply offered for those that want to do those activities.

And in all honesty, you probably would have never heard about Negril when you did without the "tourist attractions" of those early days where Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Paul McCartney hung out including places the Wharf Club, the Negril Yacht Club, the Negril Beach Village and Rick's Cafe. Those places helped put Negril on the map for those early adventurers in the late 60's and 70's.

But to each their own and each of us looks at things different. This history lesson is now finished.... (grin)

[Flipadelphia26]

And in all honesty, you probably would have never heard about Negril when you did without the "tourist attractions" of those early days where Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Paul McCartney hung out including places the Wharf Club, the Negril Yacht Club, the Negril Beach Village and Rick's Cafe. Those places helped put Negril on the map for those early adventurers in the late 60's and 70's.

I didn't know McCartney was a Negril guy?

[garysteph1018]

I didn't know McCartney was a Negril guy?

Sure was! Someone on the board even has a pic with him on the beach &, I believe, along with his one true love Linda.

[MissBlue]

because many of us were traveling to Negril in the 70's and 80's .... and we loved it deeply...... and the changes that have happened since then are relevant to many people who are on this website.....

[Flipadelphia26]

I will be 30 in January!

[MissBlue]

nope, probably not hussyband. not to negril anyway... other places on the island that are still in a more rugged state, yep!

[negril#1fan]

How could you not enjoy sitting by the road with the wheel barrow waiting on the ice truck? Negril was great back then and its still pretty good........

[RockRobster]

As I go through the aging process(not at all like a fine wine) I realize that I am less and less willing to do without my creature comforts. I've camped in jungles before and I won't be doing that again anytime soon! For me, it is important that I am able to stay in contact with my business back in the States and that I can be reached by phone at any time. Does that suck? Possibly. But, it is what it is....for the next twenty years or so...then I can go slightly off the grid. Still have to have ac, though....