the driving on the left was only an issue the first few times i drove, after that, it was pretty normal . . .
the driving on the left was only an issue the first few times i drove, after that, it was pretty normal . . .
Driving on the left wasnt too bad for me to get down and roundabouts ,well i just take my time and slowly creep into them .It was when i got on freeways,changed streets at major crosslights,etc..I really have to pay attention to that....But i take my time,dont care if cars have to wait behind me-always better to be slow and safe than sorry....With that said-I do sometime feel safer driving myself around than i have in the back of some taxis...Their tailgating, overtaking,unsafe speeding etc,etc.and the fact many dont have seatbelts(in the back) makes me a little edgy..
Shout-out to Jitters,she was one of of a few ladies that inspired and encouraged me to drive in Jam...Thanks Jitters!!!!
" Ones destination is never a place, but rather a new way of looking at things." (Henry Miller)
hey suzengrace, i'm so glad you took the plunge . . . nothing like driving yourself . . . shoutout to ohliz who also took the plunge and started driving . . . . . . WE THREE ROCK!!!!!Originally Posted by suzengrace
Last edited by JitterBug; 02-25-2013 at 03:47 PM. Reason: add another sensence
LOVE the freedom or having my own wheels, the round abouts are the only thing that give me trouble...... GO FOR IT!
Well, we returned from negril yesterday (sad, alas), but thought I'd share what we did regarding the driver/rental car thing. We got too lazy to rent a car!! But we did hire Archie (friend of Kerry from Joe Cool's), and it was fabulous! A great decision for us as we didn't care to hit all the typical spots but instead, hit the road less traveled for about 6 hours. Archie is from the far west end, friends and family everywhere, and a great guy. Here's the blog I sent to family:
"Oh what it means to get off the beaten path. Just had the most magical day. Traveled to the far south end of the island as only a native of the land would know it. On paths, not roads, where you are welcomed into a home by the sea, fish is caught by one neighbor and cleaned in front of you, vegetables are grown by another and offered to the meal. Your friend prepares an outdoor fire by the the rocks near the sea and proceeds to make you the meal of your life".
glad yo had a good time . . . what you described is a pretty common occurrence once one leaves negril and travels on the "roads less travelled" . . . jamaican folks, away from the resort areas are very humble and kind.
Happy to hear you got out into the country.
That's my Jamaica.
Linston's Zion Hill Taxi
Captain Dave
I too long for the freedom to come and go as i please without having a stranger with me at every turn, not to have my every movement clocked by others. and its not like i would need a car every day but whenever i felt like it. i've driven on the left before and you adapt soon...one of these days. shout out to the lady that bought and sold a car..ingenuous!
I heard you shouting out jitterbug
I do enjoy renting a car, but I usually don't in Negril, only when I am going somewhere far and expensive to get to with a driver. I actually rent specifically to go off the beaten path so if that is not your intention, don't bother, I say
I've rented from Vernon's - that was just OK we had some issues with the car but they were addressed when we returned it. I have rented from Island Cruiser, that was fine. I have rented from Sparks, a small company, and that was also fine. All are based in Negril, SParks and Vernons will deliver the car to the airport if you want.
Driving on the left was really not a big deal for me to get used to at all, other than learning to "feel" the physical space to my left in relation to vegetation, the edge of the road, etc. What took longer was getting good at dodging potholes while also watching for oncoming traffic in my lane around blind curves, and making sure I was aware of the movements of all the people, animals and taxis around me. Also, getting stuck behind a truck on a curvy road stinks. Passing in the imaginary 3rd lane is OK on a straightaway, though I did get a $1000J ticket for it in Portland last trip.
My advice: If you want to go somewhere and aren't in a hurry and won't be drinking/etc., give it a try. It's fun to go to, say, Mandeville or Treasure Beach from Negril in a car. From here to there in Negril I find a taxi easier, the traffic is a little stressful there.
I wrote a blog post about driving. Need to re-upload my photos and haven't had the time but my observations are intact: http://www.travelsinjamaica.com/2010...xperience.html
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