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Jamaica A Tropical Paradise
rom the brilliant white Chinese and German are all
sand beaches to the diverse represented as well. The
island culture, Jamaica is official language of Jamaica is
one of our favourite Caribbean English, but sometimes you
tourist destinations. The wouldn’t know it as you will most
crystal clear ocean waters and likely hear “Patois” which sounds
the year-round warm climate makes like a foreign language but is
it the ideal travel vacation for actually a combination of
sun-lovers. There are many rhythmic English and slang. “Irie
diversions to keep visitors mon” is a common phrase you may
happy: fishing, scuba diving, hear, which really just means
wind surfing, horseback riding, “cool” or “everything is good.”
swimming, snorkelling, golfing The currency in Jamaica is the
just to name a few. In the Jamaican Dollar, but US dollars
evening there is fine dining at are widely accepted.
Jamaica’s elite restaurants and
resorts—combined with truly Jamaica is the largest
unique Jamaican cuisine, and the English-speaking Island in the
night life is certainly hopping! Caribbean and it is the third
largest island overall, spanning
One of the best things that I 4,400 square miles. The best
have found about Jamaica is the tourist spots are on the north
warm, friendly people and the coast, with Montego Bay and Ocho
rich, diverse Island culture Rios being the most popular, as
blended from around the world. well as Negril on the west coast.
In fact, Jamaica’s motto is “Out I have toured the whole Island,
of Many, One People.” Although from Kingston (Jamaica’s capital)
African and European influences through the Blue Mountains to
dominate the culture, the Port Antonio, around the north
British, Spanish, Irish, Indian, coast, on down through
Mandeville, Alligator Pond and memorable scene. Close by, just
Treasure Beach and back around to off of Main Street in Ocho Rios
Kingston, so I am well able to are two craft parks, the Ocho
tell you a bit about each Rios Craft Park and the Olde
destination you may wish to Market Craft Shoppes, and The
travel to. Ocean Village Shopping Centre is
also nearby. Here there are
Ocho Rios is located, as I said, hundreds of vendors selling local
on Jamaica’s north coast and is crafts, and everything from gold
known as Jamaica’s garden centre. watches to wood carvings and the
Some of the most popular daytime famous Blue Mountain coffee.
activities include biking, Also, you will be able to sample
diving, deep-sea fishing and the traditional jerk pork
golf. Ocho Rios also has one of prepared over an open grill – a
the best polo facilities in the spicy culinary experience for the
Caribbean. adventurous. There is also
duty-free shopping at the Taj
Of course, the must-see Mahal Shopping Centre.
attraction in Ocho Rios is the
famous Dunn’s River Falls, where Just west of Ocho Rios in
visitors, lead by a sure-footed Aracobessa is another favourite
Jamaican guide, are able to climb tourist attraction, James Bond
up a series of falls that cascade Beach and Ian Fleming’s former
from the mountains to the sea. home called Goldeneye.
The falls themselves are a
spectacular sight and climbing Montego Bay is where most
the falls is an adventure not to travelers arrive in Jamaica,
be missed. As a bit of trivia, which is home to the North Shore
in the film “Cocktail” with Tom airport and the island’s busiest
Cruise, Duns River Falls is in a cruise ship pier. Montego Bay is
Jamaica’s second largest city and and got conked on the head by a
is Jamaica’s original tourist falling coconut, in fact three
hotspot. coconuts! I asked her why she
didn’t move away after the first
Montego Bay’s attractions include one hit her (of course, the
a number of plantation tours, as coconuts fell in a bunch of three
well as a new attraction – but I thought it was funny!)
featuring the legendary great, (P.S. – She wasn’t really hurt!)
Bob Marley. For the adventure
traveller, there are also bamboo Negril is located on Jamaica’s
river rafting tours. As well, western coast with a seven-mile
there is great fishing by fishing long fantastic white sand beach.
charters for marlin, tuna and It extends from the
kingfish. One may also go nineteenth-century Negril
cycling, golfing, horseback Lighthouse in the parish of
riding or scuba diving here, and Westmoreland in the south to
there is another popular local Bloody Bay (so named for the days
shopping district. A popular tour when whalers cleaned their catch
from Montego Bay is to Wyndham there) in Hanover Parish in the
Rose Hall Plantation which was north. Negril is famous for its
once a legendary 18th century “hippie” era where the hippies
sugar plantation, and a popular set up a colony there and enjoyed
spot for golfers would be on the the laid-back lifestyle and
Robert von Hagge Championship “ganja”. From this hippie-era
Golf Course. colony, Negril has been labelled
the “Capital of Casual”.
Of course, the beaches in Montego Although I wasn’t interested,
Bay are not to be missed. But Negril does offer some clothing
beware – a friend, while visiting optional beaches.
Jamaica, sat under a coconut tree
Laws control resort development resort. They offered everything
and no building is allowed to be one could want, from unlimited
taller than the tallest palm alcoholic beverages for adults to
tree. Negril doesn’t offer the baby-sitting services, and even a
extensive shopping of Ocho Rios, special snack bar geared to
but it does have an assortment of children with all-you-can-eat
unique shops, including the pizza, macaroni ‘n cheese, and
Negril craft market. hamburgers. I was very impressed
with how the staff entertained
Negril is said to offer some of and watched over our children.
the best scuba diving in Jamaica. In one instance, our kids were
You can also enjoy deep-sea kayaking around a little bay
fishing excursions, a vast amount area. Being adventurous they
of water sports, and golf at a ventured out towards open water.
new golf course, Negril Hills. The staff member followed them in
If you choose to go parasailing, his kayak and gently herded them
the sight of the sparkling azure back. I was very impressed how
waters and the dazzling white he handled it. It was a very
sand beach is a truly memorable pleasant stay there.
experience. Other activities can
include tennis, squash, On the whole, I love Jamaica,
glass-bottom boat reef trips, from the warm friendly people to
sunset catamaran cruises and the crystal clear waters and
spectacular nightly all-year round warm climate.
entertainment. There is not much that Jamaica
doesn’t offer for an ideal
Although I stayed at a number of vacation. The Island is unique
different locations in Jamaica, a in its culture and cuisine (have
memorable one was at a you tried boiled green banana,
family-oriented all-inclusive saltfish and ackee, jerk chicken
or fried breadfruit?) The alone/unaccompanied outside of
resorts are experts in what they the resorts. It can be
offer guests – especially the dangerous, but if you stay within
all-inclusive ones. The only your resort or take guided tours,
thing that I might caution you you shouldn’t have any problems.
about is travelling “No problem, mon!”
Published At: www.Isnare.com
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