<* Trip Report *>

[Angelica Isaksson]

Negril Jan 9 - Feb 6, Westend
Kingston Feb 6 - March 7, Beverly Hills
Negril March 7 - March 22, Beach

Taxi: Linston's Zion Hill Taxi
Female solo traveller

The next 7 tunes queued up on my playlist:

Aidonia - Big baller, Dom Perignon
Stylo G - Touchdown Remix
Squash - Overcome
Alkaline - Fine Whine
Vybz Kartel - Real Youth
Jahmiel - Winning

Top 10 artists currently on my playlist:

Vybz Kartel
Alkaline
Govana
Vershon
Jahmeil
Chronic Law
Aidonia
Rygin King
Masicka
Squash

At the airport about to board in the next 10 minutes, excited is an understatement. I traveled to JA 3 times before, the last time was in the summer '18 for almost one month. That was my longest stay to date and I had a blast. It was the first time I ever visited Kingston, and I loved it. I booked this trip almost immediately after getting back to Europe.

What I'm hoping to experience this trip is lots of running and outdoor activities, great food (as always), awesome music, lots of dancing, meeting cool people both locals, expats and people like me visiting from foreign. The plan is to live a 'normal' day to day life, meaning work (since I work remote), train and hang out. Only I get to do it in my favourite places/environment with the most beautiful sunsets on earth.

I'm looking forward to catching up with friends, some local and some who recently relocated to JA, maybe even running a shorter distance race, like a 5k or 10. I'm also going to try my best at securing a ticket to go and see Buju Banton's concert in March. I have a feeling it will be a historic event and would love to go. I might pop by BritJam in Montego Bay to celebrate my birthday and I'm looking forward to the St Paddy's day party at Canoe on March 17.

I've taken notes of all the recommended spots to visit, by boardies on this forum. I learnt that the Alcatel MiFi modem from Digicel has the same speed and connection as my mobile data, so I decided not to get that. Instead I'll top up my mobile data and spend the money I would've spent on the modem at local WiFi spots. Hopefully this will work out well, and I won't have any issues getting my work done.

It's time to board, let the adventures commence

[Rumlover]

Sounds like it will be an amazing winter holiday. Enjoy and please continue reporting!!

[Bnewb]

I love love living here in the Negril area...but I'm lucky I get to spend a lot of time in Kingston & LOVE my visits/stays there!!
I hope you get to see some great shows at Dub Club & Skyline etc.
Enjoy Angelica...sounds like a wonderful trip!

[johng]

Angelica, I hope that you have a safe flight to Jamaica. If time permits when in Kingston you might want to consider taking a visit to Holywell Park up at the top of Hardware Gap. It's a beautiful garden high above Kingston. It might be worth your while checking it out. Very cool spot!!
https://www.visitjamaica.com/listing...onal-park/257/

[msbaltimore]

Wow, sounds amazing. Please give updates and pics if possible.

[Jenn]

I can't wait to hear about your adventures, Angelica! See you in March! Safe travels!

[Angelica Isaksson]

Tomorrow I've spent 28 days in West End Negril

I've had an amazing time... I've worked... made new friends... caught up with old friends... spent some time on the beach... got a tan... didn't dance as much as I thought, but danced enough still ... drank more rum than planned... and exercised less than intended : )))

I've missed to include a ton of places and stories, but did my best to try to include anything I would find 'nice-to-know'. I also have a few good pics, will try to check back in soon and post those and make a more fun, less informative post lol.

Tomorrow I leave for Kingston for 1 month...

PS I did buy a ticket to the Buju Concert and will travel from Negril to Kingston on March 15 and spend the weekend in Kingston, anyone here joining?!

Until next time fellow boardies.

Current tune on repeat @ Spotify

Koffee - Toast

Safety @ West End

Prior to booking accommodation I was told that the deep West End is dangerous by some friends, others said I'd be fine. I made a judgement call and booked an AirBnB unit with a kitchen on Hylton Avenue, a short walk from Just Natural. I've had an amazing host, and quickly settled in just fine. I love the peace and quiet. I never felt unsafe during the weeks I've been here and I've moved around freely, both by foot and via route taxi. I signed up with the gym on Summerset road, and walked from Hylton Avenue to Summerset and back both during the day and in the evening. To keep my post balanced, despite my own sense of feeling safe and never having any issues with anyone, I was told 2 stories of tourists getting robbed, as well as one local person getting shot in the area.

'Don't you get bored?' @ West End?

No, not once! Whenever I want a bit more 'going on' it's easy enough to get both downtown or to the beach. There's always a local place 'down the road' with something going on nearby... either music, dominoes or both.
I always thought the most beautiful sunsets were on the beach, but I've changed my mind. Whoopies to me is a 10/10 and I prefer it over the beach. Not too commercialised, chill vibe, a bar and hammocks. You can't really go wrong with good company, hammocks and an amazing view.

What about Wi-Fi?

The first few days I panicked slightly, because when I arrived Wi-Fi was down, in the whole of West End. I had deadlines (I work remotely), but was saved by the Cliffs. Just like other boardies have mentioned, Cliffs is expensive, but not only were they the only place (I knew of) that had Wi-Fi, they had excellent Wi-Fi and amazing food. I was happy when the service came back in the West End and I could hang out and work from LTU, since Cliff was on the pricier side. For any remote worker that is reading this, Wi-Fi is an issue and it is a bit of hit and miss, but after the first week I have been ok. I never missed my deadlines, and managed to work everything out, it just took a bit effort and patience. Which is fine. Cliff's and LTU was my top 2 and only places I've worked from in the West End. I thought I'd get away with putting Digicel data on my iPhone and connect my laptop via hotspot. That usually works fine in the US and Europe - but it didn't work for me here. Be aware, my connection just wasn't strong enough. Any video call meetings I scheduled, I did at the Cliffs.

Transport

I got around fine with route taxi and never felt like it was a hassle getting downtown or to the beach. After about a week I had made 2 links, one route taxi man and one chartered taxi man who I call almost daily to take me different places which has worked like a charm. But even if I had to rely on the route taxis alone I would have been fine.

Grocery shopping?

I really like the HiLo Supermarket close to Town, in West End. I found them having everything I need and reasonable. Some stuff I got from the Chinese supermarket downtown and Fruit and Veggies I normally got from downtown up a small dirt road not far from the gas station. I did visit Mega Mart in Montego Bay before getting to Negril, but next time I think I'll skip that and just go straight to Negril from the airport.

Gym?

I signed up with the Aqua Fitness Gym in West End and it was perfect for me. They had all the machines I needed for my program, as well as treadmills and cross trainers. Lovely ppl in that gym too and very reasonably priced.

Where to chill and/or drink?

I ended up going to Woodstock almost every time I went to the beach. Buy drinks or food at the bar and get a chair free of charge. An umbrella is 6USD. Never really felt too crowded and a decent place to hang out. I heard good things about Yellow Bird, but just didn't make it there. Next time

One Mile bar is a local spot, but I spent a few evenings there drinking rum and watching the guys play cards and dominoes before heading back home to West End.

Watched an Arsenal game at the Sunrise bar, local spot, chill vibe.

Had drinks at Pimentoz Jerk with friends and it had a nice vibe and good music (that day).

There's a little bar by Ray's Watersports, local spot and reasonable priced @ food. 400j for fried chicken + Rice n Peas.

Had drinks with friends at the Italian Cafe last Saturday and had a blast. After IC we ended up at Scrub a dub. I had friends here visiting from Kingston, +one of my friends who is currently based here. We were a group of 4. Sure it's a sketchy place. The guard asked us if we carried weapons upon entering, but didn't check us thoroughly. Once inside, I did see a guy dance and drop a large knife on the floor which he put back into his pocket. I wouldn't recommend people to go there, but we didn't feel unsafe and we did have fun. I probably won't go back though.

Food places?

The Cliff's - Breadfruit Fish Tacos (best tacos I ever had dammit lol)

LTU - Best buttermilk and banana pancakes I've had in Negril (if you can recommend any other places please share- I love pancakes!)

Just Natural - The service and the ladies working here are amazing. The food however, I wasn't crazy about. It was good but I found the portions on the smaller side.
However, I was told that the lobster omelette is awesome and very large portion, so it could be I just ordered the wrong thing.

Wens on Hylton Avenue - This has been my go to place, because it's close to where I'm staying. The people working here are lovely and they serve fish or chicken.

Corner bar - Reasonable priced food. Local spot, but you will find tourists here too.

Sweet Spot on Beach Road - Local food, I like it, they also do a mean peanut punch.

Colletta's on Beach Road - Good breakfast, local spot, reasonably priced.

[Angelica Isaksson]

Sounds like it will be an amazing winter holiday. Enjoy and please continue reporting!!

Thanks! So far so amazing

[Angelica Isaksson]

I love love living here in the Negril area...but I'm lucky I get to spend a lot of time in Kingston & LOVE my visits/stays there!!
I hope you get to see some great shows at Dub Club & Skyline etc.
Enjoy Angelica...sounds like a wonderful trip!

Hi Bnewb, thanks for your kind words and recommendations, if I remember correctly you have helped me with recommendations for places to stay on for a few of my JA/Negril visits. I really appreciate it, most helpful.

Negril has been wonderful, and I can't believe 1 month has passed already, I could easily stay longer. But, I'm excited about heading to Kingston tomorrow and will check out the places you mentioned and report back at the end of my stay.

Thanks again, if you're coming to the St Paddy's get together at Canoe in March let's say hello!

[Angelica Isaksson]

Angelica, I hope that you have a safe flight to Jamaica. If time permits when in Kingston you might want to consider taking a visit to Holywell Park up at the top of Hardware Gap. It's a beautiful garden high above Kingston. It might be worth your while checking it out. Very cool spot!!
https://www.visitjamaica.com/listing...onal-park/257/

Thanks a bunch, I most definitely will!