While returning from Jamaica’s Martha Brea River, on a whim, we asked our trusted guide about Negril, and she offered to take us. A couple of days and a 2-hour drive later, we found ourselves on Negril’s 7-mile White Sand Beach. When they say, “White Sand” they mean “WHITE SAND”. It was really something else. I have seen such sand only in Aruba. Naturally, the water was blue and sparking clear. I was in it up to my waist and still I could see my feet. It was just amazing!
Meanwhile, the ladies decided to braid their hair Jamaican style, and for my personal safety, I have been asked to say: They looked gorgeous. If the water by the beach was so clear, how good would be it be a mile offshore we wondered? To find out, we hired a glass-bottom boat, fitted ourselves with masks, and off we went snorkeling.
The water, of course, was sparking and there were still some fish around. Unfortunately, as is the case around the world, many corals were brown & dying. The boat operator threw bread crumbs to bring even more fish, which may be illegal elsewhere, but I guess it’s OK in Jamaica. We snorkeled for the next hour; we were in no rush to get out.
Eventually, we got back to the beach and on the road to our next destination: Rick’s Cafe. A premier spot to watch purportedly, the ‘World’s Best Sunset’. The location, perched on a cliff with an endless sea at its base, did not disappoint but the clouds that blanketed the sun did.
In the absence of a proper sunset, the highlight of the evening was a group of daredevils cliff-diving. It was exhilarating to watch the boys pull off diving stunts. The icing on the cake came from the evening’s entertaining: A Jamaican singer piping Bob Marley songs. Such was the mood that even the rain that followed did not dampen our spirits.
Jamaica is a beautiful country and thanks to our guide we were able to know, understand & see a bit more of it. Montego Bay, where all the cruise ships dock, is obviously popular but do add Negril as a must-do destination to your itinerary. Just writing this blog brought back such good memories, especially after being ‘locked-in’ by the on-going COVID situation.
My Pravas 