Walk Good: Travels to Negril, Jamaica [Paperback]

Roland Thomas Reimer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 6, 2006

'Walk Good' is an adventure travel story chronicling the experiences of the author in Negril, Jamaica. It's an escape to the sunny beaches, the seas and the mountain back roads of the island. The culture of the island, including the food, the music, a smattering of history and the character of the people form the backdrop of the story, which includes a visit to the notorious Hedonism resort, a scuba dive in the waters off Negril, a mass nude wedding on the beach in Runaway Bay and a trip to Bob Marley's mausoleum in the high hills of St Ann's.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Roland Reimer lives in eastern Canada with his wife and children. By trade, he is an air traffic controller, having spent his career controlling aircraft and instructing new recruits. Currently, he develops computerized air traffic control systems. He is a licensed pilot and sport parachutist. His interests include sailing, scuba diving, fishing, photography and mountain biking. His love for Jamaica was initially formed on a trip to the island in the mid '70's. Since then he has visited many islands, but always returns to Jamaica, just because it feels like home. Roland is working on his second book, an adventure novel situated in Montego Bay and, of course, Negril.

Product Details

• Paperback: 274 pages
• Publisher: Trafford Publishing (July 6, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1553698711
• ISBN-13: 978-1553698715
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #402,846 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Virtual Trip to the Beach!, January 26, 2003

By 

Beate (Boston) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Walk Good: Travels to Negril, Jamaica (Paperback)

A nifty (and funny!) travelogue set in Negril on the western tip of Jamaica, known as the `Capital of Cool'. Walk Good is an affectionate look at the people and places of Negril by one Roland "Thomas" Reimer, self styled expert on Bob Marley lyrics and questor for the perfect conch shell. Reimer's semi-fictional account of his journey to the fabled seven-mile-beach town -- ostensibly to get married -- is packed with humorous adventures and encounters with characters of both the local and tourist varieties.

The first part of the book deals with Reimer's final bachelor days in Negril. It's a convenient foil for his vignettes of scuba diving, fishing and partying with various Negrillites. These stories have no doubt been gathered from his various trips to the area over the years. Meet Danny, whose lack of the latest in scuba equipment doesn't stop him diving to scary depths; the `Jerks', obnoxious but essentially naive "good ole boys" from Toronto; and a cast of hustlers and survivors making a living on the beach yet not too busy to stop and exchange pleasantries with a curious and laid back white man.

The second part of the book goes into Thomas's wedding, where he's transformed from beachcomber to prospective groom and protective father of teen daughters. After the nuptials, the scene switches to the all-inclusive Negril experience, and Reimer provides a funny look at the goings on at the wacky Hedonism II. Note to the queasy: reports on hot tub activities are not for the faint of hygiene. There's also an account of the infamous nude mass wedding, which, with Reimer's keen and cynical eye, is seen as for the publicity stunt it was (attended by no less than the head of Superclubs- though, it must be said, fully dressed). Underlying all this is a rather sweet story of a guy getting hitched to the love of his life, and introducing her to the paradise that is Negril.

The Thomas in the book is one step beyond the usual repeat tourist: he's the guy who goes outside the comfort zones and gets behind the facades of the huts and shops to see and understand what life is like for locals. His account of his `Pilgrimage' to the resting place of the great reggae star `Bob Marley, is both captivating and moving. The book is refreshingly short on the sentimentalized (and therefore patronizing) view of Jamaicans that some Jamaica lovers can develop.

Overall, Reimer has an easy style that makes the book a quick and absorbing read. There is a healthy sprinkling of Jamaican proverbs throughout the book, which are helpfully translated in a section on Jamaican patois at the end ("Mi come yah fe drink milk, me no come yah fe count cow" - `More action! Less talk! Let's get down to business!')

Walk Good is a nifty travelogue and handbook for those who want to take a little more of Negril on its own terms.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Longing for Negril, January 31, 2003

By 

Carol Faber (Paso Robles, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Walk Good: Travels to Negril, Jamaica (Paperback)

If you have been to Negril, this book takes you right back. If you have not been to Negril, you will have to go after reading this book. Since I've been there, reading about all the adventures took me back. I could feel the sun on my back, the sweet cool breeze and taste the red stripe. Excellent job in describing all the happenings and all the people. The people are real and are instantly recognizable. Wonderful book and one I will keep forever and read often.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Walk Good: Travels to Negril, Jamaica, January 30, 2003

By 

dee (Toronto Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Walk Good: Travels to Negril, Jamaica (Paperback)

If you love JA, and you're not from the Island...read this book. It will transport you there(virtual time!) and make you say to yourself"oh yeah, I remember that spot..."
You can TASTE the cocobread...and sugarcane...
Buy it!
A great gift for you or someone you love.