02-02-2016, 10:44 PM
Not exactly a trip report, but thought I would write some notes on our recent trip to Negril, we were there a week before Xmas staying until just past New Years. I am going strictly from memory so things will be in far from chronological order, just as they come to me.
We were lucky enough to book first class seats from Winnipeg to MoBay, the price at the time was only about 20% higher than cattle, well worth it. Our flight time had been moved to a later time so we had hopes off being quick thru the airport being a evening arrival plus being first off the plane. Well we were first to the bottom of the ramp, then it was discovered the brilliant air Canada flight attendants gave us the wrong customs forms to fill out. Seriously? It didn't really cost much time but come on, is this the first time you have flown to Jamaica? Besides that little setback the airport wasn't all that busy and we got to our luggage and out the door in good order, only to find our ride wasn't here yet. So in the end we were probably the last ones from that flight to leave the airport. Not sure how long we waited, right about 2 beers worth.
Linston eventually arrived, we stopped for a party pack of beers and off we went. Too bad we travelled in the dark, I really enjoy the scenic ride to Negril.
We stayed a week at Seastar. Now we have been there several times to eat and drink but never stayed. Gotta say I don't think it can be beat for the price. Chris gave me a great deal over the phone when I booked, and we ended up with what I would consider the best room on the property. Our balcony overlooked the pool (and bar), and straight up the stairs was a rooftop balcony complete with hammocks and loungers.
The service at Seastar is first rate, and with the free shuttle we never used a cab at all. In fact we never used a cab our entire trip, lots of walking as usual. We took advantage of the free breakfast every day, but ate lunch and supper elsewhere.
LTU- good but not great, had better there in the past.
Ahhbees- good burgers, not cheap. They had a decent band one night and we stuck around late to enjoy. It was a good place to go with a short walk to the room.
Sips and Bites - good and cheap.
Just Natural- never been to the new place, a fair walk but I always enjoy Theresa, and good food.
De Bar.- Ate there our first night after our late arrival. Jerk chicken was a nice treat.
Chicken King- barrel chicken set up near Ricks. Probably the best barrel food of the trip.
Xtabi- had a good lunch followed by an hour of snorkeling.
Speaking of snorkeling, I promised myself to swim every day, and so I did.
Our seastar days varied from relaxing on our private rooftop, wandering the west end road, taking the shuttle to the beach.
One day we were dropped at half moon beach-meh. We have been there in the past but wanted to check out Calico Jacks. So we paid the entry fee ( isn`t there endless free beach all over the Negril area). I had brought my backpack cooler loaded with cold beers so ended up revolving them with buying the ones at the beach bar. The boat shuttle didn`t seem to be running so wife and I donned our swim toys and snorkeled out to Calico Jacks. It was closed. Nobody there but the hermit crabs. Guess that`s why the shuttle boat wasn`t moving. The water in the bay sure wasn`t as clear as Negril beach, and has a more rocky bottom. After that long swim we ordered some food. It was easily the longest wait we had to wait for meals the entire trip. On the bright side I enjoyed the dogs lol.
As usual Seastar put on a delicious spread for Christmas, we feasted that night.
There`s a lady from Ontario setting up some kind of room rentals up on the cliffs, along with a shop of some sort. We had heard she was selling weed cookies and so we stopped in the ask her about them.
To be continued...
We were lucky enough to book first class seats from Winnipeg to MoBay, the price at the time was only about 20% higher than cattle, well worth it. Our flight time had been moved to a later time so we had hopes off being quick thru the airport being a evening arrival plus being first off the plane. Well we were first to the bottom of the ramp, then it was discovered the brilliant air Canada flight attendants gave us the wrong customs forms to fill out. Seriously? It didn't really cost much time but come on, is this the first time you have flown to Jamaica? Besides that little setback the airport wasn't all that busy and we got to our luggage and out the door in good order, only to find our ride wasn't here yet. So in the end we were probably the last ones from that flight to leave the airport. Not sure how long we waited, right about 2 beers worth.
Linston eventually arrived, we stopped for a party pack of beers and off we went. Too bad we travelled in the dark, I really enjoy the scenic ride to Negril.
We stayed a week at Seastar. Now we have been there several times to eat and drink but never stayed. Gotta say I don't think it can be beat for the price. Chris gave me a great deal over the phone when I booked, and we ended up with what I would consider the best room on the property. Our balcony overlooked the pool (and bar), and straight up the stairs was a rooftop balcony complete with hammocks and loungers.
The service at Seastar is first rate, and with the free shuttle we never used a cab at all. In fact we never used a cab our entire trip, lots of walking as usual. We took advantage of the free breakfast every day, but ate lunch and supper elsewhere.
LTU- good but not great, had better there in the past.
Ahhbees- good burgers, not cheap. They had a decent band one night and we stuck around late to enjoy. It was a good place to go with a short walk to the room.
Sips and Bites - good and cheap.
Just Natural- never been to the new place, a fair walk but I always enjoy Theresa, and good food.
De Bar.- Ate there our first night after our late arrival. Jerk chicken was a nice treat.
Chicken King- barrel chicken set up near Ricks. Probably the best barrel food of the trip.
Xtabi- had a good lunch followed by an hour of snorkeling.
Speaking of snorkeling, I promised myself to swim every day, and so I did.
Our seastar days varied from relaxing on our private rooftop, wandering the west end road, taking the shuttle to the beach.
One day we were dropped at half moon beach-meh. We have been there in the past but wanted to check out Calico Jacks. So we paid the entry fee ( isn`t there endless free beach all over the Negril area). I had brought my backpack cooler loaded with cold beers so ended up revolving them with buying the ones at the beach bar. The boat shuttle didn`t seem to be running so wife and I donned our swim toys and snorkeled out to Calico Jacks. It was closed. Nobody there but the hermit crabs. Guess that`s why the shuttle boat wasn`t moving. The water in the bay sure wasn`t as clear as Negril beach, and has a more rocky bottom. After that long swim we ordered some food. It was easily the longest wait we had to wait for meals the entire trip. On the bright side I enjoyed the dogs lol.
As usual Seastar put on a delicious spread for Christmas, we feasted that night.
There`s a lady from Ontario setting up some kind of room rentals up on the cliffs, along with a shop of some sort. We had heard she was selling weed cookies and so we stopped in the ask her about them.
To be continued...