re: Tell me about Ocho Rios, Jamaica

I find it to be the opposite. The people of Jamaica are oppressed.

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I find it to be the opposite. The people of Jamaica are oppressed.

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The story of Jamaica is pretty sad.

I remember reading some story a few years ago about a poll that said a majority of Jamaicans feel they would be better off if they were still under direct British rule.

Oh yeah we climbed Dunn River Falls too. That was awesome.

We did a Mountain Bike Ride that ended at Dunn River Falls. They took us to the highest point so it was basically a downhill ride the whole way down. Finsihed at Dunn River. That was awesome.

I understand. I had a long conversation with a young Jamaican a few months ago. He made a good point.

Basically, the Jamaican people don't own much land. What they do own isn't very valuable.

The Chinese have undercut everything they used to make locally. Arts, crafts, all the tourist stuff that sells has a made in China tag now.

Chinese have taken over their local stores.

Indians have taken over the tourist gas stations

Spanish own many of the beach front properties and resorts

Chinese (I think) own their mines.

The only jobs left on the island are in tourism, and they won't let them be themselves. No dreds, you basically have to live a false life to get a job.

It's pretty sad when you visit the slums.

If I ever get a lot of money in going to set up a permanant mission to Jamaica.

We took an unintentional cab tour of the island. It was eye opening. Jamaica is a total shithole.

If you are into drugs or getting your hair braided you can have a fantastic time.

I went to Negril and got hit up to buy "smoke, hashi, blow?" the entire fricking time.

Been 15 years ago but had a blast there.

Guy I know hooked me up with a local cab driver who was great and took good care of use.

Dunn river falls was cool. Killer Budd story for another day. But even better was the Jerk Shack

Find a jerk shack.. Told my cab driver that and he took us off the beaten path to some joint with a grass hut and bar blasting reggae music and great Jerk BBQ and Red Strips with Aunt Jemima doing the cooking. We are sitting there eating when this guy comes walking down a path with little bags hanging off a stick. He ask me " You buy mon". I check out a bag and realize it's BOILED CRAWFISH. $50 Jamiacan he says. ( about 35 cent US) I buy two bags and we break um out on the picnic table. They tasted pretty damn good, and good size too. Well next thing you know, Here comes Aunt Jemima and she is pissed, cussing the crawfish guy in some language I cant understand. Not sure but I think she was bitching about him sell his Crayfish at His Jerk Shack, and people leaving the heads behind. Needless to say we ate and got out of there.
But had a blast

Stayed at Couples Resort in Ocho Rios for our honeymoon in 05. The shuttle from the airport to the resort was quite the adventure and eye opener. Didn't really want to venture out off the resort after driving through the areas we went through. The shuttle driver stopped at a shack around the halfway point of the ride for "restroom break and a snack." It was really just a place to buy your stash for the week as that's what was immediately offered when we went inside.

The resort was nice but a little outdated. It's since been renovated and looks really nice online. The food wasn't bad, wasn't great either. I'd say the entire stay was price appropriate.

We did Dunn's River Falls which was fun. The water was pretty cold when you first get in. Was asked again if we needed any weed at the market area of the falls.

We haven't been back but I wouldn't be opposed to it. If we went back, I'd probably stay somewhere a little closer to the airport, not the two hr shuttle ride that Ocho Rios is.

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Jerk BBQ

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The Jerk chicken there is fantastic.

I ate the shite out of it while there.

We did Sandals Ocho Rios and overall loved it.