A Montegonian’s Sweet Ride Home

WESTERN BUREAU:

Every road trip back to Montego Bay, particularly during Reggae Sumfest, brings me the anticipation of the lights, bass, and dancing to the sweetness of a music that transcends love and unity. It is the journey itself, sweet, savoury, scenic, and soulful. These are not just stops. They are rituals. They are mine. Heading down to Montego Bay for Reggae Sumfest Festival Nights One and Two. Here are my go-to stops.

FIRST SCOOP

Drax Hall – Where everyone knows my name

The trip begins where my cravings do, Drax Hall. Devon House I Scream is the weakness I willingly surrender to, dairy allergy and all. Grape nut is my staple, but now and then, I flirt with strawberry. There is no need to place an order; the staff knows me, my cone, and my smile. It is the kind of familiarity that makes the highway feel like home.

BITE STOP

Uncorked at Drax Hall – For that perfect spicy cranberry salmon

Just down the same road is the new Uncorked Ochi restaurant and wine store, offering the most delightful piece of grilled or spicy cranberry salmon this side of St Ann. It is tasty, flavourful, and plated with intention. Whether you are eating light or going all in, this is the kind of meal that makes you pause, savour, and whisper a quiet thank you! While there, stock up on some fine Chocolate Block (red) or a Bogle Pinot Noir.

NEXT STOP

River Rush – Tubing at Bengal Beach, on the border of St Ann and Trelawny

To get to Bengal, you have to earn it. Located right at the border of St Ann and Trelawny, the journey to the tubing site begins in the back of a truck, bumping along a winding dirt path through thick foliage, laughter bouncing off branches as you go.

But when you reach the water? Paradise. The river is cool and clear, snaking through a tunnel of bamboo and limestone. You don’t rush here, you float. And by the end, you feel renewed.

FILM MAGIC

Beach life at Burwood Beach in Trelawny (bring your swimsuit)

Just down the road in Trelawny, Burwood Beach offers cinematic serenity. Literally. Scenes from How Stella Got Her Groove Back and Revelation were filmed here. Whether you are stepping in for nostalgia or a quiet dip, the breeze and soft waves will greet you like an old friend.

TASTY TRADITION

Father Bull in Greenwood

On the Trelawny-St James border, Father Bull Restaurant is a landmark of flavour and legacy. They serve it all, jerk pork, steamed fish, jerk chicken, oxtail, curried goat, stewed pork, stacked with love, and good old Jamaican hospitality. This is not fast food; it’s real food. Consistently good, unpretentious, and always worth the stop.

QUIET ELEGANCE

Greenwood Great House

Nearby, in the sleepy hills of Greenwood, lies one of Jamaica’s best-kept secrets – Greenwood Great House. Far from the bustle of modern tourism, this stately home remains beautifully preserved. With antique furnishings, colonial relics, and views that sweep down to the sea, it is no surprise that European tourists quietly return year after year.

You won’t find crowds here. Just stories in the walls, silence between the leaves, and a tangible connection to Jamaica’s layered past.

LOOKOUT LOVE

Mt. Zion

As you climb into Mt. Zion, the city finally reveals itself. Montego Bay stretches out below, cruise ships docked, waves licking the coast, and the heartbeat of Sumfest rising to as far as the Hip Strip. This is where the anticipation peaks. I stop, take it all in, and smile. I am home. It’s quicker to use the Barrett Town road (turn at the stoplight at the former Sea Castles Hotel to get there).

SATURDAY SPECIAL

Fada Chris Endz – The Real Roots Restaurant

If you take one piece of advice from me, let it be this: save your Saturday afternoon for Fada Chris Endz in Seaford Town.

Tucked deep in Westmoreland’s hills, this restaurant is pure rustic charm. It’s not just about the food, though the roasted pig on wood fire, the escovitch fish and seafood boil are reason enough. It’s the vibe. You’ll feel like you’re visiting a cousin with serious kitchen skills. Coconut water, cold drinks, reggae music, and warm plates… this is how you decompress after Friday night’s Vybz Kartel performance.

The trip to Seaford Town is a whole vibe, and you will pass several landmarks, lush vegetation and even ride on some seriously rough roads. Getting there: Go through Anchovy, Montpelier and Cambridge.

FINAL DESTINATION

Reggae Sumfest – Where the journey ends and the rhythm begins

By the time I roll into Montego Bay, the music’s already playing in my mind. But Reggae Sumfest isn’t just a festival. It’s a feeling. And every road leading to it is part of the experience.

These aren’t just places. They are pieces of me, my memories, my cravings, my culture. So, if you are heading to Sumfest this year, don’t just take any route. Trust me, you’ll find the heart of Jamaica along the way.

Janet Silvera has spent the last 30 years reporting on travel and tourism in Jamaica. A proud Montegonian and passionate cultural advocate, she continues to explore the island’s hidden gems and share them with the world, one story at a time.janet.silvera@gleanerjm.com