Seven miles of the best beach I have seen and MINE all MINE for 7 days!
When my friend Seveen (at Jamaicans.com) invited me to celebrate her half-a-century, it sounded the perfect place to go, especially on a winters day in February.
I booked with Air Jamaica who has direct flights to Montego Bay, whereas the other airlines went to Kingston. Then I booked transport to Negril from JUTA via their online juta.com which gave me a $5 US discount each way.
I was worried that I was going to be late getting to Heathrow airport, but when I got to the Air J desk I was the only one waiting - another great reason to fly them. (Plus none of their flights from the UK westward have been cancelled recently either!)
And imagine my smile when they announced the Champagne flight - yes! Free Champagne, wine, beer, rum all the way there. And on a Thursday when I flew, there was plenty of room to stretch out. Plus Jerk Chicken, Peas and Rice for supper - a nice change from other recent flights!
Arrived in Mo Bay around 7 pm, and met by friendly JUTA folks, I sat up front in the minibus (Me brave soul) and enjoyed the hour or so ride to Negril on the NEW ROAD!
Arrived at Bar-B-Barn, the funniest sounding name for an hotel but couldnt have picked a better place.
Our room was a double with two double beds, airconditioned, windows on two sides so a nice cross breeze, TV with cable (so I can get caught up on my American sitcoms whilst awaiting my turn in the shower) and plenty of closet space. We had a little balcony to sit on but why do so when the beach and the bar beckon?
Norm, the owner, was formerly Chef at Pegasus in Kingston, and his food is amazing! From the Jamaican breakfast (you can have ackee, calloo or mixed both with saltfish, and dumplings, YUM). The room includes continental breakfast, but for an extra $2 you can have the full JA brekkie instead. Blue Mountain coffee with free refills, but I opted for the freshly squeezed orange juice.
We were two steps from the beach, via the bar. HUGE glasses of white wine, crisp and cold, or frozen drinks, like pina colada made with fresh pineapple, cost $3.50 or less, and beer was about a dollar US. compared to UK prices, I was in heaven.
After my trips to France and Greece, I was not sure what to expect in a Jamaica hotel, espec a small family owned one. We paid $85 B&B for two of us, so my share was 1/2 and again compared to European/UK prices was excellent value for money.
And what can you say about a 7 mile beach with crystal clear water, blue blue blue? Sand is pink like Bermuda, but softer. You get a lounge chair and can do the sun or park under a thatched umbrella, for free (unlike some places which charge you, in France and Greece).
There is plenty of room - not crowded either.
A fruit lady will cut up fresh fruit for you as you relax on your beach - fresh coconut, pineapple, mango, papaya - we ordered several of each and the 5 of us shared the coconut water!
And the lobster man will bring you a fresh steamed lobster and a lime and there is lunch! or a pattie from another person. Unlike my trip to the Bahamas, the vendors are very low key, and do not hassle you. You just say no tyanks if you are not interested.
Not so the Taxi drivers tho I managed to get a smile when I told them we were using ankle express and didnt need them, thank you!
We ventured across the busy street to Selinas for Sunday brunch. Her cheese and calloo omelette with fruit smoothie or the Blue Mountain coffee is great! She is originally from Calgary and has a webcast on Sundays if you want to wave home at the folks. She does a book exchange so I got one for the trip home.
We also ventured out to 3 Dives which is a rustic restaurant with octagonal picnic tables on the cliffs. They do lobster for about $24 US which is 4 half lobsters! I didnt think I would be able to finish but I did! and we had a good time talking to other tourists from all over.
Negril inspires a loyal following - most people we met had been coming for over 20 years and loveing it!
Each night there is a different party along the beach. You can walk in the sand, then just pop in to whatever sounds interesting (live Reggae). Whilst we were there, Yellow Man was too - cool!
And walking back to the hotel, the stars were so bright and close. I managed to attract (?) an admirer, who said he had named one just for me. But I preferred to be on my own, so he graciously removed himself when I said my (imaginary) husband was awaiting my return.
I have read where people are afraid to go to Jamaica. Well, Negril was NOT Scary! The hotel had a security guy who kept an eye on things and I felt perfectly safe on the beach, in the hotel and walking to restaurants or taking a taxi to Rick's Cafe to watch the sunset and (very hunky) divers! The taxi driver waited for us, and escorted us back to the hotel - a nice touch!
Since this was my last holiday (or you COULD SAY my FIRST holiday) since I started my new Job on feb 9, it was just the thing - hot days, warm nights, wonderful beach.
Airfare cost about 500 GBP, but whilst there, the US$ prices were much less than in the UK and the value for money was terrific.
The flights were long - 10 hours, but the outbound one was midday, so I could easily get to Heathrow without having to get up at dawn, yet I had supper on the beach, so not too bad. Coming back my flight was at 10 pm so I had most of the day on the beach and slept on the plane home. Arrived at noon, instead of at dawn which was a plus as well.
Jamaica is more like Africa than Bermuda, with its busy thoroughfares, vendors, etc. And it is this raw quality that makes you know you are really away from home. The people are wonderful friendly, helpful and the guys very flirtacious which is good for my soul.
I coulda pulled the gardener, but decided to play hard to get... this time!
Oh, did I already mention the Sunsets? The aloe massage on the beach? Dancing in the sand to a Reggae Band? Eating 'special' birthday cake (nudge nudge)?
I shall return!
Irie, Reynarda
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