December 26, we flew into Montego Bay on a connecting flight through Charlotte. I had filled out the online immigration form for Jamaica two weeks prior. We landed at the airport without incident and I noted no damage from what I could see before we pulled up to the gate.
In the hallway before immigration, I scanned my passport in the machine and it took my photo and issued a receipt (it will take longer if you don?t complete the form ahead of time online). I then went to the immigration turnstile, my picture was taken by the machine, and I was through. As easy as getting on a subway, the easiest immigration that I ever had traveling anywhere ever.
We had arrived at 10:30 AM and there were absolutely no lines for anything at MBJ. We did not check any bags so we breezed through customs. The normal assembly of drivers was outside of the main door and we were picked up by our regular driver, Steve positive (great ride and driver).
Leaving the airport, I noticed a couple tree limbs down, but not too many.
Prior to leaving Montego Bay, we stopped at what used to be the Texaco and I used the ATM at Scotiabank. I bought some things at the convenience store/gas station and onto Negril we drove. On the way, I noticed that the road was more rough also with more potholes. Both lanes were cleared, and the driving was otherwise without issue.
There were about three points with police speed checks that we passed by without problem. Drivers signaled each other other of the presence of the police as usual.
On the drive, I had expected to see a lot of defoliage due to the storm. However, I was surprised that almost all the trees had leaves, and you wouldn?t even know a hurricane had passed unless you could compare before, and after photos. In several places, the power lines seemed to be very low to the ground due to leaning poles.
We arrived in Negril and I noticed nothing amiss. We are staying at Whistling Bird and I was anxious to get to the beach. I thought that perhaps hurricane storm debris would be embedded in the sand, but that was not the case. It was the regular beautiful 7 mile Jamaican sand. And, the ocean floor was clear.
Walking along the beach, you would not know a storm had passed if you had never been there before. For those of you who have been there, perhaps you will notice that your favorite shade tree is minus a few limbs. I was surprised at the rapid return of leaves and other greenery.
I walked up to the Hi Lo and used some American money to buy things and got Jamaican dollars in change. The store was reasonably well stocked with an only a couple of areas that appeared to be empty. But nothing out of the ordinary, nothing that would cause a concern. If you go there to get something, you won?t have a problem finding what you need or at least what you can make do with. Remember to take your own bags or purchase theirs. The ATM machines near Hi Lo were operating normally.
Our hotel had electric and hot water. To my understanding, most of the hotels along the beach have electricity.
The crowd on the beach was relatively light. Surprisingly, there were less Jamaicans selling things on the beach than I had experienced in the past during ?normal? times. Everyone was reasonably polite, more so actually the normal. What I mean by that is that a polite firm ?no thank you?usually was received without much issue. The people that were slightly ?pushy? to sell things, clearly needed help, and would say that their families needed the money, which I don?t doubt, even more so nowadays. I know that there has been some debate about whether to go or not after the hurricane. I have no idea what the government distribution of aid is like on the island, but buying something from people on the beach, the money goes directly towards their support and out to their families. Staying at a hotel employs Jamaicans allowing them to buy what they need to feed their family and recover from the storm. That?s my opinion, it certainly isn?t necessarily the right one. But it is right for me.
Some of the workers at the hotel said that their parts of Jamaica still lack electricity. I?m also aware that there are numerous towns up in the hills where all of the buildings have been flattened. Jamaicans described people in those areas as having to beg for food. This is repeated by me, not witnessed. Perhaps, the greenery looks different up there as well. But here in Negril, it was Life is normal for the average tourist and the Jamaicans trying to make a living on it . Roots bamboo still has live reggae and the shows are great, Monday, Wednesday and Friday I think. I believe the Canoe bar has a band until 7 PM although I forget which day.
The beach road as far as condition?There are numerous restaurants and stores that are open.
I didn?t see any visible damage to buildings on either the beach or the beach Road. Things are returning to normal at least as far as the beach. I would not be afraid to come to Jamaica based upon Ideas of a post hurricane wasteland. Medical needs of the individual may change that calculation and I don?t know anything about those services.
Finally, as far as crime, I heard that it is increased on the island and I certainly don?t doubt that as people are desperate. But here on the beach, it felt the same to me. The police are present on the beach patrolling on ATVs. You don?t see them a lot, but they seem to keep an eye on things as they were escorting a couple of Jamaicans off the beach, right or wrong, that?s what they were doing.
I hope this helps others in judging whether to go.
