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Westmoreland, Jamaica

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by

Kristi
in , ,

I will start my new parish project with the parish of Westmoreland since it’s the first place in Jamaica that I experienced, and ultimately is the place where I fell in love with the island.

My very first time in Jamaica – the trip I won – was to Negril.  That was in 2003 and let me tell you….what I THOUGHT I knew back then and what I know now are worlds apart.  Bear with me because the summary of what I’ve learned in each parish includes a 10-year learning curve so if you’re a pro you’ll already know some of this.

Things I’ve Learned In Westmoreland

 

– The parish is bordered by Hanover and St Elizabeth.

– I learned that Negril is in Westmoreland.  I traveled to Negril my first three trips and soon learned that Negril is not a good cross-section of “real” Jamaica.  I find it extremely touristy, overpriced, and overrun with hustlers.  Not my idea of what I like in a vacation.

– I learned that Savanna-La-Mar is in Westmoreland and I was fortunate to stay in a community called Llandillo just outside of Sav on my second trip.  Back then I thought Sav was a small town in Jamaica, but lately (2013) I learned that it’s really a BIG town with a ton of traffic and action, and it’s really easy to get turned around and get lost in the bustle.

– In 2008 I learned that there are real, live medicine men in Jamaica, by discovering one in the country near Darliston, Westmoreland.  I wasn’t blogging yet in 2008 so I didn’t pay as close attention to the details of where I was or what was going on but it was a really neat experience.

– There is a place called Rat Trap in Westmoreland.

– Driving through the parish is gorgeous!  But I guess that’s no different than driving through every other parish in Jamaica – they all have their spectacular parts.  Going through Bluefields is one of the prettiest parts of Westmoreland for me.  I’ve done it a few times now and could easily stop and enjoy each time.

bluefields jamaica

 

UPDATES SINCE THE ORIGINAL POST

Red-Arrow-Small After this blog post went live I got a tweet from @JamaicaNational  informing me that Jamaica National (the bank) was established in Westmoreland as well.  I did not know that!

Red-Arrow-Small One of my readers, Richard made a comment below about his grandmother who was a descendent of Seaford Town in Westmoreland, also known as “German Town“.  It reminded me of a documentary that I was made aware of some months ago which explores the history of German heritage and history within Westmoreland Jamaica.   I have corresponded a little bit with the producer of the film, David Ritter who is now trying to get distribution for the project.  CLICK HERE to check out the website and film trailer.

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I think that concludes what I have personally learned about Westmoreland.  I haven’t explored it as extensively as I’ve explored other parts of the island and I probably forgot some things because ten years is a lot to remember.  If I think of anything else along the way I will update this post.  PLEASE feel free to add what YOU know about Westmoreland below in the comments section!

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Comments

17 responses to “Westmoreland, Jamaica”

  1. Shari Avatar
    Shari

    I think the Appleton Estate is St Elizabeth. I remember passing it on my way to Treasure Beach and we were using the signs to it on our way to YS Falls and thats in St Elizabeth. It even says it is based in St Elizabeth on their website.

    Reply
    1. Kristi Avatar
      Kristi

      Yes you are right. I actually thought the same so I googled it and the first result that came up said it was in Westmoreland. Google just made me look like a fool lol. Let me just delete that part!

      Reply
  2. Stewpeas Avatar
    Stewpeas

    I’ve only been to Westmoreland twice, so I don’t have much to add. The first time was when I went to <a href="http://www.manningsschool.com/history.htm"Mannings High School to play a chess match. I was very impressed, the school was cleaner and better maintained than my school, and it was a coeducation school, so there were girls everywhere!

    The second time was when I went to <a href="http://www.hedonism.com/"Hedonism II. It wasn’t as wild as I expected.

    Reply
    1. Kristi Avatar
      Kristi

      Hedo wasn’t as wild as you expected?? I’ve never been to it. I stayed right beside it in Pointe Village on my very first trip and peeked across the fence. Just saw a bunch of naked people LOL!

      Were co-ed schools not the norm when you went there?

      Reply
  3. Stewpeas Avatar
    Stewpeas

    Kristi, when I was at Hedo most of the daytime nudity was on the nude beach, but I didn’t go there because I didn’t want to walk around with everything dangling out in the open (sorry for that mental image). So maybe I’m being unfair to Hedo, maybe it was me who wasn’t wild.

    “Were co-ed schools not the norm when you went there?”. Wait a second, you mean way way way back when I was in high school? How old do you think I am? Just kidding Krist, anyway to answer your question. Many of the long-time or “traditional” high schools were and still are single sex. The newer schools are all (or almost all) co-ed.

    What about high schools in Canada? Any of them co-ed?

    Reply
    1. Kristi Avatar
      Kristi

      That’s interesting. And yes, pretty much ALL schools here are co-ed unless your parents pay big money to send you to a private all-girls or all-boys school.

      Reply
  4. Shari Avatar
    Shari

    At least you have a start on your St. Elizabeth post 😉

    Reply
  5. Richard Avatar
    Richard

    Kristi, I love your blog. I am a Jamaican who emigrated to Canada in my twenties and then to the US (aka Babylon) a bit later (for work). I still miss both countries. My grandmother (on my father’s side) was from Westmoreland; she was descended from the Germans that settled in Seaford Town (which she just called German Town). My dad (who became a police officer; he ended up being the first non-expatriate police commissioner) was first stationed in Sav-la-Mar, though that was before I was born. He moved to Kingston when he was asked by the prime minister to take over Special Branch. I was born in Kingston and have only been to Westmoreland a couple of times, once to Bluefields (where I almost drowned; yet I still have good memories of the beach). When I go back to the rock it is usually to Kingston, to visit relatives, with a trip or two to Hellshire Beach or to Falmouth (where my wife’s father used to live–before he too immigrated to Canada!). By the way, I was in Falmouth just as when they were taking down the sets for the filming of Papillion; but I did meet the man who ran the crocodile farm there, who was Steve McQueen’s double who ran over the back of the crocodile in the movie.

    Reply
    1. Kristi Avatar
      Kristi

      Richard thank you SO MUCH for your comments! Very interesting and thanks for reminding me of Seaford Town. There is a man named David Ritter who did a documentary on the “Forgotten Faces” of Jamaica in Seaford Town (German town). He’s trying to get it distributed now and I’ve corresponded with him a little bit. Very interesting project and I would love to go visit the little place. Since you reminded me, I’m going to update this blog post right now with a link to the trailer video and website for the project.

      Reply
  6. Richard Avatar
    Richard

    Yes, I’ve seen the trailer for the proposed movie about Seaford Town, and various other clips on You Tube as well. What’s interesting is that my grandmother (who was born at the end of the nineteenth century) couldn’t even speak the Queen’s English as well as the people in those video clips; to the end of her life she only spoke a very pronounced Patois.

    Reply
    1. Kristi Avatar
      Kristi

      I was very intrigued by the movie trailer and I really hope he gets it off the ground. It’s just another VERY unique part of Jamaica’s history and culture that most people aren’t aware of. That island is SOOOO much more than a vacation destination and I love when I’m able to make connections with people like you through my blog. The world is such an interesting place. 🙂

      Reply
  7. Farrah G Avatar
    Farrah G

    Where are some good places to stay in Jamaica? I am planning a trip for January 2014. I want to learn all I can about the island before I go. Where are the safest areas to go? Thanks!

    Reply
    1. Kristi Avatar
      Kristi

      Farrah, I am a travel agent (as well as a blogger) and would be happy to assist you with your trip in January. I have no contact information for you so send me an email at jamaicamyway@gmail.com.

      Reply
  8. Betsy Avatar
    Betsy

    Westmoreland is also home to Little Bay, a tiny fishing village in Jamaica where all my friends live on the cliffs. I long for the pace and love of the days I visit there but cannot for the life of me figure out how to make it work there permanently. So, I look for property or small homes in my free time and dream of the day I will wake up to the rooster and ocean rather than the alarm and ambulances.

    Reply
    1. Kristi Avatar
      Kristi

      I totally understand what you mean Betsy. I’d much rather hear roosters and motorbikes than what I hear back home.

      Reply
  9. Carla Simms Avatar
    Carla Simms

    Hi Kristi,
    I have just discovered your blog and find it quite interesting, although, for me, inaccurate when it comes to your description of Negril at the top. I believe that comments like:
    “soon learned that Negril is not a good cross-section of “real” Jamaica. I find it extremely touristy, overpriced, and overrun with hustlers. Not my idea of what I like in a vacation.”, could and would really dissuade people from exploring Negril.
    When I first starting going to Jamaica from Canada in 2001, I would stay in Montego Bay because that is where my mother was. In Jamaica I have only stayed at AI’s 3 times. I have always stayed at guest houses, villas, etc. A couple of years ago my husband and I were looking to purchase a small apartment/condo as our retirement haven and we were introduced to Negril. We fell in love with the laid back style of the town. Having the 7 mile beach and the West End cliffs both in one location, offers the most variety one can ask for. It is not touristy or overrun with hustlers. You will find hustling anywhere on the island as it usually is their only means of income. I have been hustled in many other travel destinations such as Rome, Venice, Mexico, Bahamas, etc… It is definitely not overpriced as you can find a full meal with a drink for approximately $5 CDN. There are so many local establishments that offer live entertainment or DJ and do not ask for a cover charge or even that you purchase something. I think is is a wonderful cross-section of Jamaica as you can access a variety of events, big or small. You can eat an expensive meal or eat cheaply. You can enjoy the beautiful 7 mile beach or go snorkelling on the cliffs. On any given night you can find a spot with music playing and sit enjoy it without any obligation.
    As you can see, we have fallen in love with the laid back vibes of Negril and as such purchased an apartment for our retirement years. We do rent it out on airbnb and have had many positive reviews about it and especially Negril.
    I sure hope you get the opportunity to return to Negril and see what I and many Expat’s see.

    Reply
    1. Kristi Avatar
      Kristi

      Hi Carla, thanks for your comments and for reading my blog. I have visited Negril several times over the last 15 years and since falling in love with the south coast….Black River area to be exact, I have to disagree with the “you’ll find hustlers everywhere on the island”. I have never found it in the south and actually, have never been hassled in Kingston area either. It all boils down to personal preference as well. I don’t prefer Negril because it’s not peaceful for me. I can’t walk five steps along 7 Mile beach without being asked many, many times if I want to buy something, be someone’s wife, or things along those lines. Maybe it’s different for you as a person with a spouse but for me, as a single person I prefer to be able to enjoy my quiet space.

      I’m happy for you that you’ve found the spot you truly love enough to retire there!

      Reply

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