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

[Rose]

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

Thank You Magic. This recent installment to your trip report brings a smile to my face as it brings back a memory for me that I think you will find amusing. On a recent visit to Jamaica this winter, our plane(Air Jamaica Airbus 320 from Boston) was making its final approach to land and I had the window seat. As we descended along the coast I was taking in the beautiful vision of the blue water and green hills. Just before landing, I saw several guys right near the airport along the beach and thought, 'I bet that's where Magic goes'. I remember you mentioning that beach before.. wonder if it was you there? [img]/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[Magician]

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

Yup that was me Rose. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]
Wave at me next time you fly by, will you? [img]/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

[Island_Girl]

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

Magic, LOVE your reports! Thank You for taking time out of your busy schedule to post them. BTW, we fly NWA quite a bit out of MSP and have never had a bad flight. You have a right to be proud. IRIE! *IG

[Magician]

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

TRAVEL BY MINIBUS CHAPTER

Sir Donald Sangster Montego Bay International Airport is full of transportation options. Taxis, vans, busses, charter airplanes, and rental cars. There's one catch to this, however, they're all geared toward the tourist, with a newly arrived tourist's budget in mind. Translation: everyone wants a whole heapa money for everything. And the private entrepreneurs have a monopoly at the airport since there is no public transportation available.

A JUTA van to Negril will run you US$20 per person. A taxi to the bus yard in downtown will want US$10 per person and up. And a taxi to Negril offered a US$80 fare! Dem craaazy! That's why I wasted no time on that. Now I can't recommend this to anyone but the only cheap alternative to getting out of the airport is taking an unlicensed taxi (one without a red license plate). Looks just like a regular taxi, except the owner didn't pay a large fee to the government to operate a taxi. The fare of 150Js (US$3.30) does cloud your mind though. I wouldn't do this if I wasn't familiar with the town or traveling alone though. I joked with the driver about him theifing the government.

We arrive at the Bus Yard in the afternoon. As always it is packed with people, minibuses, sounds of car horns, people yelling, various destinations being called out, people running, people carrying more belongings than they can carry. To an untrained eye, it's strictly chaos. To me, it's the most efficient, and economical transport system ever invented. If you've never traveled in Jamaica by minibus, you are missing out on a great experience (and a lot of savings).

First, you must find where your bus departs from. In bigger cities there may be signs. Don't depend on signs. If you don't hear the Conductor (from now on referred to as " 'docta" or a person in charge of filling out the bus) somewhere yelling out your destination, ask and you will be directed to the correct line. You must go to the first bus in line. That will be the first one to leave. Most likely it will be full by the time you get there. Do not let that stop you from boarding it. The 'docta from other "empty" busses behind will try to persuade you to get on their bus offering "more space". The fact is that a minibus will not leave until filled to 150% of its capacity. By going on the next bus you will loose time waiting for it to fill up. You will be surrounded by 'doctas from many busses and associated individuals who want you to get on their bus. Even 'doctas from busses going to a different city will try to win your vote offering "a connection" at their city. Ignore them. Proceed to the first bus in line for your desired destination.

Once on the bus take a seat. It may appear as though there are no more seats left on the bus. It's only an illusion. If there are three seats in the back row and three people already there, there's still room. Keep in mind that once the bus is 130% full you have not utilized it to its full potential yet. You must not forget about the aisle through which you entered. A seat extension is placed spanning the gap between seats thus creating additional seats. The minibus which including the driver (from now on referred to as "driva" seats 14, is not ready for departure until at least 19 persons are on board.

You must travel light. Bags that you can carry on your lap are allowed (not advisable for long trips). Bags occupying a seat will be charged a persons fare. There is limited stowage underneath each seat and space under the last row accessible from the rear. However some minibuses have a loudspeaker installed there. A regular 22 inch rolling carry-on bag fits there.

If your bus is failing to fill up in a timely fashion, you must aid the 'docta in recruiting passengers. Holler your destination occasionally and direct people wondering which bus to take to your bus. It's in your best interest to help fill up the bus quickly and completely. During the boarding process vendors will offer juices, cold drinks, and snacks through the open windows. Do get a beverage since you will get thirsty.

Once the bus is full (by Jamaican standards) its departure is announced by a continuous long horn. If the bus is blocked in by other bus the horn will continue until a departure path is clear, sometimes accompanied by colorful vocabulary from all parties involved. With the racket of the bus yard fading behind you, you will feel the music hit you courtesy of the driva. Reggae is the norm, sometimes Irie FM, occasionally R&B. It will be blasted through the loudspeaker under the rear seats mentioned before and through an array of other speakers located throughout the bus. Either way great musical entertainment is provided free of charge.

Jamaica is the only country in the world where you will get there quicker by public transportation than driving yourself. The bus will travel at speeds approaching the sound barrier. You will experience G-forces similar to those on a fighter jet. However they are cushioned by the fellow travelers seated around you (or on or under you [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] ) To maintain profitability and convenience the driva will maintain maximum forward speed and pass everyone going slower. As in a roller coaster ride (minibuses are commonly known as coasters) the closer you sit to the front the more adrenaline you will generate. Here's a tip:

Do not look ahead, do not try to count the inches between the coaster and oncoming traffic, do not look at the speedometer, and do not try to figure out why you're still alive. Just think about this: The Driva's been doing this for years, he's got experience, he knows the road, and if he's still here to tell you about it he must be doing something right. It's best to kick back, make yourself comfortable, listen to the music, make friends on the bus, and take in the enchanting Jamaican scenery.

Most of the time you will travel the full length of the route. If you need to disembark early, however, you must yell "Driva, One Stop!" About 5 minutes prior to arrival the Docta will collect the proper fare. Exact change is helpful but not required. You will pass the money to the person if front of you, who will pass it to the person in front of them, who will pass it to the person in front of them, who will pass it to the person in front of them, who will pass it to the Docta. Change goes back the same way. Fares are set and every bus will charge the same for the same route. If my memory serves me right MoBay-Sav is $80J and Sav-Negril $50J. Making the MoBay-Negril fare US$2.89! Which is ten times cheaper, and twenty times more fun than the same JUTA bus filled with tourists that will take you to Negril for US$20.

Going to Negril for example there are two alternatives. One connecting in Sav, and another connecting in Lucea. It's easier to go through Sav on the way down since there are a lot more busses heading in that direction. Returning through Lucea is a good idea if you want to see a different view out the window. Once you arrive in Sav you will have to walk a hundred feet of so to the departures area. Since Sav-Negril is a thinner route, you will need a route taxi instead of the coaster. (Negril departs across the street from the main lot). A route taxi is usually a "deportee" or an older Japanese import. Some but not all have the city pairing which it serves painted on the outside. Like ships and planes, taxis and minibuses have a name on the side or the back. For example you may ride on "Duppy Conqueror", Speed Demon", "Last Chance", "Crazy Daisy", or "Killa". As with Coasters, the 150% full principle still applies with route taxis, however, it is possible to leave with just 100% load factor at the Driva's discretion. Route taxis also offer greater cargo stowage capability in the form of a trunk.

Going to Negril you will arrive at the bus yard near the gas station on Sheffield Road. From there many local taxi's are available to take you to your place on the cliffs or the beach for $20-30Js (US$0.44 - US$0.66).

The towering cumulus clouds fed by the day's heating are illuminated in oranges, yellows and reds as the sun nears the horizon. The air is warm and has a sweet smell to it. Birds chirping away on the trees accompanied by some reggae in the distance. I shout "Driva, One Stop!" We've arrived in Paradise.


(To Be Continued...)

[gmarieggers]

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

Magic,

Outstanding report, but where's your report on Negril? Please, respond with your Negril report.
Thanks,
Murry [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

[honey35]

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

Great report, Magic....so what happened in Negril????
[img]/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

[Redj]

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

Great report of the bus yard!!!!!!!!
I have done the Negril/Sav./Kingson several times.

Now that you explained, the bus yard. It really is organized madness.

This segment should be archived for other brave souls, wanting to take public transport!!!

Thanks again.

[Magician]

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

Negril is next...

[Marilyn]

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

Magic
correct me if I am wrong, but wasn't this trip just a few days? You are the only person I know who can stretch a little trip out into a Gone With the WInd length trip report. That's an observation, not a crticism, I'm loving it.
Marilyn

[Magician]

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

Originally posted by Marilyn:
[qb]You are the only person I know who can stretch a little trip out into a Gone With the Wind length trip report.[/qb]

DWL [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] I know it's taking a while isn't it. I promise to be done soon though. My mother says she's on her last bag of Blue Mountain Coffee and hinted that she can't have a distruption to her morning coffee, so I might have to go again soon. So I have to finish this report before next trip. And by the way, this trip was 7 days.

[Marilyn]

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

Hey,

seven days...that's a respectable length trip. I'm awaiting more.
Marilyn

[Sienna]

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

Magic, believe it or not, the main Kingston bus yard was one of my all-time favorite places to be some trips back, when I traveled round the island, strictly on public transportation. No amusement park, no other entertainment center comes close to the sensory overload and pure enjoyment factor of life there.

Thank you so much for the time and details provided to the readers on this particular aspect of travel. I think, to archive this valuable info, I'd have to archive the whole thread. In the interest of space, I'm going to cut and paste the bus yard/public transportation info in a separate post, so that I can push it into the archives, as well as store a hard copy file in case of future need. Is that OK with you?

[Magician]

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

No problem.
Yeah one could write a book about the life at a bus yard. Lots of excitement there.

Hey Marilyn, 7 days is not nearly long enough. You need to go for at least a couple months to truely relax. And like Sienna, a few years is even better.

Don't wanna make promises, but the report finale might be tonight...

[evildiva]

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

You mentioned Firefly, outside Port Maria. Your right the view is incredible. If you want to stay in that area look up "On Top of the World Villa" on Google. This villa was extremely affordable, the owners and staff were great and best of all it is a 10 minute walk from Firefly. The house is on beaten by the wonderful views!!! [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[Magician]

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

I must check it out next time I head in that direction. One of the members has a villa there. I wonder if thats the same one.