Relaxation: Winding Down in Negril
by Juel Fitzgerald
Cleveland Chapter Director, OSSN

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After a smooth and informative check, in we were led to our room -- deluxe, king-size accommodations. All the rooms are built up on wooden stilts and made of wood (treehouse style). There are only 85 units on 10 acres. Included in our room is a bathroom with a round sink bowel atop a slab of marble. The shower has the six-showerheads treatment for its guest. While you are standing in the shower, one shower head is in the usual place above, with four smaller adjustable heads below (two parallel to each other) and a hand showerhead behind you. No place of your body can escape the pleasures of a warm shower. The door of the bathroom is made of dark lattice wood. The main room contained a closet and safe. In the room was a king-size bed, the top of which was only about one foot at the most above the wooden floor. A TV chest with three drawers, desk, wooden bench, hair dryer, telephone, iron and iron board was also included in the room.

The two side walls were open with screened wooden adjustable louvers. The front wall had two windows that opened and two doors that opened to a balcony. On the balcony was a love seat and wooden round table and two wooden chairs. The view of the palm trees, flowers, and other plant life was breathtaking. In the room, we had the option of either using the ceiling fan or the air conditioning. We rarely used the air conditioning. We took pleasure in the average 84-degree temperature and the natural sounds of nature outside. During our entire stay, we were surrounded by all kinds of nature - birds, snails, crabs, crickets, butterflies and much more!

We enjoyed the cool water of the winding pool, the swim-up bar, and the warm water of the Jacuzzi. The blue-green water of our beach was magnificent. We could walk a good distance out before the water was over our heads. When the waters were calm, you could see clearly to the bottom. Laying flat on your back and feeling the waters gently wash over you was like being in one of those romantic movies you see at the theater.

Snorkeling with the Negril Scuba Center, which has a spot on the resort's beach, was the best. God's underwater world was spectacular. I thanked God over and over as I glided over numerous fish that I didn't know the names of with colors galore! I have never seen so many colors anywhere! Small fish, large fish, odd shaped fish, long fish, wide fish, flat fish, skinny fish, round fish, and on and on. Out of nowhere, a school of long yellow needle-nosed fish came into my view. Before I knew it, I was actually swimming within the school and looked into the eyes of one of them I was swimming next to. We also saw signs of man long since gone - anchors and cannons from shipwrecks. God gave us the biggest treat by showing us a brown and tan turtle. The beauty of the turtle's smooth movements through the water was something to behold. I could only scream in my mouthpiece with the joys of the sights of this and many others. The colorful coral, black urchins, and other living things that I don't even know was magnificent and took my breath away.

We enjoyed every meal at Sunset at the Palms (which were included in the cost). Not having to worry about tipping, where and what we were going to eat, was so stress-free. Scrumptious buffet meals were offered for breakfast, lunch and dinner. On Tuesday, Thursdays, and Saturdays, a la carte dinners were also served. We arrived on a Tuesday and enjoyed a romantic candlelit meal. Dan had conch fritters, tuna/salmon appetizer, chicken broth, salad, and Chicken Sunset at the Palms. I had conch fritters, a vegetable spring roll, pumpkin cream soup, and Chicken Sunset at the Palms. Gazing into each other's eyes and savoring this meal was a most soothing start to our stay. We finished our night by lying on the love seat and listening to the sound of nighttime critters.

We had the opportunity to visit Rick's Café and see several cliff divers and to see the Negril Lighthouse in the distance. God willing, on my next trip to Jamaica, we will get a chance to actually climb the lighthouse and take in the view. Our resort has a spa and fitness center to cater to your physical and mental needs.

Thanks to Andre Dhanpaul of Sunset (the General Manager at the Palms) and Tenesha Clarke (the Sales and Marketing Coordinator of Sunset Beach Resort), we had the pleasure of inspecting Sunset Beach Resort & Spa in Montego Bay. This resort is near the port, so you will be able to see the cruise ships sail in and out. This resort has a 10-story tower and a two-story set of rooms. The views of the oceans from both types of rooms were awesome! There are 430 rooms. New at the resort is Pirate's Paradise Water Park! I wanted to jump into a swimsuit and join in the fun on the many slides and the lazy river. Actually, I wanted to just lie in the cool waters and do nothing. This all-inclusive resort includes four restaurants, five bars, and a spa. The spa of course is an additional charge. Nightly entertainment and slot machines are also available. This property is excellent for multigenerational groups, honeymooners and business groups.

The island currency is the Jamaica dollar; however, use of the US dollar is accepted. You will receive change in Jamaica dollars, however. The drive-time distance between Negril and Montego Bay is 45 minutes to an hour. If you take the shuttle with J.U.T.A Tours, Ltd. (which is located in the airport), it will cost $40 per person roundtrip. Be ready to pay in cash in case they are unable to take your credit card due to system issues. Taking the shuttle will take much longer than 45 minutes to an hour; because of the frequent stops along the way, you will share your experience with other travelers to other resort locations. If you are willing to pay more, you will get a much more relaxing and private ride by taking the taxi with J.U.T.A. Tours. Call in advance and make arrangements with John Edwards ("Eddie") for the best in service.

For great snorkeling and scuba, you must use the Negril Scuba Center. They had a spot on our beach, but their office is actually located down the street from our resort on Norman Manley Boulevard. Our cost for snorkeling was $15 a person, and the Discover Scuba was $75. They have other scuba and watersport services also.

This was a getaway we will not soon forget, and we are hoping for another relaxing and fun stay in Jamaica -- "The Home of the Lovebirds."