Thinking About A Vacation in Jamaica?

Today, Norm Goldman, Editor of and is delighted totraveling the isle without undue problems.Concerns
have as a guest well- known author and travel writer,over safety should not dissuade visitors from choosing
Christopher P. Baker.Christopher is an expert on CubaJamaica, except during times of civil unrest. However,
and Jamaica, as well as other venues in the CaribbeanJamaica's reputation as being unsafe is based on
and Latin America.Christopher was named Travelseveral regrettable realities.The first is the prevalence
Journalist Of The Year by the Jamaica Tourist Boardof drugs throughout Jamaica society, and the violence
in 1998. He is here to discuss with us Jamaica.Goodthat is always associated with the trade is an
Day Christopher and thank you for accepting ourever-present undercurrent. Almost every visitor can
invitation to be interviewed.NORM:Please tell ourexpect to be approached to buy drugs at some stage
readers something about yourself, your expertise andduring their holiday.In places such as Negril, the constant
theentreaties to buy drugs, souvenirs, sexual favors, or
books you have authored.Christopher:I grew up andsimilar services by seemingly (or actually) aggressive
was educated in England, where I began myhustlers can be wearying and is one reason that the
international travels while studying geography atall-inclusive resorts have been so successful.To its
university. After settling in California in 1980, I workedcredit, the Jamaica Tourist Board has cracked down
briefly within the adventure travel industry. I've been aon hustling in the two other prime tourist destinations,
full-time professional travel writer and photographerMontego Bay and Ocho Rios. I discuss how best to
since 1982.Although in my early career I specialized inhandle this in my Lonely Planet guidebook.The other
adventure travel, and also the Asia/Pacific region,aspect that should be addressed is the irascible,
during the past 15 years I have specialized in thequick-to-anger nature of a large segment of Jamaican
Caribbean, with a particular focus on and fondness forsociety. The local temperament can be unusually
Cuba. My love affair with Cuba began with publicationvolatile, and resolution of disputes is often sought
of my Moon Handbooks Cuba and Moon Handbooksthrough violence.Many areas of Kingston are entirely
Havana.I've since written National Geographic Travelerunsafe for unescorted visitors. However, this all paints
Cuba and Mi Moto Fidel: Motorcycling Through Castro'sfar too gloomy a picture from the perspective of
Cuba, a literary travelog that won both the Lowellprospective visitors.The other segment of the
Thomas Award as Travel Book of the Year and theJamaican population comprises the most gracious and
North American Travel Journalists Association's Grandhospitable people you could encounter, and the
Prize. My most recent book is Cuba Classics: Astandards of service at most hotels is world-class, not
Celebration of Vintage American Automobiles (Interlinkleast thanks to the efforts and example set by the
Books, 2004), a lavishly illustrated coffee-table book.I'vetraining programs and educational outreach of Sandals
authored numerous other books, including Lonelyand SuperClubs, whose influence nationwide extends
Planet's guidebooks to Jamaica and The Bahamaswell beyond the tourist sector.NORM:Could you give
and Turk & Caicos Islands, plus the Passport Illustratedour readers an idea of the costs involved if travel
Guide to Jamaica. I've also written about Jamaica (andoriginates from the USA or Canada and how
other Caribbean islands and international destinations)accessible is it to fly Jamaica?Christopher:Jamaica is
for dozens of leading magazines and newspaperserved by direct flights from major hubs and cities
travel sections, including as a regular contributor tothrough Canada and the USA. Most flights serve
SkyWritings (Air Jamaica's inflight magazine) andMontego Bay, often with onward service to Kingston.
Caribbean Travel & Life.My other main expertise is inThere is great variation in airfares, not least between
regard to Costa Rica. My first guidebook was theseasons and whether flying mid-week or on
Moon Handbook Costa Rica (first published as theweekends.For scheduled non-stop flights originating on
Costa Rica Handbook in 1992), now in its fifth edition,weekends in high season, fares begin at about $500
with almost 100,000 copies sold. I've since authoredfrom Miami, $650 from New York, and $750 from Los
National Geographic Traveler Costa Rica and theAngeles. Lesser fares can be obtained if visitors
soon-to-be-released Eyewitness Travel Guide tochoose flights that require plane changes en route.Air
Costa Rica (Dorling Kindersley), and have acted as aJamaica, the national carrier, offers the most
consultant to INTEL, which recently opened acompetitive rates and is an exceptionally well-run airline
fabrication plant in Costa Rica.I love public speaking andwith excellent service. Charter operators offer flights
have been interviewed on numerous national televisionfrom most major urban centers at prices about
and radio shows. I'm particularly honoured to have10-20% below schedule flights. The cheapest deals are
been addressed the National Press Club and thepackage rates combining airfare and hotel
National Geographic Society (as a member of the Liveaccommodation, offered by charter operators.NORM:If
from& faculty), and to have been a faculty member ofyou had to choose 6 unequalled venues in Jamaica for
the lecturing staff of Cunard Cruise Lines. In January,a
and again in May, I'll be lecturing about old cars in Cubaromantic getaway, honeymoon or wedding destination,
aboard Holland America Cruise Line's M/Vwhat would they be and why?Christopher:*Treasure
Maasdam.Complete details about my books andBeach, with accommodation at Jake's Place, a
writing career are available on myromantic, totally offbeat and laid-back yet well-run and
website.NORM:Where is Jamaica and could you tellchic hotel that epitomizes the unpretentious local spirit.
our readers something about it from the point of viewIt's perfect for couples who want to laze away their
of climate, activities a couple can experience,time doing very little but laze in a hammock between
etcChristopher:Jamaica lies south of Cuba in thebouts of making love.*Negril is the beach-maven's
western half of the Caribbean. It was for severalfavourite, perfect for couples seeking a great beach,
centuries under British rule and has maintained closelots of watersports by day, and a zesty yet
ties with the United Kingdom since independence inunpretentious nightlife. There's a wide choice of hotels,
1962. Jamaica is among the most distinctive ofincluding all-inclusive resorts for couples-only, as well as
Caribbean isles, primarily as the birthplace ofsome excellent boutique hotels, including The Caves a
Rastafarianism, which suffuses the culture, as doesworld-class contender for most romantic resort in the
the music of the island's most famous native son Bobworld.*Strawberry Hill, in the Blue Mountains. Old world
Marley.Though rimmed by coastal plains and fineambience combines with contemporary savoir-faire at
sandy beaches, Jamaica is predominantly mountainous.this mountain retreat a mile above Kingston. The
In the east, the Blue Mountains (known for thecuisine is fabulous. There's a tremendous garden, plus
world-famous coffee grown here) rise to 7,402 feet.mountain hiking nearby. Another chic boutique option
Despite its relatively small size, the isle boasts severalfrom Island Outpost.*Hedonism II or III (both run by
distinct climates: the mountainous northeast, centeredSuperClubs) are almost always booked solid with
on the old banana-shipping port of Port Antonio,couples whose idea of a romantic vacation is to get
receives copious rainfall and is exceedingly lush,nude, play sexy antics in public, or even to share them
whereas the relatively flat south-central coast,(literally) with other couples. Yes, many weddings are
centered on Treasure Beach, lies in a rain shadow andperformed here& often in the nude. No prudes
the predominant vegetation is cactus and thornallowed!*Mandeville. This modestly prosperous,
scrub.Jamaica is remarkably well developed in termseasy-paced town in the central highlands is set amid
of activities. Visitors can choose from jet skiing, scubastunning scenery reminiscent of the English Dales and
diving, and sunset boat trips to mountain biking,best enjoyed by rental car. The town has some fine
crocodile safaris, and horseback rides.NORM:Wouldrestaurants, and there are some pleasant hikes
you consider Jamaica a good choice for a romanticlocally.*Port Antonio. If you like lush, this is for you, as
getaway or wedding and honeymoon destination?the area receives large amounts of rainfall& but not all
Why?Christopher:Jamaica prides itself on being athe time. It's famous for its fine hotels run to traditional
perfect wedding and honeymoon destination. Manystandards, such as the somewhat aloof Trident and
resorts specialize in this market. Some, such asJamaica Palace. My recommendation is to choose
SuperClubs and Sandals (both known for theireither the Hotel Mocking Bird Hill (a classy,
all-inclusive, couples-only resorts) even offer freeeco-sensitive boutique hotel with gourmet cuisine, run
wedding packages. The all-inclusive concept was bornby delightful artsy owners Shireen Agra and Barbara
in Jamaica and no other destination has soWalker), or to rent a private deluxe villa overhanging
successfully matured and marketed the concept.Ithe Blue Lagoon.NORM:Are there any special
enjoy these all-inclusive resorts, which are run to veryrequirements for couples wishing to celebrate their
high standards. However, my favourite romanticmarriage in Jamaica?Christopher:Unlike most Caribbean
retreats lie at the other end of the spectrum, in smalldestinations, visitors can get married after only 24
boutique hotels offering a combination of ultra-chichours on the island. The following notarized documents
ambience and intimacy that is synonymous withare required: proof of citizenship; certified copies of
romance. Again, Jamaica excels, with localappropriate divorce or death certificates with regard to
entrepreneur Chris Blackwell's Island Outpost groupprior spouses; and written parental consent for any
having conceived some of the most welcoming andparty under 18 years of age. French Canadians need a
delightful boutique hotels in the world. They drawnotarized translated copy of all documents and a
notables from Naomi Campbell to Pierce Brosnan, butphotocopy of the original French documents.The
fortunately most are surprisinglyRegistrar General's Department of Jamaica WEBSITE
affordable.NORM:What is the best time to visithas additional information, including a downloadable
Jamaica from the point of viewOnline Marriage Certificate Application.NORM:What
of weather, costs, crowds, and the availability of flightsresources are available on the Internet pertaining to
from the USA, Canadaweddings and honeymoon vacations in
and Europe?Christopher:Weather wise, there are onlyJamaica?Christopher: The Jamaica Tourist Board has
two seasons: wet (May-Nov) and dry (Dec-April). Thecomplete information on planning a wedding vacation
best time to visit is during dry season, when rainfall isat its WEBSITE.NORMIs there anything else you would
at a minimum and most of the island basks inlike to add that we have not covered
sunshine.In summer, prolonged afternoon showers orpertaining to Jamaica?Christopher:A visit to Jamaica
heavy downpours are typical island wide. Several daysneeds careful planning to ensure that you're getting
or even weeks of unbroken rain are also possible inwhat you plan. More than any other destination I know,
summer, however, especially in the northeast, althoughvisitors have a love it or hate it reaction, most of which
this varies year to year. Summer and fall are alsoseems to relate to their particular interactions with
hurricane season, although the chance of a hurricanelocals. The island is physically beautiful, the food
actually striking the island is relatively slim.All that said,excitingly spicy and varied, and the music
most of my guidebook research has been undertakeninfectious.Thank you Christopher for your most
during summer, which has the added advantage ofinformative interview.For over thirty- five years, Norm
lower prices and less crowds in the most popularGoldman practiced as a Title Attorney and Civil Law
resorts, such as Negril and Montego Bay. Flight serviceNotary in Montreal, Canada. After his retirement from
to Jamaica which is well served by both scheduledthe legal profession, Norm pursued two of his passions
and charter service varies according to season,- book reviewing and travel writing, implementing many
although there is daily service from throughout Canadaof his research skills he had been practicing for 35
and the USA year-round. The best airfare deals areyears.Norm and his wife Lily are a unique husband and
off-season, in summer.NORM:How safe is it to travelwife team, writer and water colorist, who write and
to Jamaica?Christopher:I first hitchhiked aroundpaint about romantic destinations and wedding
Jamaica in 1978 and have spent almost 30 yearsdestinations.