First trip approaching fast...want to say Hi, and THANK U

[Muck]

2 weeks at CSA??? Lucky you... Our 2nd visit will be this coming December.

You're going to have a blast....make sure you spend an afternoon or two just walking down the beach and checking out some of the local establishments. We enjoy having a few at Tony's.

Also, spend an afternoon/evening on the cliffs, maybe a dinner at LTU or Ivans.

[annymc]

Try out http://facebook.com/Abeokutajamaica. Abeokuta is mystical and romantic and if you call prior you can order lunch and enjoy it by the natural mineral pool under the Mediatation Tree, surrounded by the most amazing views. This is a magical experience of feeling at peace for the day.
I hope you enjoy your trip.

[MBJ]

I recently came out of the closet myself....my wife and I will be there at the same time! We are twice your age, but if they allow Senior Citizens, we may check out the Sunday One Love Bus ...Maybe they offer a Seniors discount (I'm extremely cheap) Negril Hills is neat, but pricey and I got a great idea for a Romantic Dinner, but I need to book it for Sat-6th before I recommend it...heeheehee

Looking for A few ideas...first of all a little info about my FI and myself. 29, & 28 respectively, active couple from Northern Alberta Canada, we have been together for just about 9yrs, and have a Great Dane named Winston. We have travelled to Cuba, Mexico, all over British Columbia/Alberta/Saskatchewan, Seattle, Vegas together, California, Maritimes and Toronto. We have been fortunate to have travelled this much, but felt we found home when we stepped out of the airport in Mobay last year, choosing Jamaica for our honeymoon was a no brainer! Don't get me wrong our resort was very nice, but I spent just as much time in the tiny craft market beside it bantering with the locals, being told about Negril, and visiting/sub-ing, as I did at the swim up bar! My better half although extremely adventurous, friendly and outgoing, although he is less observant and did get hustled last year in Ocho. Meh, we laughed about it, chalked it up to learning experience (or maybe dirty b's, subs, sun...lol). Myself, I work in agriculture, love to golf, swim, anything outside. I can be both very outgoing and very shy, but when I am people person, so if we meet, we may lose a day "catching up".
K now that we got that out of the way...lol! Questions...

shell..have fun in Barbados, let me know how it turns out!..what was your experience with CSA in terms of getting taxis, arranging offsite excursions, or dinners to the cliffs? I had a rather difficult time trying to dial out to a local Jamaican # last time. We are taking to provided shuttle to CSA. Does it suck? I've read mixed reviews, super expensive beer / food break? I was contemplating hiring a private driver from the "transportation" section, but still a cheap-o at heart...trying to let that go a title since it is our H-moon, and starting it off with a private car, vs a bus might be a nice option?. Could I pm you some other more resort specific q's?

Places for a romantic dinner(doesn't need to be fancy by any means), would like to book it /arrange while at CSA? Would it be easiest to just suck it up and go to a digicel or lime and get a phone for these purposes?

Negril Hills Golf Club. Caddy recommendations for young couple? Worth going a few times(3-5) in two week if green fees and transportation are included. We love golf, but realize its very very warm and humid as well.

Good bars with nice vibes close-Ish to CSA?

Lots of questions, oops!

Thanks in advance!

Maybe we'll meet a boardie on the One Love Bus Bar Crawl (Courtney and Lee, signed up for Sunday July 7th, and Wed. July 10!) or if I'm super lucky and see Gerryg123 zoom by on a scooter! Can hardly wait! Less than two weeks

[Cpuff863]

Thanks Muck! Tony's check!! LTU/Ivan's, thanks.
annymc, I printed off the info to show my future hubby! seems like our kinda place. Thanks, seen some pictures from the Boardie Bash, beautiful.
MBJ...LOL. Hope u decide to also do the crawl!! I am super psyched, we are old souls who rarely let loose....so just in case...dont judge, HA! Let me know after u book?
! Figure if I can get my FI out and about, he'll be scoping out places for our "next" trip! Is it normal to be contemplating a trip back to a place I've never been? I am half crazy from wedding planning?
Thanks

[Rob]

Cpuff,

Greetings to Negril and Negril Message Board!

We hope to see you when you are here! You can find us at any of the webcasts on RealNegril.com and should you want to contact us for any reason you can call us at 423-5479 when in Negril!

Have a spectacular time! And yes, you and your FI are normal.... (grin)

[MBJ]

Our favorite is Rockhouse Rest. and they offer (2) "Private" tables..........one is on the cliff next to the Rest. and the other is the "Hut" where massages are done(I think)..........They are pefect for special occaisions, call for details/pricing......We are booked!!!

Thanks Muck! Tony's check!! LTU/Ivan's, thanks.
annymc, I printed off the info to show my future hubby! seems like our kinda place. Thanks, seen some pictures from the Boardie Bash, beautiful.
MBJ...LOL. Hope u decide to also do the crawl!! I am super psyched, we are old souls who rarely let loose....so just in case...dont judge, HA! Let me know after u book?
! Figure if I can get my FI out and about, he'll be scoping out places for our "next" trip! Is it normal to be contemplating a trip back to a place I've never been? I am half crazy from wedding planning?
Thanks

[shell]

Cpuff~I"ll try to answer a couple of your quesitons..
You "shouldn't" have a problem calling out of your room. Having said that we have already had a "temperamental" phone while staying at CSA. We bought a digcel phone there in Negril on one of our first trips so usually use that for both local and international calls.
Getting transportation is not problem,you can use the route taxi system if you just want to go someplace along the beach road,go out in front of CSA( we usually walk a bit so we're not right in front of it) and point to the road.. wont be long before a taxi stops.. (just make sure it has a red plate and the route written on the side) Lots of info on here about route taxis but if you need info I"ll be glad to explain how they work. When we go to the cliffs we usually negotiate a rate with one of the route drivers to take us there. I"m sure the front desk or one of the guards outside of CSA would also arrange it for you. Not sure of price.Also, a number of the more popular places like Ivans will you up for free, you just pay for ride back.
The shuttle.. it wasn't until I went to answer you on this that I realized we never took the shuttle to CSA. We stay on the cliffs for a few days before going to CSA so always arranged our own transpiration. We have taken the Couples shuttle to their resorts in Ocho Rios and it was fine. Never had to wait long for it to leave the airport and one time stopped on the way and the other time went straight to the resort. Its up to you whether you want to spend a little extra $ to skip the shuttle. Pros and cons both way.. We've always used Clives Transportaion , you can also arrange excursions with him. I know they have a tour desk at CSA but I"ve never used it so can't help there.
Feel free to pm me... like I said.. I"m already missing CSA and Negril and I"m going to have to live vicariously through others until next year.
Have a great trip!

[johng]

Cpuff,

Although this will be your honeymoon I see that you and your fiance are active Canadians (Alberta is one of the nicest places I have ever been) you might want to consider some bicycle trips around Negril and the surrounding areas. I have on several occasions taken my bike to Jamaica as checked luggage (packed in a cardboard box minus pedals and handlebar turned sideways) and literally bike the entire island. Understanding that you probably don't want to bring your bikes with you there must be several places to rent bikes in Negril. Perhaps your hotel offers them?? If you are in Negril for two weeks I would imagine that daily exercise outside a fitness studio is something to consider. You might want to check Google Earth and a Jamaica road map to see what short or long trips might be practical. There is some unbelievable scenery within 20 miles of Negril that would be a rather easy ride. Also any trips to the West End (Ricks, etc...) are a short ride without having to take taxi's all the time the only downside being after a few Red Stripes or Rum drinks the ride home might be less appealing. The other opportunity you might consider is renting a motorcycle?? Depending on your experience with such it would allow some awesome day trips to most anywhere you wanted to go. Most MC's in JA as I understand it are 500cc or less so if riding is your thing that might be an option too. Remember of course you are driving on the left side of the road, road conditions can often times be quite bad and car drivers in JA drive pretty fast, having said that I have biked around Jamaica twice without ever having the least problem of any sort and am here to tell about it. In any event best wishes to you and your guy and have a safe and enjoyable time in Negril. Cool Runnings, John