Getting Cold Feet!

[Kritter]

I did the hike to the Blue Mountain summit, copper .... It is beautiful and awesome country, very serene. If you're traveling by yourself, you might want to hire a guide to accompany you. I drove from Kingston to Mavis Bank, where I was picked up by the friendly staff from Whitfield Hall. Whitfield Hall is a rustic old lodge ... no electricty, no hot water, big old fireplace, inexpensive .... very memorable. It's more of a hostel ... so you might be sharing a bunk room w/ others ... communal bathroom ... bring your own towel (but sheets are provided). I spent the night there with a group of others ... the staff there are awesome cooks (must arrange that ahead of time)....and will prepare freshly roasted coffee for you that's out-of-this-world good .... the absolute best!!!! They can arrange a guide to hike with you, or can arrange a donkey to carry you to the top We hiked part way up the mtn from Whitfield Hall, then stayed at an even more rustic cabin in Portland Gap the next night (you have to make arrangemts ahead of time with the Forest Dept in Kingston to stay in their cabin in PG). The next day made it to the summit and enjoyed the day hiking back down to Whitfield Hall for another night. I advise bringing all the cash you will need .... things cost, and there's a point where there are no more ATMs and most places don't take credit cards.
Something else you might consider ..... have you ever SCUBA dived? You could get certified in JA in just a few days, or certified back home and do your open water certification in JA. There's a whole 'nother world down below!!! Port Antonio on Jamaica's east coast has some very nice reefs, and it is beautiful topside there as well......and it's close enough to Boston Beach where you can get the original Boston jerk pork/chicken.....That is a trip in itself!!
Have spent many a night in Kingston too .... I usually stay at the Hotel Four Seasons. Nice place w/ a pool, secure. I love Kingston, it is a heartbeat of a city .... but I don't prefer to vacation there ... mostly just business when there. But if there happens to be a concert or something special going on ... it's worth a night or two. Just be very careful when you venture out of your hotel complex .... especially after dark.