People wonder why we go back to the same place year after year. Well in reality it is not the same place, just different places on the same Island Paradise.
Warm Weather- Check. Turquoise Water- Check. Palm Trees- Check. Drinkable Water- Check. Speak English- Check. No Hurries- Check. Warm, Friendly, Smiling Faces- Check. Relaxation- Check. Add it all together and it equals “No ProblemMon!”
Mostly our Winter vacation is for us is to get away and unwind. Our familiarity with Jamaica and its people help us kick back. Not try and squeeze things in new places with no real idea if it is worth our time. Rethinking what we would do next time we visit. Well if you go somewhere different, there is no next time. Regrets of wasted vacation time following the herds, is not very relaxing, and actually kind of stressful for me!! Besides, it is not like we don’t visit other places. In the last fifteen years we have been to Niagara Falls, the Smokey Mountains, Yosemite National Park, Lake Tahoe, Las Vegas, Steamboat Springs, Los Angeles, Miami, the Florida Keys, Chicago, Playa Del Carmen, Salmon fishing in Alaska, Cozumel, Tulum Mexico, Fort Myers, Puerta Vallarta, Wisconsin. Rode motorcycle on the Blue Ridge Highway, driven across the Sierra Nevada, seen a Broadway Play in NYC, Times Square, toured the White House, got a private tour of our Nations Capital in DC with MN Congressman Erik Paulsen who took us to the top of the Rotunda to step outside just under the Statue of Freedom that sits on top and view all of Washington DC (the Capital is the highest point in DC), plus lots of Motorcycle adventures. And personally I worked up in the Artic Circle for twelve cumulative weeks.
All sounds a bit audacious, but we are asked constantly why don’t we venture out and go someplace else. We do!!
Back to what we know….Jamaica. It was great to be back and see the friends we have gotten to know over the years. Hearing Elkies exorbitant voice greeting us with “What’s up Mon? Where’s my fish?” immediately makes us melt. Elkie has a tremendous smile and infectious, fun loving attitude that is therapy to our soul. I cant imagine a trip to the Island and not visiting with Elkie.
We generally split our time staying at two or three different places when we go. The last few years Couples Negril has always been our ending place. Carefree and no worries. Upscale food and Top Shelf spirits always available any time. Hobie Cats, Kayaks, Boccee Ball Courts, Beach Volleyball, Pool Volleyball and a Spa with Tree Fort in the Palms on the beach for massages. Best Pool and Swimup Bar in all of Jamaica. Expansive, pristine, calm waters with all sand beach. Beach/pool loungers always available, no chair saving game needed. No kids. Always at full capacity but never crowded. Scuba diving with great Dive Team and boat. All diving no more than fifteen minute trip and back on beach by 10:30 am. The faces and smiles of all the staff. Omar, Tenneyson, Floy, Camille, Cammilla, Charles, Lindon, Tanesha, Ivy, Mareesa, Richard, Stephen to name a few. The best housekeeper in the world Shirnett. Shirnett always has a smile and the sweetest voice in all of Jamaica. She has been our housekeeper for three consecutive years and she is always the recipient of some of the gifts we bring to deliver to these wonderful people.
Tanesha, Elkie and Omar
Couples is not cheap. With that price comes some of the best people. The jobs there are some of the best for Jamaicans to have. They are paid better and tenure and longevity is there trademark. They are not hustlers, and do not need to become one to survive. Many people go to Jamaica and despise it. They are harassed at cruise ship ports and Tourist beaches. The Jamaicans they encounter are scary and aggressive. Understand there is no industry or jobs. They need to eat and survive. Our adventures in Jamaica mostly take us away from these places. The people are genuine and honest. Subsistence way of life is done by many who have never been to Negril, Ocho Rios or Montego Bay. Friendly and kind is there nature. That is what had attracted people to begin with. Jamaican genuineness.
This year we stayed only at Couple’s Negril and are only adventures, besides me scuba diving, were a couple of Motorcycle day trips along the South Coast, up into the hills, and venturing deep West End.
When arrived we immediately felt at home. Reaquanting ourselves with familiar faces. Both Staff and guests. Lots of guest repeaters. Shortly after our arrival I run down to Scuba Shack to get signed up for following mornings dive. Say hello to Richard who certified me three years ago as an Advanced Open Water diver. All set for tomorrows 9 am dive.
Couples Dive Boat Anchored Just Off Shore
Been a long day of travel. Grab some Diner followed by some Dessert….
Notice Vicki In The Background Waving
I myself do not eat sweets and treats, but I am telling you, the variety and quality of offerings from Couples Dessert Chef is too incredible for me to ever pass up. I have a minimum of two to three different desserts each night while there. MMMMmmmmmmm…………. Above picture is only a partial view. More on far side and in front of server. Could not get all of it in the picture as I wanted to try and get some detail
After dinner we try to stay for the show but peter out early. Next morning up around 7 am. Pastries and coffee delivered to our room. Enjoy morning coffee from Balcony looking out towards beach and ocean
Beach In Morning From Balcony
I head off and do my first dive while Vicki goes to the Spa and gets a Pedicure. Meet up together about 10:30 am and find spot on beach to kick back. Each lounger has a foam pad that also serves as a floatie. We spend time in the water, on the beach, enjoying Frozen Drinks with fresh fruits!! Wonder up to Beach Bar/Bistro as needed throughout the day to quench appetite. By afternoon we generally make our way to the Pool and Swim Up Bar adjacent to beach.
Swim Up Bar
After day of frolicking in Sun we make our way to room to rest and clean up for Dinner and a show. Usually down for the count by 10 pm. Rinse and repeat daily unless out for the day on one of our adventures.
Second day of our trip we leave the resort late afternoon for the 1 1/4 mile walk down the beach to “Office of Nature” Rum Bar (pictured on top) owned by a Rasta named Bingee for Sunset. This has become our Sunset hangout with locals the past few years. We walk through the adjacent Spanish “RIU” Resort and immediately are grateful for Couples, as this part of Beach is crowded, noisy, and full of kids scattering about screaming and yelling. As we are leaving RIU beach we pass another Jamaican bar on the beach where the screaming of kids begins to disapate and local kids become more prevelant as we leave the resort area and proceed down this pristine beach with no development. As we approach I am alarmed to see—
Sad to See!!
…..A fence with three rings of barbed wire ontop. Uh-Oh……..Picture above I took from part way down looking back from where we came. Continue walking and thinking this sucks. We continued on for about 1/4 mile until we got to the place Bingee had set up bar previously . Not there. We continue walking further down as it looks like maybe, hopefully he moved further up the beach. Get there and find an establishment run by Don Fresh still open trying to do business. No patrons there though. We introduce ourselves and order some Cold Red Stripes. Talking with them we find out fence went up 6 days ago and Bingee and most all other local merchants have vacated due to hassle of scaling beach fence and one they have also erected at road, a 1/4 of a mile through Jungle, which was their normal access. Don Fresh and his crew have to scale two fences just to access beach spot he had been on for years. Apparently Sandals owns the land and put up the fence. Development thought to be coming soon. Problem though is this area is a morass (swamp) from the beach to the road and has remained undeveloped for that reason. To develop would be hard and very expensive for proper infrastructure required for a Resort and no known immediate plans. Non-the-less Sandals, has erected the fences and eliminated the last true untouched beach from the local people. Beach still open for tourists to walk if you do not mind ugly fence.
A little history as to Negril. No resort is taller than the Palm Trees to ensure not becoming Cancun. It is referred to as 7 mile beach which actually consists of two separate beaches. Five mile Long Bay where most resorts and tourists go, and two-mile Bloody Bay which was undeveloped with the exception of Couples which was built in 1998. Another resort (Hedonisim) followed Couples on Bloody Bay. Then RIU built two more gargantuan resorts resembling Mexico themed All-Inclusives leaving only a mile of undisturbed beach area. We always have enjoyed Bloody Bay as it is far superior in Beach quality and very peaceful and reminiscent of islandchill. Change… here it is again.
Anyway as we talk and enjoy our beers it begins to cloud up and looks like rain. And rain it did
The noise is the sound of the rain. We waited until we thought it was over, say our goodbyes and start back. Two minutes into our walk begins a heavy downpour. We scatter up to a Blue Tarp for shelter and find it has two others there also seeking shelter from rain. Mind you, we like to be adventurous, but I also try not to set us up for trouble by doing something that provides the criminal element an opportunity. Such as out at night with with heavy rains and no one around for 1/3 of a mile or so. My dobber is up immediately as I survey situation and immediately, and friendly like, introduce ourselves and ask their names. Young tall man, obviously not a tourist, kindly responds and says his name is Mark, and welcome to his shelter. OK here comes the shakedown. Mark then proceeds to ask the second guy that was under the tarp what his name was and he responds accordingly, looking also somewhat scared, and indicates he’s from Canada. We talk and nothing is asked from us. As we are talking, a small, drunken, older Rasta and his companion come stumbling up toting a cooler looking for shelter. Ahhhh. Cold beverages. I ask his name and make introductions around our tarp and proceed to ask to buy a couple beers if he has them. He lights up and smiles and says certainly my friends. Canadian indicates he would like one also. Rasta hands Canadian beer and says two dollars, turns and hands me two beers, and says 6 dollars. For the purpose of camaraderie I say “whoa” there buddy, you just charged him 2 bucks. He back pedals nervously some, never retreating with price, and we haggle back and forth in a good spirited way. He sensing I am not some cheap bastard, and me knowing, hey we got beer and he needs the 2 extra dollars more than I do. So I say how about I give you eight dollars and you give my friend Mark here, who is graciously providing us shelter, a beer also. Rasta smiles and pulls out another Red Stripe and hands it to Mark, who is appreciative and says thanks. I hand Rasta a $10 dollar bill and say keep the change. He lights up with a joyful smile and the six newly made friends spend the next 45 minutes chit chatting and truly enjoying each other. Rain stopped and me and Vic departed for our 15 minute walk back to Couples in the dark.
Adventures with Vicki and Dale 
We Know, So We Go…..Jamaica
People wonder why we go back to the same place year after year. Well in reality it is not the same place, just different places on the same Island Paradise.
Warm Weather- Check. Turquoise Water- Check. Palm Trees- Check. Drinkable Water- Check. Speak English- Check. No Hurries- Check. Warm, Friendly, Smiling Faces- Check. Relaxation- Check. Add it all together and it equals “No Problem Mon!”
Mostly our Winter vacation is for us is to get away and unwind. Our familiarity with Jamaica and its people help us kick back. Not try and squeeze things in new places with no real idea if it is worth our time. Rethinking what we would do next time we visit. Well if you go somewhere different, there is no next time. Regrets of wasted vacation time following the herds, is not very relaxing, and actually kind of stressful for me!! Besides, it is not like we don’t visit other places. In the last fifteen years we have been to Niagara Falls, the Smokey Mountains, Yosemite National Park, Lake Tahoe, Las Vegas, Steamboat Springs, Los Angeles, Miami, the Florida Keys, Chicago, Playa Del Carmen, Salmon fishing in Alaska, Cozumel, Tulum Mexico, Fort Myers, Puerta Vallarta, Wisconsin. Rode motorcycle on the Blue Ridge Highway, driven across the Sierra Nevada, seen a Broadway Play in NYC, Times Square, toured the White House, got a private tour of our Nations Capital in DC with MN Congressman Erik Paulsen who took us to the top of the Rotunda to step outside just under the Statue of Freedom that sits on top and view all of Washington DC (the Capital is the highest point in DC), plus lots of Motorcycle adventures. And personally I worked up in the Artic Circle for twelve cumulative weeks.
All sounds a bit audacious, but we are asked constantly why don’t we venture out and go someplace else. We do!!
Back to what we know….Jamaica. It was great to be back and see the friends we have gotten to know over the years. Hearing Elkies exorbitant voice greeting us with “What’s up Mon? Where’s my fish?” immediately makes us melt. Elkie has a tremendous smile and infectious, fun loving attitude that is therapy to our soul. I cant imagine a trip to the Island and not visiting with Elkie.
We generally split our time staying at two or three different places when we go. The last few years Couples Negril has always been our ending place. Carefree and no worries. Upscale food and Top Shelf spirits always available any time. Hobie Cats, Kayaks, Boccee Ball Courts, Beach Volleyball, Pool Volleyball and a Spa with Tree Fort in the Palms on the beach for massages. Best Pool and Swimup Bar in all of Jamaica. Expansive, pristine, calm waters with all sand beach. Beach/pool loungers always available, no chair saving game needed. No kids. Always at full capacity but never crowded. Scuba diving with great Dive Team and boat. All diving no more than fifteen minute trip and back on beach by 10:30 am. The faces and smiles of all the staff. Omar, Tenneyson, Floy, Camille, Cammilla, Charles, Lindon, Tanesha, Ivy, Mareesa, Richard, Stephen to name a few. The best housekeeper in the world Shirnett. Shirnett always has a smile and the sweetest voice in all of Jamaica. She has been our housekeeper for three consecutive years and she is always the recipient of some of the gifts we bring to deliver to these wonderful people.
Tanesha, Elkie and Omar
Couples is not cheap. With that price comes some of the best people. The jobs there are some of the best for Jamaicans to have. They are paid better and tenure and longevity is there trademark. They are not hustlers, and do not need to become one to survive. Many people go to Jamaica and despise it. They are harassed at cruise ship ports and Tourist beaches. The Jamaicans they encounter are scary and aggressive. Understand there is no industry or jobs. They need to eat and survive. Our adventures in Jamaica mostly take us away from these places. The people are genuine and honest. Subsistence way of life is done by many who have never been to Negril, Ocho Rios or Montego Bay. Friendly and kind is there nature. That is what had attracted people to begin with. Jamaican genuineness.
This year we stayed only at Couple’s Negril and are only adventures, besides me scuba diving, were a couple of Motorcycle day trips along the South Coast, up into the hills, and venturing deep West End.
When arrived we immediately felt at home. Reaquanting ourselves with familiar faces. Both Staff and guests. Lots of guest repeaters. Shortly after our arrival I run down to Scuba Shack to get signed up for following mornings dive. Say hello to Richard who certified me three years ago as an Advanced Open Water diver. All set for tomorrows 9 am dive.
Couples Dive Boat Anchored Just Off Shore
Been a long day of travel. Grab some Diner followed by some Dessert….
Notice Vicki In The Background Waving
I myself do not eat sweets and treats, but I am telling you, the variety and quality of offerings from Couples Dessert Chef is too incredible for me to ever pass up. I have a minimum of two to three different desserts each night while there. MMMMmmmmmmm…………. Above picture is only a partial view. More on far side and in front of server. Could not get all of it in the picture as I wanted to try and get some detail
After dinner we try to stay for the show but peter out early. Next morning up around 7 am. Pastries and coffee delivered to our room. Enjoy morning coffee from Balcony looking out towards beach and ocean
Beach In Morning From Balcony
I head off and do my first dive while Vicki goes to the Spa and gets a Pedicure. Meet up together about 10:30 am and find spot on beach to kick back. Each lounger has a foam pad that also serves as a floatie. We spend time in the water, on the beach, enjoying Frozen Drinks with fresh fruits!! Wonder up to Beach Bar/Bistro as needed throughout the day to quench appetite. By afternoon we generally make our way to the Pool and Swim Up Bar adjacent to beach.
Swim Up Bar
After day of frolicking in Sun we make our way to room to rest and clean up for Dinner and a show. Usually down for the count by 10 pm. Rinse and repeat daily unless out for the day on one of our adventures.
Second day of our trip we leave the resort late afternoon for the 1 1/4 mile walk down the beach to “Office of Nature” Rum Bar (pictured on top) owned by a Rasta named Bingee for Sunset. This has become our Sunset hangout with locals the past few years. We walk through the adjacent Spanish “RIU” Resort and immediately are grateful for Couples, as this part of Beach is crowded, noisy, and full of kids scattering about screaming and yelling. As we are leaving RIU beach we pass another Jamaican bar on the beach where the screaming of kids begins to disapate and local kids become more prevelant as we leave the resort area and proceed down this pristine beach with no development. As we approach I am alarmed to see—
Sad to See!!
…..A fence with three rings of barbed wire ontop. Uh-Oh……..Picture above I took from part way down looking back from where we came. Continue walking and thinking this sucks. We continued on for about 1/4 mile until we got to the place Bingee had set up bar previously . Not there. We continue walking further down as it looks like maybe, hopefully he moved further up the beach. Get there and find an establishment run by Don Fresh still open trying to do business. No patrons there though. We introduce ourselves and order some Cold Red Stripes. Talking with them we find out fence went up 6 days ago and Bingee and most all other local merchants have vacated due to hassle of scaling beach fence and one they have also erected at road, a 1/4 of a mile through Jungle, which was their normal access. Don Fresh and his crew have to scale two fences just to access beach spot he had been on for years. Apparently Sandals owns the land and put up the fence. Development thought to be coming soon. Problem though is this area is a morass (swamp) from the beach to the road and has remained undeveloped for that reason. To develop would be hard and very expensive for proper infrastructure required for a Resort and no known immediate plans. Non-the-less Sandals, has erected the fences and eliminated the last true untouched beach from the local people. Beach still open for tourists to walk if you do not mind ugly fence.
A little history as to Negril. No resort is taller than the Palm Trees to ensure not becoming Cancun. It is referred to as 7 mile beach which actually consists of two separate beaches. Five mile Long Bay where most resorts and tourists go, and two-mile Bloody Bay which was undeveloped with the exception of Couples which was built in 1998. Another resort (Hedonisim) followed Couples on Bloody Bay. Then RIU built two more gargantuan resorts resembling Mexico themed All-Inclusives leaving only a mile of undisturbed beach area. We always have enjoyed Bloody Bay as it is far superior in Beach quality and very peaceful and reminiscent of island chill. Change… here it is again.
Anyway as we talk and enjoy our beers it begins to cloud up and looks like rain. And rain it did
The noise is the sound of the rain. We waited until we thought it was over, say our goodbyes and start back. Two minutes into our walk begins a heavy downpour. We scatter up to a Blue Tarp for shelter and find it has two others there also seeking shelter from rain. Mind you, we like to be adventurous, but I also try not to set us up for trouble by doing something that provides the criminal element an opportunity. Such as out at night with with heavy rains and no one around for 1/3 of a mile or so. My dobber is up immediately as I survey situation and immediately, and friendly like, introduce ourselves and ask their names. Young tall man, obviously not a tourist, kindly responds and says his name is Mark, and welcome to his shelter. OK here comes the shakedown. Mark then proceeds to ask the second guy that was under the tarp what his name was and he responds accordingly, looking also somewhat scared, and indicates he’s from Canada. We talk and nothing is asked from us. As we are talking, a small, drunken, older Rasta and his companion come stumbling up toting a cooler looking for shelter. Ahhhh. Cold beverages. I ask his name and make introductions around our tarp and proceed to ask to buy a couple beers if he has them. He lights up and smiles and says certainly my friends. Canadian indicates he would like one also. Rasta hands Canadian beer and says two dollars, turns and hands me two beers, and says 6 dollars. For the purpose of camaraderie I say “whoa” there buddy, you just charged him 2 bucks. He back pedals nervously some, never retreating with price, and we haggle back and forth in a good spirited way. He sensing I am not some cheap bastard, and me knowing, hey we got beer and he needs the 2 extra dollars more than I do. So I say how about I give you eight dollars and you give my friend Mark here, who is graciously providing us shelter, a beer also. Rasta smiles and pulls out another Red Stripe and hands it to Mark, who is appreciative and says thanks. I hand Rasta a $10 dollar bill and say keep the change. He lights up with a joyful smile and the six newly made friends spend the next 45 minutes chit chatting and truly enjoying each other. Rain stopped and me and Vic departed for our 15 minute walk back to Couples in the dark.
All for now. Will finish report soon.