i know my fellow archinecters are a globe-trotting bunch. anybody here been? i'm thinking of going for about 5 days and was wondering what anybody can tell me about things to see and do [doesn't have to be architecturally related], how much booze is, etc. thanks!
Negril is beautiful. Miles of white sand beach, cliffs for diving, sunshine etc, but it's touristy.
The 2nd time I visited Jamaica, I asked some Negril locals where they vacationed, and they sent me to Treasure Beach. We didn't see another American in the 4 days that we were there.
exchange rate is favorable...
eat lots of seafood. Samsara
sorry sabbo, i can eat jerk chicken and oxtail all day long in any of Miami's ethnic neighborhoods (my favorite version of oxtail is Colombian)...but I don't visit many small islands... where I can buy a freshly cut fish from a fisherman that just pulled his little boat ashore, throw it on a fire...
This thread inspired me to call up Air Jamaica, because no matter how many other airlines I check, they always end up being the cheapest. Due to wierd flight schedules, I'll only be in Mo Bay for one night on the way back from my parents' place, but hopefully that will be pretty nice anyways.
jonjon- sorry, no can do. I can barely afford my ticket. I've always been routed through Montego Bay on the way to visit my parents, and have never been beyond the airport before.
Sandals, or any other resort is not Jamaica, if you are going to go to one of those resorts you might as well go to a resort in the US and not spend the money to fly down there. I went to Jamaica for a week a couple of years ago, and never once set foot in a resort. Did go to Dunns River Falls for a few hours which is more touristy but a fun time if you want to climb the falls. Also went to a really great restaurant in Ocho Rios, but I believe it was ruined last year in a hurricane. Anyway, I spent most of my time in the central part of Jamaica in the St. Annes area. Unfortunately Jamaica is not an easy place to drive because there arent really any road signs. Drivers dont cost very much money though. Alcohol is cheap, Beef patties are cheap and are really good, basically everything there is a bargain especially outside of the tourist areas. If you happen to encounter a market, they sellers prefer you to barter with them and try to work the price down rather than just pay what they ask. Buy some coffee while you are there if you drink that or for christmas gifts. But if at all possible try not to stay in a resort, Jamaica is not dangerous and the people are extremely friendly, see as much of the country as possible.
hey! thanks a lot to everyone who's responded (even you, jonjon ;) yeah, i'm not really interested in staying @ a resort. what are some cool places to stay in the montego bay area?
yup 100% Jamaican but haven't been home in a while, and yes I'm also Jamarch...so does that make me 200% J'can?
Yea I don't know what to say, there has been some positive feedback. But my recommendations...stay in Negril at least overnight, visit the other end of the island (Port Antonio) - its also the place for the best Jerk Pork/Chicken or Lobster anywhere, avoid staying in an all-inclusive Sandals or Superclubs because yes they do cater for a generic American taste...nothing wrong with it but why go to Jamaica for that, eat a patty - beef or chicken, try some....actually no I won't say that but you know what I was going to say.
If you can take a tour of Kingston...preferably downtown, and most certainally with a guide...and ask to see the Jamaica Gallery, the Conference centre, and one of the museums (maybe the one on Ska & reggae), go the heros park...some of the best land art in the region...go drop on the Caribbean School of Architecture...if you are visiting after the end of August.
Ahhh...that's all I can think of for now...
Oh and about the fish, its so fresh...they prepare it from the whole fish at the sushi restaurants
jamaica
i know my fellow archinecters are a globe-trotting bunch. anybody here been? i'm thinking of going for about 5 days and was wondering what anybody can tell me about things to see and do [doesn't have to be architecturally related], how much booze is, etc. thanks!
Negril is beautiful. Miles of white sand beach, cliffs for diving, sunshine etc, but it's touristy.
The 2nd time I visited Jamaica, I asked some Negril locals where they vacationed, and they sent me to Treasure Beach. We didn't see another American in the 4 days that we were there.
exchange rate is favorable...
eat lots of seafood.
Samsara
just to the airport, passing through. Actually thinking of staying in Montego Bay for a few days this year.
sorry sabbo, i can eat jerk chicken and oxtail all day long in any of Miami's ethnic neighborhoods (my favorite version of oxtail is Colombian)...but I don't visit many small islands... where I can buy a freshly cut fish from a fisherman that just pulled his little boat ashore, throw it on a fire...
Sandals to Treasure Beach
apples to oranges
i heard sandals, couples, etc discriminate against gay couples
i won't stay anywhere where i couldn't go with my wife, my best friend, and his boyfriend
isn't sameolddoctor there?
jamaica, not 'sandals', i mean.
not sure, but i think architechnophilia is...
This thread inspired me to call up Air Jamaica, because no matter how many other airlines I check, they always end up being the cheapest. Due to wierd flight schedules, I'll only be in Mo Bay for one night on the way back from my parents' place, but hopefully that will be pretty nice anyways.
all i know is, you better have a ticket for me too! going to jamaica without me? how dare you!!!
you even went fishing and didnt even call me!!!
hahaha i hate you!!! and you cant go to jamaica...u dont have dreads!!!
check out the Dancehall scene in East Kingston or Portmore.(Hot Mondays, ect) Although as an American you may stick out like a sore thumb
jonjon- sorry, no can do. I can barely afford my ticket. I've always been routed through Montego Bay on the way to visit my parents, and have never been beyond the airport before.
steven, thats funny, what makes you think im in jamaica? actually i wish I was but im stuck in LA....
ah, crap, i don'know. just stuck in my head that way at some point. no jamaican connection?
not at all, never been there once in my life
where's jamarch?
maybe i was confusing sameold with jamarch? sorry sameold.
Sandals, or any other resort is not Jamaica, if you are going to go to one of those resorts you might as well go to a resort in the US and not spend the money to fly down there. I went to Jamaica for a week a couple of years ago, and never once set foot in a resort. Did go to Dunns River Falls for a few hours which is more touristy but a fun time if you want to climb the falls. Also went to a really great restaurant in Ocho Rios, but I believe it was ruined last year in a hurricane. Anyway, I spent most of my time in the central part of Jamaica in the St. Annes area. Unfortunately Jamaica is not an easy place to drive because there arent really any road signs. Drivers dont cost very much money though. Alcohol is cheap, Beef patties are cheap and are really good, basically everything there is a bargain especially outside of the tourist areas. If you happen to encounter a market, they sellers prefer you to barter with them and try to work the price down rather than just pay what they ask. Buy some coffee while you are there if you drink that or for christmas gifts. But if at all possible try not to stay in a resort, Jamaica is not dangerous and the people are extremely friendly, see as much of the country as possible.
hey! thanks a lot to everyone who's responded (even you, jonjon ;) yeah, i'm not really interested in staying @ a resort. what are some cool places to stay in the montego bay area?
yup 100% Jamaican but haven't been home in a while, and yes I'm also Jamarch...so does that make me 200% J'can?
Yea I don't know what to say, there has been some positive feedback. But my recommendations...stay in Negril at least overnight, visit the other end of the island (Port Antonio) - its also the place for the best Jerk Pork/Chicken or Lobster anywhere, avoid staying in an all-inclusive Sandals or Superclubs because yes they do cater for a generic American taste...nothing wrong with it but why go to Jamaica for that, eat a patty - beef or chicken, try some....actually no I won't say that but you know what I was going to say.
If you can take a tour of Kingston...preferably downtown, and most certainally with a guide...and ask to see the Jamaica Gallery, the Conference centre, and one of the museums (maybe the one on Ska & reggae), go the heros park...some of the best land art in the region...go drop on the Caribbean School of Architecture...if you are visiting after the end of August.
Ahhh...that's all I can think of for now...
Oh and about the fish, its so fresh...they prepare it from the whole fish at the sushi restaurants
cris I'm going to be there myself from the 12th August
drop me an email...
thanks a lot for your responses (and for the opportunity to bump this thread, ha ha)! =P
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