A Negril Travelogue

By Cameron Boyle

Day 1: 3/7/2015
Arrive MoBay 3:30pm…. 10 women ready to release (look out, Negril!)…. picked up by Ernie in a 12-person van. At outset of 1.5 hour drive to CountryCountry in Negril, of course we had to stop at the Hi-Lo grocery store for a case of Red Stripe for the ride. Reggae music at high volume. Checked into CountryCountry (CC) on 7-mile beach, freshened up, then headed to SeaStar for traditional buffet, live bands and plenty dancing. A troupe of African drummers and dancers caps off the show around 10-11pm. Mike Birdy… an extraordinary jembe drummer. Got our groove on booty dancing with MC Blaze, the Michael Jackson look-alike and the African dancers. After hours hang out at CC bar with Omar and Maurice. Here I am dancing with one of the bands at SeaStar:

dancers

Day 2:
Late Jamaican breakfast and hanging on beach till 3:30pm when we went to Rick’s Cafe on the West End (cliff-side). Many of us dove off the cliffs and 2 of us went on “the cave adventure” and received messages from the deep. After many rum punches and Red Stripes and about 2 hours dancing to the reggae band during a sublime sunset, we walked to Murphy’s (best food shack in Negril) for jerk chicken, lobster and shrimp. Then Ernie picked us up and took us to the Stepping High Ganja Festival (an annual beachside trade show for those in the ganja business; this was the first year it was open to the public) for a “purely cultural” experience. We met Dudley with his lei of dried blueberry ganja. Met a traditional peanut roaster. Witnessed the seriousness of the ganja judges with their microscopes. MC Blaze (the ubiquitous MC) was hosting on huge concert stage…. best two bands that night were Bushman and Nomads. Here we are below at Rick's Cafe, and below that is owner and chef of Murphy's:

dancers

dancers

Day 3:
Usual first half of day spent soaking up the rays and enjoying locals out front of CountryCountry. We left CC for Zimbali Organic Farm at 4pm with Zimbali’s driver Troy. Alicia (Jamaican) and her husband Mark (from Zimbabwe) are the owners of this organic farm, restaurant and guest house in the hills 40 mins. inland of Negril. We had a tour of the farm with Clifford (Alicia’s cousin) and then settled in for an amazing meal, prepared in front of us by Chris and OJ. Delicious meal replete with abundant wine. Birthday girl was awarded with a fresh bouquet of bougainvillea and a bottle of champagne. When finished with our black bean chocolate cake, we “turned it up” and danced and flirted some more with the cooks. On drive home, we got dropped off at Bourbon Beach where there was a decent Trini rasta band, but we headed next door where a dancehall dj was rockin the house. None other that MC Blaze was there puttin down the most amazing dancehall moves. Of course, we had to shadow him and learn a thing or two. Walked home 2am along the beach. Here I am with Alicia of Zimbali:

dancers

Day 4:
Decided Shanika was our favorite breakfast server. A bunch of us went out to the ocean trampoline in front of Margaritaville. There we experienced a divine orchestration of a gathering of sisters with whom we had a deep sharing of stories. There were 5 from our group, a woman from El Salvador and 3 seniors from UNC Chapel Hill. We copied NPR’s “moth hour”, using “what was the most transformational experience of your life thus far?”. We all learned a lot and formed new lasting friendships. Some of us then went with the college girls to Margaritaville for a booty-dancing contest. We stood on a Jamaican-flag beer-pong table, 3 at a time, and danced. We narrowed down to 3 competitors who were judged by the potency of the crowd’s clapping. And, yes, yours truly…. 50 year-old booty-shaker…… won the margarita bong which I shared with all my “college girls”. If a middle aged woman ever needed to have it affirmed the “she’s still got it”, that was the quintessential moment! Went back to CC for lobster salad…. lobster that we specially ordered caught from the sea that day. At 5:45pm Ernie took us all to Pushcart (restaurant of Rock House…. best 5-star hotel on the cliffs). We watched sunset, had rum punch and decided Croy was our fave bartender. Best thing about this place is ambience and the mento band that starts up around 8pm most nights. That’s the first Jamaican music…. even before calypso. After we filled our bellies with conch and rum and danced to both sets of mento, we went back to CC for a starlit ritual by the water. 6 of the 10 of us had to leave the next morning. Here I am with my co-winners of the dance contest, giving an encore performance:

Day 5:
The four remaining women transferred to The Palms….just a bit east on the beach. Lots of swimming and running on the beach. Went to 3 Dives for jerk chicken dinner and then walked to Rock House for the Chronixx concert (most popular reggae band in Jamaica right now):

dancers

Day 6:
Usual beach fun. Went to On The Rocks for dinner…. very good shrimp and pumpkin rice. Then we headed to ladies night at The Jungle (best nightclub in the world). We spoke with a dive master and a captain who took us diving, snorkeling and for an island cookout the next day.

Day 7:
Captain Raymond picked us up 8:30am on his Suzie Cruise boat. (You can contract him in front of Travelers Resort on the western end of 7-mile beach.) Right away we popped a bottle of champagne to celebrate my 50th. By 9:30am we graduated to rum punch. Some went scuba diving and some got dropped off at small island for traditional Jamaican cookout (lobster, chicken, rice, vegetables, peas, tiger fish, breadfruit)….. very rustic and authentic. Men cooking for women….. a beautiful thing (see photo at top of page)! We swam, danced and did a bit of capoeira while they were cooking. MC Blaze showed up with his boat and a gaggle of German tourists. Left island 3pm for snorkeling, back to The Palms at 4. Went to Murphy’s again for dinner…. more lobster! Afterwards went to Bourbon Beach for Ladies’ Night. MC Blaze was mc-ing and Dive-master Kurt showed up to dance with us.

Day 8:
Last day, so we sunbathed and swam a little, then headed out to buy souvenirs including a traditional basket made of bamboo and telephone wire. We met two Rasta cousins on the beach who did impromptu rasta-raps for us and made us some belly beads and necklaces. Back to Seastar one last time for dinner and dancing, then turned in for next morning departure.

dancers

Sistahs (and Brothas), if you want to celebrate a rite-of-passage in paradise amongst a people who will unconditionally affirm and celebrate your age and beauty, I highly recommend Negril (anywhere in Jamaica for that matter). I came back fully rejuvenated and excited about my next half-century of life. Bless up! One Love!

bless up!

1,344 Comments on “”

  86. Hello! I could have sworn I’ve been to this blog before but after browsing through some of the post I realized it’s new to me. Anyways, I’m definitely happy I found it and I’ll be book-marking and checking back frequently!

    Reply

  166. Taxi moto line
    128 Rue la Boétie
    75008 Paris
    +33 6 51 612 712  

    Taxi moto paris

    I’m not sure where you are getting your information, but
    great topic. I needs to spend some time learning more or
    understanding more. Thanks for great info I was looking for this info for my mission.

    Reply

  223. of course like your web-site however you need to test the spelling on several of your posts. Several of them are rife with spelling issues and I in finding it very troublesome to tell the truth on the other hand I will surely come back again.|

    Reply

  226. Its like you read my thoughts! You appear to know a lot about this, like you wrote the guide in it or something. I believe that you can do with some p.c. to pressure the message home a bit, but instead of that, that is excellent blog. A fantastic read. I will definitely be back.|

    Reply

  229. You can certainly see your skills in the work you write. The world hopes for more passionate writers like you who are not afraid to mention how they believe. At all times follow your heart.|

    Reply

  241. I like the helpful information you provide in your articles. I will bookmark your blog and check again here frequently. I’m quite certain I’ll learn plenty of new stuff right here! Best of luck for the next!|

    Reply

  244. Hello there I am so grateful I found your website, I really found you by error, while I was researching on Aol for something else, Anyways I am here now and would just like to say kudos for a remarkable post and a all round enjoyable blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to read it all at the moment but I have saved it and also added in your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read more, Please do keep up the awesome work.|

    Reply

  247. I haven?¦t checked in here for some time since I thought it was getting boring, but the last several posts are great quality so I guess I?¦ll add you back to my daily bloglist. You deserve it my friend 🙂

    Reply

  249. A fascinating discussion is worth comment. There’s no doubt that that you should write more on this topic, it might not be a taboo matter but usually people don’t speak about these issues. To the next! Best wishes!!|

    Reply

  251. I’m just commenting to let you be aware of of the exceptional discovery my cousin’s child enjoyed going through your blog. She discovered a wide variety of details, most notably what it’s like to possess an awesome helping nature to let other folks very easily know just exactly several multifaceted subject matter. You truly exceeded people’s expectations. Thank you for presenting these powerful, safe, explanatory and in addition fun tips about this topic to Kate.

    Reply

  258. Thanks for your personal marvelous posting! I certainly enjoyed reading it, you will be a great author. I will be sure to bookmark your blog and definitely will come back sometime soon. I want to encourage that you continue your great work, have a nice weekend!|

    Reply

  259. I am only writing to make you understand what a terrific experience our princess undergone viewing yuor web blog. She picked up such a lot of things, with the inclusion of what it is like to possess an ideal teaching style to make the others without hassle thoroughly grasp specified tricky topics. You undoubtedly surpassed visitors’ expected results. Thanks for showing those valuable, trustworthy, revealing not to mention unique tips on your topic to Sandra.

    Reply

  263. My spouse and i got now fulfilled that Ervin could deal with his investigations out of the ideas he got out of the web page. It’s not at all simplistic to just choose to be giving freely instructions that many other people have been selling. We recognize we need you to thank for this. The type of illustrations you made, the straightforward website navigation, the relationships your site make it easier to instill – it is most spectacular, and it is letting our son in addition to us reckon that this subject matter is interesting, which is certainly tremendously serious. Thanks for the whole lot!

    Reply

  266. Hi, I think your site might be having browser compatibility issues. When I look at your blog site in Ie, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other then that, fantastic blog!|

    Reply

  275. Pretty nice post. I simply stumbled upon your blog and wished to mention that I’ve really loved browsing your weblog posts. In any case I’ll be subscribing for your feed and I’m hoping you write again very soon!|

    Reply

  279. It’s perfect time to make a few plans for the longer term and it is time to be happy. I have read this publish and if I may just I wish to suggest you few fascinating things or tips. Perhaps you can write next articles relating to this article. I wish to learn even more things approximately it!|

    Reply

  284. I loved as much as you’ll receive carried out right here. The sketch is tasteful, your authored subject matter stylish. nonetheless, you command get got an shakiness over that you wish be delivering the following. unwell unquestionably come further formerly again as exactly the same nearly very often inside case you shield this hike.|

    Reply

  287. It is appropriate time to make a few plans for the longer term and it’s time to be happy. I have read this post and if I could I desire to counsel you some interesting issues or advice. Perhaps you could write subsequent articles referring to this article. I desire to learn even more issues approximately it!|

    Reply

  292. Have you ever thought about creating an ebook or guest authoring on other blogs? I have a blog centered on the same information you discuss and would love to have you share some stories/information. I know my subscribers would appreciate your work. If you’re even remotely interested, feel free to shoot me an e-mail.|

    Reply

  301. When I originally left a comment I appear to have clicked on the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now every time a comment is added I get four emails with the same comment. Perhaps there is a way you are able to remove me from that service? Thank you!|

    Reply

  305. I’m not that much of a internet reader to be honest but your sites really nice, keep it up! I’ll go ahead and bookmark your website to come back down the road. Many thanks|

    Reply

  335. obviously like your web site but you need to test the spelling on several of your posts. Many of them are rife with spelling problems and I find it very bothersome to tell the reality however I?¦ll certainly come again again.

    Reply

  344. Whats up are using WordPress for your blog platform? I’m new to the blog
    world but I’m trying to get started and set up my own. Do you need any html coding knowledge to make your own blog?
    Any help would be greatly appreciated!

    Reply

  347. I am really enjoying the theme/design of your web site. Do you ever run into any
    browser compatibility issues? A couple of my blog
    visitors have complained about my blog not working correctly in Explorer
    but looks great in Chrome. Do you have any advice to
    help fix this issue?

    Reply

  354. Hey there I am so happy I found your site, I really found you
    by error, while I was searching on Yahoo for something else,
    Anyways I am here now and would just like to say cheers for a marvelous post and a all round enjoyable blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to look over it all at the moment but I have
    book-marked it and also included your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read a lot more, Please do keep up the excellent work.

    Reply

  356. I like the helpful info you provide to your articles.
    I’ll bookmark your weblog and test once more right here frequently.
    I am moderately certain I will be informed
    many new stuff proper right here! Best of luck for the following!

    Reply

  357. Thank you a lot for sharing this with all of us you really realize what
    you’re speaking approximately! Bookmarked. Please also talk over with my site
    =). We can have a hyperlink change arrangement among us

    Reply

  360. Hi! I know this is kind of off topic but I was wondering if you knew where I
    could find a captcha plugin for my comment form?
    I’m using the same blog platform as yours and I’m having
    problems finding one? Thanks a lot!

    Reply

  368. Hi there! This post couldn’t be written much better!
    Looking at this article reminds me of my previous roommate!

    He always kept preaching about this. I most certainly will send this information to him.
    Fairly certain he will have a very good read. Thank you for sharing!

    Reply

  370. Nice blog right here! Additionally your web site loads up fast!
    What web host are you the use of? Can I get your affiliate link for your host?
    I desire my site loaded up as quickly as yours lol

    Reply

  378. I think that what you composed made a bunch of sense. However, what about this? what if you composed a catchier title? I am not saying your information is not solid, however suppose you added a post title to possibly grab people’s attention? I mean BLOG_TITLE is kinda vanilla. You ought to glance at Yahoo’s front page and note how they create news titles to grab people interested. You might add a video or a pic or two to grab readers excited about everything’ve written. In my opinion, it might bring your posts a little livelier.|

    Reply

  383. Whats up this is kinda of off topic but I was wondering if blogs use WYSIWYG editors or if you have to manually code with HTML.
    I’m starting a blog soon but have no coding knowledge
    so I wanted to get advice from someone with
    experience. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

    Reply

  392. I was recommended this web site by my cousin. I’m now not positive whether this put up is written via him as nobody else realize such distinctive about my problem. You are amazing! Thank you!|

    Reply

  403. Wow that was odd. I just wrote an extremely long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t appear. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Anyways, just wanted to say fantastic blog!|

    Reply

  425. Do you have a spam problem on this blog; I also am a blogger, and I was wondering your situation; many of us have developed some nice practices and we are looking to swap strategies with others, why not shoot me an e-mail if interested.|

    Reply

  458. Hi there, just became alert to your blog through Google, and found that it’s really informative. I am gonna watch out for brussels. I’ll appreciate if you continue this in future. Many people will be benefited from your writing. Cheers!|

    Reply

  605. Nice weblog here! Also your site so much up fast! What web host are you the use of? Can I am getting your affiliate link to your host? I wish my website loaded up as quickly as yours lol|

    Reply

  690. {loans|loan|loans|payday loans|personal loans|payday loan|loans online|payday lending|loans for bad credit|personal loan|cash advance|loans no credit|loans no credit check|credit loans|payday loans online|bad credit loans|installment loans|payday loans no credit|payday loans no credit check|online loans|online payday|loan application|loans guaranteed approval|money fast|loan payday|cash loans|web loan|bad credit loans guaranteed approval|online payday loans|payday advance|personal loans for bad credit|loan online|loans instant approval|credit loans guaranteed approval|advance cash|simple loan|loans with bad credit|quick loans|pay day|loans bad credit|loan interest rates|cash payday|loans with no cred