What can I say? We were in Negril, in a little rented salabe house for almost 2 months on the far west end on the cliffs past the lighthouse. In those 2 months I read 2 1/2 books, hosted my god-daughter for a week and showed her around, took an awesome Wild Thing Cruise complete with snorkeling, horseback riding and lunch, ate at wonderful restaurants, cooked wonderful meals at home, had the great fortune of eating lobster straight from the sea, toured Roaring River with a friend who grew up there, partied like rock stars, played music...did gigs at Ragabones, Pirate's Cave and LTU..spent quiet time on my "secret" beach...spent quality time with friends old and new all beloved and enjoyed every blessed sunset of every blessed day. Got a great tan to boot.

My goddaughter, upon seeing her first Green Flash remarked..."you can see the earth move here"...you can feel it too, in the rhythem of the people and the music that is everywhere, in the peace you feel just walking down the road. God is close by and you feel that presence every single day. Jamaica is the only place on the planet that I drink beer...it is also the only place where I pray.

I wish you all wonderful experiences whereever your journies take you.

Jah Rastafari.

In November of 2005 I traveled for 9 days in Jamaica by myself. Without knowing any better I scheduled to fly into Kingston. Do not fly into Kingston!!! I took a local bus, number 98, into downtown. There I caught a minibus to Mandeville. They cram over 20 people into these vehicles and wait until they are full before leaving. You can wait over an hour or two before departing.
After a short stay in Mandeville I traveled to Negril. I stayed the remaining 7 days there. Negril is fun but edgy. There are a lot of prostitutes and gigolos wandering around. It was off-season so people were even more desperate. Traveling alone I was the only white face in several places. Being so identifiable as a tourist was a liability during my travels. Although I made it off the island without any "harse" altercations I won't be returning.
The island is beautiful but too dangerous. I mean who wants to have to worry so much when they are on vacation?

I have been on many different vacations and this was by far the WORST place I have ever been. I will try to make this short and sweet as well as completely honest:

THE PEOPLE-extremely pushy and won't leave you alone even when you ask nicely and push drugs on you constantly and become very angry and rude when you politely decline. Then they follow you. There is an overall unsafe feeling when walking about anywhere. (I am not an elderly person (31yrs old with 2 other couples)

THE FOOD-EVERYTHING is beans and rice with some jerk chicken-good at first but ZERO variety gets old after awhile.

SERVICE-All restaurants with the exception of one (she got a huge tip) were soo slow. Example-It took 1 hour to get our bill one meal and 45 minutes just for a glass of water for another meal) you can forget a refill on your drinks.

SHOPPING-Really non-existant unless you again want to be trampled with people pulling at you from every direction to buy all the same things that are right down the beach. There is really not that much variety either unless you are in the market for 100 shell necklaces.

THE BEACH-When you can find a place to sit this was really pretty-the sand was soft and white and the water was warm. If it weren't for the beach the trip would have been a complete waste of money-but hey, you can go to a beach anywhere. Drug sales everywhere.

THE AIRPORT-VERY humid (dehydrated when I arrived) and got ill right away from lack of water (my own fault) it was sooo unorganized and we were hearded like cattle and crammed in a hallway when we left and had to rely on the "telephone game" to find out which airlines they were allowing to be gated-then you had to squeeze your way through to get on your plane. (NOT for the claustrophobic person)

I can't tell you how happy I and our entire group was to land in our home state. I have never been happier to be home from a vacation in my life. This year I am going back to Mexico where I don't have to be afraid to walk down the beach and a polite "no thanks" is greeted with a smile and then they walk away.

My wife and I have stayed at:Grand Lido Sans Soui,
Riu Trpical Bay,Beaches Negril,and Couples Ohios Rius.

Best food,Lodging,People the best.Go way out of there way to help you.7 mile Beach in Negril is a U nbelievable beach sheer bliss.If you go take in Rick's Cafe and Maragritta Ville.Always something to do or just relax on one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.I have been around so,I know what I am talking aboutIf you have any questions whatsoever e-mail me and I will fill you in.

Jamaica My home away fro home.

H.R.Pryor