Hi Ionejezler,

One option you have is to contact "Kingstoncat" a forum member by PM or here is his contact details:

Oldejamaica@yahoo.com

website:www.oldejamaicatours.com

Tel. (876)362-9319

Bob Marley Museum on Hope Road

Hellshire Beach

Port Royal

i hear the nightclubs/music is great in Kingston

Raetown on sunday night

A drive into the Blue Mountains

i've not done all these things...but they're on my list. What you WILL need is a driver you can trust.

If you are at all interested in the history of Jamaica...consider a trip to Port Royal for the day. Stop at Morgan's Harbour for lunch and take the boat shuttle to Lime Key island for fun and sun. It's very safe. No worries.

Lunch at Strawberry Hill

Bob Marley Museum

Devon House and Craft Cottage (for shopping)

Guilt Trip (dessert and coffee)

You won't be able to catch Raetown because it is held on Sunday night.

Hi Ione,

I've been working in Kingston since January so can understand your concerns and hopefully help.

Security first - there are a few things you need to be careful about. I wouldn't feel comfortable (even as a guy) going out to clubs etc alone. If you are with someone who can show you the ropes, then fine. I'm told there are bars and clubs you can go to if that's your thing. In general terms, Kingston isn't the place to go for a wander on your own, especially at night.

I would not recommend using the general shared taxis (red number plates). There are lots of these about but they pick up numerous people on each trip and you never know who might get in with you. There are regular incidents of robberies during such taxi rides. If you're based in a hotel, get them to book a taxi hire company for you to get around and arrange a return pick up.

That said, there are a number of options to enjoy during a weekend stay. I would recommend the following:

1. A trip to Lime Cay if the weather is good - you can leave from the Y Knot Bar next to Morgans Harbour Hotel out at Port Royal (a taxi ride from central Kingston, out past the airport). It's a 20min boat trip (about 700Jam Dollars) to a small island with lovely beach - the best you will find around Kingston.

2. Jamaican patties and I Scream ice cream at Devon House (nice old colonial building)

3. I've not tried the Bob Marley museum yet but its supposed to be interesting if you're a reggae fan.

4. Strawberry Hill - stayed there with girlfriend for a night last week - beautiful tranquil hotel 50mins drive into the Blue Mountains. Amazing views back down over Kingston. Sunday Brunch here is popular (may need to book). Has a lovely infinity pool and you spa facilities.

6. If you want to eat away from your hotel, Market Place has a range of nice restaurants including french/italian, mediterranean, chinese, indian and japanese. Or there is a modern Jamaican restaurant at Devon House - Norma's on the Terrace (expensive)

7. Another beach you could drive to is Fort Clarence - about 45mins by taxi (by the way, taxis are quite cheap!). You can eat fish and lobster from a beach shack.

I guess a lot of this will depend on your budget and interests.

We were in Kingston in December for Sting. I think my favorite thing was eating at Redbones Blues Cafe - what a great place! The calalloo strudel was amazing, and their drinks were great too (I had a pina colada and then a mojito, with mint picked fresh from their garden). Both their indoor and outdoor areas are beautiful, and the service was excellent.

We also went to the Bob Marley museum and it was very interesting - I'm glad we went. Stephen and Damian Marley were there - someone was interviewing Damian on the front steps to the house, and later they were playing soccer in the parking lot (one of the people on the tour had to go out and move her car!)