June 20th, 2010
Negril Jamaica
One visit to Negril will make a believer out of you. Here life is carefree and cool. Rugged cliffs and pure white beaches lure vacationers into relaxation. Spend time lazing under a coconut palm. Let your hair down, or braid it. Enjoy the most magnificent sunset your eyes ever behold while you go cliff jumping or enjoy a refreshing Caribbean drink. Negril is not just a place, but a state of mind.The Negril Yacht Club offers a relaxing day-trip to Little Bay and a more extended trip to the Bob Marley Museum in Kingston. Custom tours are also available,
Ja-Ja Originals
Studio and art gallery is located at Coco La Palm Resort on Norman Manley Boulevard has a unique selection of paintings, sculptures, carvings and hand-crafted jewelry designed by talented Jamaican artists.
Diving
Negril Scuba Centre located at Mariner’s Negril Beach Club will introduce you to the wonders of the Jamaican deep with courses for beginners as well as more advanced divers.
Light House
Perhaps the most distinctive landmark in Negril. Built in 1894, it was originally operated by kerosene.
Rhodes Hall
For horseback riding, expert guides will ensure your mount is right for you whether you are a novice or an experienced rider. A two-hour ride takes you through banana and coconut groves and high into the hills. Crocodile watching is a highlight of the tour. Climax is an exhilarating gallop, or trot, or walk, along the beach, according to desire or ability. Rhodes Hall offers air conditioned seaside villas with fully-equipped kitchens.
Watersports
The Negril Yacht Club, located on the Lighthouse Road in Negril is the single-stop location for watersports. It offers kayak and snorkel rentals with some of the best snorkeling in town. Daily sunset and nude cruises are available as well as water taxi to the beach and glass bottom boat tours. Deep sea fishing charters run from the Yacht Club as well.
June 19th, 2010
South Coast in Jamaica
Mandeville
Mandeville, principal town of the parish of Manchester, is a quiet, restful mountain resort, a little over 2,000 feet above sea level with a cool climate (70-75 degrees by day, 65-70 degrees by night) ideal for such pursuits as golf, walking and horseback riding.
The town is often likened to an English village and certainly boasts a village green, handsome stone buildings and stone-walled pastures.
Bamboo Avenue
Bamboo Avenue at Lacovia is a well-known attraction where the road is lined for miles with tall bamboo which meets overhead like a vaulted cathedral roof.
Lover’s Leap
Lover’s Leap is another remarkable beauty spot where a sheer cliff, 1,600 feet high, overhangs the sea.
Treasure Beach
Treasure Beach not so long ago, was known only to Jamaicans and a very few privileged visitors. Now, a few more people have heard the secret. The natural peace and tranquility has not yet been spoiled and the warmth and hospitality of the people will touch your hearts.
Jakes at Treasure Beach provides everything you need, color, space, light and sea. Beautiful basics, a welcoming bed, a beckoning view and music to soothe. From Jakes you can mountain bike, canoe, fish, try a river safari or simply become forgetful by a waterfall.
Jakes Restaurant offers fresh seafood and spicy cuisine. Dine by the seaside in a romantic setting and experience the real taste of Jamaica.
Black River
Black River is Jamaica’s largest river. Nature lovers will delight in exploring what it has to offer. Boat trips are available. The YS Falls on the river are held by some to be the island’s most spectacular.
Middle Quarters
At the quaintly-named village of Middle Quarters, basket-carrying women will come to your car crying,”Shrim, Shrim, Shrim”. They are selling succulent cooked and peppered shrimps caught in nearby Black River.
For those who wish to thoroughly explore the island, the following trips will add excitement to the visit.
Apple Valley Nature Park
Located in the town of Maggotty, you can fish, hike and paddle your own canoe in this park.
Milk River Baths
A 30-minute drive from Mandeville, these mineral baths are said to be highly restorative.
YS Falls
Situated on an estate of the same name, these cataracts are among the most spectacular in Jamaica. There are eight of them, falling a breathtaking 120 feet in majestic tiers.
Diving
There can be no finer place in the world for diving than Jamaica with its crystal clear waters and its tropical reefs, abundant with sea-life. You don’t have to be an expert to enjoy this experience. A one-day diving course will give you enough basic skills for a shallow dive – and that’s all it will take to get you “hooked”.
Fishing
Jamaica is also for deep sea, big-game fishermen. Blue marlin, dolphin, tuna, kingfish and wahoo await the challenge. Port Antonio is particularly well-known for this sport.
