Let’s face it, COVID is going nowhere anytime soon. And with international travel looking very painstaking at the moment (with the four weeks of quarantine; 2 weeks when you land and 2 weeks return), local tourism looks like where it will be for a while. I’m not complaining though, because the rates during these pandemic times have become very favourable and the conditions attached are very relaxed.

Coupled with the fact that I REALLLY needed a few days to collect my thoughts, cool my head and escape the crazy of my daily life, these new rates provided the perfect getaway to Negril, one of Jamaica’s premier tourist destinations.

But “tan a yuh yaad”?

The narrative since the pandemic started has been to “stay home” or “tan ah yuh yaad” as Jamaicans would say, but as it is evident, and as stated before, this virus is here to stay… for a little longer than we have hoped. And with the new spike in Covid cases and deaths, everyone is understandably on edge.

But instead pretending that it will go away sooner than later, we have to adapt to this new normal. This means being extra careful with how we operate in our day to day lives and adopt new measures to keep ourselves and those around us safe. That means no more using crowded public transportation vehicles, adhere to social and physical distancing protocols, stringent use of sanitization methods and being super vigilant to those who are around you and not practicing the same protocols. You can protect yourself and those around you. That being said, to Negril I headed!

Covid-free travel by Knutsford Express

The Knutsford Express bus service offers an efficient, affordable Covid adapted service and the have a trip from Kingston to Negril, so that is the way I chose to travel (And I highly recommend them!). Booking and ticket reservations were done by the app, and payment was made at check-in on the day of the trip. A very streamlined process indeed! I love everything about Knustford Express and I am not exaggerating. They are clean, they are efficient, passengers were physically distanced unless travelling together and when they say they are departing at a certain time, you better be on that bus or you will “miss the bus” in more ways than one! So we departed Kingston at 10am and after brief stops in Spanish Town, Drax Hall and at Glistening Waters, we arrived at their Sangster’s International location for a 1 hour wait, where we would switch buses to complete the final leg of our journey to Negril. Upon arriving in Negril, local taxis were waiting to take us to our final destinations.

Skylark Hotel on the 7 Mile Beach

I was staying with Skylark Negril Beach Hotel. A quiet, laid back hotel that sits on the idyllic 7 mile beach renowned to line the coast of Negril, and along the Norman Manley Boulevard . Upon arrival, my temperature was taken and  recorded, sanization ensued and short but to the point questionnaires were filled out as part of the check-in procedures in tandem with the protocols outlined by the Ministry of Tourism. After the keys and instructions and notices were relayed, I headed to room 103.

Room 103 was located closer to the beach than to the lobby, even though nothing was too far from each other. It was on the ground floor directly off the path, but the property felt so secure that my door was never locked until I was going to bed (it was closed though cuz… mosquitos).  Upon breaking the “clean seal” and entering, the room smelled of lavender… very calming and welcoming! The room was clean with a king sized four poster bed, lounge day bed, desk and chair and night tables. More details and visuals of the room can be seen in my video below:

Miss Lily’s at Skylark Negril

Hunger was the order of the day at this point and I was not having it! So I headed to the only food spot available on the hotel grounds, the infamous Miss Lily’s at Skylark. There are also locations in New York, NY, West Houston New York and Dubai!

The restaurant was empty… I was the only one there (in addition to the wait staff) and that’s perfect conditions in a pandemic. Either way, they had identified specific seats that were to be occupied and they were physically distanced. After a brief review of the menu, I ordered what I have been craving for a long time, Jerk Chicken. Shortly after, the food came out and I quickly proceeded through the meal.

Everything but the ketchup and sweet potato salad was jerked. Jerk chicken, jerk fries, jerk mayo and jerk sauce. None could be happier. The jerk chicken I opted to dress with the jerk sauce and a marmalade tasting sauce combination and IT WAS DELICIOUS! That is how I want to eat my jerk chicken from now on… with a toops more of spicy. The jerk fries I dipped in the jerk mayo. Blouse and skirt! What a combination “wickid!” Everything was seasoned abundantly and, at the perfect temperature, was an enjoyable and telling beginning to this Negril excursion!

With sunset approaching, it was time to get ready for one of the most spectacular views that Negril has to offer!

Sunsets are made in Negril

I dont know what it is about Negril, Jamaica, but the sunsets are unhindered and simply spectacular. No phone like strung across the vista, not even a picturesque mountainscape to complement the view, just wide open sky, painted the beautiful colours of the sun disappearing into the beautiful blue of the Caribbean sea. It is quite a moment, to be able to sit and watch as the sun says it final farewell for the evening then quietly dips into the horizon.

The Adventures of Day 2

The second day came as quietly as the first day went. The grounds were serene and sounds of birds chirping were the sounds that I awoke to and as the morning progressed sounds of my neighbours emerging from their rooms became more and more prevalent.

Rockhouse Hotel Negril

I headed to the beach for an early morning swim before the sun became overbearing. Skylark keeps in touch with its guests via telephone, so I was informed of the opportunity to visit the Rockhouse Hotel for the day.

The Rockhouse Hotel is the sister property to Skylark and is a fifteen (15) minute drive between properties via Kenny Tours, the shuttle service provided by Skylark. Upon arriving at Rockhouse, the same check in procedure executed at Skylark, was also executed at here. After the briefing, I headed to the pool where Skylark guests were also allowed to enjoy. It was soooo very relaxing walking through the pathways under the canopies of the trees.

The Rockhouse Hotel is a beautiful, rustic, enchanting cliffside property that sits proudly on rocks above the crashing waves of the sea. The rooms are made of wood and stone with beautiful details that lend to the whole tropical, “everything irie” feel that you experience when vacationing in Jamaica and each were tucked away along a path and within lush greenery. All the whistling of the leaves and the distant crashing of the waves were already having a soothing effect on me, when I saw the blue of the Caribbean Sea.

The view was SPECTACULAR and spectacular doesn’t even do it justice. Neither does the pics. This is something you see for yourself but experience with your mind, body and soul. No cap. It is truly breathtaking!

I found a spot on a platform with 270 degrees of uninterrupted views of the horizon and that’s where I spent most of my time at Rockhouse Hotel, sipping frozen lemonades and the Rockhouse Rockachino. I got soooo very relaxed that I fell asleep right there and only woke when I heard the distant rumble of thunder. As my time at this resplendent cliff property drew closer to its end, I took to finding the famous and most instagrammed location here; the Jump bridge. This is aptly named such because this is where adventure seekers and risk takers jump into the captivating blue sea below, completely at their own risk… there is even a sign by the hotel that waves liability. The jump was a hard pass for me, but I did get my picture… WOOT!

With that small victory under my belt, I headed back to Skylark and to the next leg of my Negril adventure.

Matthew’s (Sushi Bar Restaurant) Negril

I am a self proclaimed sushi fiend and my Instagram blog @whatsnewonthemenu proves that. So I have been eyeing a restaurant called Matthews Negril since they opened up and by sheer luck, they were located just walking distance from Skylark Hotel, so you know who took a nice little stroll to get the sushi she’s been Instagram stalking for over a year! Yes, ya girl, me, Pinkpeachhh.

Matthew’s is located in the new NCB’s plaza… literally a 5 minute walk from Skylark along Norman Manley Boulevard. After sanitization and temperature checks, I was seated at a table of my choice and wasted no time in ordering the roll I had decided I was going to try! No disappointments here as the roll was everything I imagined it would be. Steak and plantains wrapped in sushi rice with veggies then deep fried? Your mouth start watering as yet? Mine certainly was and as I finished my meal, I reluctantly said my goodbyes as I had one more stop before the impending curfew of the day.

Chill Pops Jamaica is a MUST!

New kids on the block, Chill Pops JA, is a small wooden kiosk in the same plaza as Matthew’s Negril, which was totally convenient. I spent some time talking with its owner Damir Tufil and his girlfriend, Janine.

Chill Pops sells gourmet popsicles with a variety of fruits and flavours that are sure to wow and refresh all at once. Popsicles of natural fruit flavours and some infused with alcohol for the adventurous, are available at this fun little outlet sitting pretty in the middle of the New Boardwalk Village Plaza.

Another amazing experience and definitely a must visit on every trip to Negril.

The Last Day: Day 3

As it was the final day of my stay in Negril at Skylark Hotel, I opted to spend as much of the morning as I could enjoying the 7 Mile beach. With clear pristine waters and wide expanses of blue skies, it was the perfect way to spend my final moments basking in and soaking up the sunshine!

Watching crabs cross the warm sand, hearing the waves crash against the shore and reveling in the shade on an empty beach is a dream come through and must needed reprieve from what I had escaped and was returning to in a few hours. I did not want it to end.

But alas, all good things must come to an end… a small pause at least, until it can continue once more, and I packed my bags to leave Negril and get back to reality.

Snap back to reality

Skylark Hotel in Negril was calming and peaceful and Rockhouse Hotel was breathtaking. I hope to visit again soon and I hope this recollection will convince you to experience a slice of what I had the chance to.

Until next time, Pinkpeachhh