1st Trip, First Trip Report

[madcam94]

Thanks so much for sharing. We have rented a scooter and did some exploring on the island on our last trip. We didn't have any problems but then again we were very cautious, it can be indeed quite dangerous. Do you mind sharing how the One Love bus works? It sounds like they pick you up and you travel to the different bars with the bus and its passengers, is that correct? For instance stop 1, you all get off, drink at the bar and then get back on the bus when its time and on to the next bar? That sounds like fun. What was the cost per passenger on the One Love bus? Oh and what is a purple rain, what's in it? Have you seen anyone making flaming Bob Marleys in your adventures?

[TizzyATX]

You'll be back

[mjc12771]

1/7 Thursday

This was a rest day with no plans except to hit Ahhh Bees for dinner and music.
Did not make the gym today as I drank a little too much the night before and this throw me off the rest of vacation. Oh well, I’ll have to work harder starting next week. Up late and off to breakfast for eggs and fish again.

After breakfast we decided to take a walk north. We pasted Beaches-to many kids and Couples-too rich for our blood. Now I have no problem with all-inclusive as we have done our share but in Negril there is so many cool restaurants and places to see that I would never do one in Negril. I lie I might do Grand Pineapple as it is reasonably priced and won’t feel bad about eating out. We walked all the way thru the little woods and past Sandals and thru a little gate and realized we might have went too far. There are naked people. We hit Hedo. We looked at the little table of crafts and bought a few things but turned around as it is my understanding you can’t enter without removing your clothes. That is just not for us. I was hoping we could have walked to the Pointe Condo to check them out but it seemed you would have to use the road. No shoes so figured that was not a good idea. Just walking thru the woods without shoes was hard.
We headed back and just as we came out the woods we stopped at a little bar/restaurant for a drink. I can’t remember the name but it had awesome Purple Rains. We then stopped by Fireman’s to check out for dinner on Friday.

Once we got back to the Treehouse we took a break and then around 530 we headed to the Cliffs. Now we are new to this and a cabbie in the parking lot got us and took us to the cliff for 4 it was $16 and I know that was more we would have paid at the road but the men couldn’t say no. Anyway, we really liked the driver-JR was his name- and used him a few other time until…. You will have to wait until Sunday report to find out what happened.
Anyway we went to Ahhh Bees because of the great reviews and my husband talked to him at Drifter’s and he told us he was making his mother’s brownie recipe for Thurs and there would be a band. That is how we went here. Problem was he didn’t make the brownies but had someone run somewhere to get some and they were incredible. I guess I should have asked. Anyway, burgers where excellent. I had just a bacon cheeseburger and my husband had some kind of burger with an egg on it. I would really recommend this place. The band was good. Really an enjoyable night. We had the restaurant call JR and back to Treehouse we went for a nightcap and bed.

TIP-Best Purple Rains on the beach at entrance of woods and Marley’s. Don’t walk thru gate at end of beach if you don’t want see naked people or have to take off clothes.

[mjc12771]

Thanks so much for sharing. We have rented a scooter and did some exploring on the island on our last trip. We didn't have any problems but then again we were very cautious, it can be indeed quite dangerous. Do you mind sharing how the One Love bus works? It sounds like they pick you up and you travel to the different bars with the bus and its passengers, is that correct? For instance stop 1, you all get off, drink at the bar and then get back on the bus when its time and on to the next bar? That sounds like fun. What was the cost per passenger on the One Love bus? Oh and what is a purple rain, what's in it? Have you seen anyone making flaming Bob Marleys in your adventures?

The One Love Bus is a pub crawl that takes you to 6-7 local pubs for about 30 min each. There is no cost for the transportation you pay for drinks at bar. Lenbert works on tips. We tipped $20 per couple. It is so much fun. I believe he does the pub crawl 3 days a week and you can email him at bananaznegril@hotmail.com to get a pick-up.

Purple rain taste to me like those smarties candies.

NO flaming Bob Marleys

[mjc12771]

You'll be back

Tizzy- we will be back. Hoping 2 weeks or 2x next year. We have a ski trip with the kids in March already planned so no more this year. Well maybe Dec. for my BDay if I can convience hubby

[mjc12771]

1/8 Friday
This was our one and only all day excursion. We headed to Pelican Bar and YS Falls. We had heard/read great reviews on Ashton Pitt and book with him. He charged $180 total for the 4 of us. I’m sorry to all those Ashton lovers but I cannot recommend him. He drove absolutely crazy and we almost asked him to slow down. Passing like crazy and driving fast on bumpy winding roads. It was not called for. I have never been car sick in my life and was starting to get a headache and nausea on the way back. We paid for a private tour and planned to be back at 6 so there was no need to put us in danger to drive that crazy. We knew we had to leave YS falls by 4:00ish to get back in time. He also told a little history of the Island but was not very personable. The van he used was old and seats were so close to the ones in front that we needed to sit in separate rows to stretch legs a little. Literally so close my knees where pushed into the set ahead of me unless I turned sideways. Then I asked him about eating at a road side stand or somewhere called Howie's Healthy Eating that I had heard about and was no good food at YS Falls. Couldn’t even do what we wanted. Sorry was just not someone I would book with again or recommend to others.

Ok about the day. Ashton took us to Pelican Bar first. It was really neat and pretty but we were the only 4 there so kind of boring. We did talk to one young man most the and his story was interesting. Started smoking his dad’s spliffs at 9 and now is a wood craver that sells at Pelican Bar. We did float in water for a while and was gorgeous. After about 45 min we headed back to shore and then on to YS falls. Pelican bar was very nice but once was enough.



YS falls what a gorgeous place. The us two girls did the Zipline. Somehow we got a price of $35. I’m not sure how that happened as I believe it is $50 but I’m not complaining. It was a lot of fun and better than I thought. Thank goodness I had been exercising prior to this trip or I would never had made it to the top without multiple rests. YS falls has lots of stairs. After the Zipline we had a guide show us all the different areas. I’m not sure if this is required each couple gave him $5 and was kind of nice to have some pictures of the entire group taken. You have to do the swing if you are a swimmer. Lots and Lots of fun. The water is cold and refreshing. After the tour we went and tried to find food as Ashton said some was available but it was hot dogs and salads. Not what we were looking for. We spent a little time in the pools and it was about 2:30 by now and I we were all hunger so we headed up front. There was a small restaurant and we had a snack but knew we didn’t want to eat a bunch as we would be heading to dinner when we got back and cleaned up. So we had festivals and rice and peas. These were excellent and cheap. I think I spend $5 for that and a coke. Plenty for 2. We got change and headed to find Ashton for our ride home we all dreaded.



Well we made it home safe but with headaches and a little sick to our stomachs. We didn’t want to go to Fireman’s and eat lobster so we went to Sweet Spice instead. Again JR. gave us a ride and was $16 round trip. What a cute little place that had locals and tourist. We had curried goat and BBQ fried chicken. Tried my husbands curried goat and will not be eating that again. Just wasn’t my thing. He was ok with it but said he tried it and will not again. The BBQ chicken was excellent. The ice tea was gross. All and All a good meal and a good price.

Back for a nightcap and bed by 10.

TIP: Shoes are a must at Pelican Bar and YS falls. To many chances to slice your foot open. If you have a private driver make your wants known and don’t let them dictate.

[Homebrewer]

Very nice candid trip report. We're coming up on trip 15 and still haven't done the Pelican Bar and you report mentions our biggest problem about that trip: 45 minute to maybe 1.5 hours sounds like the longest it would be cool but that's a long/expensive ride there and back and we've done all the other things like Black River, Appleton Estates and YS Falls

[Georgia]

I am so enjoying your report - oh the wonders and pitfalls of Jamaica... but it sure gets under your skin.

[JitterBug]

good to see a honest review of the driver . . .
i would definitely have told him to stop and drive appropriately . . .
after all, you are the customer . . .
that's exactly what happened to me about 15 years ago, was so disappointed, that's what pushed me to drive myself . . .
it's just the last trip that i reluctantly went with linston and was pleasantly surprised! he was a great driver and would definitely use him again.

[mjc12771]

I am so enjoying your report - oh the wonders and pitfalls of Jamaica... but it sure gets under your skin.

Georgia- I agree I am already thinking about another trip