Emancipation
Park
Homeless in
Kingston
Dunn's River
Falls
Bob Marley
Statue
Jamaican Car
Driver
Bob Marley's
Chair
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Personal
Impressions
Jamaica has a relatively large "footprint"
on the stage of world cultures. Jamaica's
artists and athletes are remarkable
successful. Reggae music first developed on
Jamaica. Many of the best reggae musicians,
fastest runners and best cricket players
come from Jamaica. Jamaica is as well
famous for its rum and for the Blue
Mountain coffee. You might think,
Jamaica is the best destination in the
Caribbean, but this is not so.
Jamaica suffers from a high crime rate
including violent crime. Jamaica's average
homicide rate is nearly three per
day. Jamaica ranks 3rd for the highest
homicide rates of all countries! This is
alarming. There are few reported crimes
committed against tourists in Jamaica, but
most visitors seldom leave the resorts, and
when they do, it is in buses supplied by
the resorts, with guides supplied by the
resorts, with visits restricted to one of
the few Jamaican tourist attractions.
The motive for most attacks on tourists is
robbery. Downtown Kingston is definitily
unsafe for tourists. The beaches are
safe, but most tourists are merely
irritated and inconvenienced by aggressive
sales tactics.
Jamaica is a beautiful island, and there
are fantastic people, if you go to the right places. Montego Bay and Negril are not
worth the hassle. I advise individual
first-time visitors to the Caribbean to
choose a less complicated island. For cruise ship passengers Ocho Rios is a good and safe itinerary.
= STRIEWA
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AttractionsKingston
The
capital of Jamaica is located on the south-eastern coast of
the island. It spreads
around one of the world's largest
natural harbours. Kingston is the largest
city in Jamaica with frequent traffic jam
and pollution. There are two parts making
up Kingston, the downtown area and New
Kingston. The downtown area features many
historical buildings while New Kingston is
where the Norman Manley International
Airport sits. Not many visitors stay
here, though it is worth to visit the
historic landmarks and attractions. Reggae
fans will love the Bob Marley Museum on
Hope Road, while the National Gallery and
Hope Botanical Gardens are also popular.
Beyond the airport is the former capital
city of Port Royal with its intriguing
ruins and Lime Cay across the water.
Spanish
Town
From the 16th to the 19th century, when
Jamaica was under Spanish rule, the former
Villa de la Vega (Town of the Plain) was
the first capital of Jamaica. Spanish
Town lies just west of Kingston and
has the finest collection of Spanish and
British historical buildings. The town
square is said to be one of the finest
examples of Georgian architecture in the
western hemisphere. Most of the historic
buildings are around the Park in the center
of town, although the ancient St James
Cathedral is a few blocks south on Red
Church Street. The Court House stands on
the south of the Park. The Museum of Crafts
is also a big draw, while the Town Square
puts on a bustling market.
Port Royal, Pirate
Capital
Once the pirate capital of the Caribbean
and known as the 'Wickedest City on Earth',
Port Royal sunk in a huge earthquake in the
late 1600s. It was a haven for privateers
and pirates, such as the famed Sir Henry
Morgan, due to its excellent geographic
location in the middle of the Caribbean.
During the late 17th century Port
Royal was one of the largest towns in
the English colonies. Today, more than
half of the city remains submerged.
Visitors can explore the ruins of this
UNESCO World Heritage above or below water,
unlike any other archaeological site in the
world.
Blue
Mountains
The the largest mountain range in
Jamaica rise up above Kingston and dominate
the eastern part of Jamaica. The climate is
much more humid and cooler than in the rest
of Jamaica. More than 500 flowering plant
species can be found in this area, about
240 of which are indigenous to the island,
including 65 species of orchids. The blue
mountains are home to the world's second
largest butterfly and the largest in the
America. More than 200 species of
birds live in the Blue Mountains.
The famous Jamaican blue mountain coffee is
cultivated on the lower slopes, while
higher slopes are preserved as forest.
Hagley gap and Mavis bank are farming
communities located on Blue Mountain with
Hagley gap being closest to blue mountain
peak. Don't miss visiting the Jablum Coffee factory in Mavis Bank.
The Blue Mountains are
a hiker's paradise, and dozens of
trails lace the hills. Many are overgrown,
but others remain the mainstay of
communication for locals. The Blue
Mountain Peak Trail hike ends at the famous
Blue Mountain Peak. With 2,256 m
(7,402 ft) it's the highest peak in the
island and almost perpetually shrouded by
mists.
Montego
Bay
"MoBay" is a vibrant place with
duty free
shopping, a cruise line terminal and
several beaches. The second largest city is
Jamaica's main tourist destination. The
majority of flights into Jamaica arrive at
Sangster International Airport. The city is
backed by picturesque low mountains. The
streets of Montego Bay are noisy, colourful
and alive. Drug related crime and violence
is a real problem.
If a relaxing vacation to you means
parties, drinking, drugs, sex and sun, then
you found the right place. But if you want
to stay away from the bustle, check the
beautiful Richmond Hill Inn, which is
quietly located on a hill in the city and
offers great views.
Rose Hall Great
House
Built high on the hillside in the 1770s,
with a panorama view over the coast, the
imposing Great House is most famous
for the story of its mistress Annie Palmer.
The story states that she was born in
England to an English mother and Irish
father and spent most of her life in Haiti.
When her parents died of yellow fever, she
was adopted by a nanny who taught her
witchcraft and voodoo. She moved to Jamaica
and married John Palmer, owner of Rose Hall
Plantation. Annie supposedly murdered
Palmer along with two subsequent husbands
and numerous male plantation slaves, later
being murdered herself by a slave
lover. In the mid-1970s the country
music singer Johnny Cash bought the house.
He and June Carter Cash were part-time
Jamaica residents for more than four
decades. Intrigued by the legend of "White
Witch of Rose Hall", Johnny Cash wrote the
"Ballad of Annee Palmer".
Negril
Back in the Sixties, hippies loved the
laid-back vibe of Negril, but that's long
ago. Today you can't walk along the
seven-mile long beach without getting
troubled by aggressive vendors. The
beautiful white sand beach is the main
attraction by day, while the casual bars
and clubs along the beach attract the
tourists at night. In the other direction,
the rocky coast makes for fantastic cliff
diving. The cliffs offer several
jumping-off points, which means that thrill
seekers and cliff divers can jump of the
jagged edge into the emerald waters below.
The cliffs will also offer you a unique
spot to enjoy a beautiful sun set.
Blue
Hole
Jamaica's perhaps best-kept secret is
located off a beaten path in a remote part
near Negril. The Blue Hole is a mineral
spring that is formed in a grotto. The
cavernous opening is completely encased in
Karst limestone, a naturally occurring
mineral that filters the steady upwelling
of water, leaving behind a clear, clean
pool. You can jump off the cliffs into the
natural pool or climb down a ladder and
bathe in the water, which is said to have
therapeutic properties. There is also a bar
that remains open until the early hours of
the morning when the last person
leaves.
Ocho
Rios
The second largest tourist area in Jamaica has much more flair
than Montego Bay and Negril. Ocho Rios, one of the other major travel
destinations in Jamaica, is located in the northeast of the island,
about 80 km north of Kingston. From Ocho Rios it's not far to the
beautiful beaches of Discovery Bay and Runaway Bay with their
all-inclusive resorts. If you like all-inclusive resorts, check the Sandals Grande Riviera, it's one of the best of its kind. The nearby Dolphin Cove and
Dunn's River Falls are the major attractions. A trip to the Blue
Mountains and a visit to the coffe factory is a must. Historic
plantations are also close-by and can be leisurely explored on
horseback. Downtown Ocho Rios is quite but fascinating and loaded with
tourist shops.
Dunn's River
Falls
Jamaica's most famous waterfalls are just
west of Ocho Rios. The Dunn's River Falls
are a sequence of terraced
waterfalls which empty straight into
the Caribbean Sea. They are perhaps the
only waterfalls in the world that
continuously rebuild itself from the
calcium carbonate and sodium deposits in
the river. Unlike many waterfalls
throughout the world, the Dunn's River
Falls are not just about sightseeing,
they are about participating! Visitors
can climb to the top of the falls, which is
relatively easy.
Glistening
Waters
Glistening Waters is a tropical lagoon
that stretches along the marshlands of
Trelawney where the Martha Brae River meets
the Caribbean Sea. The lagoon is known for
being the home to millions of din
flagellates. These are radiant
microorganisms that live in the area where
salt and fresh water meets. They
produce bioluminescence and can
only be found in four locations in the
world, and this luminous lagoon is the
largest and most brilliant of the four.
Swimmers and fish create glow with every
movement in the water. At night, when the
water is disturbed the lagoon sparkles and
glistens, which makes swimming very
attractive and beautiful.
Blue
Lagoon
The Blue Lagoon is a natural lagoon,
situated in the Port Antonio area. The
most striking feature about the Blue Lagoon
is its mystical blue colour which changes
throughout the day, depending on the angle
of the sun. It can change from turquoise to
sapphire to deep blue. The lagoon is about
60 m (180 ft) deep, fed by a fresh
water mineral spring and backed by lush
banks.
Bob Marley Museum
in Nine
Mile
A must for lovers of reggae music is a
visit to the Bob Marley Mausoleum in Nine
Mile in the Parish of Saint Ann. Robert
Nesta Marley was born and is buried
here. The name of Bob Marley has
become synonymous with reggae, and he
remains the most well-known musician in the
genre. The early childhood home of
Jamaica's most famous son is situated high
in the mountains and hard to find. His former house is
loaded with memorabilia. You can meet old fellows of Bob Marley there.
Rafting the Martha
Brae
Hollywood star Errol Flynn started the
tradition of bamboo rafting on the calm
Martha Brae River. Rafts are guided by
experienced raft-men who tell stories
and point out flora and fauna as travellers
sit back and relax. Trips begin at the
village of Martha Brae and end three miles
downstream at Martha's Rest. The source of
the Martha Brae River is at Windsor, deep
in the Cockpit Country and the river enters
the sea near Falmouth.
Green Grotto
Caves
One of Jamaica's remarkable natural wonders
is located in Discovery Bay on the north
coast. Named for the green algae that cover
its walls, the structure of the cave is
strikingly different to inland
systems. Previously known as Runaway,
Dairy, Rum, Hopewell and Dry Harbour Caves,
the Green Grotto Caves feature rock
formations, stalagmites, and stalactites,
ceiling pockets and numerous passageways or
chambers, which are accessible by
boats.
The first known inhabitants of the caves
were Arawak
Indians who left pottery fragments
and adzes. When Jamaica was a British
Colony the caves were used as a hideaway by
the Spanish who were being driven out by
the British settlers. The caves were also
known to have been used by escaped slaves,
hence the name Runaway Caves.
Culture
Reggae
The word "reggae" was coined around 1960 in
Jamaica to identify a "ragged" style of
dance music, that still had its roots in
New Orleans rhythm'n'blues. Bob Marley took
reggae to the masses and still is the
undisputed king of reggae
music. Compared with rock music,
reggae music basically inverted the role of
bass and guitar: the former was the lead,
the latter beat the typical hiccupping
pattern. Reggae formed out of mento,
rocksteady and ska. It has developed into
many sub-genres and has left an indelible
mark on popular music, even influencing the
early development of hip hop. Reggae music
is soulful entertainment in Jamaica today,
it's a powerful social force that
represents the pressures of everyday life.
Politicians have been known to use reggae
music as the central part of their
campaigns.
Jerk
Chicken
Jamaican food is famous for its tasty,
spicy flavours. A particular speciality is
Jerk Chicken. When escaped African slaves
battled their British oppressors, they
created one of the world's great barbecue
traditions: Jamaican jerk. Jerk was used as
a way to preserve and cook meat and was
originally only made with pork. Today Jerk
chicken is a popular roadside snack. The
chicken is roasted over open flames
sometimes with special wood to catch the
right flavour. The typical cooking
style uses a marinade or paste that
includes at least pimento.
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Rose Hall Great
House
Blue Mountain
Coffee
Dunn's River
Falls
Negril Point
LH
River
Laundry
Rafting the
Martha Brae
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