White Bird Cottages circa '81

The White Bird was on the West End road right around what is now Negril Escape. It was owned by Mama Hylton and she and Uncle Willie ran a tight ship. It was a nice property with little cabins, a common open kitchen area and was always fully inhabited. This sign hung out front on West End Road. It now hangs at the new White Bird almost at the end of Hylton Rd at the end of West End Rd. Sis has a lovely guest house there, very quiet and chill

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This was up in the common kitchen/sitting area and the last line has always left its mark on me.....good words to live by.

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A regular haunt for lobster dinner was the Rocky Dell! Gus could sure cook up lobster, but wasn't much of a conversationalist!!

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Josselin, a hard worker around the White Bird and always smiling!!

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Gus would talk if he had something to say! Franklin and Princess cooked up many a great meal for me, and Pee Wee's before that! Many memories of happening's there! Cannot say enough about the place and my love for the food and the people that made it happen! Randy mon!

Heymon too cool. 1982 I think was the year and that is the first place I stayed in Negril and I remember Uncle Willie and I remember Mama lighting the lanterns at night as no current then. I remember the huge arki tree by the gazebo or whatever it was like a little eating area covered toward the front of the road. I was young and solo then and all my fears of the new were quickly erased by the love and guidance we all received from the hosts. I camped there. Thank you for bringing me back. Nice Mon!

Heymon you asked about New Mioon cottages and that is located across from home sweet home. Johnno lived next door. We camped on the cliff side. Moses used to walk by too. Oh what super memories.

We stayed at New Moon several trips . The price and the Malcom's hospitality were both great. There was a kerosene powered refrigerator in the guest cottage. Johnno kept us supplied with fresh juice and other essentials. He also took care of us when we would venture out. "Those were the days my friend,".

Respect,
Col. And & "Wildcat" Pam

So cool to hear this Col. You got johnno and the Malcolms perfectly. I still go there and the vibe is still pretty much the way it always was. Doris's nephew took over and I think he does a great job. Thanks for your memories. Respect to you my friend.

Hey BostonBob, that is too cool that you remember it like that!! My memories exactly....the kerosene hurricane lamps left burns on my arms I am sure are still there. We had a little cottage room with a single bed, night table and the hurricane lamp. Paid a few bucks for a mosquito net!! I had never been further south than Grand Forks North Dakota so this was a little daunting to say the least, but the Jamaican people, the food, the smells, the foliage......it felt like a home I could be very comfortable in. We will be back in 10 sleeps!!!

Safe and happy travels Mon. Hope to meet you there someday to chat about the old days so to speak.

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Originally Posted by BostonBob

Safe and happy travels Mon. Hope to meet you there someday to chat about the old days so to speak.

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Thank you BostonBob!! One of my favorite things about travelling is meeting new faces and making new friends! We shall share a beer on the beach one day and tell tales!

I have many many fond memories of White Bird. Uncle Willie on his donkey lol and that very simple ladder down to the sea. They sure took care of us very young tourists with love and affection back in the 1970's. One time I remember a visitor staying there went out on a simple float and was gone forever -- no one was sure if he committed suicide or was just too silly and went out in the ocean current too far and was lost. He was staying at White Bird. This young persons family came to Jamaica when his loss was reported & were treated most kindly by the Hylton family. I also remember this guy... I'm thinking he was from New Jersey??? LONG LONG time stayer at White Bird Cottages -- I can't remember his name. Anyways, to all of you who remember the "White Bird Cottage" days, you are all lucky people, me included.

So true Shelly. Sad about the lost tourist. I was close to that one afternoon but was saved by a fisherman.

Thank you for the memories....Gosnal now also has Prim Rose Inn.
Franklin ,Daisy ,Princess ,Peewee........Gos.....those were the days........Hey Sis long time.......

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Originally Posted by Shelly

LONG LONG time stayer at White Bird Cottages -- I can't remember his name. Anyways, to all of you who remember the "White Bird Cottage" days, you are all lucky people, me included.

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I know this is probably a huge stretch but by chance was his name Joe or Joey(Italian-American guy)? Joe is my grandmothers step-son that spent many years in Jamaica around the late 70's early 80's. A few years after his return in the mid 80's he was put into a home for mental illness that was blamed on consuming too many mushrooms during his time in Jamaica. I don't get to see him much and the last time was at his father funeral. I wasn't sure if it was the right time to go asking questions so I let it go. Next chance I see him I'm going to ask. I suspect he at least spent some time in Negril during his long stay on the island.

God bless Joey. Thanks for sharing. There were lots and lots of blue finned mushrooms around back then, especially after the rain. People I remember would have pockets filled. Some wild old days.