Our Jamaican bus ride has got a lot of inquiries from friends and family so, here goes ...
Why did you book a plane trip to Kingston instead of Montego Bay? Our flight to Mexico was booked on Delta for Kelly & Joe's wedding. Swine flu hit and the wedding plans changed to Jamaica. Delta flights to Montego Bay from Phoenix where sold out except for first class making the flight double our original investment. Not something we could afford. Kingston however was the same price as Mexico. So, Kingston it was.
How wasthe Kingston airport? It was ok, not as tourist orientated as Montego Bay. It was our first point of entry into the country so we had to go through immigration and customs there. No AC and took about 2 hours.
Why a bus? Traveling from Kingston to Montego Bay we had a choice of flying Air Jamaica for $350 each way or taking the
Knutsford Express bus for $35 each way. You do the math ;)
Was it safe? The Knutsford Express is a commuter bus that runs 2-3 times a day to and from Kingston and Montego Bay. We learned about it on
TripAdvisor, checked out the company website as well as read many positive reviews online. There was a security guard at the bus stop. When we arrived at the Kingston there were cabs waiting there to pick you up and bring you to your next destination. We traveled safely and would recommend it.
Okay, so how was the bus ride? It was great! I mean it was still a bus after all but, that aside the seats were comfortable and we felt safe during the ride. We were on the bus for about 3.5 hours with one rest stop at Ochos Rios. I enjoyed seeing so much of Jamaica. We rode along the coast from Montego Bay to Ochos Rios and then headed south through the mountainous island down to Kingston.
Here are some highlights ...
When passing through Ochos Rios, we saw all the school children in their uniforms walking to school. It was a rare glimpse into everyday life. 
10 minute Rest Stop at Ochos Rios Jerk Center. 
Driving through the rolling hills of St. Ann Jamaica, you will come up on this lush green paradise of fern, known as Fern Gully. As its name suggests it meanders down (or up) a hill side covered in fern. It is a beautiful oasis. 
We drove through gorgeous mountain villages. This picture is of Walkerswood, Jamaica. 
We saw a bustling Kingston during morning rush hour. 
Signs from Jamaica's safe driving campaign ... aren't they funny?!
Rosemarie Fiore is amazing, insane, brilliant and definitely wild! She is a fellow new yorker with a passion for working with nontraditional mediums to create art. Above she is wearing a gas mask and painting with fireworks! She uses color smoke bombs, jumping jacks, monster balls, fountains, magic whips, spinning carnations, ground blooms, rings of fire, and lasers on paper to create bursts of color. Her recent work is entitled Pyrotechnics Firework Drawings 2009. I read about her today on CRAFT magazine's blog.
What a delightful way to spend our time - watching feathered creatures flit about in our front yard. I received a bird feeder for Mother's Day and it has proved to be a nice addition to our home. We have a flock of birds visiting daily along with some bunnies and a large lizard. We see finches mostly but, we have had a few colorful sightings like this beautiful red Cardinal. Bert is enjoying the company as the birds have taken to him since he has been replenishing the feeder (pretty regularly). The birds have even come to the front door and peeked in the windows when the feeder is empty! Too cute.
Ethan and Hudson made this sea worthy card for Bert for father's day. I stumbled onto the ships ahoy! father's day tutorial over at Nini Makes blog and thought it was a perfect card to make with the boys. Hudson painted the ship and flag while Ethan painted the 2 sails and helped glue it all together. I used a scrap piece of cardboard as the card and heavy paper for the ship parts. I'm trying to think up a clever note for the inside in pirate talk ... how's this? Shiver me timbers! We mateys think you be the best captain there ever be!
Ethan enjoying the ride on a roller coaster dragon last year
Here is a sun graphic I drew today for an upcoming promotion at work. I'll post some free beading inspired wallpaper with this artwork once it's ready for your downloading pleasure.
When passing through Ochos Rios, we saw all the school children in their uniforms walking to school. It was a rare glimpse into everyday life. 
10 minute Rest Stop at Ochos Rios Jerk Center. 
Driving through the rolling hills of St. Ann Jamaica, you will come up on this lush green paradise of fern, known as Fern Gully. As its name suggests it meanders down (or up) a hill side covered in fern. It is a beautiful oasis. 
We drove through gorgeous mountain villages. This picture is of Walkerswood, Jamaica. 
We saw a bustling Kingston during morning rush hour. 
Signs from Jamaica's safe driving campaign ... aren't they funny?! 
An Open Heart: Practicing Compassion in Everyday Life by Dalai Lama XIV
