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+----- Thread: little trip report #2 (/showthread.php?tid=67943)
little trip report #2 - suzengrace - 08-03-2013
<P>ok..driving into Kingston you notice the shanty towns on either side of highway-this is where things get dicey cuz neither one of us are sure where exactly to go -lots of turnoffs, and roads..We just want to get on the highway to st thomas-thats all-we know the road is east and south of us but we have no idea how to get to it..Kinston is huge and spread out with huge round-abouts and busy streets, lots of traffic and lots of one-way only roads, with other drivers not too patient with first timers-not to mention my partner aka co-pilot.. I'm sure there are some women out there that can relate,not easy having a male co-pilot and you driving and you both don't know where the heck you going..stress-ful would be an understatement (LOL)..we must have asked no less than 5 people where the road to st thomas was and asking a jam for directions is sometimes like trying to figure out the hardest level of a cross-word puzzle-it just isnt easy..<BR>Would i drive back to kingston....yes, with my map and little more patience-would love to explore it..after what seemed eternity we finally got on the right road and were off to the parish of st thomas..<P><img class="refimg" src="/webbbs/images/main/picsuzengrace446.jpg" border="0" alt=""><P><img class="refimg" src="/webbbs/images/main/picsuzengrace447.jpg" border="0" alt=""><P><img class="refimg" src="/webbbs/images/main/picsuzengrace448.jpg" border="0" alt=""><P><img class="refimg" src="/webbbs/images/main/picsuzengrace449.jpg" border="0" alt=""><P><img class="refimg" src="/webbbs/images/main/picsuzengrace450.jpg" border="0" alt=""><P><img class="refimg" src="/webbbs/images/main/picsuzengrace451.jpg" border="0" alt=""><P><img class="refimg" src="/webbbs/images/main/picsuzengrace452.jpg" border="0" alt=""><P>Finally, the road thru St Thomas...<P>We plan on spending a few days in St Thomas area- I've never been (only far as machineal)My partner lived there in the past and had a some good friends he wanted to see. Our home base was Golden shores resort in Lyssons (between Morant Bay and Port Morant)It wasnt the easiest to find-its on a little residential road off the main road-but if you blink you miss the sign..at the very far end of the road (among residences) you come to the main office and down below is the hotel and parking area..It seemed to be a place that lot of locals come to from kingston etc, when they want chill on the ocean..Nothing too fancy-but clean with a nice very natural type of beach-that had locals playing soccer at the far end and lots of kids swimming everyday..They have a restaurant but it is a made- to -order- type place-no real menu-you tell (far in advance,as they warn you) what you want,they go get food and cook it up-it closed at 8pm..not to far away in Morant bay they have pattie places, cook barrels etc.. there was a wonderful shop near the entrance by the side of main road- had anything and everything (not cook shop) met alot of nice people in the area-in fact i will go so far to say some of the most genuine nice people i've met so far in Jam have been in that area..none of the fake tourist -friend- you- up- nonsense..no one asked for anything and lots of people offer us rides, etc..just real friendly ...We had a room with A/c on the very top floor (3rd floor) for 69.US a nite...totally worth it..and after my long day of driving all i wanted was a stiff drink,and some RR ,etc,,-(yes they have a bar there)this place more than fit the bill..<BR><img class="refimg" src="/webbbs/images/main/picsuzengrace453.jpg" border="0" alt=""><P>one part of the hotel<P><img class="refimg" src="/webbbs/images/main/picsuzengrace454.jpg" border="0" alt=""><P>restaurant area<P><img class="refimg" src="/webbbs/images/main/picsuzengrace455.jpg" border="0" alt=""><P><img class="refimg" src="/webbbs/images/main/picsuzengrace456.jpg" border="0" alt=""><P>view from our balcony area<BR><img class="refimg" src="/webbbs/images/main/picsuzengrace457.jpg" border="0" alt=""><P><img class="refimg" src="/webbbs/images/main/picsuzengrace458.jpg" border="0" alt=""><P><img class="refimg" src="/webbbs/images/main/picsuzengrace459.jpg" border="0" alt=""><P><img class="refimg" src="/webbbs/images/main/picsuzengrace460.jpg" border="0" alt=""><P>entrance to beach<BR><img class="refimg" src="/webbbs/images/main/picsuzengrace461.jpg" border="0" alt=""><P><img class="refimg" src="/webbbs/images/main/picsuzengrace462.jpg" border="0" alt=""><P><img class="refimg" src="/webbbs/images/main/picsuzengrace463.jpg" border="0" alt=""><P><img class="refimg" src="/webbbs/images/main/picsuzengrace464.jpg" border="0" alt=""><P>lyssons public beach-rasta friend lives in that structure on the rock area.<BR><img class="refimg" src="/webbbs/images/main/picsuzengrace465.jpg" border="0" alt=""><P>lyssons public beach<BR><img class="refimg" src="/webbbs/images/main/picsuzengrace466.jpg" border="0" alt=""><P>very natural type of beach setting-opposite of 7mile<BR><img class="refimg" src="/webbbs/images/main/picsuzengrace467.jpg" border="0" alt=""><P>bay of port morant<BR><img class="refimg" src="/webbbs/images/main/picsuzengrace468.jpg" border="0" alt=""><P>back on the main highway to Port Antonio..<P>we had planned to go to the blue mts-but I decided i had enough of taken on new driving challenges this reach(i would have to go back to kingston area to get there) save it for next time, when we will just concentrate on that area ..decided to take the familar and the longest route back home-going around the very eastern side thru port anotnio-a place i never get tired of..green paradise for sure...we didnt stay over nite-just leisurely drove back on the main highway ..stopped at boston bay for the best jerk on the island (and the birthplace) over priced but worth it.. then thru all the beauty of PA, and the other eastern and northern areas..some of the best road starts outside of PA and goes all the way to Mobay (the main highway)..I will say we noticed lots of cops in st thomas and PA area-pulling people over ,etc..so keep that in mind-I've been pulled over in PA area in the past and that was whole other story ($$) for doing nothing..and we got pulled over in Ochi and searched our car, etc..we have nothing to hide so we dont worry-just go thru the motions...<BR><img class="refimg" src="/webbbs/images/main/picsuzengrace470.jpg" border="0" alt=""><P>Trelawny was done with mango season but not PA area- nice bag over different kinds from roadstop...nice treat to take bag to the yard...<BR>Hopefully someday i will master the art of turning off side of road and or turning around without worry...thus i can get out and really take more pictures like i want..<BR>maybe 6th time will be the charm ...lol.
Re: little trip report #2 - Pineapple - 08-04-2013
<P>Okay, you're making me want to go back to Jamaica -- just not Negril. Continue on with your story, I'm fully enjoying the trip.<BR>
Re: little trip report #2 - Sophie - 08-04-2013
<P>THANKS!! suzengrace for the great show and tell. Can you or Jitterbug think of any beaches in this area of the island with really calm water like Negril beach? With a nice little place to stay like that? Actually, any part of the island besides Negril? Just a little beach, I don't need big. One shade tree, a little sand? I guess there would have to be a reef or a small bay to get calm water? Thanks for any input.<P>
Re: little trip report #2 - suzengrace - 08-04-2013
<P>hey sophie-i hear where your coming from..I'm a newbie in that area-but sure jitters -who i consider expert in that area would know-as well as oh liz and i would hope others out there on this board..<BR>there are some beautiful beaches in PA that come to mind-i'm thinking frenchmans cove or san san--i forget which one them-but they have loungers,drink and beautiful calm water (most time)..<BR>like Macy said, 7mile certainly has the calm (the waters at least)..<BR>i know you all drive-so thats a huge plus..<BR>There is place i've really wanted to stay at out near port maria called<BR>strawberry fields forever..(goggle it for website).i've never been but looks great..nice little cottages and i beleive a nice swimming cove-maybe you could go there few nites then on to pa and stay at hotel near the beaches i mentioned above..<BR>You all would have a blast driving around and discovering the beauty of the eastern side...its worlds away from Negril on the beauty/chill factor..<BR>will wait to see what Jitters and others have to contribute..but yes, if burned out in negril -time to see the other Jamaica and experience it before you throw in the jam towel..
Re: little trip report #2 - oldtimer - 08-04-2013
<P>Thanks for all the nice pics !!!
Re: little trip report #2 - RGondaRoad - 08-04-2013
<P>I really enjoyed my stay in Long Bay last year but the water has surf, that's for sure. I didn't swim. The beach is lovely though - we had a nice bonfire, lay on blankets, looked up at the stars (which is hard to see on the Negril Long Bay) and thought about how this would be impossible there without someone coming over to bug you about something!<P>Agree with BP, that beach does look like Bloody Bay back in the day. Long Bay actually reminded me of the Negril I first visited.<P>I've been to Kingston once accompanying a friend while she did her business over at immigration. Visited the Botanical Gardens there. I'm such a country girl - even in Jamaica - the cities there hold little interest to me and Kingston (certain parts) reminded me of LA, lol. But Portie, I enjoyed my time there but again, a city - I liked visiting there but returning to Long Bay.
Re: little trip report #2 - Sophie - 08-04-2013
<P>Thanks for your thoughts on my question guys. I guess to get bathtub like water and a room right on the beach Negril is the only option, in Jamaica anyway. Food for thought......
Re: little trip report #2 - Dino - 08-08-2013
<P>Great report...adventurous trips are exciting and memorable.<BR>
Re: little trip report #2 - rootswoman - 08-14-2013
<P>This is really a great report<BR>It certainly does make me want to return to Jamaica - but not poor old Negril...<P>You are a brave wooman! - I would be terrified without a map.<P>We still need to gather all these reports and put them in a place that is easily accessible for when we are planing future trips.