Just back from Negril in November, and the itch to go back started quick. Luckily, we get more leave time than most, and come January it looks like I have some leave to kill, so off we go!
When we were here in November (http://negril.com/forum/showthread.p...light=kiknback), we brought friends and family with us, which seems to be becoming an annual tradition. We definitely plan to be back again in November, and should have a nice group with us again. However, this time was just for us, and since we didn't have to be tour guides, we decided that we would explore the Island a bit. I had always been curious about visiting Kingston, so that was going to be the first stop.
We arrived in Kingston at around 11:30 on a Thursday morning. Nice flight, no issues. Going through customs was a breeze, so much so that we were through well before our driver arrived. We had time to kill at the airport, and quickly saw a difference between Kingston and Montego Bay. There was no hassling whatsoever. We were there waiting probably 45 minutes, and in that time, only one person even came to us, and simply out of concern. It was a vastly different experience than Montego Bay, or Negril, and it was a nice change. While in the city I don't think I was ever even offered ganja, except maybe hinted for when we were at Bob Marley's house.
Having heard all of the Kingston horror stories, we definitely wanted to arrange a trusted driver for out time there. My wife works with a Jamaican, and she had a good friend in Kingston, Trevor, that would be able to take us around for a few days. This was a really nice gesture. A great guy who works for the US Peace Corps in Kingston. Trevor ended up taking us, who really are total strangers to him, all over the place for a few days, and in the end only asked that we help out with gas money. I would like to think that I would be that kind to a total stranger visiting my country, but honestly I probably doubt it.
After a little wait at the airport, Trevor arrives to pick us up. The Kingston Airport is on a long peninsula jetting into the harbor. At the very end of this peninsula is Port Royal. This was the city once called "The Wickedest City in the World", inhabited by pirates and thieves, before an earthquake put most of the city underwater. Since this was so close to the airport, and it was getting to be lunchtime, this seemed like a good first stop. Saw the fort, did a quick drive-around. We didn't do any organized tours, just looked around a bit. Really had the vibe of a quiet small town, with a view of Kingston in the background overlooking the harbor. Gloria's restaurant, in Port Royal, is the famous seafood restaurant, and our lunch choice. I was aware it was a seafood place, but most seafood restaurants also have some other choices. As I do not eat seafood, I was happy to see chicken in the menu. Unfortunately, they were out. Doh! I enjoyed a few Red Stripes while my wife and Trevor enjoyed their fish lunches. No problem, I can easily find some jerk a bit later. We finish lunch, and after a quick stop at the Digicell store to buy a phone, Trevor drops us off at out hotel in New Kingston, with plans to meet the next day to see the city.
When researching places to stay in Kingston, it quickly becomes apparent that there are very few choices, and all are expensive. I was a bit nervous, but decided to try priceline to see if I could get a deal. I bid $70 for a three star hotel, and they accepted immediately, meaning I probably should have tried even lower. But either way, it turned out to be a great deal. We were staying at the Wyndom, a high rise hotel in the safe neighborhood of New Kingston. A nice hotel for less than half of their normal price, and far cheaper than less nice alternatives. The first of several great hotel deals we got on this trip.
After settling in, we get out and explore the neighborhood a bit. Not knowing what to expect before we arrived, I found the New Kingston area where we stayed to be very nice, probably more so than I expected. Not sure what I expected to see, really, but what I found was really just an average, nice city, like any other. Bars, restaurants, shopping. Just a standard city, certainly not worth the worry I had before going. We had no problem walking around and felt as safe as I would walking around in any other city, even at night. I certainly wouldn't wander too far away from the nicer neighborhoods alone, but I wouldn't do that at home either.
Looking for drink, we head to Cuddyz, a sports bar owned by a famous Jamaican cricket star. We have a seat at the bar, order a drink, and start chatting to the Jamaican sitting next to us. "Where are you from", he asked. Washington DC, we replied. "Really, I used to live near there, in Maryland." No way, we actually live in Maryland! What part? "Wheaton." Are you kidding me? That's where we live! "I lived on Dennis Avenue." This was just freaky. Same street. He was pretty much our neighbor. Small world. We have a few drinks, get some dinner, and head to bed early, since we had been up since 3 am that morning.
