ATI Dream Weekend – Hot! Hot! Hot!

Posted on July 31, 2012 by Negril Vacations

The ATI series began in 2000 with a unique concept of four consecutive days of parties, for one all-inclusive price, on the world’s most hedonistic and captivating 7-mile beach venue, Negril Jamaica.

ATI has now ballooned into a worldwide calendar event for Jamaica, The Jamaican diaspora and the wider worldwide party-going patron. Over the last five years, ATI’s annual attendance is estimated at 15,000 patrons, with an additional 5,000 guests present in Negril as a result of the energy and excitement surrounding the series. The name ATI is now synonymous with the greatest party weekend, and the Negril weekend is now simply referred to as ATI. Known for blockbuster weekend parties, Absolute Entertainment will stage another series of (11) eleven hot parties across the Negril Resort August 1 – 6, 2012.

ATI Schedule for 2012

  • Wednesday August 1st: EMANCIPATION DAY CONCERT; DREAM LIVE**
  • Thursday August 2nd: CELEBRITY FOOTBALL MATCH**
  • Thursday August 2nd: THE HOUSE PARTY! IBIZA STYLE; FIRST EVER HOUSE MUSIC EVENT!**
  • Friday August 3: IGLOO **
  • Friday (Night) August 3: TWISTED SPIRITZ
  • Saturday August 4: DAYDREAMS
  • Saturday (night) August 4: YUSH
  • Saturday (night) August 4: JUNGLE
  • Sunday August 5: XTREME WET & WILD 12:00PM*
  • Sunday August 5: DREAM JOUVERT 2:00PM**
  • Sunday (night) August 5: BERE VIBES
  • Sunday (night) August 5: JUNGLE
  • Monday August 6: SMIRNOFF X.CLUSIVE
  • Monday (night) August 6: SHORTS CIRCUIT
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Come Celebrate Jamaica 50!

Posted on July 31, 2012 by Negril Vacations

The year 2012 is a special one for Jamaica and all Jamaicans! It is the year in which we celebrate our 50th birthday as an independent nation and there are so many activities and events to mark this milestone! There are special days, themed events and activities and even special homecoming celebrations by Jamaicans and “regular” visitors to our island. Why not plan to join us?

The celebrations began in January 2012 with Jamaica 50th themed New Year’s balls and Fireworks on the Waterfront in Downtown Kingston. The Archbishop of York visited Jamaica from January 21 – 31, 2012. The Archbishop of York, the Most Reverend & Rt. Honourable Dr. John Sentamu, hosted two Ecumenical Services to celebrate Jamaica 50! A host of worshippers joined in the Ecumenical Services at the St. James Cathedral in Spanish Town, Montego Bay, and the Webster Memorial Park in Kingston.

The island’s main music festivals also held activities to celebrate Jamaica 50! Rebel Salute, a special staging of Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival with prominent Jamaican artistes and special guest performer Celine Dion, and the Ocho Rios Jazz Festival all dedicated special portions of their event to Jamaica’s golden jubilee. Reggae Sumfest in July, as well as Meritone Reunion in October are also expected to include special Jamaica 50 activities.

Other special events will roll out throughout the year and up to August 6, our official Independence date, and beyond.There will also be special activities in London where the games of the Summer Olympics are to be held. Jamaica House, in London, will be a hub of activity – exhibitions, business and entertainment – from August 3 – 12.

Look out for the Jamaica 50 activities on our events calendar or follow us on Twitter and Facebook for special promotions and updates.

Our nation is on a mission! Join us for Jamaica 50!

Want to know more about Jamaica 50?

There are several Jamaica 50 committees and groups that are actively planning events both in and outside of Jamaica to celebrate! Here are just a few of the activities and action groups:

Jamaica 50 Secretariat

Website: www.jamaica50.com

Jamaica 50 celebrations are being led by a National Planning Committee with membership from various sectors of national life including: Culture, Tourism and other Government bodies; the Opposition; the private sector; youth organisations; religious and civic groups; the Diaspora; sports; entertainment; academia and other sectors. The Jamaica 50 Secretariat is the body which oversees the activities for the year’s celebrations.

Jamaica House 2012

Website: www.jamaicahouse2012.com

Jamaica House in London opens from 4:00pm – midnight each night from August 3 – 12, 2012. This venue will offer a variety of cultural events and activities including food demonstrations, fashion shows as well as opportunities for investment and entertainment. The island’s sporting legacy will also be a focus point of Jamaica House 2012. Jamaica House will be located in the O2 arena close to the North Greenwich Tube Station.

Grand Jamaica Homecoming

Website: www.comehomejamaica.com

Grand Jamaica Homecoming is a tiny idea that started off among Jamaicans in Canada and which has turned into a a powerful movement. What started off in Canada has now spread worldwide –to almost 60 countries on 5 continents. Over 50 organizations and groups across Canada, a growing number of the same worldwide and our diplomatic corps are willing to share in the Homecoming vision by spreading our messages, rallying their members and looking for ways that they can ‘come home’ and make a difference.

Homecoming adds to the marketing of a phenomenal Brand Jamaica, by opening the door to broader opportunities for business. Homecoming builds communities through its website, monthly email newsletter that reaches over 200,000 people and the various Homecoming events – it is about awareness building, building greater understanding of the wealth of possibilities in Jamaica whether in tourism, real estate, finance, commercial, small business and education, creating win-win scenarios for investments and giving forward. There are Homecoming events being planned as well we are co-branding with existing events in Jamaica. For more information on Grand Jamaica Homecoming visit www.comehomejamaica.com, Facebook at Come Home Jamaica or follow us on Twitter @comehomejamaica.

Jamaica 50 Celebration Inc. (Jump4Ja!)

Website: www.jamaica50.ca and www.jump4ja.ca

Telephone: 647-799-6546; Email: info@jamaica50.ca

Canada celebrates Jamaica’s 50th Anniversary of Independence in 2012, and commemorates this historic event by showcasing the best of Jamaica in Canada. The year-long celebration calendar in the Greater Toronto Area, tagged Jump4JA!, includes a province-wide flash-mob-style series called Jump Tuesdays; an art exhibition featuring rare works from Jamaica’s National Gallery; a coffee table book on Outstanding Jamaicans in Canada; a Celebrity Pro/Am Golf Tour in Jamaica; the theatrical ‘rockumentery’, Jamaican Rhythms; literature, dance, art and the climatic Jamaica Land We Love Gala; as well as numerous community offerings focused on youth, faith and family.

Most importantly, in 2012, the Canadian Celebration is a year of remembrance and awareness. It will seek to honour all the greatness that Jamaica has inspired – from its national motto to its anthem – oneness, freedom, wisdom, justice, truth, respect, duty, strength and vision – we seek, through legacy initiatives, to provide assistance to projects in Jamaica and in Canada that are vital to continuing prosperity. Join us this year as we celebrate Jamaica and Jamaican roots in Canada – people, arts, culture and heritage.

Hands Across Jamaica for Righteousness (HANDS)

Website: www.letsjoinhandsja.org

Tel: (718) 878 5358; (404) 419 7993

In recognition of Jamaica’s 50th year of Independence as a nation, Hands Across Jamaica for Righteousness (HANDS) in association with the Ministry of Education and other organizations, invite the members of the Diaspora and friends of Jamaica to come home and celebrate our country’s Golden Jubilee. Several HANDS Jamaica Jubilee Homecoming Projects have been established across the island in the areas of Education, Health and Community Development that need your participation. HANDS Jamaica Jubilee Homecoming Packages including return airport transfers, hotel accommodation, various meal plans, hotel taxes, service charges, entrance fees, souvenirs and return transfers to selected attractions have been arranged for your convenience.

Become involved…adopt a HANDS Jamaica Jubilee Project by visiting www.leisurejamaica.com/hands. To book your vacation package visit: http://www.leisurejamaica.com/handsjamaicajubilee2012/. The Nation Awaits Its Sons & Daughters!

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Usain “Lightening” Bolt At The 2012 Olympics

Posted on July 31, 2012 by Negril Vacations

The whole world holds its breath! The men’s 100m final is one of the most hotly talked about events at the London 2012 Games – and Usain Bolt is without doubt the highest profile athlete likely to be taking part. However, for a selection of former athletes interviewed over the race, it is Bolt’s Jamaican team-mate and current champion Yohan Blake who is the one to watch.

Usain Bolt is due to defend his 100m crown on Sunday August 5, 2012 on the eve of the 50th anniversary of Jamaican independence and said: “I love Jamaica. To be on TV, to be singled out at the opening ceremony, it’s kind of great. I’m looking forward to it.” But not as much as he is looking forward to the chance of achieving his aim of being “a living legend” by defending all three of his titles at 100m, 200m and 4 x 100m relay.

Usain Bolt carries the flag at 2012 Olympics Opening Ceremony in London

Rumors had been circulating after a difficult campaign for Bolt that he may still have been struggling while preparing with his Jamaican colleagues at the University of Birmingham. No cameras were allowed in to see him, only adding to the speculation.

But if he is a worried man, then he could have fooled his audience. First, he broke into a fit of giggles when a Chilean girl reporter, trying to ask about his general state of happiness, suggested earnestly: “I know you are gay,” and then he offered his response to news of condoms being distributed around the Village with the observation: “This is news to me. Anyway, my schedule is way too busy!”

“My back was a little stiff and it went down to my hamstrings but I’m over that,” he reported. “I’ve trained great for the last two and half weeks and everything’s coming together. As for the cameras, my coach [Glen Mills] determines whether I train in front of them. And he doesn’t like them.”

His old foe, Asafa Powell, was with him on stage to josh around but with Jamaican team officials suggesting some athletes who had been due to join Bolt on stage had been waylaid unloading luggage at the Village, there was no sign of Yohan Blake, the training partner who poses the greatest threat after beating Bolt at 100m and 200m in the Jamaican trials.

“I’m always ready. I keep telling you it’s about the championships, it’s not about the trials,” shrugged Bolt. “Fitness-wise I wasn’t the best but I couldn’t complain. It’s always a wake-up call to get beaten. It made me open my eyes and rethink a few things.”

Did he believe finishing second again would now be considered real failure?

“Failure: that’s the wrong word. I’d definitely be disappointed if I didn’t win but mentally I’m a strong person. I never worry about a single thing. Everyone wants a world record to help celebrate Independence Day for Jamaica,” he said. When it was suggested that scientific analysis suggested his rivals were closing the gap on him, he said with a smile: “I’m never going to listen to what science says. If I did I’d still be running 9.7.”

Christophe Lemaitre, France’s European champion, has withdrawn from the 100m fray to concentrate all his energies on the 200m, but the American duo of Tyson Gay and Justin Gatlin, as well as Blake, are promising to make this a race of rare quality. “Hands down, I’m thinking this could easily be one of the fastest 100m ever seen,” said Bolt.

Former 400m hurdles winner Edwin Moses told reporters: “In track and field we have a saying, ‘stuff happens’, and you’re only as good as your last race. I hate to not vote for Bolt, but I’m not sure the cards are in his favour. I’m going to say Blake too, I think he’s the man to beat right now.

“You can’t stay on top all the time, you have to kind of let off. Last year was not… He’s had to completely regroup, and when you do that you really start from zero, build back up, it’s hard to tell what will happen.

“I know that he can’t afford to make any mistakes. I think that in the 100 and the 200 you’ve got a bunch of guys who can get out of the blocks, they’re going to get out of the blocks because they know they have no choice. They’re not going to win if they don’t, and the only way is to get out, try to put pressure on him early and see what happens.”

Former 100m winner Maurice Green also rates Bolt’s team-mate, and says Usain may be haunted by his past glories: “Blake is going to win.

“The pressures of coming back to an Olympic Games? It’s very tough. Especially when you’re trying to duplicate what you did four years ago.

“But I would say to that fact, don’t think about what you did four years ago, only think about what you’re trying to do now, what you’ve been working on all this year to do. You have to focus on this, you can’t think in the past.”

Ultimately, however, even the experts cannot predict what will happen on August 5.

Photo courtesy of http://www.london2012.com

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Jamaican Sprinters – The Legend Continues

Posted on September 15, 2011 by Negril Vacations

Not sure if anyone had a chance to catch some of the excitement at the recent IAAF World Championships in Athletics held in Daegu, South Korea from August 27 – September 4, 2011.

The Jamaican track team won an astounding 9 medals, including the Gold medal for the men’s 100 m won by Yohan Blake; the Gold medal for the men’s 200 m won by Usain Bolt; the 4 x 100 m men’s Jamaican relay team, including Nesta Carter, Michael Frater, Yohan Blake and Usain Bolt, won the Gold medal and set a world record (see video below).

And it wasn’t only the men burning up the track! Veronica Campbell Brown won the Gold medal in the women’s 200 m race (see video below). Jamaica’s 4x400m women added to the country’s medal tally after winning silver in the final in the IAAF World Championships in Daegu, South Korea. Rosemarie Whyte, Davita Prendergast, Novlene Williams-Mills and Shericka Williams, ran 3:18.71s for a Jamaican national record.

Someone to watch is Jermaine Gonzales who just missed a medal in the final men’s 400m race. Jermaine Gonzales (aka, “Gonz”) is the fastest 400 meter runner in Jamaica. He set the Jamaican National record of 44.40 during the 2010 season and is a close friend of Usain Bolt. They’re both coached by Jamaican legend Bert Cameron, and train at the IAAF high performance centre in Kingston.

And of course, Usain Bolt continued to be the crowd favorite – whipping up a media frenzy with his super-human speed, magnetic personality, and lovable antics. Unprecedented crowds showed up even for the early heats in which Bolt appeared. It was heartwarming to hear the national anthem from this small Caribbean nation called Jamaica being played over and over during the medal ceremonies.

We wish them all the success in Zagreb where the Jamaican runners are competing in the Zagreb World Challenge. Bolt just ran his season best in the 100 m finishing in 9.85 seconds! These Jamaican athletes really make us proud!

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Last Day at Samsara Resort: Finally Relaxed But Not Ready to Go!

Posted on August 16, 2011 by Negril Vacations

Hello from Samsara Cliffs Resort — for the last time this is Margaret, guest blogging while on our vacation at this divine Negril resort. My family and I have been here for five days now and we decided to spend our last day trying a little harder to relax, so we booked massages for the afternoon. For the morning, my husband and the two girls took a Scuba Diving Class from the Marine Life Scuba Shop that is right on Samsara’s property. They had a really good time! First there was some book learning, then the dive shop owner Angel got them fitted out with fins, air tanks and vests and they all went to the pool to practice. After he decided they were ready, they went out to the cliffs, jumped in and went for a short dive. My husband says they went down to about 20 feet and they all enjoyed it very much! Angel is a great teacher and they all wanted to do another dive but we waited too long to get around to this great activity. Whoopsie! Note to self: Schedule a dive for earlier in the vacation, don’t wait until the last day!

The family all fitted out with diving equipment at the Marine Life Dive Shop

The family in the ocean with Angel, ready to go down on a real scuba dive!

Shanna in the dining room

Melvin got more jelly coconuts for the girls to refresh them after their dive, and during lunch we exchanged email addresses with Shanna and Latoya in the dining room. The girls in the dining room really made mealtimes nice with their cheery attitudes and great service. I am still hoping to put the soup chef in my luggage and smuggle her home (her name is Kenisha — have I mentioned how good the soups are here?) but she’s being rather elusive.

In the afternoon, while thunder rolled in the distance, we stretched out in the Samsara Spa and got our massages. I have completely forgotten the two massage therapists’ names who worked on us, but they were amazing. We got the Back Relaxation Treatment, and evidently in Jamaica your back is any part of the body that can be reached while lying on your stomach. My head, shoulders, neck, back, spine, legs and feet all got thoroughly massaged. I felt like I was being taken apart and put back together in better condition.

Latoya from the dining room

I believe the technique they used is called a Deep Tissue Massage, which I had never had before. It was amazing! Afterward there was no way to be not relaxed. I finally achieved relaxation…which is not a natural state of being for me! Another note to self: on the next vacation, be sure to schedule a massage for at least every other day, if not every day. And perhaps some when I’m back home too.

We said goodbye to all the wonderful people we met while at Samsara: Tolick at the front desk, Dian at Ciao Jamaica (Chef Donna was off today) and our wonderful housekeeper Verone who cleaned up our room and made the bed every day. I’d like to stuff her in my suitcase too! All of the staff at Samsara are good, friendly people who make you feel welcome and comfortable like you’re at home. Our time there was wonderful and I can’t wait to come back!

Our two talented Massage Therapists

Marvelous Melvin

Dian from Ciao Jamaica

Tolick from the front desk

Verone, our sainted housekeeper

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Day Four in Negril at Samsara Resort: The Art of Relaxation and the True Meaning of Respec’

Posted on August 15, 2011 by Negril Vacations

Hello from Negril; this is Margaret guest-blogging while staying at Samsara Cliffs Resort in Negril. Today’s agenda was to relax. As it turns out, I am not very good at relaxing! I managed to keep my butt parked on a lounge chair on the cliffs for about four hours during the time between breakfast and lunch. I read a book, took photos of a scuba-diving class, did some deep breathing and willed myself to relax. The heat was helpful in that regard, but by lunchtime we were all bored silly with relaxing.

During our lunch of fried breadfruit, ackee and saltfish — which was prepared specially for us by Chef Donna at Ciao Jamaica (we are getting so spoiled!) — we decided to get a taxi into town, visit the ATM and do a little shopping. Initially the girls wanted to shop at the Time Square Duty-Free mall across from Legends, but they found the merchants there would not negotiate on their prices. Not only are the prices high there, it’s all tourist junk with virtually every store having the exact same thing. We decided to walk into town to the craft market by the river.

The river is a fascinating place. A beautiful flowering tree grows tall by the bridge on one side, and a ton of beautiful white birds make their home in the trees on the opposite side. We saw plantain trees growing right beside the path too.

At the craft market, we saw so many beautiful carvings and paintings and beadwork. The people sell their wares aggressively — somewhat like at the beach — but we were prepared for it this time. After browsing through many of the stalls, the girls bought dresses and handmade jewelry; then we headed up the stairs to go on into Negril to the bank as I was out of cash. One vendor accosted us and said we could not leave without seeing his stall, and claimed that we had promised we would have a look at it when we arrived. He was so aggrieved at the “disrespect” that I told him we had promised no such thing, but regardless, we were out of money and going to the bank.

“You will come back then, after the bank, ok?” he said, his eyes boring into mine, and I mentally kicked myself as I said yes I would.

After we got to the ATM and after I had taken some photos of the town centre, my husband wanted us to catch a taxi back to Legends which would enable us to avoid walking back past the craft market. I could not do that though…I had actually promised that man we would return, so we went. I know he was genuinely surprised to see us come back, but he shook my hand, looked me in the eyes and thanked me for the respec’ I gave him. In the end, I’m glad we went to his stall. He had some very unusual artwork, painted by his son and a few other artists. They were painted in oil on canvas, so it could be rolled up for taking home. Emilie bought a very striking monotone painting of a creature that was half guitar and half woman. I chanced on a painting of the Jamaican countryside exactly like we had seen it on our horseback ride the day before! It was a little stylized, the artist took some liberty to make it prettier than it was, but it felt like the real Jamaica to me. I was embarrassed to offer $20 for it, and I made it clear that I felt it was worth far more but that was all I could afford. The vendor accepted my offer without trying to negotiate, and thanked me for the respec’ I was giving him with my words.

In Jamaica you hear the word “respec’” often, but the tone of voice that is used with it is actually what conveys the meaning. It can be a greeting, a farewell, a guilt trip, a warning or a way of saying thank you. I feel like today I had an honest interaction with a Jamaican, where we managed to set aside our various masks for a moment. The art vendor dropped his mask of aggressive native salesman, and he was able to see that I’m not the rich American tourist that I appear to be. We parted on with a genuine mutual respect, but of us enriched by the experience.

This is the Jamaica I came to see and experience. It’s a daunting task though, to try to get to know and understand the people of another country and it can’t be done in the five days we have. But with a belly full of the local food and a tiny peek into the culture, I finally feel that Jamaica is starting to come alive for me, which is really all I wanted from this vacation. Oh…and some relaxation. Tomorrow, our last day here, I shall continue to pursue that elusive thing called “relaxing.” Wish me luck!

The beautiful flowering tree by the river.

The birds nesting in their trees by the river.

Beautiful blue flowering hedge in downtown Negril. I have no idea what flowers these are but they are gorgeous!

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Day 3 at Samsara Resort in Negril, Jamaica: Breadfruit, Ackee and Saltfish

Posted on August 14, 2011 by Negril Vacations

The amazing omelet lady at Samsara's breakfast buffet

This is Margaret again, blogging from Samsara Resort while enjoying our Negril vacation on the cliffs. We started off the day perfectly with a breakfast of saltfish and vegetables plus another fantastic made-to-order omelet with callaloo and cheese but the one Jamaican food I had yet to taste was breadfruit. I had tried to order it at Ciao Jamaica, where we ate last night, but they were out. Today I was on a mission to eat some roast breadfruit.

Dinner at Ciao Jamaica, by the way, was EXQUISITE. The moment the waitress put our napkins in our laps for us, I knew we were in for a treat. After drinks and a coconut shrimp appetizer we were served the best meal I’ve had in decades. Both the girls got shrimp scampi, while my husband feasted on a whole, grilled Caribbean lobster. I indulged myself with the West Indies Seafood Linguini. Mmmm….the blend of curry, pimiento and other spices with shrimp and lobster was divine. Seasoned perfectly for maximum flavor, the spices made my lips tingle and my taste buds sizzle.

Back to today…After breakfast we were picked up by Bernard, Bus Driver Extraordinaire. He took us to Chukka Adventures in Sandy Bay (stopping at various resorts along the way to pick up other people) where we went on the Horseback Ride ‘N Swim adventure. I have been dreaming about riding a horse along the ocean — and in the ocean — for a long time, but this trip far exceeded my imagination. Somehow my dreams had not allowed for the sweet scent of flowers in the many trees blooming along the way, or the sound of the horses breathing as we churned through the water. I’ve ridden bareback before, but never on a horse that was trotting along a sandbar in the ocean. My horse was named Black Girl and she was marvelous. A retired thoroughbred racehorse, she was calm and responsive to my legs and hands. The Chukka guides that rode with us were equally wonderful, pointing out interesting sights such as avocados hanging way up high in a tree, and an old windmill from the 1600′s, top blown away in some long-ago hurricane. We passed farmland and a polo field, whereupon our energetic guide explained that he had played polo for two years. He then cantered his horse up the trail a little ways, swinging an imaginary polo stick while the girls giggled appreciatively.

Our 'orseback guide Raldo (sp?) from Chukka, explaining something to us about the hill we were about to climb.

Bernard with the two beautiful breadfruit!

Along the way to Chukka I had told the driver about my yearning for breadfruit, and when we boarded the bus to come back to Samsara, he surprised me with two fresh breadfruit! I would have hugged him if I could have, but had to settle for profuse thanks and as big a tip as I could manage. There are some truly great people in this country, and contrary to our adventures on 7-Mile beach yesterday, they don’t all have their hands out. Bernard wanted us to experience the fruits of his country, so he did what he could to make it possible.

Back at Samsara, I trotted over to Ciao Jamaica where I was fortunate enough to find Donna, the head chef. I gave her my breadfruit and asked her to cook them for me. She did so gladly, and even prepared a platter of ackee, cooked with onions, peppers and who knows what else. It was heavenly! The breadfruit, roasted and fried, was amazing. We should definitely start eating this instead of French fries! The plain roasted breadfruit, not fried, was a lot like potatoes, and when salted a little bit, rapidly became addictive. Who needs potato chips and other nonsense? Give me a breadfruit any day! Tomorrow Donna is going to prepare our lunch for us, with my other breadfruit and the Jamaican national dish of ackee and saltfish. I can hardly wait!

Tonight looks to be clear for a famous Negril sunset, and I have a date with my Olympus camera to try and capture it. Earlier today I spent some time in a little cove on the south part of the resort, photographing crabs and trying to capture the beauty of the water. Eventually the crabs said enough already, and I hightailed it out of there before they started charging me!

Mr. Blue Crab, posing so nicely for a portrait!

The cove where Mr. Blue Crab makes his home.

One of Samsara's guests, watching the sunset

Negril sunset, a stunning end to a perfect day!

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Day 2 of Our Negril Vacation: The 7-Mile Beach and Downtown Negril

Posted on August 13, 2011 by Negril Vacations

Hey mon from Samsara! This is Margaret again, guest blogging while on vacation at the Samsara Cliffs Resort. Today we rode the shuttle to Legends Beach Resort in order to experience the legendary Seven Mile Beach of Negril. We also wanted to walk into town and check things out. Our driver Gregory had told us that people would try to sell us things, and he promised if we said no it would be ok. “No means no,” he said, “They will respec’ .”

Gregory was somewhat right about that. We left my sunburned husband in the shade and the three of us girls walked off down the beach from Legends. Within minutes we had been offered the chance to buy everything from bracelets to “smoke” to boat rides and jet ski rides. It was crazy! We did fairly well with saying no until one guy convinced us to come look at his wares, which were really some very interesting carvings. While my daughter’s friend was choosing a gift for her mother, a lady came up and started rubbing aloe juice onto my shoulders which were getting a little pink. She kept mashing the pulp out of the aloe leaf and smearing it on my shoulders, then she worked her way down my arms, around my back and on my legs. She applied aloe to my daughter’s skin too. The whole time she kept up a running explanation of the benefits of aloe to me, and explained that it heals sunburn and protects your skin from the sun. You don’t need to wear sunblock, just aloe…according to her. I thought she was being very kind to share this little native secret with us, so imagine my surprise when she wanted $25 dollars for her ministrations. What? I politely explained that I hadn’t asked her for the aloe service, and she had not told me there was a charge before she started applying it. We argued back and forth for a while and finally settled on $10 as the price for my first lesson in How Things Work outside of rural Ohio where I live.

We continued along the beach, amused by the encounter and considerably more wary of these vendors’ tactics. The girls took a dip in the ocean to cool off and just then two young boys on horseback came riding down the beach. The horses were a beautiful bay color. I did not recognize the breed but they were very cute. I snapped a couple of photos and was putting the lens cap back on my camera when the lead boy rode up and asked if we wanted to ride. I said no, so he demanded money for letting me take his picture. What? I had a 100 JA bill in my pocket so I gave him that and he tried to get more out of me but I rudely told him that was all he was going to get and sent him on his way.

Hot, tired, thirsty and slightly culture-shocked, we headed back to Legends for a dip in the pool, a delicious lunch and lots of ice water. The water at both Legends and Samsara is absolutely delicious. You do not need to buy the bottled water, as what they serve in glasses tastes great.

After lunch, the girls wanted to relax at the pool, so my husband and I set out to walk into downtown Negril and see how that went. Again we ran the gamut of people soliciting us, but it wasn’t nearly as bad as us girls had gotten on the beach. Note to self: have burly husband along next time you walk on 7-Mile Beach. We stopped at a market to get drinks and wandered up a side road where I bought a beautiful fresh canary melon for 300 JA and some odd little fruits that I don’t know the name of. I need to ask Melvin about them. The fruit vendors offered my husband the chance to buy a “bud,” which he declined. “Maybe next time?” the older guy said hopefully.

“Maybe next lifetime,” I retorted and the guys thought that was hilarious. They congratulated my husband for having such a good wife and told me to keep up the good work.

Everyone in town was friendly and it was so interesting to see the different little shops and how these people live. You evidently have to be very self-sufficient to survive around here, and I noticed a lot of repurposing of materials. We ended up taking a taxi ride back to Legends as my sandals were giving me blisters (500 JA). Tonight we are going to eat at Ciao Jamaica, the restaurant across the road from Samsara. I think we’re going to go to sleep early too…we are beat from the sun and all the fun.

The girls at the beach at Legends Beach Resort in Negril

Here's the photo that cost me 100 JA

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My Negril Vacation – The First Day’s Lesson: Snorkeling on the Cliffs Is NOT To Be Missed!

Posted on August 12, 2011 by Negril Vacations

Hello from Samsara! This is Margaret, and the folks at Samsara Cliffs Resort and Legends Beach Hotel are letting me guest blog while I’m here on my Negril vacation, since I love to write and there’s plenty to write about here!

We arrived last night very late, thanks to several flight delays courtesy of American Airlines. We slept well and woke up early starving. Breakfast was fantastic: A made-to-order omelet, fried plantains and homemade muffins. I won’t bore you with all the details of our first day, but two things stood out from the rest and that’s what I want to write about.

First off, if you wear glasses, do NOT come to Negril (or indeed anywhere in the Caribbean) without contact lenses or a prescription dive mask. The snorkeling here is unbelievable! The glorious beauty that is available to feast on — literally steps from your door — is only viewable underwater. If you can’t see anything but blurs without glasses, you will miss it all unless you’re prepared. I had NO idea how gorgeous the reef is until I saw it with my own eyes. Unfortunately, I am nearly blind without my glasses and I can’t wear contacts. It simply never occurred to me what a handicap this would be here in Negril, until I jammed my daughter’s dive mask over my glasses and took a look at the reef. If I was very careful to not dip my head too low, I could watch the fish swimming amongst the coral, but the instant I tried to get closer, water came in around the edge of the mask, putting salt water in my eyes and that stings pretty bad. The dive mask would not seal over my glasses temples, so this magical experience was not going to happen for me on this trip.

I tried snorkeling without my glasses and that was beautiful too but I could not see the fish. All I could see was the gorgeous display of colors and the gentle movement of the ocean current and sunlight, as I swam along with the sound of my own breath in my ears. It was very much like meditating, but not nearly the same experience I would have if I could see clearly.

When you come to Negril, do be sure to bring contact lenses or a prescription dive mask so you can snorkel and see the real sights of the sea. It is indescribable. The nice lady at the front desk will loan you a mask and snorkel so you can see the reef, but you need to be able to see without glasses!

Secondly, I met a groundskeeper here named Melvin. He knows everything! He can name every palm species in the garden, every flower, and the name of every strange sight that meets your eyes is at the tip of his tongue. My teenage daughter and her friend wanted to experience coconuts for the first time in their lives, and they thought they wanted the brown kind we get in the supermarkets at home. Melvin brought them two giant yellowish-green coconuts that he hacked with his machete, and had them drink the coconut water over a glass of ice. Then he split them open more, and showed them how to eat the coconut jelly inside. Melvin is awesome!

Cecilia in the dining room advised me that sometimes in the morning you can see dolphins through the windows on the left side…I shall look for them tomorrow with camera at the ready. Today I captured the sight of a rain coming in over the water. Just as lunch was served the sky started to darken. Melvin and the other guys who work here scurried around bringing in the lounge chair and bali bed cushions. I thought it was a storm, but Cecelia laughed and said if it was a storm, I wouldn’t be able to stand at the window and watch it come in!

I’m actually glad the rain came this afternoon; we were all getting sunburned and needed to be chased out of the sun. We spent the rest of the afternoon playing pool and ping pong in the game room. If you hit it just right, it’s actually possible to hit the bartender with a ping pong ball! Shhhh… it really was an accident.

Tomorrow we plan to ride the shuttle to Legends in the morning, and I will write about whatever interesting things happen. Until then, respect! (Our driver from the airport, Gregory, told us respect is very important here in Jamaica, and they say that a lot.)

The rain squalls coming in over the water. Beautiful!

This is Melvin, helping to bring in the cushions before the rain arrived.

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Scuba Diving at Negril Hotels

Posted on August 2, 2011 by Negril Vacations

Samsara & Legends Resorts are fortunate to have a PADI Scuba Dive Centre right on site! Marine Life Divers is a fully equipped scuba facility right at your door step. Negril, located on the most Western tip of the island, is Jamaica’s most popular Scuba Diving destination and is considered Jamaica’s best Scuba diving location. The reefs have a wide variation of sponges only found in the Caribbean Sea, plus Stony Corals, Gorgonians and other Reef Creatures. Divers may see some exciting sea life including Loggerhead Turtles, Bottlenose Dolphins, Snappers, Grunts, Angelfishes, Squirrelfishes and Creolefishes.

For an exciting adventure try a night dive when you might see other exciting nocturnal creatures such as Lobsters, Moray eels and Octopuses which are night active, and also Phosphorous algae glowing in the nighttime Caribbean Sea. Night dives usually last about an hour.

Guests can get their Scuba certification within 2 days depending on the type, and do not have to bring any special equipment to get started. (Persons over 45 yrs require a medical certificate.) Popular Dive Sites are “The Throne Room” (Underwater Cave), “Shallow Plane,” “Sun’s Club” and “The Gallery”. There is great diving right off the cliffs at Samsara, as well as open water dives accessible by boat departing from the beach only 20 – 30 minutes away.

If you’re considering a dive trip to Jamaica or just want to try it out during your vacation, contact Marine Life Divers at mld@cwjamaica.com. Franz, Armin, and their fabulous crew are looking forward to your visit!

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