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! :)
SO JEALOUS! Jamaica is amazing and your resort looks beautiful. I love all-inclusive! And jerk chicken, yum!
i’m glad they actually serve jamaican meat pies in jamaica!!
we tried making some at home (but a failed jamaican meat pie turned into a DELICIOUS empanada!) and it’s very tough for me to walk past a pizzeria and NOT get a meat pie (not sure why they sell them at pizzeria’s around here.. jersey city/NYC) … i just love them.
have fun!
Which resort are you at? Have been looking for all-inclusives in Jamacia!
I stayed at that same resort a couple of years ago. I remember that tree in one of your first pictures. I love it there! I plan on making a trip back there in the future.
Just seeing the blue water is a treat……………! So glad you two are having fun!
The flowers you’re looking at are called ginger. I work at a floral wholesaler here in Des Moines and we have imported these flowers in before. They’re available as a cut flower – good to keep in mind if you ever have a tropical party!
Awwww, those pictures bring back great memories! We honeymooned in Negril, what a beautiful, relaxing place.
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!
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.
That green fruit with the white flesh is chirimoya or dutch apple. I had it when I was in Peru!
Hi – Those flowers….Ginger…gorgeous!
LOVE that Ben is rocking the Celtics jersey! Goo BOSTON!
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.