Negril – Day Four (1.25.10)

Today, we had a tour with a company called Chukka Caribbean. From all the activities they offer, we chose a 7-hour tour that took us through Jamaica’s rugged interior via a 4X4 and allowed us a glimpse into the real Jamaica. The highlight was a stop at a former slave hospital converted into a church in 1846 (St. Mary’s Anglican Church).

The most amusing event of the day: on our way back to our hotels, we had a tire blow-out! Fortunately, our driver safely maneuvered the vehicle to the side of the highway and we were picked up within 10 minutes by another Chukka vehicle/employee. During this minor incident, I saw how kind Jamaicans can be. A few drivers slowed down and asked if we needed help. We didn't because our driver had already called for assistance. We agreed with a Canadian couple on the tour with us that if this situation were to happen at home, it was highly unlikely that there would be anyone offering their help. Sad but true.

And oh, for lunch, they took us to a restaurant that I think the tour company owns, where I had a delicious chicken patty, a pastry that contains various fillings and spices baked inside a flaky shell (like an empanada) and Ting, a Jamaican soft drink which is a more sugary version of Squirt.

We got back in time to Tensing Pen to watch another magnificent sunset (while drinking some cocktails).

Dinner was at Pushcart, a nearby restaurant. It was the perfect dining experience—fantastic live reggae music from a local band, friendly and effective service, and delectable food and drink: Red Stripes for husband, pina coladas for me, jerk chicken skewers as a starter, curried conch (Husband’s entrée) and shrimp with Scotch bonnet pepper (very spicy!) with yummy johnny cakes (fried dumplings) as mine.