Jamaica
Thursday, August 26th, 2010 | BLOG, Caribbean | 2 Comments
The Caribbean is a region consisting of more than 7000 islands. Obviously I’m not going to talk about all of them just now. This area is probably the most requested destination for weddings and honeymoons as well as nearby exotic beach vacations. Some of the most popular of the islands are Jamaica, St. Lucia, the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas. Right now I’m going to talk about Jamaica. Yea Mon, it’s Irie!
Jamaica is the largest English-speaking island in the Caribbean. The terrain is very mountainous with the highest point being Blue Mountain Peak reaching 7,402 feet above sea level. Over 120 natural rivers and springs flow through Jamaica.
The major airport is located in Montego Bay, affectionately called MoBay. There are plenty of hotels and resorts located right here within 10 minutes of the airport. If you like to shop, this is the place for you.
The nearest resort destination is the Rose Hall area with beautiful beaches and plenty of activities to enjoy in this region. If you’re a golfer, you’ll love it here. And don’t forget to visit the Rose Hall Plantation, home of the “White Witch”.
About an hour and a half to the east of Mo Bay is the Parish of St. Ann , known as the “garden parish” because of it’s great beauty. The resort development of this delightful parish has centered around the town of Ocho Rios, meaning 8 rivers in Spanish. This thriving little town is a very popular destination with plenty of accommodations ranging from small hotels to large all-inclusive resorts. Nearby there are world-class reefs for diving including those at Runaway Bay and Ocho Rios and great stretches of palm-fringed sand at Treasure Beach or Frenchman’s Cove near Port Antonio. One of the most popular activities is to climb Dunn’s River falls. There is also great zip lining in the nearby mountains and horseback riding on the beach here. Just a short drive away are the beautiful lush Blue Mountains where some of the best coffee in the world is grown. You can go on ATV or 4-wheel safari trips here and end up swimming in waterfalls. The north shore is definitely for you if just lying around on the beach is not enough.
On the western end of the island is the community of Negril. To introduce Negril, we have to quote Richard Hershman, the original owner of Rick’s Cafe: ” Your body has suddenly arrived where your mind has always been”. Nature blessed Negril and ensured her place in the tourist world with two shimmering beaches, stretching seven crystal white sand miles. Paradise comes in another guise as you leave this seven-mile strip. From here the road meanders along to the West End, where hotels and restaurants cling to the cliff’s edge. There is no beach, but the white sand gleams from the seabed. Here there are caves to explore, and rocky bluffs, cliff diving anyone? The first to discover Negril’s charms were the “Hippies and Flower Children” of the early seventies and this laidback atmosphere remains today. If you’re looking for relaxation and romance in paradise, you’ll find it in Negril and you won’t find a better place to watch spectacular sunsets.
I do not usually leave messages on these blogs but yours stuck out to me! I appreciate your insight and information you gave. I look forward to reading more.
Good read. Not to long and straight to the point! – Mr. Birmingham