Negril - Spectacular Sunsets!!

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	Nadi Arrived on 16th Jun 2013
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Blog updated: 8th Jun 2013

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10th Apr 2011 - 13th Apr 2011 - Jamaica, Man, Oh So Beautiful
Negril - Spectacular Sunsets!!

I managed to recover from my hassling experiences by lying on the beach and soaking up the total peace of my resort in Montego Bay. I decided that I needed to see one of the Great Plantation homes if I was going to be in Jamaica, so took myself off to the largest of them - Rose Hall. It was really quite shocking to go around this beautiful home and hear the stories of how the slaves were treated by the owners. At times, I felt tears stinging my eyes as the young Jamaican girl really felt the stories and managed to convey this to us. The Great Homes are generally high up on the hills, and the sea breeze is extraordinary!! I thoroughly enjoyed this sojourn and then headed off in search of the Bob Marley Museum, but it has been closed as it has been sold to a record company - one imagines it will re-surface as yet another Disney-like tourist attraction - I do hope they are true to the spirit of Marley - the sound of reggae is everywhere you go. After finally taking my leave of Montego Bay, with some trepidation, I ventured off on the 2 hour drive to Negril. The trip along the way was spectacular as the road hugged the coast - I navigated by the water and figured that if I could see the water, I knew where I was. There are so many amazing things to see along the way - I am overwhelmed with how the local people use bits and pieces of everything to build their homes and businesses, and then add the colorful paint, which makes it so special. I could have stopped every 5 minutes to take photos. I had a few hairy moments - in one town, as I drove through, I accidentally turned up a one-way street. Thankfully directed by a man in the street to turn around - and the local police man honked me, but did not do anything. However, just outside of one of the towns, I was stopped by a group of Police who were checking people. Apparently they are not supposed to hassle 'visitors' so this was very unusual. There was a very large and 'important' Policeman in charge, with 3 others - one with a machine gun(!!) The important one waved me down and made a great show of checking my licence, and wanted all the papers of the car. I asked him what I had done wrong and he said 'nothing.' He made a big show of checking everything and took his time about it. Then he went to the passenger side and wanted me to wind down the window - not sure why - but the window was locked so I couldn't. I asked the young policeman who was standing at my window with his machine gun to tell him and he finally got frustrated and then just waved me away - not sure what it was all about, but the other police did not know what to do - he just walked off in disgust and they were looking at him for instructions - eventually, the younger one just shrugged and told me I could go. Not sure what it was all about, but I do understand that the police stop locals and expect 'a payment for the children's education' This could be a double-edged sword as you could be in trouble for bribing too. I did not want to go that route and tried to remain friendly but confident with him. Finally arrived in Negril, for which I was very grateful - this traveling around is quite stressful, really. My hotel, Country Country, was perfectly situated in the middle of 7 Mile Beach and very cute little designer-made individual cottages. Perfect spot.... The beach scene there is so totally different from peaceful Montego Bay, and huge entertainment in itself. My hotel had security on the beach, as many did, to protect the guests from the hawkers and the hassle, but it was wonderful to simply watch the passing parade of a different Jamaica. Some incredible characters walk along what is a public beach, selling bandanas, food, fruit, souvenirs, watersports and also roving Reggae bands and singers. I spent a whole afternoon, just sitting under an umbrella, taking dips in the wonderful warm water every 30 minutes or so and taking photos of each of the hawkers as they came down. Plus, lunch came to me in the form of a Pork Jerk seller - it was absolutely delicious and about $4. I could also have bought any amount of fruit, Indian breads, banana bread, rum cake. First night, I took myself up to Rick's Cafe around sunset - another fascinating experience to see the people jumping off the volcanic cliffs 35 feet into the water, or swing across ropes. Others simply enjoying the spectacular views of the water and the cliffs, others enjoying the bar scene with the Reggae Band on the stage. All waiting for the sunset - which was simply amazing - just look at the photos. Next day, spent time wandering around the Craft Markets - a combination of poverty on a background of the beauty of the turquoise water backdrop. Some amazingly spirited people live and work there, many from the Blue Mountains and I would have loved to have spent more time getting to know more of their stories. Being Australian was a great heart-opener here as it differentiated me from the usual American tourist, and also, the common bond of cricket was much-mentioned. I would have loved to have taken thousand's more pictures, but did not want to intrude on privacy and dignity. That night I took myself to the RockHouse Hotel, which is an Aussie-owned complex perched high on the cliffs and simply spectacular. I spent a few hours there, having an extraordinary meal worthy of most 5* restaurants and watching the sunset. I had given a couple from our hotel a lift to the restaurant next door as their taxi driver had not turned up, and at the end of the night, they came to the restaurant and sent a drink to my table for me to enjoy with the sunset. We then joined up, explored together with amazement the cleverness and beauty of the hotel, and then I drove them down the hill again. Driving in the dark on the cliff road is definitely an experience and you certainly have to have your wits about you. We were all glad to safely reach the hotel again, and I had an early night, enjoying my photos and listening to what sounded like a veritable jungle outside the cottage. Next morning, made a sudden decision to head back to SF - not sure why - a combination of not wanting to spend too much more money (although it was a very inexpensive trip) and also wanting to leave some things to explore on my next trip here. I will definitely return to Jamaica, but would love to do it with a companion as the phenomenon of a single female visitor was definitely noted everywhere I went (even when I returned the hire car, the woman there congratulated me on my bravery and confidence!!) On the way back to the airport, I could have taken thousand's of photos as there is so much to chronicle. So much to see and report, but I look forward to the next time..........

Next:	Happy Easter from San Francisco
Previous:	A New Room and Another Scary Adventure

Diary Photos

10th Apr 2011 Jade Vine, Jamaica

10th Apr 2011 Dining Room at Rose Hall, Jamaica

10th Apr 2011 Rose Hall, Jamaica

The wallpaper is hand-stitched crewel - absolutely gorgeous and quite amazing to see how neat and accurate all the stitches are

10th Apr 2011 Rose Hall, Jamaica

The wallpaper is actually hand-stitched crewel!!

10th Apr 2011 Rose Hall, Jamaica

What a view - and this is from the dungeons!

10th Apr 2011 Rose Hall, Jamaica - the Dungeons

10th Apr 2011 Copper Tree - Jamaica

10th Apr 2011 Palm Trees with Untouched Fronds, Jamaica

I've never seen palm trees with such long 'fronds' or whatever you call them. It was an unusual sight

11th Apr 2011 Dacquiri, Jamaica - note the test-tube of rum!!

11th Apr 2011 Beach Security at Negril

The hotel had its own security who keep the beach hawkers under control for the guests of each of the hotels

11th Apr 2011 Rick's Cafe, Jamaica

11th Apr 2011 Rick's Cafe, Negril, Jamaica

People make the 35 ft dive at Rick's Cafe

11th Apr 2011 Rick's Cafe, Negril, Jamaica at Sunset

11th Apr 2011 Rick's Cafe, Negril, Jamaica

11th Apr 2011 Sunset at Negril, Jamaica

11th Apr 2011 Sunset at Rockhouse Hotel, Negril, Jamaica

12th Apr 2011 My room at Country Country Hotel, Negril, Jamaica

12th Apr 2011 My room at Country Country, Negril, Jamaica

12th Apr 2011 Lobster Claw Plant, Jamaica

12th Apr 2011 7 Mile Beach, Negril, Jamaica

12th Apr 2011 Beachfront Store, 7 Mile Beach, Negril, Jamaica

12th Apr 2011 Country Country Hotel, Negril, Jamaica

12th Apr 2011 Hardware Store, Negril, Jamaica

12th Apr 2011 Computer Arcade, Negril, Jamaica

12th Apr 2011 7 Mile Beach, Negril, Jamaica

12th Apr 2011 Security at Burger King, Negril, Jamaica

12th Apr 2011 Negril, Jamaica

12th Apr 2011 Craft Market at 7 Mile Beach, Negril, Jamaica

Through the window is amazing views of the blue ocean and white sand.

12th Apr 2011 Craft Market at 7 Mile Beach, Negril, Jamaica

Lion (real name Audrey) - a craft artist - hidden under the table are empty bottles of rum - I guess that is why he is fierce!!

12th Apr 2011 Craft Market at 7 Mile Beach, Negril, Jamaica

12th Apr 2011 Negril, Jamaica

12th Apr 2011 7 Mile Beach, Negril, Jamaica

12th Apr 2011 7 Mile Beach, Negril, Jamaica from my vantage point

12th Apr 2011 7 Mile Beach, Negril, Jamaica

12th Apr 2011 Beach hawker, 7 Mile Beach, Negril, Jamaica

12th Apr 2011 Beach Hawker, 7 Mile Beach, Negril, Jamaica

12th Apr 2011 Impromptu Regae Band, 7 Mile Beach, Negril, Jamaica

12th Apr 2011 Regae Drummer, 7 Mile Beach, Negril, Jamaica

The hawkers that come along the beach are a passing parade and amazing entertainment. Regae singers and impromptu bands serenade tourists at the beach-front restaurants and bars for payment.