Greetings from one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been, Negril, Jamaica!
Where the sky is blue, the water is even bluer, and the mojitos pour free. ;)
Ben and I have only been here for a full day and a half (at the time of this typing!) but have already fallen into somewhat of an island routine. :)
We lazily sleep in, then check out the scene at the pool.
Pass through the lobby to smell the fresh flowers.
(I wish I knew what kind of flowers these are! They’re so beautiful and exotic!)
Then head out for a long walk on the beach.
Our hotel sits at the end of a long cove so we walk about 10 feet into the crystal clear water which is warmer than BATH WATER, and head all the way towards the other end of the cove before turning around and coming back.
The marine life we’ve come across on our walks is a hoot. I bought an underwater camera so I’ll share the pics when I get them developed.
We see all kinds of fish though – short and fat, long and skinny, plus starfish, and even sea urchins!
Once we make it back from our walk, it’s usually time for cocktail hour(s)!!! Ben and I are staying at an all inclusive resort, which means all our meals, and drinks are included in the price of the hotel.
This comes in handy for Ben’s fondness for red stripe, and my obsession with mojitos. ;) Actually, it seems I ran the resort out of fresh mint on the first day, so I had to sample a few margaritas on the second day. Whoops!
The food here is fresh, and plentiful. We’ve eaten everything from seafood, to the BEST jerk chicken,
braised oxtail (which I actually loved!)
and tons of exotic and unknown fruits. I still haven’t figured out what this avocado/oyster looking fruit is…
but jack fruit is my new favorite thing on earth!
Apparently it’s as big as a watermelon, and covered with these hedge hog looking spikes on the outside.
The inside is pitted with almond-looking pits that you pop out, then eat the flesh that peels back in layers like an artichoke. It’s WILD, and tastes like a mix between a banana, coconut, and pineapple. Mmmm, so yummy. :)
Well, back to the sun and fun I go! We’ve got an island excursion planned for tomorrow, and today we’re heading towards the famous 7 mile beach to watch and, fingers crossed, participate in some cliff jumping! Whee!
Hope you’re having a great week! :)
Michelle 04.12.2012
Awwww, those pictures bring back great memories! We honeymooned in Negril, what a beautiful, relaxing place.
Arma 04.12.2012
I had vegan jack fruit barbecue at my wedding and it was amazing! It ended up being a delicious and convincing alternative to pulled pork. Everyone loved it!
Jess 04.12.2012
Are you at a RIU resort? They are the best! We only stay at those resorts when we have gone to Jamaica (Ocho rios) and Mexico (Riviera Maya). I thought I saw the RIU emblem on the plates! Do you mind sharing which one you are at? Could you do a review of the resort when you get back? We are going back to the caribbean next spring for our 7 year anniversary, and would love to hear about Negril and this resort.
Bobbi 04.12.2012
That green fruit with the white flesh is chirimoya or dutch apple. I had it when I was in Peru!
Fran Flan 04.12.2012
Hi – Those flowers….Ginger…gorgeous!
Maura @ Running to Saks 04.12.2012
LOVE that Ben is rocking the Celtics jersey! Goo BOSTON!
Victoria Brown 04.12.2012
There is a Thai Restaurant on the South Side (of DSM) that makes theeeee BEST Jack Fruit Smoothies. You can buy it canned in the ethnic food isle at Hy-Vee and at all of the Asian stores in town.
Trisha 04.12.2012
Gorgeous photos! Tough Jamaica has never really been on my travel wish list, these photos could really convince a girl to add it. Enjoy your excursions!
nicole @ I am a Honey Bee 04.12.2012
beautiful photos. Have fun!!
Ashley @ Coffee Cake and Cardio 04.12.2012
What beautiful pictures! I’m so glad y’all are having fun!
Molly 04.12.2012
Aww Jamaica looks beautiful!
Kristin from MN 04.12.2012
Wow! Gorgeous pictures! What resort are you at? I need to make a note to stay there if I ever make it to Jamaica! The beach and water look perfect!
Krissy @ Shiawase Life 04.12.2012
Gorgeous pics, Kristin! Glad you’re having a blast!! :D
Colleen 04.12.2012
The unknown fruit looks like a cherimoya to me. They’re pretty common at farmers markets in LA.
Mari 04.12.2012
I was going to comment this as well. I live in California and recently bought/tried one at our local farmers market!
Natalie Tate 04.12.2012
Unlimited mojitos? ON MY WAY!
Erika 04.12.2012
This is making me miss St. Lucia a lot! We went there for our honeymoon last year, would love to go to Negril one day though!
Jennie M. 04.12.2012
Which resort are you at? My hubby’s deployed and we’re planning a Negril vacation this Christmas when he gets back. Haven’t decided on a resort yet – let me know!
Faith @ For the Health of It 04.12.2012
You lucky lady, what stunning views…and amazing tropical food! I think I may need to make a mini tropical vacay happen a little later this year!
Emily 04.12.2012
I had jackfruit tacos once at a vegan restaurant–they chopped up the jackfruit and seasoned it like taco meat! They were awesome. :)
Samantha 04.12.2012
Looks amazing! I always see jackfruit in the Asian markets and never know what to do with it – or how I’d get it into my cart, onto my kitchen counter, and divvied up. The ones I’ve seen must be 30 pounds, but the taste sounds almost worth all the hard work!