T R I P R E P O R T : Ochi, Port Antoni, Kingston, MoBay, Negril

[Magician]

Re: T R I P R E P O R T : Ochi, Port Antoni, Kingston, MoBay, Negril

Brc my friend. Relax. Report soon come. This month my schedule only gives me 2.5 days off a week so its rough. But I promise it will be done soon.

[Magician]

Re: T R I P R E P O R T : Ochi, Port Antoni, Kingston, MoBay, Negril

Anybody wanna hear more?

[Rose]

Re: T R I P R E P O R T : Ochi, Port Antoni, Kingston, MoBay, Negril

Yup. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[Nanook]

Re: T R I P R E P O R T : Ochi, Port Antoni, Kingston, MoBay, Negril

mi tink soon come a next installment!

Majic you REALLY know how to tell a story, and I like to travel the way you do...just go and see where ya end up, GREAT I cannot wait to hear more!

[Magician]

Re: T R I P R E P O R T : Ochi, Port Antoni, Kingston, MoBay, Negril

Sitting on the fishing pier in Port Royal with Jimmy Cliff on the town-wide sound system was very relaxing. The warm sun now low in the western sky cast an orange glow on the fishing boats and the capital on the other side of the harbor. It was also a reminder that night will arrive soon and a plan has to be devised as to what's next. The bottom line was that the rented Daewoo had to be returned in MoBay the following day. Oh well we'll worry about it later, now lets check out what's going on at the airport. Air Jamaica's brand new Airbus 340 was proudly parked on the ramp. The queen of the fleet was being readied for the night crossing to London. The road from Port Royal passes right under the approach end of runway 30, and we set on the elevated bluff where the approach lights are that right between the beach and the runway. Since the traffic flow was light this time of day it was time to move on. I decided we'll drive to Ochi by the way of Spanish Town and spend the night at Ashton's place since we already knew how to find it.

We drove right through the heart of Parade and on to Marcus Garvey Road. Right around Tivoli Gardens the traffic starts getting slower, and slower, and slower. Then it hit me. It's a week day. Rush hour, and we're trying to go towards Spanish Town, just like the rest of Kingstonians. Told my friend, well this is what a Jamaican traffic jam looks like. By the time we got on Spanish Town Road is was completely dark. My friend questioned my navigating skills since this was my first time going this way. I told him no worry man, everyting under control. That's what I would have said even if I was lost anyway. It's a guy thing, you know.

Being stuck in traffic in Jamaica is not nearly as nerve racking as LA or New Jersey though. All along the road are vendors that will keep you fed, watered and entertained. Time flies when you're snacking on something and talking. I must admit driving a stick in traffic is a hassle. That's the only time I wish I had an automatic. As soon as we passed Spanish Town the traffic got lighter. This being the main road between Kingston and MoBay there were a lot of trucks. So passing was the word of the night. I don't mind driving at night in Jamaica, but I'd rather do it during daytime because you miss out on the views. Especially climbing out of S.T. you could see a million lights behind us and I know it would have looked beautiful in daylight. Next time.
Before we knew it we dove into the Furn Gully and descended into Ochi. We stopped by Mother's to pick up dinner to go. The town was overflowing with people. I stayed in the car as there was no place to park it, while my friend went to get the food. It must have been Friday because a lot of people were dressed for clubbing. But I didn't know for sure since I haven't looked at my watch and checked the date since the first day. Once we got the food we drove over to Ashton's place in White River but all the lights were off and no one answered the door. So we sat down on the porch ate and talked. I asked my friend: "So you survived your visit to Kingston. Was is as bad as your fiancee's family warned you it would be?" He said he enjoyed it and doesn't know what they were talking about. I told him Kingston can be dangerous, but like any other big city, with a little common sense you've got nothing to worry about. By the time we were done Ashton appeared and gave us the key to our room, excited to see us again. After a long and fun filled day all I could do is shower and hit the hay. With the sounds of crickets and other night wildlife lulling me to sleep.

(To Be Continued...)

[Magician]

Re: T R I P R E P O R T : Ochi, Port Antoni, Kingston, MoBay, Negril

Got up early the next morning. It was time to hit the road for MoBay. I didn't want to return the car. It's such a freedom. You can go anywhere you want, whenever you want, with as much stuff as you want. But there was a budget to adhere to and with $40/ a day rate this was all we could afford. I believe that one should go somewhere to relax at least once a month. And to try to keep up that tradition I have to limit costs to minimum. So MoBay here we come.
Since I am totally not useable early in the morning, my roommate decided he'll drive. And since I was half asleep I figured I won't mind occasionally driving off the road and hitting every single pothole in the road. He found it especially amusing that he was able to pass a cop and not get pulled over. That would never fly in the US. By the time we reached Falmouth I was hungry and tired of his driving so we pulled into the bakery on the main square and supplied ourselves with freshly made beef patties. Man were they good. The best patties I ever had. Unfortunately they had no Ting, so I had a Fanta.

Once in MoBay it was time to take care of some business. My Dad requested a Cuba cigar as always. Since neither of us smoke we had no idea where to find one. After driving around town for a while we found a Cigar shop. In fact it wasn't downtown but right there on Kent Ave. I remembered my Dad wanted anything but Cohiba. So I went in the store. The East Indian-Jamaican lady led me to the special room (forgot what they call it) where they keep just the right temperature and humidity level. I asked her for a "good' cigar and she offered one for US$12. I bargained it down to US$8. I don't know if that's a good price since I know nothing about cigars. But my Dad enjoyed it when I gave it to him, so that's all that matters.

Had to go in town to get the necessary supplies for myself. 12 bottles of Ting, Curry power, Meat tenderizer, Thyme, Grace and Walkerwood Jerk seasoning, and a few other must have items. With all the shopping done it was time to have some fun.

Some people like their jobs. Some people dislike their jobs. And most people would want to do nothing that has anything to do with work while on vacation. Right? Well, that's not true for airline pilots. Of course there is that small percentage that don't really like flying, they complain about everything, always want more money, and would rather do something else if it paid as much. However a majority of pilots love flying, and would do it even if they had to pay for it. They love airplanes and coming to work is fun that they happen to enjoy for a living. We belong to the latter. So we drive down to Dead End Beach, park the car, get out towels, drinks, camera and go.

First you have to climb over a 5 foot concrete wall. Then you proceed over a bridge to a fence. In the fence there is a large hole through which you enter. And there you are. On the left is the beautiful Bay of Montego. Sticking out of the turquoise blue water are the approach lights for Sangster Airport's runway 7. The closest approach light is in the water. You're standing on a 10 foot land mass separating the Sea from the runway. And coming straight at you is a heavy Airbus 310 arriving from New York. The airplane keeps getting bigger and bigger. The sound of the two huge jet engines with a Jamaican flag painted on the cowlings is getting louder. Better take a picture now or else the airplane will be too big to fit in the viewfinder. The 157 ton flying machine passes 50 feet above you head and gently touches down on the runway behind you. Life doesn't get any better than this.

My roommate watches from the bridge. He doesn't want to go through the hole in the fence. I tell him he's not trespassing since there is another fence that separates the airport property. And besides I've done this many times before. A couple Jamaicans join us later on. I get my friend to go with us, but he still won't sit right under the flight path. It's around noon and all of Air Jamaica's fleet is flying in. Two more heavy Airbuses from Newark and Baltimore. 150 seat Airbus 320's from Miami, Atlanta and Chicago. Then an MD-80 from Panama and another from Havana. A couple Apple Vacations Boeing 757's. An American Airbus 300 from Miami and then Air Canada from Toronto. US Airways Boeing 737 from Philadelphia and then our Airbus 320 from Memphis. A few Air Jamaica Express Dash-8's from Kingston and Providenciales and Twin Otters from Negril. A small Cessna from Negril and then a heavy Boeing 767 from Germany. Beautiful. I love watching airplanes, but this is definitely the location to do it. The warm Jamaican sun, with a cool breeze from the beautiful Caribbean Sea, and the sound of waves crashing on the beach. What else can you ask for.

What the "push" of flights into MoBay ends we go back to the car and decide it's time to pack up all of our stuff spread all over the car. You don't realize how much junk you've got until you have to pack it all up. We manage to get everything into bags and drive out to the terminal. Returning the car was a breeze. Now we gotta find a way to get to Negril.

(To Be Continued.... )

[Magician]

Re: T R I P R E P O R T : Ochi, Port Antoni, Kingston, MoBay, Negril

Stay tuned this weekend for scenes from the next Magic's Trip! And possibly a Season Finale!! Don't miss it, right here on Discovery Jamaica. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

[ohliz]

Re: T R I P R E P O R T : Ochi, Port Antoni, Kingston, MoBay, Negril

Ooh...thanks Magic!!!

[sjrrn2002]

Re: T R I P R E P O R T : Ochi, Port Antoni, Kingston, MoBay, Negril

wow-what a letdown. Flying all the way to ja to watch airplanes? see ya on the cliffs in 1 week, Steph

[Nanook]

Re: T R I P R E P O R T : Ochi, Port Antoni, Kingston, MoBay, Negril

CLAP CLAP! That was so wonderful, THANKS!

[BND1999]

Re: T R I P R E P O R T : Ochi, Port Antoni, Kingston, MoBay, Negril

Encore. Encore.. That must be really great watching the planes like that .. wish I could do it with you, because my fear of flying is almost paralytic..not enough to not go..but enough to agitate me and get me into a sweat the morning of... 6 more days and I'm going on my first flight since 911.. I am ready and eager to get this done with.. I think talking to a pilot such as you and understanding the mechanics of planes would help.. SO, no Air jamaica jets coming in from NY?? that would be me..looking out the window..struggling to rip off my clothes..beaming a smile ear to ear!!

[queenb]

Re: T R I P R E P O R T : Ochi, Port Antoni, Kingston, MoBay, Negril

Nina, what time do you get into MoBay? I get in at 12:44. I'm flying AirJa Express into Negril at 2. C'mon join me for the thrill of a lifetime! [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] (Well, almost. Actually TimAir is the thrill of a lifetime on their likkle, likkle planes!)

[BND1999]

Re: T R I P R E P O R T : Ochi, Port Antoni, Kingston, MoBay, Negril

queenb, when I get off that plane there ain't a chance I'm going back up!!! I land at 2p, when you will be up, up and away.. Dan and Bruce would go for it, but I ain't telling them!!!

[Magician]

Re: T R I P R E P O R T : Ochi, Port Antoni, Kingston, MoBay, Negril

Hey Nina,
Flying is not the scarry part. Driving to and from the airport is. That's the part I dread when going to work. Driving through the streets of Memphis. See any idiot can get a drivers license. And pilots go through rigorous training and then get retrained and tested every 6 months. People can drive cars with bad breaks with no lights and other mechanical problems. A plane wont take off unless everything on it works. And if something breaks on the way there are backup systems to take over. Plus you got air traffic control to keep planes away from each other. And while driving you have to trust the crazy people in other cars not to hit you. This whole driving thing is shady business to me.

I wish you could go on one of my recurrent checkrides in a full motion simulator. That's when we go in an $8 million simulator that looks and acts just like the real aircraft flight deck and the instructor in the back puts us through engine failures, fires, hydraulic malfunctions, electrical problems, pressurization problems, microbursts, and other highly unlikely scenarios that happen in one in a billion flights. And the best part is that say an engine catches on fire and fails the atmosphere in the cockpit is calm. You do the "memory items" which say pull the power pack, cut off the fuel, pull the red handle, and discharge the extinguisher and then read through a checklist and do what it says. Then you come back to the airport for a normal landing. No big deal! Of course the instructor will induce Murphy's Law and add a whole bunch of other failures on top of it, and make the weather real bad. Just when you're about to land he'll put a firetruck on the runway and make you go around on one engine for another approach. After 4 hours of this you come out tired but no tin has been dented. It's actually a lot of fun. Then you go to the real plane the next day and you're ready just for about anything. But nothing happens. But you know if something did you just do the same things you practised in the simulator. Then you get off work and it's raining and you gotta drive in Memphis. Now that's dangerous!

[BND1999]

Re: T R I P R E P O R T : Ochi, Port Antoni, Kingston, MoBay, Negril

Hey Magic..thanks for all that info.. wish I could come and see this.. I hate that I feel the way I do about flying.. and I've been travelling since I am a kid.. except back then I was never afraid.. If it's very smooth I am fine.. it's just when there is turbulence I freak out, and I don't like take off... landing I am generally fine.. guess cause I am so relieved... I will keep earphones on listening to marley.. which will put me in the spirit and keep me relaxed.. hopefully there will be a good movie or someone of interest near by to chat with.. distractions works the best... Mostl importantly there is a whole world yet to be explored and I will keep flying despite my angst!!! I know I am not alone..