DISCOVERING JAMAICA

For fun-in-the sun, Jamaica, along with a bevy of four and five-star resorts is the place to be this Summer
and Fall. Averaging a balmy 85 degrees F, the island’s warm sun and tropical breezes make it comfortable and inviting. In addition you can choose from a large index of inns,
guest houses, B&B’s, villas, and lodges at different price points. For singles, couples, friends and families JAMAICA is the ideal place. Popular cuisine, an endless array of festivals and events, historic sites, shopping, and attractions, provide the visitor
with a full plate. In brief, there’s a lot to see and do here.

Start the day with a sampling of
fresh fruit, wholesome grain breads,
with a cup or two of their world-famous Blue Mountain coffee and a
couple of Jamaican patties, and you’re on your way. Save the island’s favorite, Red Strip beer for lunch and dinner.

From Montego Bay where we stayed and on the Heritage Trail where we started from, visit ROSE HALL outside of Falmouth on the main road. The Great House as it’s called holds many secrets. It’s a former sugar plantation built in 1770-80, one of the island’s largest. It’s now a national museum, a World Heritage site, in fact. As the story goes one John Palmer, the plantation’s overlord married a young local named Annee who was reputed to have murdered her three ( 3 ) husbands and assorted lovers during her short reign as Mistress of the property. She led a charmed life.
For the secrets still airing here go to:
www.rosehall.com or:876-953.9982.
Following this site you can visit the
CHUKKA Dogsled Farm in St.Ann’s Bay. The phone is:876-972.2727 or try:
www.jamaicadogsled.com for a real
adventure. Imagine driving a team of
dogs through acres of farm land in a
professional dog sled carriage. It’s a
jaunt you’ll never forget. Some nerve and gusto are required on your part.
Another site nearby is DUNN’s RIVER FALLS also in St.Ann’s Bay, a short distance from Och Rios. The phone here is:876-974. 5944. The e-mail is:
dunnsriver@udcja.com. The site is
for those who crave the extreme, e.g.,
climbing up a raging water fall barefooted, or at best with a pair of water shoes which you can rent at the park. I did it barefooted but flopped a few times and without any serious injury.It was a great experience I’ll hold on to for a long time.

The entire climb takes a hour or more if you fast on foot. It’s worth the try and the cascading waters are very comforting. Go with a guide or friend if you can. But if you’re not up to it the park has a lush beach at the bottom of the falls. There’s also a coloful botanic garden on the grounds to enjoy.

These are some of the highlights of my trip this past week. There’s so much more, though as JAMAICA has
perhaps the largest number of “sites”
to discover in the entire Caribbean basin. Easy to get to from the U.S.,
on direct non-stop flights from major
cities coast-to-coast and from Canada, the UK, Spain, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands and Tokyo.

For more info on how to get there and what to see contact the nearest
JAMAICA TOURIST BOARD:
www.visitjamaica.com or e-mail:
info@visitjamaica.com

Michael Zufolo reporting, July 21