One of the larger Caribbean Islands lying due South of Cuba is Jamaica. Measuring some 145 miles long and some 52 miles wide at its widest point the Island has a population of about 2.5 million. Get a good Guide Book such as Berlitz so that you can learn BEFORE you go about its chequered colonial past, run by Pirates and Buccaneers, used shamelessly by the Slave Trade, and now dependent for at least half of its foreign earnings from Tourism.
Some express fears as to whether it is a safe place to go. Tell me where it is 100% safe to go anywhere these days?!!! Of course its safe as long as you take all sensible precautions, don`t go into downtown areas late at night, don`t wear expensive jewellery or watches, or flash expensive cameras at everyone and everything! If in doubt about travelling in the evening or at night through any particular area, then take a taxi, they are cheap and if ordered through your Hotel, reliable. Remember it`s a tropical Island, so it will be hot, and I do mean hot, just about at any time of the year. Wear plenty of sun block, and stay right out of the sun, at least for the first 3 - 5 days until you have acclimatised a bit. You will still tan from the U.V. reflected from the sand, the sea, and just being out and about. Don`t be tempted to stay put at your resort Hotel, even if it is all-inclusive as more and more seem to be these days. Try to get out and meet the locals, they are some of the friendliest people on God`s earth. We went to a local church, and having first asked permission (this is VERY important, as well as being good manners) we were allowed to share in their Gospel form of worship. The hymns are a mixture of reggae and orthodox church music, but the fervour and enthusiasm of the congregation has to be seen to be believed.
Sunday can be spent by whole families at the Church Assembly, where there are refreshments, toilets and rest rooms for when the very little ones get restless, as well as a play area outside. We thoroughly enjoyed our half day as their guests and they really made us feel welcome, even if we were the only white faces there!
Seek out the River rafting attractions, they are unique, and can be very exciting depending on the time of year you go and the volume of rainfall in the river dictates the rate of your descent downstream! Of course Dunns River Falls is one of THE main attractions, and it is not difficult to see why when you arrive at the top of these falls which fall, I believe, some 600 feet until they reach the beach, and what a beach! Beautiful golden sands, and a turquoise sea to die for! You can choose to get soaking wet and climb from the beach back up to the top, or do as we did and take the civilised walk down (and up) the steps and walkway that goes alongside the falls all the way. At least this way your camera stays dry!
You will be very hard put to see much of the Island on your first stay, which of course means a return trip sometime. You will want to make it soon. Here are some of the pictures we took. (See below for the video on River Rafting in Jamaica, Jamaican Folk Music and Dunns River Falls) |
