I first went in 1972 and stayed in Redground at James Palmer's - he was the guy that would sell shells on the beach. We paid $300 for a six month stay, promising we would have our friends come to Jamaica & they would stay in some of the other bedrooms. The woman who cleaned the place was named Berna and some of our neighbors were Carlton and Robin. I do remember Presidente, Miss May, the great Heinz family where some of our friends lived. We eventually moved out of Redground and into a house a little bit before the Yacht Club, called Premium Cottages, owned by Eric Reynolds.
Somebody mentioned Dalton, he and Hillman were best friends, Hillman died also. My friends and I mostly hung out at The Sands (long!) walk from where we stayed, also at Tee-Water. Remember the West Indian Sugar company building? It was really a lovely building.
The cave someone asked about was called Joseph's Cave back then. Someone also mentioned that they thought it was strange that a picture of President Kennedy was in the Wharf Club. Historically, because of the Cuban Missle Crisis, he was greatly admired by Jamaicans after that. If you do a google search of Jamaica and the Cuban Missle crisis, you will understand.
There was really hardly ever any traffic on the beach road or west end road, only very occassionally would a car come by, I do remember the blue Ice Truck though, and you could catch a ride on it by hanging on the back bumper. I only remember two places to get food - The Wharf Club and the Yacht Club, which was too expensive when you stayed long term. I loved the conch soup at the Wharf Club! There were two phones in Negril, one at the Sundowner and one just outside of the Yacht Club. And so many fisherman coming in near Tee-Water with so many fish that they would sell right on the beach.
I also remember getting my feet stained by the red soil of Redground after a rainstorm.
Originally Posted by Shelly
