![Emancipation
via Airbnb Experiences](https://poofbeegone.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/20190904_225824.jpg)
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 donโt 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 areaโs culture.
As with the homes, there is a review section.
Iโve 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.
โNaomiโs Kingston &Port Royal Wow Tourโ stood out to me! It encompassed much of what I wanted to see in Kingston.
Unfortunately, as of publication, itโs 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.
Iโm 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 didnโt know what to expect.
My only frame of reference was the Hoover Dam which I had only seen in pictures.
My mindโs eye anticipated a natural wonder.
The reality blew me away!
Dam!
I donโt 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!
Mona Reservoir
Jamaica is one of those rare gems where you get scenic beaches, mountain views, a lush countryside, and a bustling city.
My Airbnbโs 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!
Hope Botanical Gardens
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 โall mangoed outโ by the Jamaican people and their welcoming hospitality.
Naomiโs 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 couldnโt help to observe and reflect.
Emancipation Park
![Mesmerized by Emancipation statue](https://poofbeegone.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/20190912_143420-1.jpg)
As I watched the nude couple, a scripture came to mind: โI will lift up mine eyes unto the hills from which cometh my helpโ.
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, โEmancipationโ 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 Jamaicaโs 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
Naomiโs 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.
Small market
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.
Poof Bee Gone
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.
![Picture with Dr. Spice](https://poofbeegone.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/20190910_210450.jpg)
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 islandโs 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.
Port Royal Beach
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 fortโs guide. Our group had about ten people.
I enjoyed another trip down the memory lane of Jamaican history.
![Port Royal's Remembrance Plaque](https://poofbeegone.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/20190912_000151-1.jpg)
Gloriaโs @Port Royal
Gloriaโs at Port Royal
Despite my bulging paunch, Noami would not take no for an answer concerning Gloriaโs 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, Gloriaโs was the best fried fish I had in Jamaica!
I hope that Naomi offers the Airbnb experience again in the near future. Donโt let that discourage you from looking at other experiences in Kingston.
Iโm 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 Boltโs statue at the national stadium and purchase goodies from a local coconut shop. I can never thank her enough!
![Usain Bolt @ National Satdium](https://i0.wp.com/poofbeegone.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/20190910_200659.jpg?fit=768%2C1024&ssl=1)
See for Yourself
In this blog, I write about the fears that can be associated with visiting Kingston. If I had listened, I wouldโve have missed out on one of the best immersions in culture.
โOut of many, one peopleโ and I always felt like I belonged. Iโm 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.
~PoofโฆBee Gone
ยฉ 2019, Poof Bee Gone, All Rights Reserved
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![KINGSTON, JAMAICA: CULTURE VIA AIRBNB EXPERIENCES](https://i0.wp.com/poofbeegone.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Kingston-jamaicat-1-1.png?fit=683%2C1024&ssl=1)
12 Comments
Blake
September 13, 2019 at 4:53 amWhat a trip! Looks like such an adventure, youโre motivating me to want to get to Jamaica now. Keep up the great work.
poofbeegone
September 13, 2019 at 9:31 amHi Blake, thank you for your kind words!![๐](https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/15.0.3/svg/1f642.svg)
Chris Kosto | GoldenBloggerz.com
September 13, 2019 at 7:00 amI was always fascinated byt the Jamaican & Caribbean culture, however I often hear about the high criminality rates so I have seconds thoughts to visit the country
poofbeegone
September 13, 2019 at 9:32 amHi Chris, Iโm hoping the seeds have been planted to eventually change your mind!![๐](https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/15.0.3/svg/1f609.svg)
Lastar
September 13, 2019 at 1:42 pmI love your page. I love love love island food. Looking at your page makes me want some authentic oxtails beans and rice. Lol. Iโm from New York. I will be back to read more when I have some down time. Have a great day.![โบ](https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/15.0.3/svg/263a.svg)
poofbeegone
September 13, 2019 at 2:34 pmHi Lastar, thank you so much for the love!
My next blog talks about the delicious oxtails I had in Jamaica!
I really do appreciate your support!:)
Britt
September 13, 2019 at 3:36 pmYour pictures are great โ it both makes me feel like Iโve been there and inspires me to plan a trip all at the same time lol! I need to see that view from the overlook firsthand!
poofbeegone
September 13, 2019 at 6:33 pmThanks again!U must go and tell me all about itโฆLOL!
![๐](https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/15.0.3/svg/1f642.svg)
kat
September 13, 2019 at 6:23 pmItโs insane how beautiful Kingston is! I just came back from my vacation in the Bahamas and I am feeling adventurous! Wanna explore more! Jamaica is definitely on my list now! Thanks!
poofbeegone
September 13, 2019 at 6:35 pmHi Kat. I had always seen the beautiful beaches but didnโt know there was much more beauty to discover. Glad I inspired you to #GO!
Nancy
September 15, 2019 at 12:06 amOooh! Kingston looks like a pretty cool place. The good thing about the internet is that you can do a lot of research beforehand. I love the botanical gardens! Glad you had a ton of fun out there :)!
Nancy โฅ exquisitely.me
poofbeegone
September 15, 2019 at 3:44 pmHi Nancy, I love to research beforehand!!! Thank you!![๐](https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/15.0.3/svg/1f642.svg)