Home » Jamaica » Peace, Love, Palm Trees, and Paradise March 26, 2005

Sometimes, you just want to relax on a trip. For us, most travel is about seeing new places, exploring different cultures, and packing as much into a short time as possible. But even we need a break. The classic tropical vacation fits the bill.

Peace, Love, Palm Trees, and Paradise March 26, 2005

Ttrealtravels
2005-12-26 14:01:10

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River and YS Falls. At the town of Black River, we boarded a small boat for a trip down the lazy river. The rasta captain had a practiced eye and showed us many crocodiles (including his 'pet' croc, Eric), plus snowy egrets, mangrove trees, water lilies, and other flora and fauna. The Black River area was a lot like the Florida Everglades.

After lunch, we trekked up into the hills to YS Falls. A shuttle took us to the base of the waterfalls, and we climbed a jungle staircase to the top. Truly beautiful! We took a dip in the uppermost falls, then explored the lower falls with its rope swing.

In 2005, we took the Riverwalk tour. This all-day excursion took us into the mountains to the Mayfield River Park. Our guides pointed out native plants and herbs and their uses along the way. The bus even stopped so folks could buy fresh coconut juice, served in the coconuts. At the river, we were guided up through wading pools, Jaccuzi-like bubbling falls, underwater caverns, and dive spots. Afterwards, we had a light lunch and were shuttled back to the resort.

One don't-miss activity was the spa at Sandals Negril. The facilities were elegant with lots of marble and dark wood trim. Everything was very clean and efficient. On our first trip, I had a seaweed body wrap, followed by a mineral salt hydrotherapy bath, while Thomas had an aromatherapy hydrotherapy bath, then a Swedish massage. The second time, we shared an herbal hydrotherapy bath, then got facials. We even had a couple's massage where we were in the same room. Both of us were impossibly more mellow and relaxed after these spa visits -- as if more relaxation in Jamaica was possible.

It was hard to know how much to schedule and how much to play by ear at Sandals. There were so many great activities to do, and many of them (free and costing extra) require advance notice. I would say book in advance for anything that's crucial to your enjoyment of the resort. Just pick maybe three things that you really can't live with out. But don't book too much -- leave enough time to kick back and enjoy paradise!