Jamaica and Beyond

I arrived at the airport after a hectic night of getting my hair done at my friend's house and then racing home to continue packing!
It was hard working out what to wear as it was FREEZING here and i didnt fancy doing a complete outfit change on the plane...that was just additional items to carry in my hand luggage. My son wasnt as bad i just put him in a t shirt beneath his layers...

Anyway bought Joel a bottle of Henny for xmas at the duty free as it is waaaaaaaay cheaper .. no way was i payin 7K for a bottle over there, they having a laugh LOL.

I flew out on my bday (11th dec) and thankfully due to the time difference i was able to spend my 25th bday with the 2 most important people in my orbit.

Had the usual drama of waitin what always seems likes forever to go through immigration (cant wait to sort my citizenship out) and to get my luggage. Then took the walk out to look for Joel and my mother in law. The trip back was looooong because earlier in the year the plan was to go with my friend and spend 2 weeks in St Anns and 2 in Kingston so the flight was booked to and from Mo Bay. But since she dropped out i had the hassle of getting to and from Mo Bay to Kgn which would not be so bad if Joel had his license *groan* So the journey was a lil tiring, but anyway...luckily his sister lives in Mobay so she was happy to drive we jus gave her petrol money.

On arrival Rayon (my son) was out for the count so Joel carried him inside and i greeted all the family at the house. The first night we just went to visit Joel's older brother and his girlfriend in Portmore. (Unfortunately the photos were not uploading chronologically but just browse them any how.) We were there for a few hours but i was knackered so we left for me to get some sleep.

Rayon was greeted by his best friend out there Booboo...anytime we go these two are INSEPARABLE and i think he thought he was dreaming when he woke up and saw him at the foot of the bed LOL.

Saturday night now i knew prior to landing that it was the Stone Love Anniversary party so i had to get my ticket, this was like my bday celebration you could say! We left and made our way to Stone Love HQ sat morning to get the tickets. Loved it although some of the artists didnt show.

Unfortunately things slowwwwwed right down activity wise as Jamaica National took the piss having my money cleared into my account which i had paid in days before flying out. I was there 2 weeks before my money cleared! I kept dipping into my UK account and the JN in Halfway Tree musta been tiad fi see mi face!!! At one point i lost it with them and asked them how i was expected to survive if i wasnt with family. When if finally came through i made up for lost time and headed to Hot Mondays, Uptown Mondays, Passa Passa and a few local dances.

Joel's cousin let us down as he was unable to pay him so the wedding we had scheduled for the 18th didnt happen unfortunately. But we met with the Pastor and explained. Luckily Joel is going out on his own selling music and films so hopefully we wont have that problem when i go back.

We took the kids to the beach same time Joel's nephew was down from Bulls Bay. Hellshire was ok but to be honest i preferred the beaches on the north coast, plus the water was sooooo salty i couldnt stay in the water for long. But the kids loved it and that was the main thing.

Xmas eve was Grandmarket Downtown Kgn and i never seen so many people on the road in one place at one time! It was like carnival in London. Joel's sister told me to put my money in a good place so i did the usual thing and stuffed my money in bra but i didnt really see anything. I was looking for a gift for Rayon but it was mainly about clothes so we went after about 2 hours.

Xmas day in all honesty i prefer in the UK...obviously i know money is an issue over there but still i think the focus seems to be more about everyone getting new outfits to go out on xmas and boxing night rather than a day for kids to be spoilt...just my opinion. It was nice to spend our xmas together as a family despite that.

I had two more weeks left ... New Years i got caught in a beauty salon, the woman took AGES to do my nails and i ended up biting them off cuz they looked like stick ons! Was not impressed. When we werent partying Joel and I took that time to continue getting to know each other and opening up about what we wanted out of the relationship and how we would go about it all. Its tough this long distance thing as some of you already know and i think these face to face heart to hearts are important after spending months talking via phone or messenger.

As my time to go was drawing nearer Joel began asking me to extend my stay ... i would have in a heartbeat but my son had school and i felt uneasy leaving my place unattended for so long as no one was checking in on it. He has asked me to move there in the past but i think im used to life in London way too much to make a permanent move. I have contemplated sending my son to attend school but im worried about how our relationship as mother and son may suffer.

Eventually my 1 month stay came to a close and we had to arrange getting back to Mobay airport. Joel's sister had a class so she couldnt do it so we had to hire a car. We said our goodbyes to everyone and headed out. When we eventually reached poor Rayon was sick as he stepped out the car (courtesy of jamaican driving!) and so Joel took him to get cleaned up. I went to check on the flights and was there was a 4 hour delay ... gr8 news for me and extra 4 hours there LOL... So i checked in the bags and we went to explore Mobay a little bit. We went to a bar and played some pool on the waterfront and then went to visit Joel's sister and brother in law who own a garage. We chilled there until it was time to head back...

Back at the airport we could finally board and then it was all tears when we had to say our final goodbyes - being in that mans arms feels so good and i wanted to get as much hugs in as possible LOL. Joel picked up Rayon and they both starting crying - i couldnt even look. He may not be his father but no one would ever guess it. I felt so bad to cut it short but we had to go.

We made our way through to the gate and that was the end of our trip - until next time JA ...

I loved it as usual but i also realised i would find it really hard to live with his family LOL. If i did move there we would have to have our own place no doubt about it. Living in a 2 bed place with just me and my son is a big change when we go to a place of similar size yet more people. His brother and sister can be a bit much at times and i felt abit claustrophobic but they always make me and my son feel welcome so i cant complain too much.

Anyway that was my first ever trip report hope u liked

http://s802.photobucket.com/albums/yy309/OsoFluffy/Jamaica%20%2009%20to10/ wasnt sure how to add the images here sori...

Did you wire your money to Jamaica National? If so, that sort of sucks since it use to be a way to transfer money that you could withdrawal without having to pay foreign ATM fees every time you want money. I know a few people who use Scotia (sp?) bank both at home and in Jamaica so they don't have to pay the fees. You are VERY LUCKY that you had a way to get money so you didn't starve or resort to crime

How would you compare Kingston to other parts of Jamaica when it comes to nightlife?

Thanks for the trip report!

Interesting trip report, not the normal "I sat on a beach, drank rum, got sick, ate new interesting food and met cool people". I think everyone flying out of Jamaica is crying even if their eyes are dry. Your pictures are very nice.

JAigo wrote:Interesting trip report, not the normal "I sat on a beach, drank rum, got sick, ate new interesting food and met cool people". I think everyone flying out of Jamaica is crying even if their eyes are dry. Your pictures are very nice.

Well my son was crying because he was being separated from his step father....
The food is what i eat anyway LOL, just fresher ingredients. My family are all from Barbados or Jamaica.
LOL and to be honest, although my family and my partner are from the island my initial interest in going all those years ago was to party. JA is my 2nd home so sitting on the beach for 1 month straight doesnt really appeal to me. I go back to see my in laws and catch up with people mostly...the environment is just a bonus! Im not really there to ''see the sights'' which leads me on to Eco's questions....

I didnt explain myself very well with the JN thing i guess...i opened a residents account here in the UK so that when im there i can use an atm card withdraw without being charged. It worked out quite well ONCE the money was cleared! I really do prefer Kingston because its less 'tourist led'; the nightlife, people, everything i feel is alot more genuine to Jamaican culture (just my opinion anyway). I love dancehall and the parties in and around Kgn represent this more. The north coast i feel has more of an american influence obviously to suit the tastes of the majority i guess. I dont know if i answered your question well enough??

I hope it didnt sound too negative reading it over! I guess because being over there is like being home from home i dont really take in the details other visitors may do, sorry guys! I always have a fantastic time over there...if things were different i would intend move there but too many commitments here in London holding me back right now.

Kingston is more of a concrete jungle compared to most areas..even Mobay so i guess for the whole holiday, sunbathing and beach thing its not for everyone. But for more day to day things and ways of living its much preferred, especially due to prices and the deduction of what i call the 'tourist tax' on items in comparison to other areas.

I think i will make more of an effort to see the island with fresh eyes when i go back, i.e explore more ... I guess its like me being here in London, have yet to see any of the sights that people from all over the world to glimpse LOL.

especially due to prices and the deduction of what i call the 'tourist tax' on items in comparison to other areas.

That tax can be avoided in most cases if people just shop around for places that cater to local people. In my limited experience, the food is about 1/3 of the cost eating at local places instead of tourist places.

I think i will make more of an effort to see the island with fresh eyes when i go back, i.e explore more ... I guess its like me being here in London, have yet to see any of the sights that people from all over the world to glimpse LOL.

So, are you going to get a "Jamaica" tee shirt and one of those fake dread hats to see the island as a tourist? <---kidding

BTW, can you speak patois?

Also, congrats on booking another vacation!

Thank you so much for the trip report

Thanks for sharing your trip report! You spent the great time and you have a great Jamaica travel experience. This time (11th Dec to 8th Jan) is really suitable for Jamaica tour.
I have looked your picture album it is also very well. I really like your trip report and waiting for your next trip report.

Best Regards,