Jamaica - Explore, Experience, Enjoy

Have you ever visited the beautiful island of Jamaica? You answer may be yes, or it may be no. Regardless, Jamaica is a truly wonderful island to experience. For those who have visited Jamaica, you probably visited one of the resort areas such as Negril, Ocho Rios or Montego Bay.  I will say that all are awesome places to experience. If you are like me, however, you would be someone who is willing to forego the tourist traps for the sake of experiencing the real Jamaica. Not saying that Montego Bay, Negril and Ocho Rios is not real Jamaica, but let's be real, did you go to experience the same tourist experience we give people in Miami, or did you you go to really experience Yaad? So, what does Jamaica have to offer? Well let's take a look at a few attractions, so common, others not so much, but let's look at a few.

Holland Bamboo
History or presumably rumor has it that the intricacy of bamboo canopy which is a 2.5 miles was planted in the late 17th century for the purpose of supplying material to the nearby Lacovia Manufacturing Company. It is thought that the bamboo fibre was used as a lubricant for car wheels and steamship engines. Although this company failed to take off,  the bamboo trees has survived until this day and remains a beautiful feature. Holland Bamboo is located on the South Coast main road between two districts in Jamaica, Middle Quarters and Lacovia. If you are travelling in this direction Bamboo Avenue is a fantastic place to stop and have an ice cold jelly coconut which you will find on sale by the roadside. If you need some Jamaican cuisine I recalled getting some lovely Roti and Curry from a small restaurant which is located nearby a school. Just a word of caution when driving through the avenue to be conscious of the 50 km/hr speed limit as police (Babylon) are always hiding among the bamboo trees and sometimes they just suddenly spring out on you expecting you to "grease their palms".

Dunns River Falls
Dunns River Falls is located in Ocho Rios, St Ann Parrish, Jamaica. At about 180 feet (55 m) high and 600 feet (180 m) long, the waterfalls are terraced like giant natural stairs though some incorporate man-made improvements. Several small lagoons are interspersed among the vertical sections of the falls. The falls empty into the Caribbean Sea at the western end of a white-sand beach.

Martha Brea River (Rafting)
The Martha Brae River is a river of Jamaica. It is located (primarily?) in Trelawny Parish on the north coast of Jamaica, towards the western edge, about 6 miles south of Falmouth, Trelawny, Jamaica. The river features rafting. A small village west of the river is named Martha's Brae because of this nearby river. Northwest of the village is Gun Hill, where judge John Bradshaw was reportedly re-buried by his son James Bradshaw, to prevent desecration of his father's remains by King Charles II of England.

Mineral Water Baths
Jamaica has been blessed with several naturally occurring mineral springs/baths, with just the right combination of temperature and mineral deposits to offer therapeutic properties. These natural wonders are famed to be among the best in the world, with radioactive levels and mineral deposition far exceeding other known famous hot springs in the world, based on scientific research.

Blue Mountain
The Blue Mountains are the longest mountain range in Jamaica. They include the island's highest point, Blue Mountain Peak, at 2256 m (7402 ft). From the summit, accessible via a walking track, both the north and south coasts of the island can be seen. On a clear day, the outline of the island of Cuba, 210 km (130 mi) away, can also be seen. The mountain range spans 4 parishes: Portland, St.Thomas, St Mary and St.Andrew.

Discovery Bay, Columbus Landing
When Christopher Columbus arrived in Jamaica on May 5, 1494, he anchored off the coast of the parish of St. Ann. He named the spot where he landed, Santa Gloria. There is some uncertainty about whether Santa Gloria is now St. Ann’s Bay or Discovery Bay.  There is no doubt though that St. Ann is where Columbus first landed.

Lover's Leap
Known for the most sweeping views in Jamaica (1700 feet from sea level!) this historic property has been reborn as a local hotspot—Jamaica-style! The music is the best of true Jamaican retro, the food is juicy, the scene is spicy and there’s no more memorable place to spend a Sunday night.

Spur Tree Hill
Spur Tree Hill - On the main south coast road, Three miles south-west of Mandeville. For one of the most spectacular views in Jamaica, travel to Spur Tree Hill in Manchester Parish. The Spur Tree Hill road zig-zags down the length of the steep Don Figueroa Mountains, affording views over the plains of Saint Elizabeth Parish, dotted with small towns and smoke rising from the chimneys of the aluminium plants.

Craft Market
Souvenirs, wooden carvings and straw hats for visitors. The city's main craft market is a kaleidoscope of color. The colours that dominate are yellow, blue, purple and green. You cannot miss it. Purchase a wide range of straw and wooden souvenirs. The selection also includes T–shirts, hats, dolls and other novelties. Each brightly coloured little wooden shop is stocked with authentic Jamaican craft items. The lilt of the Jamaican accent adds a musical touch, as vendors try to get tourists to take a look and purchase a little piece of Jamaica to take back home.

Northern Caribbean University 
Northern Caribbean University (NCU) is a private, liberal-arts institution owned and operated by the Jamaica Union Conference (JAMU) and the Atlantic Caribbean Union Mission (ACUM) of Seventh-day Adventists, and is located in Jamaica. With its main campus only 2 miles south of Mandeville town, in Manchester, and three other campuses situated in Kingston, Montego Bay and Salem Runaway Bay, St. Ann, this university offers a number of professional, pre-professional and vocational programmes in a spiritually wholesome and aesthetically pleasing atmosphere. Established in 1907, NCU currently enjoys an average yearly enrollment of over five thousand students, from up to 35 countries, and is the world’s largest English speaking Seventh-day Adventist tertiary institution. It is a part of the Seventh-day Adventist education system, the world's second largest Christian school system.

Lucea (clock)
Would you keep something that was delivered to you in error? That was the question the residents of Hanover had to answer when they received this clock instead of the one they ordered. The mistake wasn’t theirs of course. It seems that the captain of the ship that was taking the clock they received, a gift from Germany to the people of the island of St. Lucia, got confused and delivered it to Lucea instead of St. Lucia.

It was an honest mistake on the captain’s part. Lucea, the capital of the parish of Hanover, had been known at various times as Sant Lucea, St. Lucia, and St. Lucea. I’m not sure what it was being called then but I can easily see how the captain could’ve become confused, especially since Jamaica was probably better known than St. Lucia.

Unfortunately, for the St. Lucians, the people of Lucea fell in love with the clock, which was designed to resemble the helmet worn by the German Royal Guard, and decided to keep it — the one they had ordered was more modest — and took up a collection to pay for the difference in cost. A German landowner paid for the tower and the clock was installed in 1817. It is an eye catching landmark that seems has been watching over the town of Lucea for almost 200 years.

No word on what the St. Lucians thought of the Hanoverians’ highjacking of their clock or if theirs still stands.

Mandeville Jamaica
Mandeville is the capital and largest town in the parish of Manchester in the county of Middlesex, Jamaica. In 2005, the town had an estimated population of 50,000, and including the immediate suburbs within a radius of 16 km (9.9 mi) the total population is about 72,000. It is located on an inland plateau at an altitude of 628 m (2061 feet), and is 103 km (64 mi) west of Kingston. It is the only parish capital of Jamaica not located on the coast or on a major river.

These are by no means all of the attractions Jamaica has to offer. There are so many more to see, choose and enjoy.  Jamaica has 14 Parishes after all, so there is more than enough to see, and experience. Honestly, it is worth getting off the beaten track to see the Real Jamaica. Your will be extremely glad you did.  So, Want to see more?

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The Lonely Planet Jamaica Travel Guide 

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