Oh, sigh, again...

While I support Sputnik's right to offer his opionion of his trip, his opening sentence is a "warning", not an opinion.

He gives great detail about his nightmare, but no specific detail about where he stayed or dined.

He does make some very sweeping generalizations. Reminded me a bit of the call to boycott Aruba after the Natalee Holloway tragedy.

No matter how many guidebooks were consulted, it's a mistake to get into any taxi without establishing a price beforehand. As to wanting to leave Negril for a trip to Kingston, I'm still perplexed over that one.

This forum reaches a worlwide audience. Some readers will follow a post all the way through, and read some of the very positive comments about Jamaica that have been written in response to Sputnik.

Others will simply read the original post and rule out travel to Jamaica. There is a post here today about someone who is now considering changing her plans. Sadly, this kind of generalized posting has the potential to impact the tourist industry that most Jamaicans are proud to represent with hard work, grace and care.

I expect that this thread will grow and may surpass, in number, the infamous "rethinking trip to Jamaica" post.

Oh, sigh, again :-(

Marion

I did indeed have a "pot-smoking" cabdriver..... The slowest, LEAST nerve wracking drive of the trip !!! LOL. A very mellow driver, a very mellow drive. It ended well, no mishaps, all in all a funny tale that we tell to friends along with our other wonderful Jamaican stories. My cups 1/2 full. I am sorry Sputnik had a "tourist nightmare", but the huge issues for him are no big deal for another. As Marion stated, this will continue as a hot topic... People who love and appreciate Jamaica "get" the issues associated with this country, it is poor, there is a high crime rate, there are bad guys, there is someone who sees the glaring $$$ sign on your forehead. We choose to be careful, cautious, use common sense, and see the great beauty in the land and in it's people.

Suggesting that someone is a troll because they have not come back to answer responses to their original post , one day after they posted their original post, is absurd. Believe it or not, there are people who do not monitor this website 24/7. They might actually go hours, or- gasp - days between visiting Fodors Travel Talk.

Well, Marion, that post helped me change our plans back to Jamaica. I reserved, today, a 4 BR villa in Silver Sands for two weeks in May 2007. After much deliberation and research of other islands and locations…..I am very much at peace with our commitment. After all, the twins were conceived in Negril….no question about that!

Seems like Jamaica is always a sensitive subject on this Board. I've always been considering taking a trip to Jamaica - thinking about going to Sandals Whitehouse.

CS,

I am pleased to hear about your change in plans :-) !

I will admit, that conception aside ;-), I was surprised that you would not take the girls to Jamaica for their first trip.

Was Tiverton able to help ?

I am spending two weeks in November at one of his places close to Silver Sands. I'll be able to post a trip report long before your departure.

My best to you and Mrs. CS. As the time of birth comes closer, many of us hold you all in our thoughts !

Marion

I have to jump on this one. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, so here comes mine.......

We did extensive research before our trip to Negril this past April, as a result of that research we did both Coco la Palm for the non all inclusive experience and Couples Negril for the AI experience. I'm happy we experienced both, but we will return to Couples Negril.

We ventured off the night we arrived to go to 3 Dives Jerk Shack on the Cliffs, we hired a cab driver we met near our hotel, he stayed with us, left us while we ate, and came back when we were done to say where he was and when we were ready let him know. The cab fares are expensive, but if you did your research you would know that.

Yes the driving is a bit crazy, again if you did your research you would know that too. Look out the side windows until you get used to it. The drivers really do know what they are doing, and we never saw a single accident while we were there.

Ganja and drugs are plentiful, it is part of the culture there, again if you did your research..... you would not be surprised if you encountered it which you probably will, if this bothers you then Jamaica is not for you, a simple no thank you works wonders without rudeness to go along with it. Kingston is not a place I would venture without a guide along with me, again if there had been research.

There is poverty, it is very apparent, yet what the people of Jamaica lack in material things, we here in the U.S. take so for granted, they have in their hearts, and their outward respect.

We hired Solomon of Talk of the Town Tours and did an all day excursion to Treasure Beach, The Pelican Bar, The Black River and YS Falls. Solomon was a highlight of our trip, we learned alot about the culture and about the people of Jamaica that day, how they live, how they make money, how much they make. Taking the time to learn and understand may have made the posters outlook a bit different. We ate at roadside stands, and talked to the people who owned those stands, and learned more.

While at Couples Negril, we again hired a cab to take us to Rick's Cafe. Our friends were worried because we paid round trip in advance with the driver and they feared he would not return for us, my husband and I who had been in Jamaica a few days longer than our friends, and had already been at Coco and ventured out more, well we knew better....... He came back 5 minutes early. They have to maintain their reputation, it is their livelyhood. The cost of living is similar to here in the U.S., yet the average income there is ridiculous. Yet the people are happy, and funloving and if you give them a chance you will grow to love Jamaica and her people.

Don't go there not expecting a bit of culture shock, but don't go there closed minded either.

It is a beautiful country, with wonderful people. There are bad people everywhere, there are people who will rip you off everywhere, there is crime everywhere. Use common street smarts regardless of where you are.......

I too am very skeptical of the fact no hotel names or anything else were mentioned in the above post.

Jamaica is not for everyone, but it was absolutely for me, I loved the island, the reggae, the laid back attitude, and most importantly the people, and I can't wait to return.......

Read this "warning" / "trip report" and do not beleive this person actually set foot on Jamaica...

This person was in Negril and was too scared to go anywhere, but wanted to go to Kingston and was in Ocho Rios.

This I cant explain, "At “Ocho Rios” we walked out of the hotel one evening to look for a phone to call home, ".. you are telling me the hotel had no phone....

Sorry, just do not beleive the story. Amazing how this person experience every negative aspect of Jamaica...as for the $6 slice of pineapple...oh well, as they say Jamaica aint perfect, but for me its just right....

Thanks Marion....we are aiming for late July, so I'll keep you and anyone else on the board interested informed.

Yes, in the back of my mind I always thought Jamaica would win out. You never forget your first love.

I actually didn't wait for Tiver as I was able to pull up a lot of old information (duh) doing a search on this site. So, indirectly, he helped me a ton! We went with the Ebb Tide villa on the ocean for our stay. Should be perfect digs for us! Soon come....I can't wait for your November report....seems SO far away.

Everyone else: Great posts....I love to read the positive vibe so many feel about Jamaica.

CS, how many bedrooms is it? Is there a web site? Always interested in beachfront villa options in JA....

Liza: I found it on their website and it is a 4BR, 4BA oceanfront villa.

sorry, yes...silver-sands.com

Liz: If you travelling with a posse,
check out Rum Jetty at SS, smack dab
on beach and unto itself -- to one side of the jetty w/pavilion on end. It's always booked for Christmas/New Year's 2 weeks by the family, however.

Tiver:
What are your thoughts on Ebb Tide? Will it fit our needs (2 adults, 10, 3 and two 10 month old infants)? Do you know anything more on this place? Thanks for any add'l info!

Actually the OP tried to smear Jamaica and the result has been the opposite effect. So many have come forward to refute him and this thread has become pro Jamaica as well as having some useful info about lodging, etc. exchanged. Yah mon. :-) BTW hi Faith. :-). I am not at all surprised to see you put in your 2 cents worth. Good for you! Yah mon. Evry ting irie ya know :S-

Add me to the list of Jamaica lovers.

I went for the first time at 19 and just turned 50.

It is still my first choice.

CaribbeanSoul: Haven't been inside
Ebb Tide so can't really make any
comment on it...

jacketwatch,
Interesting how fodors posters work, huh? ;-)

Barbara1 & jray, You know...I was wondering the same thing about this one. Especially the phone call thing. I actually said the same thing : So why couldn't he use the phone at the hotel?
Maybe because of all his years of travel he's never been told that hotels have phones you can actually use? Hmmm...:-?

Must be true that some people will love some places and hate others. Can't please all the people all of the time.

Thanks Tiver. I have read some positive things, so we'll see next May. I am excited to be traveling to another part of Jamaica, breaking my Negril streak.

The poster seems to speak English as a second language so he was probably calling Europe and looking for a phone that wouldn't charge sky high rates. His post seems legitimate to me. Just because you don't agree with him doesn't mean he's lying. I totally agree with him.

I hated Jamaica. Why put yourself through all the crap that goes on when there are so many other beautiful destinations where they actually want you there.