Where to Visit
Driving through the Blue Mountains
Taking a stop at Holywell
For persons who want to take a break from city life, going to the mountains is always a welcomed experience. For this Kareem’s Quest, I took the parochial road up to Holywell using a Suzuki Jimny.
Treating kids to Hope Zoo
Famous attraction in Kingston
After seeing the outpouring of positive messages from a previous episode on Miss Patricia teaching young children how to crochet, I decided to revisit these young girls from Papine.
Jamaican Fry fish and Bammy experts
I remember this spot in the late 80’s, as one of those ‘must-stop’ areas for persons visiting Westmoreland. It wasn’t as established as it is now, but the vendors were there in an organised manner and vehicles were lined up along the stretch.
Rafting on the Rio Grande, Portland
The first time I passed the major bridge in St. Margaret’s Bay, I glanced at the shore and saw several rafts. Subsequently, I journeyed to a spot called Rafter’s Rest, it’s a big yard with lovely grass and a tree with a swing.
Yaaman Adventure
Why it’s one of my favourite spots
Yaaman is the perfect blend of uniqueness and excitement that everyone can enjoy. I took my family on a Sunday and we did the Jitney and dune buggy tour. In the Jitney, we took a slow ride around the property and learned about the vegetation, animals and different trees that are all labelled.
Negril Spots
Negril is one of the nicest tourist spots to be on the island, because of the vibes and relaxed atmosphere.
Most persons don’t go there to stay in a hotel all day, and, as such, there aren’t a lot of all inclusive hotels when compared to other parishes like St. Ann.
Rio Nuevo
I did a horseback tour at Rio Nuevo Estate with Dirt Adventure, who has added this as part of their attractions. The site serves as the last battle ground for the British-Spanish war for Jamaica, which ultimately led to a victory for England. There is also a museum on property which has African and Taino artifacts.
Jamaica Inn
Since the early 20th century, Jamaica has always been a getaway spot for the elites. When renowned laureate Ian Fleming saw the majestic St Mary coastline, he immediately called the place home – writing many of his James Bond novels at his house on the island.There was a Playboy Club and Hotel, located in Oracabessa, where all the gentlemen would go for recreation. I’m trying to write that last line with a straight face. The point is, this land has a rich history that incorporates people from across the world.
Negril Spot
Negril is one of the nicest tourist spots to be on the island, because of the vibes and relaxed atmosphere.
Most persons don’t go there to stay in a hotel all day, and, as such, there aren’t a lot of all inclusive hotels when compared to other parishes like St. Ann.
Charles Town
I visited one of five maroon settlements in Jamaica, Charles Town Maroon Council, which sits on the former home of decorated Maroon leader, Asafu. Located in Portland, it now offers tours of the property as well as the museum, which has many ancient artifacts. It is also an education centre for the kids in the community, and serves as a refuge for the students.
Skarkies
It’s hard to drive past Runaway Bay in St Ann and not notice a spot that is usually outlined with vehicular traffic, Sharkies Seafood Restaurant. Over the past few years, the establishment has become a ‘must-stop’ spot for locals and tourists alike. The perimeter wall is painted in light blue and white, and the prominent logo of a shark stands next to the entrance wall. As I drove on to the property, I was greeted with a parking lot covered with sand and a prominent almond tree in the centre.
Lift Foil
Jamaicans are always looking for new ways to innovate and this is the case for Sefton Stewart, who deems himself the ‘common man’. Originally from St James, Stewart lived in Pembroke Pines, Florida, for three years, before deciding to return to Jamaica.“I was in the construction field up there and I learnt a lot on the job, using laminate floors, dry walls and installing blinds. But I felt if I returned home, I could live a more fulfilled life, as well as contribute to my country in a meaningful way,” shared the Cornwall College alumnus.
Sea Cliff
Located along the coastal road of Portland, several minutes after exiting St Thomas, is Sea Cliff Resort, which is owned and operated by Errol Hanna. Its unique entrance, built from bamboo, is hard to miss whichever direction you are coming from.
Nola's Event
The landscape of the south coast is a bit different from other tourist-dense areas, like Ocho Rios and Montego Bay, where there are clusters of attractions. Here, the places are spaced out, and requires driving, not walking, to get from one venue to the other. Nola’s Events, which is at a ‘Y’ junction, where one path takes you to Westmoreland and the other to Black River, has steadily gained the interest of travellers from adjoining communities.
How to get the Best hotel Rates
Finding the right hotel can be really expensive if you don’t have the right information to guide you. On this episode Dave Chin Tung, CEO,
GoJamaica Travel shares his tips on how to get the best rates when booking a hotel.
Top 5 All-Inclusive Hotels
Hilton Rose Hall
This hotel doesn’t do much marketing, and as such, many persons don’t know about this lovely property.
Secret Wild Orchid
With such an exotic name, it’s no secret that this property is an adult-only vacation spot. The rooms are nicely furnished and the layout is great for a romantic getaway.
Ambassabeth Eco Lodge
After visiting Jay’s Guesthouse in Epping Farm district, persons have been asking me to journey to another remote town. I decided to do some searching and found Ambassabeth Eco Lodge, which, to the best of my knowledge, can only be accessed through Portland via a motor vehicle. I left out later than I had originally planned because I had to stop at the supermarket and get some extra items. When going to places like these, you are going to be at one with nature, and as such, everything has to be factored in.
RIU vs Royalton
RIU
This is the most popular and visited Riu property in Jamaica, with over 800 rooms and minutes away from the famous Dunns River Falls.
Royalton
These resorts have a contemporary design with glass doors and dashes of spunky colours to add life to each room.
Reggae Falls
I always recommend finding trustworthy locals, whenever persons visit an interesting place. When I went to Reggae Falls, in the hills of St. Thomas, I was able to sit with two persons and learn about the origin of the area. I was told about a massive flood, decades ago, which destroyed the original piping infrastructure that was on the property.
Plantation Smokehouse:
Some time ago I was driving past this property, and I had no idea what it was, however I was intrigued, as it was buzzing with activity. Vehicles were neatly parked in the assigned lot and stage lights were shining in multiple directions. After making some inquiries, I was told that it was the new ‘hip’ spot in Richmond, which is usually cramped on Fridays due to the live entertainment.
Yaga
I have been using some of the Yaga Lifestyle herb products for some time now, so the owner invited me to visit his farm. Located in deep rural St. Thomas, I had to go on a parochial road to access the property. When I arrived, several rastas were there cutting up fruits and ‘holding a vibes’, and they welcomed me with peace and kindness.
Luxe Beach Resort
This property has been under new management since 2019 and it shows. The colours are vibrant and the layout looks modernized with glass accents and sprinkles of chrome finishes. It has an upscale vibe to it with a low key element, as the property is more befitting for the mature audience.
Getaway
This is a great spot for persons who are looking for something new and relatively untapped. Getaway is family owned and has a nature-oriented layout with a grass-filled play area for kids, with non-motorised toys for a more engaging experience. There is also a lounge area, which provides a beautiful scenery to overlook the Wag Water River and all the activities that are taking place there.
Best Oxtail?
Miss T started her business in the midst of the pandemic in 2008. The initial years were rocky and many encouraged her to delay her dream, but she felt something in her gut that this was the right move.
Grove Swimmers
These are some of the bravest young men I have seen in a while. They skillfully jump off a 20+ feet bridge into a river.
Sea Breeze Buss
The party bus which is packaged with the Sea Breeze Villa, is a convenient way for guests who are coming from the airport to access the property. It definitely makes the journey easier as it is equipped with all the necessary amenities.
Turtles Nest Villa
The layout of this property reminds me of an Arizona home with a modern design template. The rectangular yard space is huge, with the angular home in the middle. Around the back is a gorgeous view of the sea, which is reminiscent of somewhere in California.
How to cook Jamaican pastry
Tie Leaf is a popular traditional pastry in Jamaica, that has its roots in the West African country, Ghana. It mainly consists of grated sweet potato, white flour and cornmeal flour. Once the batter is mixed to form the required consistency, it is placed on a banana leaf and wrapped, then put in a pot of boiling water..
Sharkies Restaurant
Tip: Even though the waiting time is short, try to order in advance by calling.
What stands out? The fact that the establishment is beside the beach.
Island Flats
After interviewing Tambo, a donut vendor at Spanish Town bypass, months ago, I revisited him to find out how things have been going. While catching up, Tambo and his family were treated to pizzas from @islandflat in Ocho Rios, St. Ann.
Ultimate Jerk Centre
Whenever you are on a road trip, it is important to know where to stop for food and Ultimate Jerk Centre has become a favourite for me.
Boardwalk hotel
Boardwalk village as its name suggests is a boardwalk infrastructure along the Seven Mile Beach in Negril. Wander further inward and you will find a colorful display of hotel rooms and a well-kept layout of plants and trees.
Lashings Boutique
Known to many as the designated spot for the Calabash festival, Treasure Beach is also a hub for ecotourism, with hotels like Lashings pumping life into the district.
Indian Jerk
On this episode, I’m headed to Petersfield, Westmoreland, where Indian Jerk and Curry Restaurant has become a favourite spot for foodies, especially on a Sunday.
Chukka ATV
Riding an ATV can be fun, however the trail is what brings out the true excitement. The best parts about this tour are going through the mud and riding along the seashore.
Royalton Negril
Some hotels definitely give a feel of paradise and Royalton is one of them. The layout is huge and the property is well kept, with gardeners and maintenance personnel working around the clock.
Cooking on the beach
I have always loved outside cooking, as it feels so refreshing and natural. From getting the coal, breaking the sticks, to the intermittent jokes, it’s all about enjoying life.
Sandy Haven
This week I head to a beautiful boutique hotel, Sandy Haven, which has 35 rooms and sits on the lovely 7-mile beach in Negril.
Power Snorkeling, Chukka
For the aquatic lovers, power snorkeling has become a steady growing hobby. The device weighs about 50 lbs, but once it is in the water, it’s light and maneuverable. There is a trigger to control the speed, which pulls you forward. Ideally it should be held below the chest, as the user is a few inches below the water, while breathing through a snorkel.
JamWest Pushcart
Constantly trying to evolve in Jamaica’s competitive tourism attraction Market, Jamwest started their Push Cart ride. I had to find out what inspired it and the ride experience.
Hope Zoo
When I saw this lion I remembered The Tokens’ 1961 hit song, The Lion Sleeps Tonight. Ironically, Hope Zoo curator, Zoey Brown told me that most lions rest in the day and hunt at nights
Konoko Falls
“The waterfalls would be the most unique feature as it is not intense, but challenging enough to allow visitors to create lasting memories and capture exciting moments with the guidance of our professional lifeguards. The rock pools and Bob Marley Cave add the finishing touch to the experience,” said General Manager
Puerto Seco Beach
With the Jamaican government slowly allowing places of attractions to open up, Puerto Seco wants to be one of the first companies to be out the gate. They have made some adjustments to their packages and will only take visitors based on reservations. This is to ensure that they don’t breach the social guidelines set by the local authorities.
Jamaica Inn
Despite the rise of the all inclusive hotels, Jamaica Inn has kept its occupancy high by offering a unique service to its visitors. It has a combination of 55 rooms, which includes bungalows, suites and cottages, all of which are depleted with elements that are linked to a regal lifestyle.
Skate Park
The Freedom Skatepark provides a safe haven for the kids in the Bull Bay and adjoining communities, that are often affected by crime and violence. The park is equipped with an office and an obstacle course for skaters.
Jamnesia
I went out to Jamnesia at Bull Bay, where surfing is taught by the Wilmot family. Located in front of the sea, there is always a strong tide, which provides the perfect opportunity to ride a surfboard.
Whitehouse
One of the most exciting places to be in any district is the square, where all the commercial activities take place. Whitehouse in Westmoreland is no different. There is a broad roadway, which runs through the town and is flanked by commuters on both sides. As I approached one of the corner shops, at about 9 a.m., a delivery truck was unloading 50-pound bags of rice, which was executed by two men. One stood on the ground, while the other stayed in the back of the truck and threw the bags down.
Icah
The large community of Bull Bay, which consists of the famous Nine and 11 Miles areas, has fallen prey to crime in the past year, with the community recording a flare-up in violence. Much of this stems from the high level of unemployment and poverty that has a stranglehold on the area. However, for community member Icah Wilmot, this has never deterred him from giving back.I first met the 34-year-old at the Freedom Skating Park, where at about 4 p.m. he was teaching five grade seven boys. Armed with a small whiteboard, positioned on top of a table, Wilmot, leaning against the wall, asked the boys,
Long Walk To Freedom- Part 2
In Untold Stories, Buju seized the opportunity to speak on a post-independent Jamaica and the economic plights of the poor, making possible reference to the mass migration of many wealthy Jamaicans in the ‘70s who left the country due to political war, stating, “Those who can afford to run, will run, but what about those who can’t, they will have to stay.” The song also poetically defined the harsh reality many Jamaicans have had to experience, which resonated with others beyond the shores of Jamaica.
Blue Ridge Restaurant and Cottages
Throughout the Blue Mountains, there are several marvellous places that display peace and tranquillity. Blue Ridge Restaurant and Cottages is one such spot, as it is perched on the mountainside of Salt Hill, far from the hectic city life. Sadly to say, the restaurant has been temporarily closed due to the destruction of the Gordon Town road, caused by the heavy rains in November 2020.The journey for me started at Hope Road, where, after passing the University of Technology, I entered into Papine and took a left to Gordon Town
Dwight Jackson
Whenever I get the time to sit down and scroll through social media content, I am always looking for images and videos of Jamaica. I find that our landscape has so many characteristics, whether it is our white-sand beaches or the colourful skin of our wide variety of fruits. Most of the time, the videos that would catch my attention all had one in common, the social media handle @Jamaica_Uncut.At first, I saw hidden gems in Williamsfield, and Petersfield in Westmoreland. The narrator, Dwight Jackson, would walk around, using the rear camera to give a description of the various places.
Ambassabeth Eco Lodge
The first place, Ambassabeth Eco Lodge’s manager, Lloyd Wilks and I explored, was Sugar Cane falls, where he and his cousin, Cecil, would walk past as children.“When we wake up in the morning mama would say, ‘Grandson, go and fetch two buckets by the spring’. She didn’t use this spring because someone lived next to it, so we had to go to the further one. The joke is that, even if she didn’t use all the water, by the next morning she would throw away the overnight water and we would have to get fresh water.”
Yacht Club
While driving on the peninsula towards Norman Manley Airport, I found a hidden gem, the Royal Jamaica Yacht Club, which has been in existence since 1884. After turning off the main road, there is a two-minute journey to get to the property, where there is always a security posted at the entrance.The setting is very laid back and spacious, as persons can sit outside and view the yachts floating on the sea, while listening to soothing music in the background.
Charles Town
Due to the onslaught of the coronavirus pandemic, many children in communities across Jamaica have been left without access to formal education. There are those who don’t have the requisite resources such as a tablet or the money to purchase Internet service and, as such, are not able to pursue their academic dreams.For the Charles Town Maroon Council, located in Buff Bay, this was not a situation they were going to allow to blight the future of their children.
Fisherman’s Pub
Driving from St Ann to St Mary, it’s easy to pass the fishing village of White River. However, for persons who are familiar with the area, it is a staple. My entrance point started by turning at a stop sign, adjacent to a Texaco gas station to enter the community of Exchange. After which, there are two major corners before approaching a lane, simply known as Old Road, which had men standing at the entrance eager to wash my car.
Trevor Bent’s
I remember the first time I saw the City View Hotel. This occurred while questing about in the hills of St Andrew. I was driving to Smokey Vale when I saw this building perched on the hillside. I then decided to stop and enquired within, so I pressed the buzzer, but there was no answer. As fate would have it, the PR person called me a year later, after watching my Kareem’s Quest episode and asked if I would be interested in reviewing the property.
Quashie Gap
While on my journey to Blue Ridge Restaurant and Cottage, I got a bit fatigued driving on the serpentine road to get there. As I approached a community square, I saw a shop on the right. With the midday sun beaming through the window of the vehicle, I looked for a shaded area under a guava tree. As I neatly parked the vehicle, a route taxi stopped in the middle of the road.
Wayne
Truth be told, I find the journey from Kingston to Westmoreland, via the south coast, to be a long and tedious one. Primarily because, when I am passing Toll Gate and heading towards Porus, the roadway is single lane and there is usually a truck holding up the traffic. So I normally make a customary detour on Old Porus Road and drive as quickly, as legally permitted, to get ahead of whichever vehicle is causing the congestion.
Pages in the Gardens
For the past 20 years, David Brown has been obsessed with cooking, as he uses the kitchen as his experimental lab to invent savoury cuisines. “I had a strong love for food and people from a young age.
Josh and his Daughter
I recently got a chance to spend quality time in a parish I used to visit frequently as a child, Westmoreland. Most persons know it for the many tourist activities that take place at the western end, Negril, a hotspot for party lovers.
The Blue House
Located a stone’s through outside the city life of Ocho Rios is The Blue House, a family-owned property that has been in existence since 2006. Coming from Chinese descendants, owners of The Blue House, the Yap family, quickly fell in love with the island and the vibe it brought.
Brighton
Dirt Adventure
Navigating The Track At Dirt Adventure
Alwyn Williams has fond memories of his childhood days growing up in Farm Town in Discovery Bay, St Ann, where he spent a lot of time running through the bushes and playing football with friends on open fields.
Jewel
Relaxes The Mind And Spirit
Located in Runaway Bay, Jewel Paradise Cove has always prided itself on a different type of hotel. For starters, the 225-room property offers a menu that promotes healthy eating and has 10 fit-training stations on the premises.
Relaxing at Skylark
Skylark Negril Beach Resort
Negril’s Seven-Mile beach is one of Jamaica’s most beautiful stretches of land and it attracts a large influx of tourists each year. There are countless boutique hotels in the vicinity; however, some stand out more than others, and this is the case for Skylark.
Windjammers Villa
Bringing Something Extra To Trelawny
Located in Silver Sands, which is along the coastal line of the lovely parish of Trelawny, is WindJammers Villa, a beach-front property.
Truth be told, this is the first time I have ventured to this section of the parish. I usually go the opposite end towards Albert Town.
CDCR
Off To An Impressive Start
With so many auto-related events taking place during the summer, a group of friends decided that they wanted to do something that was different from the norm, and the first thing they thought about was having a unique name. “We wanted a name that would pretty much capture the whole experience of the event, hence, Chill, Drink, Chat, Ride (CDCR),” stated co-coordinator Nadine Smith.
Exploring Jay's Guest House
For the true adventurers
LOCATED ALONG the border of St Thomas, Jay’s Guest House has steadily been making a name for itself as a place to stay when hiking the Blue Mountains. “The guest house has been around for four years now. We started back in 2015 and did some refurbishing, then we officially opened in January 2016,” revealed owner Aden Jackson.
Holywell
A Haven In The Hills
MANY PERSONS think a lot of money is needed to enjoy themselves in Jamaica, and that is not necessarily the case. Attractions like Holywell, which only charges $100 per adult to enter the park, is always a great getaway.
Black River
A Nature Lover's Paradise
The black River stretches 54 km, the longest river in Jamaica until it was established that Rio Minho was 92.8 km long. The name ‘Black’ stems from the darkness part of the river bed caused by the thick layer of decomposing vegetation.
Westender Inn
To many, the most popular part of Westmoreland is Negril and in particular, the area along the Norman Manley Boulevard where the seven-mile beach is located. if the East End is for the party lovers then the West End is for the more tranquil oriented persons.
Luna Sea Inn
Bringing Something Different to Jamaica
Jamaica isn’t lacking scenic landscape and interesting places, especially along our coastal shore. Luna Sea Inn is one such property. Located in Bluefield in Westmoreland. It’s hard to miss the vibrant turquoise green wall with the name of the business painted in white.