We've stayed at Negril twice and enjoyed it. Betty, I know what you mean about putting your life in God's hands! The ride from Montego Bay to Negril is 90 minutes of sheer terror. At the resort we stayed at, there were guards on the sand at each end of "their" beach to keep out the hawkers, but they could still approach you in the water. Yes, we had several offers for "something to smoke" as well as "parasail, jet ski, banana ride...". The resort was lovely but it felt very strange to be discouraged from leaving the property.

Dena

The road to Negril has been repaved and the ride is only an hour now! Much nicer! :cool: They are working on the road to Ocho Rios, that is still a mess and very bumpy, yet we love seeing the countryside. You truly appreciate what you have when you see what some people there live like.

I have been more afraid driving on some roads in the Virgin Islands than I have been while in Jamaica. :eek:

We have come to know some very dear and wonderful Jamaican people that all have hearts made of gold.

Good to hear that the road to Negril has been improved! I think the drivers of our vans were more frightening than the road...lots of sharp corners at high speeds - a definite "E" ticket ride!

I wish we had the opportunity to interact with more Jamaicans. Those working at the resort were wonderful of course, but we missed doing "everyday" things off the resort that would have led to those interactions.

I would love to return some day.

Dena

Yes it was off season and dead - think there were 6 people there including us - we had boat people come up offering us rides and "other stuff" and no good experiences in town - scary to me - in season probably would have been fine as property is nice - Tony almost lost his mind from boredom -

I just returned from a wedding in Playa del Carmen. If I thought it was hot and humid in HOuston, multiply the humidity and sweat factor by 100! I have never drank so much water in my life! Since the young couple loves Playa, they decided to have their wedding there. If I was 25 or 30, perhaps I could handle it but not anymore. Since they were on a budget and so were others in the wedding party, we didn't stay at a top or close to top resort on the beach. We stayed at a lovely boutique hotel with great service but was 2 blocks from the beach, go with the flow! the wedding was lovely, the town is charming but I couldn't even go back in January! There are only 3 restaurants in town with A/C! My friend is the mother of the groom and the restaurant where she had the rehearsal dinner was outstanding and air conditioned. The name of the restaurant is John Grey's Kitchen and was listed in Conde Naste as on the the top "Hot Restaurants" either last year or the year before. If you do go to that area, it's fabulous.

Even though it's 95 degrees here today and humid, it's much more pleasant than Playa del Carmen and in reality it's horrible here right now!

Back to reality and checking up on LCT since I had withdrawals most of last week to to a heavy work load and off to Mexico.

Nancy

Welcome home, Nancy! Glad you survived the Mex. heat!!! Gives all new meaning to "a hot wedding celebration", huh? :)

We have been to Playa del Carmen. It is charming ONCE!!!!

Betty

Thanks Betty for giving me BIG laugh

Betty, you are so funny and so right on! Once is more than enough! Last Saturday a Carnival cruise ship was docked in Cozumel and they all ferried over to Playa along with lots of others!

Nancy

Uh, oh, I am going to a destination wedding for my nephew at Caneel Bay Resort in St. John this month, and have rented a villa for the family for a whole week! I sure hope the trade winds are blowing and we won't melt!

at Caneel Bay Resort in St. John this month,

They have fans and "misters" Olivia - no one sweats at CB -

We've only been to Caneel Bay in late April through May but I'm sure I'd still love it in June. I've also heard of some fabulous villas on St. John. I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time and it will be a beautiful wedding. Best wishes to the bride and groom.

Caneel Bay has some of the most lovely private beaches on the island! :cool: