It's Jamaica, Mon!

Go off the beaten path to Treasure Beach, marvel at the famous Bamboo Avenue, try the pepper 'swimp' sold by market 'mammies' in Middle Quarters, in the heart of Jamaica's Cockpit County. Take a look at Downtown Montego Bay. Visit the Appleton Rum Estate and bring back lovely rum as souvenirs. Just sit back and enjoy the gorgeous beaches. Try local cuisine especially 'escoveitched' fish, pickled in vinegar and fried and simmered with peppers and onions with 'bammy' (pancake-shaped cassava bread).

Quick Tips:

Red stripe, Jamaica's national beer also known as the policeman because cops here have a red stripe running down the leg of their pants, is really cheap and good. Beware of potheads on the beach who will constantly bug you to buy 'ganja.'

Best Way To Get Around:

Just do not drive. Potholes are horrendous once you leave the tourist areas. Gas stations do not have restrooms and do not sell food so be prepared. There are aggressive drivers, cars with no headlights or with high beams on constantly. Roads are pitch dark at night and rental cars may have wipers that don't work which is awful during heavy rains. Most restaurants provided a shuttle service back to the nearby hotels since it was too dangerous to walk on the streets after dark.

The Appleton sugar and rum estate enjoys a magnificent setting in the midst of the Siloah valley near the Middle Quarters, in the heart of Jamaica's Cockpit County. The yeasty smell of molasses lures you to the largest and oldest distillery in Jamaica, which has been blending the famous Appleton brand for decades. Factory tours are about $12 to $15 for adults and this includes rum tasting.

Negril is indeed the city of white sandy beaches, gorgeous hotels, and superb restaurants. Lots of top-end resorts are located here. One that deserves special mention is the Rockhouse, where catwalks lead from the villas and rooms to an open-sided , multi level dining pavillion which overlooks the sea. Otherwise just kick-back, relax, and enjoy paradise on earth!

Colloquially called MoBay by the locals, Jamaica's thriving port city is also its most important tourist resort. This is where the rich, young , beautiful and mostly European crowd gather to frolic in the sun without a care in the world. You will also be serenaded by fantastic reggae bands during a great seafood lunch at many of the restaurants by the beach.

Treasure Beach is way off the beaten path but it is worth a look as it is pretty rustic and not as heavily touristed as the other beach towns. But boy, do they make you pay for the privilege of "isolation," rooms at the popular Jake's Place start at 150usd a night.

Yet we saw a quieter side of Jamaica here. It was fun to see local people singing gospel in churches and women in their Sunday best, just doing their own thing. Transport can be arranged for about 80 USD. We drove here but it was not an easy journey.