Travel Eat Drink Like a Local

Nirvana has the best beach on the 7-mile stretch. You don't feel like you are in a crowded beach. There's plenty of shade. It's the most family friendly and safe out there. The staff cares about you like you are family. We love it there and will return again and again. At least one year ahead reservation is required if you want the owner's bungalow -it's that popular! The garden is well kept and clean. Steps away from the ocean Back garden Sapota Even though we made some of our meals, we would walk down the beach sometimes for breakfast. Calalloo omlet When hungry we would cross the street to Best in the West for Jerk. Hands down, best jerk in the area! Half Chicken Jerk - Perfection! If we are going to the town we would place an order for patties at Miss Sonia's and it's ready to be picked up on our way back. These are not the whole-sale kind. They are not greasy, hand made to order and a meal by itself. Miss S...

From Negril's 7-mile beach you can sea a small lush island. Between the beach and this island Booby Cay you get the most awesome shallow water snorkeling opportunities. The underwater water world is so rich, colorful and is like living in a dream you don't want to wake up from. Note to self: buy an underwater camera. We had watched how these guys operate for few days now and thought they were good. They didn't disappoint us. Perfect snorkeling for beginners Booby Cay Booby Cay shores After snorkeling you can have the boat drop you off at the island to spend some time there. You can tell them the pickup time. Yum! Lobster traps There is a lady who sells cold Redstripes and a man who would grill the lobster you chose from his trap in the water. While your lunch is being prepared you can take a small hike through a under brush to the other side of the island. Lobster for lunch The other side of the island Sea Urchin  Boat owner an...

The boys decided to jet ski to say goodbye to 2013. I believe what we paid was $50 per person. They had so much fun.  Just being nice to the local operators can mean extra fun in anywhere in Jamaica. That's all I can say. Ready! Let's say hello to 2104. January 1st 2014 adventure - parasailing for the first time ever. It was $60 per person. Boys had the most exciting experience ever. Tipping ahead can mean VIP treatment. Just saying...  My view from the beach Two little monkeys Memories were sure made

Wherever we travel for vacation we take couple of day road trips to explore and get the feel of the local culture. We knew we wanted to raft Martha Brae and experience little local roads and villages. From Negril to Martha Brae we took the road along the coastline via Montego Bay. Martha Brae river is in Trelawny Parish near Montego Bay. For $50.00 cash per person you get to go down about 3 miles of a slow flowing river, shaded with a large canopy of trees on a bamboo raft steered by a rafter with a bamboo pole. It's a very peaceful, somewhat scenic and a relaxing experience. Our boys rafted and at times stepped between our two rafts. 2 persons per raft. If you have done your research and reading you might be more knowledgeable than the guide. Anyhow, it's nice to keep the conversation going and you to know what's exaggerated and what's not. At one point or the other the 'captain' of the raft will offer you his carved gourds he is selling. To tell you the trut...

We wanted to have a quiet early casual dinner on Christmas Eve. Push Cart has beautiful views of the cliffs, sunsets and...You can watch all the drunk silly party goers on their sail boats. Portions were quite small at Push Cart though. Food is fresh and well made. View from the Push Cart dinning area Fish Cakes  Chicken Curry with Roti Jerk Sampler with Johnny Cakes Jerk Chicken with Yam Bammy or Cassava Cakes Chocolate cake Amazing! Sailing to the sunset