Kingston, Jamaica: Culture via Airbnb Experiences

Experiences of Local Culture

What is the best way to get to know a new city? Have an outgoing local show you around.

The problem with that answer is often times you don’t know anyone.

Guides-for-hire are readily available but you may not be sure of their qualifications/expertise.

This is where Airbnb Experiences come in.

Airbnb Experiences is an extension of the popular lodging bookings.

The searching features are the same: location, dates, pricing, etc.

Web Guides

Local guides (sometimes hosts) create unique and attractive experiences at a low cost.

This is a great way to get an up-close and personal view of the area’s culture.

As with the homes, there is a review section.

I’ve used experiences in the past and I wanted to see what Kingston, Jamaica had to offer. There were many to choose from.

Hitting the Jackpot!

I saw cooking classes, walking tours, beach trips, dance hall events, and photo-shoots.

“Naomi’s Kingston &Port Royal Wow Tour” stood out to me! It encompassed much of what I wanted to see in Kingston.

Unfortunately, as of publication, it’s no longer being offered.

The one excursion included photos, the beach, botanical gardens, Mona Reservoir, Devon House, small produce market stop, Emancipation Park, a mountain overlook, scenic drive through Beverly Hills, Port Royal, and two restaurants.

Beyond my Wildest Dreams

I extended my short trip just to be able to add this experience.

I’m glad I did! My expectations were exceeded!

The tour began at Mona Reservoir which is the main water supply for Kingston. This was my first visit to a dam and I didn’t know what to expect.

My only frame of reference was the Hoover Dam which I had only seen in pictures.

My mind’s eye anticipated a natural wonder.

The reality blew me away!

Dam!

I don’t think the pictures quite do it justice. Naomi said the dam is more alluring full.

Cooler temperatures make the vegetation lush.

I would love to see it in that state since I visited in the summer!

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Jamaica is one of those rare gems where you get scenic beaches, mountain views, a lush countryside, and a bustling city.

My Airbnb’s views included heavy traffic, hills close enough to touch and the familiar sound of car engines!

Naomi gave me a complete breakdown of how the dam worked, and of the pipes responsible for its flow.

Here, we could escape all of the noise just a few streets away. There was serenity all around.

I did not want to leave the peaceful sanctuary of the reservoir.

We had to move on to Hope Botanical Gardens.

Hope Botanical Gardens

The botanical park is in the heart of Kingston. I felt like a guest my tour guide was trying to impress.

It sure was working.

If the Mona Dam had been the only excursion, its impact alone was enough to keep me awestruck!

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The gardens were lovely and we walked slow enough to take in all the different tree types and flowers.

If Naomi was unsure of a name, she would yell out to one of the groundskeepers for back-up.

There were mango trees present and she found a stick to pick some for me!

I was ‘all mangoed out’ by the Jamaican people and their welcoming hospitality.

Naomi’s tour included Emancipation Park but I skipped it.

I had taken it with my prior culture tour and also describes my Devon House visit.

Emancipation Park

My main attraction to Emancipation Park was its greater than life edifice and namesake.

A voluptuous Black woman and her virile Black man looked up to the heavens as they stood proud in a flowing fountain.

One couldn’t help to observe and reflect.

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As I watched the nude couple, a scripture came to mind: “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills from which cometh my help”.

They were freed of oppressive chains and stood unashamed before their creator. Their gaze was fixed to the heavens as a praise memorial to their Liberator!

Proclaim Liberty

I first saw the statue in an online travel group. It went straight to my bucket-list!

Due to the lack of clothing, ‘Emancipation’ was a controversial piece at installation!

Society, unfortunately, can have a thwarted view of the unclothed human body.

I only saw triumph and intimacy. Their nudity put them in an optimal state to reproduce liberation!

Large facial structures of Jamaica’s leaders and influencers lined up to the main display.

There was a trail for exercising and large expanses of grass were just right for picnics.

Across the street, we caught a quick bite of jerk chicken and pork at a stand called Sweetwood Jerk Joint.

The Overlook

Naomi’s tour continued with a panoramic view of Kingston from the winding mountain roads. She even showed me where the Marley family estate is located.   

I continued to be amazed as she pointed to every spot in the distance below where we had stopped. I could see the dam and the market we visited to sample unique fruits.

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It was epic island vibes when she pulled out her water jug. Mangoes picked from her yard were rinsed clean.

We sat at a bench and ate while Kingston in all her glory looked on.

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We drove through the aptly named Beverly Hills to see the sprawling mansions pictured here.

Dr. Spice

The tour broke for lunch at a vegetarian food stand called Dr. Spice. The food was appetizing and filling (had to take half to go).

Dr. Spice was a sweetheart who stepped away from cooking for hand-holding pictures and to gift us with more mangoes.

I was stuffed from lunch. Naomi promised our walk on the beach and through Port Royal would do me some good.

Port Royal

Port Royal was a ghost town compared to its former glory.

It was the capital city of Jamaica in its heyday and was known for all types of debauchery (shamelessness).

The island’s coast made it convenient for piracy and all types of ships to dock on its shores.

Money, power, and lust flowed freely as the Caribbean sea.

One earthquake and it all came to a devastating end!

Now, goats and stray dogs wander through the blocks.

Naomi and I practically had the beach to ourselves.

We walked barefoot on the black rocky sand for natural pedicures as the violent waves caressed our ankles.

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History Lesson

Before we left someone came kite in hand to take advantage of the windy day. By this time, the tour was winding down.

We paid the small entrance fee into Port Royal and was led by the fort’s guide. Our group had about ten people.

I enjoyed another trip down the memory lane of Jamaican history.

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Gloria’s at Port Royal

Despite my bulging paunch, Noami would not take no for an answer concerning Gloria’s Seafood. They were famous for fresh and delectable seafood across Jamaica.

I also found them highly recommended on Trip Advisor.

Naomi had superb taste! Hands down, Gloria’s was the best fried fish I had in Jamaica!

I hope that Naomi offers the Airbnb experience again in the near future. Don’t let that discourage you from looking at other experiences in Kingston.

I’m grateful to her for making me feel like a royal guest of her country.

She even went out of her way for me to try their KFC, see Usain Bolt’s statue at the national stadium and purchase goodies from a local coconut shop. I can never thank her enough!

See for Yourself

In this blog, I write about the fears that can be associated with visiting Kingston. If I had listened, I would’ve have missed out on one of the best immersions in culture.

“Out of many, one people” and I always felt like I belonged. I’m thankful Jamaica welcomed this fellow islander with open arms.

Stay tuned for my third blog summing up this journey! Have you visited Kingston? Tell me about it below.

~Poof…Bee Gone

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