Sandals?

[sleuth]

Wow.
Great info MM. Thanks a lot.
I'm going to pass it along to my fiancee.

I hope you're right about the crime thing. We really would like to get out and explore, but I worry about the safety of my bride. I hope that so long as we avoid walking down back alleyways, we'll be ok.

But what's an Obeah man?

 

[RoseRed]

On teh resort: Bring at least one formal dress...

Sleuth in a dress ...

 

[MysticalMom]

Wow.
Great info MM. Thanks a lot.
I'm going to pass it along to my fiancee.

I hope you're right about the crime thing. We really would like to get out and explore, but I worry about the safety of my bride. I hope that so long as we avoid walking down back alleyways, we'll be ok.

But what's an Obeah man?

You'll be fine. The Jamiacan people WANT us there. We are how they make their living.

And.. an Obeah man is sorta like a voodoo priest.

Rose:

I meant to say to bring formal dress for one night..not A formal dress....

Although....he might make a purty gal.:shrug:

 

[MysticalMom]

Anything free?

Oh and DoWhat. Hunny..NOTHING'S free on Jamaica. They all want a piece.

 

[crabcake]

As long as you're cool with staying at the resort the whole time, that's what I'd do. Jamaica isn't really safe, and our cruise director recommended that we not "explore" the area on our own. We'd considered a Sandals resort, but wanted to take a cruise instead (more places to see).

I'd heard this too, and originally thought it was simply a gimmick to get you to buy into the local escorts and excursions and crap, but I've heard from several people who've been there that it's true ... do not go off the beaten path on your own, and whenever possible, go with an escort/local tour guide.

 

[Nickel]

I'd heard this too, and originally thought it was simply a gimmick to get you to buy into the local escorts and excursions and crap, but I've heard from several people who've been there that it's true ... do not go off the beaten path on your own, and whenever possible, go with an escort/local tour guide.

I don't know how much of it was "Jamaica is dangerous" and how much was "We don't want your asses to get lost and miss the boat".

 

[JabbaJawz]

We went horseback riding through the hills and into the ocean. It was a lot of fun, and I wouldn't mind doing it again. Some others from our cruise rode to Ocho Rios and did the Dunns River Falls tour. Some people say that's cool, others say it's not worth it. I wasn't really a big fan of Jamaica as a whole, and probably won't go back (unless I'm staying in an all inclusive and don't need to go out into real Jamaica).

We went to Sandals Ocho Rios and had a great time. We did the same horseback ride that Nickel talks about, and also the Dunns River Falls tour. Both neat! We also did a tubing adventure. Great honeymoon spot!!

 

[MysticalMom]

Whatever gave anyone the idea that Jamaica as a whole is dangerous? I think that's just fear of the unknown. Kingston is Dangerous. Especially the slums. The violence is there. The crime is there the political crap is there. But then you don't want to be in any slums anywhere. None of the people we've ever taken, or set up on trips, including ourselves has ever had ANY problem with the people or places. We've neevr been robbed. Or scared. I have been going there since I was a young child. One of my brothers companies is a student travel service that sets Spring Breakers up on trips. He has sent literally 1000's of people to Jamiaca. Not one problem ever. (well ok..one couple who got pulled over coming back from a ganga farm with all the plants the farmer had given them, and one girl stepped on a sea urchin)

I don't know how I can convince you that Jamaica is not a violent or unsafe place. You'll just have to go yourself and see. :shrug:

 

[RoseRed]

We hired a local driver for 1.5 days to take us around. George was awesome! Picked us up at the Gate at 9am and we were back by 5, the next time he picked us up about 1130 and we were back by 9pm. He was very funny too. I asked him what he was driving and he said, you'll know who I am, I am a tall bald black man.

 

[AK-74me]

We hired a local driver for 1.5 days to take us around. George was awesome! Picked us up at the Gate at 9am and we were back by 5, the next time he picked us up about 1130 and we were back by 9pm. He was very funny too. I asked him what he was driving and he said, you'll know who I am, I am a tall bald black man.

We had a cab driver there that was a d!ck. He took us to Dunn's River Falls. We gave him the fare which was not much prolly like $8 and then we gave him a $20 tip and we said this is to make sure you meet us right here in 3 hrs. Sure enough he was there to pick us up in 3 hrs., he takes us the 5 mile trip back to "town" and tells us our fare again I think it was around $8. I gave him the money and said thanks dude, he says "where is my tip?" I said "well $36 off us for driving us a total of 10 miles, I think that is more than fair" . Then he starts giving me this BS about how we need to respect there people and what not, yelling at me after I gave him a 100%+ tip.

Besides that I really can't stand walking around in Jamaica. All the natives want you to buy all the crap they are selling and are relentless, they don't take no for an answer and can get pretty aggressive. I've been to alot of Islands and the vacation towns in Mexico and I have to say that Jamaicans are the most aggressive when it comes to pedaling their junk.

 

[MysticalMom]

Besides that I really can't stand walking around in Jamaica. All the natives want you to buy all the crap they are selling and are relentless, they don't take no for an answer and can get pretty aggressive. I've been to alot of Islands and the vacation towns in Mexico and I have to say that Jamaicans are the most aggressive when it comes to pedaling their junk.

Ochos Rios is the worst for that because of the Cruise ships. They know most of those people will only be there for a few hours. And yeah they can be pushy about thier wares.......they don't like an out right NO. But saying thanks, I already have one, or thanks I have enough, usually does the trick.
It's just part of Jamiaca. :shrug: