Day trip to Kingston?

I just came up with this idea and wanted to see if I could get some input from you guys. As I mentioned in another thread, one of the girls that is coming along on the vaca wanted to do some type of excursion. I really could care less about seeing waterfalls or scenery type things (done it), but I would be up for a day trip to Kingston.

Are there any recording studios you can visit if there? I would really only be interested in seeing things related to music. I know there is the Bob museum, but anything else you would recommend that is off the beaten path so to speak?

Also, I imagine the cheapest way to get there would be through different route taxi's which I would consider but can anyone chime in as to what the cost of a private driver might cost? It's probably more than what's in the budget but who knows.

Thanks everyone!

Never been there but there is Marley's Hope Road studio. The problem as I see it is that it would be at least a 3-4 hour trip each way leaving little time for sightseeing. A private driver would probably run you at least $200-300 and maybe more. We go to St. Mary to visit family each reach and it's 3-4 hours each way. We leave early AM and get back late PM. It is certainly doable but it will be a long day.

Bless...
Ed

too far mon for a day trip.......5 hours each way........ugh

Cool Runnings, Marko

I don't know about day trip but don't forget the southcoast express which should be leaving from negril now. sounds like an interesting experience.

Rastagirl, there is at least one recording studio IN Negril. It's on the West End.

http://www.jahfreedom.com/

I am hoping to stop by there this reach and maybe even record something. Your thread is timely!

I did arange for day trip to Kingston from Negril one time to Japanese tourist customers.

It is possible if you know how to get around or know where you want to go in Kingston:)

You can get on Southcoast Express @4:30am and get to Kingston around 8:30am-9am.

I ask Kingston tourist guide to pick them up from kingston bus stop and take Bob Marley tour(Studio, memerial, and other spots) till 4pm.

Southcoast Express from Kingston leave @5pm and get back to Negril by 9pm.

It is possible... but I wouldn't try around election days(Dec 29th).

South Coast Express is 2200J for one way advance ticket. You can purchase at the counter by Hilow shopping plaza.


Some people go to work to Kingston with this bus and come back in same day.


Try and see how it goes:)


Good Luck:)

If you are interested in Dub recording in Negril studio with Mikey Spice, he will be around till the end of this year in Negril. I can introduce him to you. or Anthony Able lol

The Southcoast express sounds like a good option. I have a feeling though once I mention 430am to the others I am not going to get a good response. LOL. I would be up for it but not sure about them. I was also thinking about elections as well, but the trip would most likely be Monday the 2nd of January. I'm wondering if maybe it's worth staying one night there and coming back the next day.

Negrilmom, thanks for the info and offer! That sounds fabulous! I think I will have to check out the studio in Negril while there also :)

I just want to mention that if you are thinking of going to Kingston to see a recording studio, then you might want to skip the trip and just go to the one in Negril.
I worked in the Reggae music business for many years (actually still do some work for them) and none of the big name studios in Kingston are open to the public, including the one at 56 Hope Road.
If you visit the Bob Marley museum the tour takes you through his house and the property but it does not (at least usually) take you in the studio because it is an active studio so many times someone will be recording, and even if not, studio time costs money which is why it is not likely to find a tour of an active studio.
Tuff Gong Studio is the real one you would want to see, but again, it is not open to the public as it is an active studio and most of the time it is in use. So you will only be able to get into Tuff Gong if you rent studio time or maybe if you know someone.
But I have some great pictures of both if I can dig them up I can post them....of course I know that is not the same.

I am also not saying dont go to Kingston, it is a wonderful place in its own right for many reasons, but if seeing a recording studio was your main or only objective to making that trip, I just thought I would mention it.

from South Coast's web page

http://southcoast-express.com/schedules.html

this outfit does some great tours and some can be tailored for ur needs..give her a call

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I've been up and down south coast road to KGN and back many times last winter. Most of the time I used public buses that leave from Sav. If i remember good the fair was about 700 JMD. The only problem with this buses is that it leaves only when it's full, so you can never know what time you finally reach Town. This buses also get stopped and searched by police time to time, it can be quite an adventure.

There's alot of interesting places in Kingston that are off the beaten track. Make sure you visit National Gallery and The National Heroes Park. I also loved to shop for shoes at Coronation Market, and the ice cream at Devon House is just fabulouse. Anyway it's better to have a place to stay in Town, so you can spend a day, relax then go out at night and then return to Negril on the next day. But if you are planning to get a driver, that would increase the price of the trip dramatically.

Ackee: Thanks for the info, it's funny because I came across that website yesterday and read all the great reviews on Tripadvisor. One person mentioned they did a custom "reggae" tour for them.

Miss Anna: Thanks for the tips..especially about the shoes! I love shoe shopping! I am always up for an adventure, and at this point a private driver is out of the question because of the expense so it will probably be by bus.

I'm still working on the details, including trying to convince one of the others it's not the "scary" place she thinks it is. We'll see how this all works out!

I may be interested in joining you rastagal.. if thats okay.....

My very good friend and 5 other girls from her dance studio went to Kingston for 2 week vacation in November. I helped them find 2 bedroom apartment in a nice building with security and swimming pool right on Ocean Bulevard. They payed 90000 JMD for all of them for the entire stay, which is about 12 USD pp/per night. They ended up hanging out with security guards from the building and neighbours, one of them is a recording artist from Bounty Killas Alliance crew, so they had a real blast )

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o..._2211174_n.jpg

Thanks for posting the pic..looks like they made themselves right at home! And that is a great price for a 2 bedroom apartment! The hotels I briefly looked at were about $160/nt.

Beachgirl: That would be awesome considering you are the only one who wants to join me so far! lol. My friend text me earlier asking how far Kingston was from Negril because she didn't want to be traveling for hours and hours. Really? You are on vacation, what else do you have to do? Soooo PM me if you want to try and plan something, otherwise I guess I will have to just play it by ear. It does look like fun though!

Depending how many people, sharing a private ride might make sense.

$2200J each way per person for the bus is great for a single but for 3 or more....that's near $40 US pp. So $120. So perhaps approaching what you might pay a driver. You'll need a taxi IN town also, or plan to do buses, and that's on top of the bus fare.

Plus private will be faster. Ask around, maybe someone knows a driver who has business there and would be willing to take a reduced rate if you work around his schedule...