GETTING CHASED IN JAMAICA12 min read

THE CENTRAL AMERICAN SERIES PT4

JAMAICA

After my time in Cuba and The Caymans I arrived into Jamaica. Everyone had told me to be cautious which obviously made me very wary.

THE ROADS IN JAMAICA ARE ALREADY DANGEROUS ENOUGH WITHOUT GETTING INVOLVED IN A MOTORBIKE CHASE.

I arrived into Kingston and immediately jumped onto the bus for Negril.

WHERE IS JAMAICA?

Getting chased in Jamaica

NEGRIL

If anyone knows Jamaica then you will be aware of the crime here. The murder rate is 3 times the average of the rest of Latin America and for a small island that leads to some crazy figures. Anyway, I got off the bus and the first thing I saw were a fella offering weed and a lady offering her services. I had expect Negril to be a quaint little tourist town, it appears not.

I jumped in a taxi and after almost running one of them over I made it to Judy’s House. A nice hostel just 5 minutes up in the hills. Not ideal for the beaches but certainly a fraction of the cost of any hotels there.

Getting chased in Jamaica

SCOOTER

The first thing I need to do is short myself out with a scooter as the hostel isn’t within working distance to anything. I took a trip down to a fella called Gas who was probably the most laid back person I’ve met, or maybe more to do with him only having 1 arm. Anyway he sorted me out with a scooter and after a quick trip to the petrol station I then made my way to the beach.

Getting chased in Jamaica

THE CHASE

Well it didn’t take long to get the attention of someone looking to scam some money out of me. It was probably all of 100 years until a local started to drive along side me,

“Gas told me to come and get the rest of the money from you,” he said

It was obvious he read the name on my bike and thought he would try his luck. I might have believed him if it was in a few days time but little did he know I was only talking to Gas 10 seconds before that

“No, I’ve just met him.” I responded, while trying to keep my eyes on the road.

He wasn’t for budging though and as I was heading away from the hostel I decided to turn back in case it led to something worse.

THE CHASE

I straight away noticed a few police on the side of the road but I wasn’t for putting all my eggs in that basket and kept going. He caught up with me again and tried to continue to talk but I drove like a madman, weaving through the traffic to reach the hostel. On a quiet strip of road he caught up again (he was on a bike, mine was only a scooter) and asked me to slow down but there was nothing going to stop me here!

Pedal to the metal I continued on and my turn off for the mountain road was fast approaching. This was my chance to lose him as he was on my right and the road was to the left. So on the last opportunity I swung a left and took up the hill, lost him!

Getting chased in Jamaica

THE CHASE

I straight away noticed a few police on the side of the road but I wasn’t for putting all my eggs in that basket and kept going. He caught up with me again and tried to continue to talk but I drove like a madman, weaving through the traffic to reach the hostel. On a quiet strip of road he caught up again (he was on a bike, mine was only a scooter) and asked me to slow down but there was nothing going to stop me here!

Pedal to the metal I continued on and my turn off for the mountain road was fast approaching. This was my chance to lose him as he was on my right and the road was to the left. So on the last opportunity I swung a left and took up the hill, lost him!

HOSTEL

Then as I climbed the hill and let out a sigh of relief, I noticed something in my wing mirrors, he’s still chasing me. I knew I would have to reach the hostel before he reached me as we were now well away from civilisation! As soon as I reached the hostel I scaled the fence and he was only a few seconds behind.

“So is that how you do it [get in]?”

“One second you,” I said

Getting chased in Jamaica

BIG MOMMA

I needed to get some sense out of this fella and knew the person for the job. The girl who runs this place is a proper Jamaican big momma and I knew she would take care of the situation. I explained what had happened and she came out to chat with the local.

“What are you doing running about chasing this fella” She said.

“I just wanted to make sure he put the bike on its stand, that was all.” He nervously replied.

“You’re a liar you were asking me for some money and chased me from the town.”

After a few words things were left and she said he won’t be bothering anyone again. It’s times like this that put people off travelling solo and I really dislike the people who cause it! This times are few and far between, rarely happen but I just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time which could even happen in my home town.

Getting chased in Jamaica

NOW WHAT

So I was in two minds now, do I head out and check what there is to see and risk getting caught up in another chase or do I sit here and waste my time in Jamaica? I thought of a compromise and decided to go to the famous Rick’s Café which is the opposite direction of the town.

Again I had another experience that didn’t fill me with joy. During my short drive I had locals jump out onto the street to get me to stop. No idea whether this was to get me to buy something or rob me…. I’m such a cynic!!

BOB MARLEY’S HOUSE

FINAL THOUGHTS

Jamaica was an interesting one for sure and I do enjoy telling the story however, bad experience aside I don’t have much of a reason to return.

NEXT UP

Off to Turks & Caicos where I experience the worst fight of my life! Click to read.

SAFE TRAVELS, DS x
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This post is part of The Central American Series, click to explore or for episode 1 click here.