Couples Negril -- Nov 28 to Dec 05, 1999

A trip summary in pictures to Couples Negril: by J&B

First the beach

Beach at Couples Negril, looking south, in the morning. The sand at the water's edge was raked each morning to remove any seaweed that had floated in since the day before.	Beach at Couples, Negril
Beach at Couples Negril, by the Watersports Area at the north end of the property, looking north. The beach area of a new resort is being planted with palms just beyond the boats on the beach.	Beach at Watersports Area
Beach at Couples Negril, looking north, in the morning from the middle of the resort. The pads on the lounge chairs double as floats in the water.	Couples Beach looking north
Equipment storage area on the beach at Watersports. Up until Thursday Nov 25, 1999, this was the Clothing Optional Beach for the resort. Some trip reports referred to this C/O beach as a "dirt pile".	Storage for Watersports
The site of a wedding couple on the beach at Couples Negril is an every day occurrence. The newlyweds come to the beach for photo opportunities. The man on the right is carrying a video camera and sound equipment to 'preserve the moment'.	Bride and Groom on the beach
The swim-up bar in the lower pool at Couples. This bar is also the closest watering hole to the center of the beach on Bloody Bay.	Swim-up Bar
Pool at Couples Negril is on two levels with this falls between. Larger pool is above with jacuzzi pools at each end. The smaller pool below surrounds three sides of the swim-up bar. Main Terrace Restaurant is in the rear.	Pool at Couples, Negril
The Beach Bar at Couples Negril in the late afternoon. The Beach Grill behind offers snacks in the afternoon and late evening and Mediterranean cuisine for dinner.	Beach Bar
A view of Bloody Bay from the balcony of Block 9 at the south end. The ship at anchor is the "Zien" which is part of the Grand Lido Negril resort next door.	View of Bloody Bay
A view of the beach near the south end of the property with accomodation Block 9 in the background. The 'bamboo curtain' separates the section of the property where 'au naturel' sunbathing is permitted. The new plantings in front of the bamboo screen will grow to further separate the section of the beach.	Beach view at Couples
Sunset from the beach at Couples across Bloody Bay. The point of land in the distance separates 7-mile Bay from Bloody Bay.	Sunset on the Beach

Next the C/O beach

This small sign in the sand is the only indication of the Clothing Optional beach at the southern most part of the Couples beach. During the day you might see a guest from the 'textile' side walk by and drop his bathing suit for a "picture perfect moment" to take home.	This way to the beach
The C/O beach is between a stream and fence that separates Couples from Grand Lido Negril on the south and a low bamboo barrier on the north that marks the end of the C/O section, a total distance of about 100+ yards.	C/O Beach to northwest
This is a view that looks to the northwest from Block 9. All nine of the guest quarters are three stories high. The bamboo fence is a boundary for the C/O area and can usefully serve as a windbreak.	Same view, but higher
The C/O area has a bar of its own that is stocked each morning with drinks and ice. The only beverage with any alcohol is 'Miller Lite'. This is in marked contrast with the other bars at Couples where 'Red Stripe' rules as the beer. By mid afternoon shuttles were made to swim-up bar for pina coladas and plastic glasses of Red Stripe.	Convenience Bar
A coconut palm tree that provided some shade on the beach. The Couples gardeners would tell anyone that took up residence under these trees to move because of the danger of falling coconuts.	Coconut Tree
The C/O beach in the early morning, looking toward the west. The northern edge of Grand Lido Negril is just beyond the trees. Beach walkers from Couples and Grand Lido are free to pass the security stations at the border during the day. There was no gawking from the people passing through, indeed, most beach users placed themselves where they could view (and be seen from) the shore.     The sun in early December is very warm, but not stifling hot. The staff at breakfast said it was "cold". A groundskeeper said that by March the sand in the sun at midday was too hot to walk on in bare feet.	Morning beach view to the west
The water was always warm, weed-free and has a sandy bottom. The swimming area for bathers is roped off along the entire waterfront, presumably to separate swimmers from jetskis, water skiers and banana-boats that pass by infrequently. It is common that bathers using the lounge cushions as floats will congregate along the floating rope barrier. Nobody in or out of the water ever took notice of what others were or were not wearing.	Bathers at the rope barrier

Catamaran Cruise

A Catamaran Sunset Cruise departs a couple of times each week. It is necessary to make a reservation and to sign a waiver that absolves the cruise of any accidents. The Sunset Cruise is very popular, and with good reason -- it is a lot of fun.     The trip to the diving cliffs takes about 45 minutes. Flying fish, jumping and skimming the surface, make an interesting sight. There's an open bar with rum punch and Red Stripe along with entertainment in the form of singing and dancing from Rastafarian Jack.	The catamaran is leaving
The cruise goes to the cliffs that are south of 7-Mile Bay and Negril. The catamaran anchors just off shore and the passengers have free time to swim to the horseshoe cave at the base of the cliff. The water here is clear and feels very warm. From inside the cave there is a rickety ladder dangling in the water that leads to passage through the rock to the top of the cliff. From there the more adventurous dive or jump back into the water -- remember that waiver you signed :-)	Diving Cliffs at Negril
The sun is setting as the catamaran returns to Couples. The bar remains open and music from a cassette tape brings dancers to the floor to try the limbo.	This is where the cruise gets its name
The sun has set and the catamaran has returned to Couples in Bloody Bay. The lights on the water are from the "Zien". Time now for a Bird of Paradise cocktail at one of the bars and then to decide on an evening meal.	End of day in Bloody Bay