We are very sad today cuz our Jamaica trip is over. We both had the best time that we have ever had. We fell inlove with Negril and Sandals Negril was the best. We want to go back one day. The trip started out not too good. Us leaving from Sacramento. When we got to LAX we had 3 hours to wait. I had planned it that way because you just never know what could happen when you travel internationally. We tried to check out luggage in. 4 BIG suitcases, 2 carry-ons. We were told the flight on Air Jamaica had been canceled and we would have to be re-rooted. We all freaked out. There was no explanation and they also said this was very rare. So after calling and figuring and waiting in line we were booked on a Delta flight to Atlanta, Georgia than we would catch Air Jamaica to Jamaica BUT we had to wait 3 hours til our flight left!! So that puts us in the LA Airport for 7 hours! Luckily, our friends (Zane and Roxanne whom traveled with us) had friends in LA. They agreed to meet us and we all go to dinner. Also, keep our luggage in their car cuz Delta would not check it in yet!! Grrr! So their friends picked us all up and stuffed all our luggage (8 pieces combined and 4 carry-ons). It was crazy! The guys had to walk to the restaurant and us girls rode on laps to get there. We had a nice dinner but ended up paying over 100 for it!! (LA Airport $$$$$$$$$$) Than we had to go back to Delta and check in our luggage and hang around for another 2 hours! We went back to the restaurant and sat at the bar. Zane and Roxanne's friends were great and a life-saver! Finally we got on Delta. It was a 4 hour flight. By now it is midnight! We had the worst seats. Right in the middle and could not lean against a window, only one another. IT WAS HORRIBLE. By now we all were feeling sick. We got to Atlanta at 8 am in the morning there! Than we had another 3 hours on Air Jamaica! By the time we got to Montego Bay, Jamaica we were zombies. We had to go through customs and the airport was so different to us. You get right off the plane onto the ground and you are "herded" into customs. It was crazy and HOT, HOT, HOT! We were all in jeans. So Roxanne and I went in a bathroom and switched to shorts and than on to find our luggage and hope it was there. Total chaos! Luggage everywhere...hundreds of people, hot, stuffy.... Finally we found our luggage! Yahoo! Than we had to make our way to find our bus to Negril... Finally got it all settled and on the bus. The town of Mo Bay looked dirty and ugly. When we flew in I could see the shoreline and the water was unreal. Beautiful turquoise and you could see deep into it. Breathtaking. And I could see Sandals Montego Bay and it looked very nice. But driving through the town was very busy and crowded. They drive on the opposite side of the roads than us....and the steering wheel was on that side also....so that was hard to get used too. It took along time to get through the traffic...no rules there. Everyone just does what they want...it was unbelievable. Finally we started heading out of town. We had a 2 hour drive in front of us. The driver was a speedster. He was flying...the twisting roads that were sometimes paved with big potholes everywhere and sometimes dirt only...he flew.....he would pass other vehicles and swerve to miss some. It was so scary! We were going right along the coast line. Sometimes the water was so close you could of reached out and touched it! We swerved and sped through tiny towns and jungle areas. It was quite interesting. There would be one stretch of road that was unbelievable beautiful. Tropical floral everywhere...and than all of a sudden you would see trash along the roads and so much poverty. Lots of shacks and farm lands. Locals sitting outside of them watching our bus speed by swerving to not hit the many goats tied on the side of the road. Cows were loose everywhere also! Mangy dogs walking around... The ride was long and scary and we all were wiped out. No one was happy. All of a sudden a rain storm hit. It was raining sooooo hard. Very hot still. The bus driver NEVER SLOWED DOWN! Amazing. I finally buried my head and hoped for the best. We arrived at our resort with the rain falling hard. We were soooo relieved to be there. We were greeted by the staff with such enthusiasm and welcoming smiles. We walked into the main lobby which was beautiful and you look beyond that and see panoramic ocean. Unreal. People were walking around in bathing suits and cover-ups and laughing and we looked and saw the first pool with a swim up bar and the rain was coming down so hard and people were in the pool and around the bar laughing and jumping up and down with glee! All of us felt so out of place and sick and could not wait to be feeling what they were feeling. We were escorted immediately up to the Concierge office. We had paid for the best. We got VIP treatment. We took care of any paper work and were escorted to our suites. The resort was amazing. Absolutely beautiful. Tropical gardens everywhere....white sandy beach that stretched forever...It was EXACTLY as in the brochure pictures. We were in the Sundowner Block which is at a far end of the resort. Our room was great. A honeymoon suite that had a big balcony that over looked the beach and ocean. We were in awe. Beautifully decorated just as the pictures showed. Fully stocked bar, 24 hour room service. Robes for us hanging in the closet. In room safe. That night we went to dinner at the Sundowner restaurant. We were so tired. I wasn't very hungry and just had a salad. My husband, Nick had a fish dish that he said was so good. When we were done we sat there for awhile (waiting for bill) and than started laughing cuz there would not be one. Had to get used to that! We turned in early that night cuz we were totally wiped out and my headache that started when we left LA was still with me. We woke up to the sound of birds. They have these black birds there that sound like dolphins! You know the sound "Flipper" makes? It was cool. We stood on our balcony and breathed in the sweet smell of Jamaica. Negril is so beautiful. And there is this smell in the air. I can't quite describe it but now all our clothes smell of it and it reminds us. We had 24 hour room service in our room so every morning we would order our breakfast so we could eat on our balcony alone together. We got hooked on this porridge they made. That with brown Jamaican sugar..yum. That day we hung out at the resort all day. We still were recouping from our traveling. We laid on the beach for hours. The less crowded and quiet beaches are the one in front of the Sundowner Block and the one at the opposite end of the resort. We took long walks and played in the pools. We ate lunch in the main dining room at the buffet. Sandals goes way out on their buffets. So much food and displayed beautifully. We drank yummy tropical drinks all day. I had heard rumor before that Sandals "waters down" the alcohol. NOWAY....the drinks are 100% strong! We loved the RumRunners and Hummingbirds. I was hooked on the coconut rum and tried to find a drink that was not too sweet. A bartender named Marlon at the Piano Bar kept experimenting making just the right drink for me. Finally he got it and we named the drink "The Marlyn" after Marlon and me, Lynn. :) So if you run into Marlon....ask for a "Marlyn" drink and tell him I said hello! That evening we ate dinner in the main dining room. Awesome food and they had a live show going on. Some woman singer that was so good. One thing that did disappoint us a bit about the resort was that their was not much going on at night. They would have nightly entertainment but it would start early and end early and than there wasn't much too do but sit in the Piano Bar and drink. Also, not much reggae playing throughout the resort. One day it was all Celine Dion! I don't want to hear Celine! I am in Jamaica and I want to hear Reggae!! Today we did the beach and pool thing again and than at 3pm went on a cruise on the Jolly Mermaid. Had a reggae music playing and open bar. Below was like a submarine. You could go down there and sit on benches and see all under water. So cool. They stopped and anyone that wanted to could snorkel. Nick went in. Us three went below and watched him. The fishes were so beautiful. All colors. Up on top we saw a flying fish flying above the water. Also, on this cruise they offer foot massages. Part of the price. If you want one...you get one. It was sorta cool. The cruise was suppose to take us to "Rick's Cafe" but the seas were too rough that day and we ended up at a place called "The Pickled Parrot". They anchored and started taking people over on a small boat. You could hardly get down into the boat because of the rough seas. Some people dived in and swam. (Nick and Zane included) Roxanne and myself weren't sure about getting on the boat but finally did. They would get us up to this rock ledge and a couple of people could get out and then the small boat would have to back up cuz of the seas....it was so scary!!! I finally got out! We watched lots of people dive. Nick was having a blast. The water was so clear and beautiful. They had a big rope swing. You would grab it and swing out above the ocean and drop in. Also, a waterslide into the ocean. Nick and Zane did it all. Roxanne and I watched. Than it was back on the small boat...ahhhh...scary.....and than the big boat. When we got back the reggae music was on again and we headed back. People were dancing and having fun. There was a limbo contest. It was great. We got back around 7ish. We all than got ready for dinner. We went to dinner at Kimonos Restaurant. Only restaurant in the resort where you need a reservation. It was fun to have the chef cooking in front of us. We all had a good time and the chefs there put on a show. The food was stir fry...veggies, beef, chicken, seafood. Very good. And after you are done...they have you go sit in their dessert room...oh my! Unreal the amount of yummy deserts they had! After dinner we called a taxi and ventured out of the resort. We went to this bar on the beach called, "Alfred's". I had heard they had a live reggae band. Well, they did. It was unbelievable! Right on the beach! The band was awesome and we danced all night. There were tourist there and local people. It was fun and very interesting. The next day we hung at the resort all day. That morning we went out snorkeling. Sandals took us out to this great place by this island. We snorkeled alot. We saw a puffer fish and lots of rock fish and a small octopus and a eel. The eel was a light yellow and looked like a snake. It was so cool. After that the rest of the day Nick and I hung at the resort and we did every water sport they offered. It was great!! Try the Banana Boat! So much fun and if Max is driving the boat pulling the banana he will give you quiet the ride!!! We had dinner at "The Four C's" restaurant. It is very nice. Sits close to the water. You put any veggies, seafood, meat and pick your pasta and they take it away and bring back a pasta dish that is so tasty. They cook right in the middle and you can watch. It is a very romantic restaurant. In Negril when you call a taxi. You ask the price BEFORE you get in. Usually 20 a couple. You tell that taxi driver what time you wanna be picked up and you pay him after he drops you off. He comes back! Every single time! The one taxi driver that took us to Alfred's came back and waited another 1.5 hours while we danced! He just stood and listened to the music.! It was amazing. Good Reliable Taxi drivers: Hero, Irving and Bob. Ask for one of them when you venture out. Usually $14US to $20US a couple (roundtrip) Our suite was at one end of the resort. There was no fence to mark the property line but always a security guard on duty. When we would pass "the border" (as we called it) we would have to give the guard our name and room number and when we came back we would have to check in. It was a safety thing and we liked it. On the other side of "the border" was just miles of beach. A few other resorts (including Beaches Inn which we had privileges too) and lots of local people with there little stands to sell things. I ended up meeting this family and the woman, Sofia would braid my hair. First I started off with just two braids underneath and than I would go back for two more....than two more....ended up with six! Roxanne got her whole head done! It was fun. The next day Nick and I took a taxi and got dropped of at a bar on the beach called "Margaritaville" and told our taxi driver Irving to pick us up in two hours. (He did) We than walked and walked. It was soooo much fun. We saw alot of the culture there and visited with locals. We saw lots of dreadlocks and neat small bars with LIVE reggae bands playing. We sat at this little place that was just a Bbq and a couple of tables. The man made us a plate of Jerk Chicken. On the plate was several pieces of Jerk Chicken and a salad and bread. We each had a Red Stripe and the total bill was $7US. Can't beat that!! We would sit and listen and people watch and when we would get hot we would jump into the turquoise sea! It was so beautiful and like a dream. Lots of vendors and we bought neat souvenirs. Note: The Jerk Chicken was good BUT the Jerk Chicken at the Beach Grill at Sandals is better!!!!!!!!!!!!! Nick and I went on another cruise. This one was a catamaran. The WILD THING. It was so wonderful. Reggae music playing and we set sail. The waters were pretty rough and I am glad we took sea-sick pills. The wind was whipping. But is was warm and sunny and we saw such beauty along the coast line. Even saw a school of dolphins! They stopped and we snorkeled which was a bit hard cuz the water...but it was still cool. We got back on the catamaran and cruised to a cove called Half Moon Bay and there on the beach they had a full course lunch ready for us. (This was all included) It was so good. Fish and chicken and Jamaican dishes. We were in heaven!! We hung there for quite sometime and than cruise back. Nick and I made friends with the crew. Tony, Jean and Rasta Lion. We talked alot with them. It was interesting learning their culture. They had so many questions for us also about America. We talked them into selling us the reggae tape they played. We brought it home it is so good. I highly recommend this cruise. You can sign up for it at the Guest Services area at Sandals. When we got back to the resort we went for a walk and walked across the "border" to Hedo II. That was very interesting! At Sandals you will see alot of topless but over there...oh my! We started talking with a local in a little boat and asked him if he would us four a ride back to Sandals and he was happy too. We all piled into his worn-out little boat and started. The motor sounded as though it was ready to die....I looked back at the captain and noticed he had a bucket and was bailing water out of the boat as we putted along!!! I laughed....another adventure. We had such a wonderful time. I can't even begin to explain the feeling we had. The sunsets were unbelievable. We made it a point to sit and watch every sunset set. On the beach together. It was almost spiritual! It was so sad our last day. We fell inlove with Negril and also with the resort. The staff there were all so very welcoming and friendly. We made lots of friends. The bartenders are so much fun! Marlon, Chris, Roy, Geoffrey, Randy. We all decided NOT to take that bus back and fly instead. So we made our reservations. We were shuttled over to a small airport in Negril. The plane they fly sits about 10 people. They over booked our flight and did not have room for all four of us. We told them we would not be separated so they had us go on this four seater little bitty plane!! It looked old and inside all the seats were worn and torn. A Jamaican was our pilot. We all said....ok....let's go for it. Another adventure....so we got on and we are so glad! It was awesome! We flew low and we went over the water the whole way. We could see it all....beautiful Jamaica. Roxanne had took flying lessons years ago and the pilot let her fly the plane for a bit! It was unbelievable! It was about a 15 min flight. Everything on the flight home went well. Sitting on that Air Jamaica flight as we lifted off away from Jamaica I looked back at the island and I truly got a lump in my throat and a tear in my eye! We arrived in LA at around 9:30pm Wed night. We already made plans to spend the night there so we did in a hotel near the airport with free shuttle to and fro. We landed in Sacramento Thursday at around 1:30pm. Through this whole trip we flew on 6 planes! Our luggage made it each time but looked more and more beat up as the flights continued. We finally get all the way back to Sacramento and they lost one piece of luggage of Roxanne and Zanes! Unbelievable. Today both Nick and I are missing Negril and wondering whom is staying in our special room. :( We both are so tan....they almost didn't let us threw customs! Thought we were Jamaicans. *laugh* I can't say enough about the service and the property at Sandals Negril. It was everything I had hoped it would be. You feel so relaxed and welcomed there. We called it our "cocoon". When we were out of the resort we always were glad to return to the safety of our cocoon. :) We were there 8 nights. Next time I want to stay longer. I would like to do more tours. Like see YS Falls and some of the other ones they listed on the board in Guest Services. Also, wanna spend more time enjoying the resort. I never met up with some of the other board members that were going at the same time we were. Mark & Kathy, Sean & Sally....where were you guys? When I hear of someone else leaving for Sandals Negril.....I get sorta jealous! I wanna go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
Lynn's Trip Report Sandals Negril February 2001 |
