Sitting in the Government Yard in Trenchtown - Kingston, Port Antonio, and Negril TR

[Kiknback]

We called up Chucky, a driver we were friends with from Negril. Explained where we were at, told him we needed to get to Negril, and offered a price. "Yah Mon." I don't think he really knew what he had gotten himself into. It was the absolute farthest part of the island away. Chucky apparently left Negril about 10 pm, a five hour drive to get to Port Antonio about 3AM, slept in his van for a few hours, picked us up at 7AM, and then the 5+ hour drive back to Negril. Uggh. Tough way to make a living, and barely at that. Once we heard what he had paid for gas for the trip, after expenses he really was making virtually nothing on the trip for the lowball price we had agreed to. We ended up giving him significantly more than we agreed upon, more in line with what a couple of local Boston Beach taxis offered, and really a much fairer price. He was happy, we took him out to lunch, and arranged to be picked up for our airport return in a week and a half.

White Sands is our normal place. Love it there, the price is right, love the people there, AC, fridge, all I need is there there. However, it was booked up until the last 5 nights of the trip, so we had a total of 6 nights to explore. We probably would have tried another place anyway this trip, since we had always wanted to try a stay on the cliffs. First time traveling in high season, we were afraid of hotel availability, but really did just fine. We had internet at Great Huts, so we used that to book our first stop, Sunset on the Cliffs. $62 a night for Sunset on the cliffs, what a deal! We booked three nights. I think we were upgraded, with an oceanfront room with the best view I have ever seen out of a hotel room. Absolutely beautiful. We took a great picture of the Sunset from our bedroom and posted it for our friends to make everyone jealous.

The view at Sunset on the Cliffs is amazing. I like the beach, but it was a nice peaceful place to hang out during the day, good swimming. Breakfast, which was free, was very good. I really want to like the place, but there were enough issues that irritated me that I can't really recommend it. First of all, having to pay for things that should be free. $3 per day for the safe? Having to pay for internet, and a bad signal at that? No fridge in the room? I think I had heard that I could have asked and gotten one for $10 per day. Not happy with that, especially the fridge part. And my bad, I probably should have asked, because I really missed my cold water late night/early morning after a night of drinking. As others who have stayed here have mentioned, hot water is an issue, although I think we figured it out. Best we could tell, you need to run the hot water an insane amount of time. Like a half hour. We finally learned this when the 2nd person in the shower, after we had ran the water crazy long already, actually got a full on warm shower.

The air conditioning was the last straw. I need my AC! It really wasn't THAT hot, but with no fan in the room, I need my damn AC! Anyways, this was our second night there, a Wednesday night, and of course we had done the bar crawl that afternoon, and it had continued well into the evening. Get to bed, and around 2 in the morning, the damn AC dies. Crap. Too late to call anyone, and now wide awake after screwing with the damn remote for an hour trying to fix it. Try to get back to bed, but no luck, its just too damn hot. The warm water didn't help. Should've bought a fridge! No, I just laid there, either hungover, still drunk, or probably both, tossing, turning, and sweating until morning. Just a miserable night. Went to the management in the morning, and they were very nice. Appologized, and gave us the room next door. We moved our stuff, and finally comfortable, took a nice nap that afternoon. Everything seemed fine, but there must have been some sinister plan that air conditioners only break after midnight. And of course, that night, AC # 2 breaks on me. This time, instead of the hot air, I was awoken when it started raining from the air conditioner onto the bed. Camera got a little wet on the nightstand, but aside from that, no damage. Pushed the bed and nightstand away from the AC, and back to bed. There will be a puddle in the morning, but I'm getting my sleep!

[Kiknback]

Driving in Jamaica... passing, oncoming traffic, pickup truck full of soldiers...

On the way to Negril

View from our room at Sunset on the Cliffs

Really, is it possible to get a better view from your bed?

[Kiknback]

We seem to end up on the cliffs regularly when we stay in Negril, but with our hotel here, it was nice to get closer and check out the West End a bit. Our first stop was to visit Connie at 10 square feet of Texas, and her brother Tayon for my favorite chicken. We take a route taxi, and between chatting and not paying attention, we thought we knew where we were when the taxi stopped, but in actuality, we were lost. Oh well, we had to be close, and this is how fun nights get started. It was just down the road, we figured, and started walking. When we saw Canoe, we realized we had been walking in the wrong direction. Oh well, we're here, so we stop at Canoe for a rum and ting and a red stripe. There, chat up a few guys, and they decide to join us as we try to make our way to 10 square feet. Nice guys, 1 older, who had been in town a bit, and 2 younger guys, just got in town, and both had there own pints of overproof, which they were drinking straight. This should be a good time! We make a little bar crawl out of it. We were farther away than we thought, so we stopped at Mi Yard, and I think two other places before 10 square feet. Had several at each place, of course. Kept going, I think two more bars, before coming back to 10 square feet to end the evening. Well, we ended the evening. When we said goodbye, the younger guys were talking about heading to the late night, even though they could barely stand. The older guy was heading to Mi Yard for food, and trying to get his friends to join him before they fall drunkenly into traffic. Everyone made it home ok, but things were certainly dicey by the end of the evening. The end of the night was very hazy, and when we awoke the next morning we were missing our cigarettes and some other accessories. At the bar crawl the next day, we stopped again at 10 square feet of Texas. Connie had wrapped up all the stuff we had forgotten the night before and handed it to us. I love Negril!

This trip we were in Negril for two Wednesdays, and did the One Love Shuttle (The Drunk Bus) both times. This is just such a great deal all around. A fun time, a great way to meet people, see new places. The last week it was getting crazy crowded, with 2 crowded busloads of people. Add in the fact that it was a rainy day, logistics got a bit tough, but no matter, it was still a great time. Happy to hear that they expanded the days, and I certainly hope to be back on the bus in November again. The first bus trip worked out especially well for us. We still had three days coming up where we had not booked a hotel. We mention this, and soon learn that one of our fellow bus passengers was Jim Hurt, AKA Boombastic, owner of Seasplash! He told us he'd give us a great deal and upgrade us, so sure! Saved us the trouble, and it turned out to be a really great place.

Our last day on the cliffs, we get a little relaxation during the day, and a nice nap that afternoon. Yellowman is playing on the beach that night, so that was the plan for the evening. Wife is tired of Jamaican food, so we start the evening with a pizza at a small restaurant just up from Sunset on the Cliffs. I forget the name. Decent, nothing special, but not bad. After that, wander up the road a bit in search of a bar. Stop at a place or 2, and end up at Seastar. We had been there on Saturday nights, but never during the week. Decent crowd at the bar. A Winnipeg Jets game was coming on the TV, and pretty much everyone there had on Winnipeg stuff to cheer them on. Seemed like it could be a nice place to hang out. Unfortunately, the people there, in general, were just unfriendly a-holes to anyone without a Winnipeg shirt on. The owner was nice, just the Winnipeg fans at the bar. My wife, when she gets chatty, can charm anyone and have a good conversation. Except at this bar. No one was especially rude - just no one was remotely friendly. Probably a good thing. I'm a Washington Caps fan, and Winnipeg is now in our division. Since that is the case, it really helps to have a reason to dislike a team, and until that night, I had no reason to dislike the Winnipeg Jets. Now, screw em. I hope they lose every game. Except maybe against Pittsburgh. Maybe.

We move on, and after a few more bar stops, we make to to Jamaica Tamboo, where Yellowman is playing that night. We shared a taxi, and ended up hanging out with two twenty-something women heading to the show. We sit down, and I head to the bar to get a drink, leaving the three hot chicks alone at the table. Sensing the opportunity, a manager approaches and askes if they would all like to meet Yellowman. Of Course! I don't think he was too happy when I came back and followed them. Met Yellowman, he was very nice, posed for pictures, and was very friendly. Put on an excellent show. Dancing 5 feet away from Yellowman at the beach. Does it get much better than that?

[Kiknback]

At No Limit Bar, during the One Love Bar Crawl

"What a pretty bird!"


"Let me get a closer look..."


"Ahhhh!!!!!!"


Me and Yellowman


King Yelloman live at Jamaica Tamboo

[Kiknback]

The next morning, we check out and make out way to Seasplash, on the beach. When we booked with Boombastic on the bar crawl, it was pretty informal. They had our reservation and all, but had not gotten word about the upgrade. No problem. The standard rooms were actually really nice. A bit small, but a great comfortable bed, and new everything. Unfortunately, no fridge. Damn, I can't spend another hungover morning drinking warm water! We mention this to the front desk, that we had been promised an upgrade, and after confirming this, we were moved into a really nice suite. This was just wonderful. They really did treat us well there, and would definitely recommend and stay there again. I wish they would put a small fridge in the basic rooms, and this might take over as our normal place. Nicest beds of the trip, and a great place to stay. Decent location, although I prefer a bit closer towards town. The bar was completed our last night, and was very nice. Certainly a place we could hang out at.

While we were in Negril, over at Breezes, the nice all-inclusive, the band Little Feat was having their "fanfest." They do a four night stay at the resort, playing a show every night. Heard about this, and it seemed like something cool to check out. Unfortunately, it wasn't going to be as easy as I had hoped. The band had taken over the resort for the four days, with no day passes available. In order to go, you needed buy the package for the entire four days. $450 per person, double occupancy. $900 a night for my wife and I. Just crazy. Our place is $60. Are we eating and drinking $840 worth of food and drinks??? Hell no. So that was not an option. And it was sold out, so even if I had wanted to, no luck. We tried just showing up, but no luck. No one was allowed in that wasn't a guest. We actually considered renting a boat to just hear the show, but didn't have much luck. About to give it up, we decided to try one last hope. A friend of ours works in the music business, and knows one of the opening acts for the show. A quick email, we did not expect much. Imagine our surprise the next day when we get an email with a manager's phone number. Give him a call, and he'll meet us and give us a pass for the last night's show!!

We meet him that afternoon, and head over early evening. It had been a long time since we had been in an all-inclusive. Nice, of course, but just not the same feeling as being off the resorts. Just a different vibe, not the interaction with the people that you get off resort. But for an evening, it was very nice to indulge a bit. It was the "Outdoor Party" dinner day, apparently, with a very nice buffet set up. Lobster, roast pig, all sorts of stuff. All you can eat, of course, and we did our best to take advantage of this rare situation living the upscale life. Top shelf liquor, but we really didn't take advantage of it. I've gotten set on my Rum & Ting, and my wife does better with beer, so we didn't get our money's worth (or non-money's worth) that way. And they ran out of Ting early, which was disappointing. Another example of why the all inclusive resorts are just not right.

The show itself was wonderful. Great performance, lots of guest stars. Between the atmosphere, performance, and venue, certainly one of the better shows I have ever been to. I've never been a huge Little Feat fan, but have always liked their music. I wish they would have played one night at Alfred's or the Jungle, however, just for the fans that cannot afford the entire package or have friends in the right places. But if you get a chance, their fanfest on the beach is a really great show. Musically, it was great. We picked a good night, when they played their "Waiting for Columbus" album with all the hits on it. Lots of fun, and nice to experience a night at an all-inclusive. We certainly drank our money's worth. At the end of the night, we walked out towards the street to find a taxi. We knew what we wanted to pay for the ride home and put the money aside. We quickly found a driver that agreed to our price, and we headed home. Home for the night, we check our pockets, and the cab fare was still there. Huh? How did we pay the driver? We must have paid him something???? It turns out that yes, indeed, we stiffed the driver. We apparently gave him just $2, not the fare we agreed on. He saw us a few days later and explained all this to us, we apologized profusely, and paid him, double the fare for his trouble.

[Kiknback]

Evening at Seasplash


Another Beautiful Negril Sunset


Sunset At Seasplash


Little Feat Fanfest at Breezes





Hanging out the singer of Leftover Salmon after the show

[Jbizek]

Loving this trip report!

[Kiknback]

This is why you should not send me out to the Valuemaster for snacks when I am hungry.
Smoochies, Chikys, Nibble, Nuggle... pretty much anything with cheese or chocolate and a funny name.

[irieworld]

good timing with the shows! Yellow Man and Little Feat--well done! I went through a period of Little Feat listening--in fact I still have the vinyl in my record collection. Check out that guy to the side of the stage when Yellow Man is performing- that shot is ghoulish! Were there duppies in attendance?

[booger]

good timing with the shows! Yellow Man and Little Feat--well done! I went through a period of Little Feat listening--in fact I still have the vinyl in my record collection. Check out that guy to the side of the stage when Yellow Man is performing- that shot is ghoulish! Were there duppies in attendance?

That is ghoulish... Lol