Adam Haynes

Jamaica, January 5-14, 2007

We headed down to Jamaica this January with 11 of our longtime friends. This was to be an anniversary trip of sorts. Five years ago, our good friends Andy Funk and Tracy McGregor tied the knot in Treasure Beach. It was such an amazing trip that we all vowed to come back on their fifth anniversary. They planned the return journey well, and it was one of the most relaxing, purely joyful trips I've ever been on. We spent the first half of the trip in Negril at a small beachfront establishment called Whistling Bird. The ocean right out the front door was a big salty swimming pool, flat calm with a reef a mile or two out. We stayed in a tropical paradise, with beautiful gardens and melodious birds throughout. Aptly named Whistling Bird, it was quite the retreat. A private bar, excellent restaurant , and the able Captain Moses and crew kept us in high spirits for the duration.

07. Captain Moses motorboat

08. jerk chicken

09. Jamaica Jenny

10. feats of strength

From Negril we hopped in a bus and drove southeast to Treasure Beach through the town of Black River. We spent the remainder of the trip at a little oasis called Jake's. This place has to be seen to be believed. It's built right into the rock cliffs above the ocean, has fantastic food, a large nearby beach, excellent snorkeling, a saltwater pool, and the most incredible sunsets. We took a boat trip one day up the Black River, ate at the Pelican Bar, checked out the crocs, and got up close with a friendly school of dolphins. Not much else to report. Good friends, good times. Many thanks to Andy and Tracy.