Jamaica: Happy Valentines Day

On Day 8 we said goodbye to Treasure Beach and headed Northwest to Montego Bay. Thankfully, we had one last breakfast and morning—my favorite time of day—at Lyric. We sipped coffee, worked crossword puzzles, and did a little reading. Around 11:00 am, our driver picked us up for the journey. A short two and a half hours later we were in Montego Bay, where things operate much differently than the little beach oasis we’d previously been visiting.

After dropping our belongings, we headed out for lunch at The Pork Pit. We were disappointed to see much of what surrounds us caters to tourists looking for the comforts of home. We struggled to find Jamaican cuisine of any kind along Gloucester Street, the Hip Strip. The jerk we settled for was a much longer walk than we’d had anticipated. From lunch we headed into the Downtown, unknowingly picking up two tour guides along the way. These two navigated us Uptown, Downtown, and safely back to the Hip Strip, where we’re staying. Though these two were out to make a pretty penny navigating foreigners through their hometown, they were extremely kind, knowledgeable and helpful. They taught us history at Sam Sharpe Square; guided us through St. James Parish Church, a historic site (built in 1775) and active church (built in 1775); and showed us around the food market in Uptown. Upon paying out, Boyfriend and I walked back the length of the Hip Strip to Dead End Beach for sunset. As it turns out, Dead End Beach overlooks the ocean on one side and Sangster International Airport on the other. The sun set to the drumming of airplane engines, for a unique twist.

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By the time we sat down for sunset, sipping coconut water, I was overstimulated. The streets of Uptown and Downtown were packed with people, likely because it was Saturday. We showered—Boyfriend’s first of the week!—and hit the sack.

Our accommodations are so different here. The ocean is not in our forefront. In fact, the beach, if existing in Montego Bay at all, seemed to be chewed up by the resorts. Though the Hip Strip runs along the coast, the water splashes right up against retaining walls; sand is nonexistent. The mosquito net covering our bed is no longer and privacy is a concept of the past. Our room is equipped with a TV and air conditioning. There are large resorts mixed with 394 small shops, all selling the same goods, littering the Hip Strip, and while we’re not in a resort, one could get by without leaving the economically friendly Toby’s “Resort” during a stay. There is a restaurant serving all three meals, two bars, and two pools. And intermittent WiFi when dining at the restaurant. The place will more than do for the two nights where here, but I’m oh so thankful to have seen a different side of Jamaica.