Jamaica Flag of Jamaica
February 04 - 11, 2006

Jamaica is a country of rhythm, sun-drenched beaches, warm tropical breezes and rich cultural heritage.

Jamaica, the third-largest island in the Caribbean, carries a powerful attitude to life, the keyword is "respect". It is used as a greeting as well as a farewell, it should prevent the people from interrelated disrespect.
The Jamaicans say "Out of Many, One People", it reflects Jamaica's diverse heritage. As diverse as its heritage are Jamaica's attractions - they offer something for every vacationer!

Oli and I decided on a week-long island-exploration by car... and it was a good decision. We were able to discover not only the touristy parts of the "Island in the Sun" but also were able to take a brief look behind the scenes, experience a little bit of the real Jamaican life. We learned that there is "no problem, yah man", that certain things will "soon come" and the rhythm of reggae defines the rhythm of life.

For those interested, here's our route around Jamaica:

 
Port Antonio & Surroundings top

Port Antonio, tucked away on Jamaica's northeast coast, is away from the hustle and bustle of most tourist destinations. It's the kind of place you see on postcards, but seldom find. There are a lot of things to do in and around Port Antonio.

Port Antonio & Surroundings<br /><b>Clock Tower</b>
Port Antonio & Surroundings<br /><b>In the streets of Port Antonio</b>
Port Antonio & Surroundings<br /><b>Christ Church</b>
Port Antonio & Surroundings<br /><b>House</b>
Port Antonio & Surroundings<br /><b>In the streets of Port Antonio</b>
Port Antonio & Surroundings<br /><b>Bakery</b>
Port Antonio & Surroundings<br /><b>Oli</b>
Port Antonio & Surroundings<br /><b>Trident Castle</b>
Port Antonio & Surroundings<br /><b>Blue Lagoon</b>
Port Antonio & Surroundings<br /><b>Marina Park</b>
Port Antonio & Surroundings<br /><b>Beautiful Beach at Marina Park</b>
Port Antonio & Surroundings<br /><b>Beautiful Beach at Marina Park</b>
Port Antonio & Surroundings<br /><b>Soon-to-be-beautiful-beach at St. Margret's Bay</b>
Port Antonio & Surroundings<br /><b>Titchfield Peninsula at Port Antonio</b>
Port Antonio & Surroundings<br /><b>Run-down house</b>
Port Antonio & Surroundings<br /><b>Run-down street</b>
 
Rio Grande River Rafting top

One of my personal favorites in Jamaica was the Rio Grande River Rafting. A raftsman poles a two-seat bamboo floater over this clear, shallow stream serenading you along a scenic 2 to 2 1/2-hour trip.

Rio Grande River Rafting<br /><b>Our captain</b>
Rio Grande River Rafting<br /><b>Rio Grande impressions</b>
Rio Grande River Rafting<br /><b>Rio Grande impressions</b>
Rio Grande River Rafting<br /><b>Rio Grande impressions</b>
Rio Grande River Rafting<br /><b>Rio Grande impressions</b>
Rio Grande River Rafting<br /><b>Changing of the captains</b>
Rio Grande River Rafting<br /><b>Our new captain</b>
Rio Grande River Rafting<br /><b>Coming to an end...</b>
 
Somerset Falls top
Somerset Falls<br /><b>Somerset Falls</b>
Somerset Falls<br /><b>Dani</b>
Somerset Falls<br /><b>Somerset Falls</b>
Somerset Falls<br /><b>Somerset Falls</b>
 
Blue Mountains top

Shrouded almost perpetually by mists that give Jamaica's highest mountains their bluish color, the Blue Mountain range sprawls across the eastern portion of the island. Today the Blue Mountains are renowned for the coffee that is grown there.

Blue Mountains<br /><b>Blue Mountains</b>
Blue Mountains<br /><b>Blue Mountains</b>
Blue Mountains<br /><b>Blue Mountains</b>
Blue Mountains<br /><b>Approaching Kingston</b>
 
Kingston top

Kingston, Jamaica's capital, lies on the fertile plains of Liguanea between the cays and banks of the eastern coast and the towering Blue Mountains. In this picturesque setting has grown a city of around 700,000 people: a bustling, sprawling city that is a place of deep and striking contrasts.
The main reason for our trip to Kingston was the visit of Bob Marley's former home and studio.

Kingston<br /><b>Bob Marley's truck</b>
Kingston<br /><b>Bob Marley's house</b>
Kingston<br /><b>Bob Marley statue</b>
Kingston<br /><b>Devon House</b>
 
Mandeville & Spanish Town top
Mandeville & Spanish Town<br /><b>Iron Bridge at Spanish Town</b>
Mandeville & Spanish Town<br /><b>In the streets of Spanish Town</b>
Mandeville & Spanish Town<br /><b>Mandeville Courthouse</b>
Mandeville & Spanish Town<br /><b>Cecil Charlton Park</b>
Mandeville & Spanish Town<br /><b>St. Mark's Church</b>
Mandeville & Spanish Town<br /><b>Inside St. Mark's Church</b>
Mandeville & Spanish Town<br /><b>Jerk Chicken</b>
Mandeville & Spanish Town<br /><b>Market and Bus Station</b>
 
Bamboo Ave top
Bamboo Ave<br /><b>Bamboo Ave</b>
Bamboo Ave<br /><b>Bamboo Ave</b>
Bamboo Ave<br /><b>Bamboo Ave</b>
Bamboo Ave<br /><b>Bamboo</b>
 
YS Falls top
YS Falls<br /><b>Transportation to the Falls</b>
YS Falls<br /><b>On the way to the Falls</b>
YS Falls<br /><b>YS Falls</b>
YS Falls<br /><b>Middle pool</b>
YS Falls<br /><b>Swimming in the pools</b>
YS Falls<br /><b>Dani and Oli</b>
YS Falls<br /><b>Lower pool</b>
YS Falls<br /><b>Swimming pool</b>
 
Appleton Rum Estate top
Appleton Rum Estate<br /><b>Appleton Estate Rum Tour</b>
Appleton Rum Estate<br /><b>Squeezing sugar cane</b>
Appleton Rum Estate<br /><b>Squeezing sugar cane</b>
Appleton Rum Estate<br /><b>Molasse</b>
Appleton Rum Estate<br /><b>Workers</b>
Appleton Rum Estate<br /><b>Rum barrels</b>
Appleton Rum Estate<br /><b>Stages of rum transformation</b>
Appleton Rum Estate<br /><b>Tasting rum</b>
 
Black River & Black River Rafting Tour top
Black River & Black River Rafting Tour<br /><b>Waterloo Guesthouse</b>
Black River & Black River Rafting Tour<br /><b>Waterloo Guesthouse</b>
Black River & Black River Rafting Tour<br /><b>Black River</b>
Black River & Black River Rafting Tour<br /><b>Parish Church of St. John the Evangelist</b>
Black River & Black River Rafting Tour<br /><b>Rusting ship in the sunset</b>
Black River & Black River Rafting Tour<br /><b>Sunset</b>
Black River & Black River Rafting Tour<br /><b>Fisherman's boats</b>
Black River & Black River Rafting Tour<br /><b>Black River Rafting Tour</b>
Black River & Black River Rafting Tour<br /><b>Black River</b>
Black River & Black River Rafting Tour<br /><b>Bird</b>
Black River & Black River Rafting Tour<br /><b>Crocodile</b>
Black River & Black River Rafting Tour<br /><b>Black River</b>
Black River & Black River Rafting Tour<br /><b>Black River</b>
Black River & Black River Rafting Tour<br /><b>Crocodile</b>
Black River & Black River Rafting Tour<br /><b>Black River</b>
Black River & Black River Rafting Tour<br /><b>Dani and Oli</b>
 
South Coast top

To travel along the South Coast is to enjoy some of Jamaica's quietest pleasures. However there is a lot to do and see here, but everything goes in a mellow tranquility and relaxed lifestyle.

South Coast<br /><b>Kids at Whitehouse Bay</b>
South Coast<br /><b>Whitehouse Bay</b>
South Coast<br /><b>Southwest Coast impressions</b>
South Coast<br /><b>Southwest Coast impressions</b>
South Coast<br /><b>Southwest Coast impressions</b>
South Coast<br /><b>Southwest Coast impressions</b>
South Coast<br /><b>House in the Central Highlands</b>
South Coast<br /><b>Crossing the Central Highlands</b>
 
Montego Bay, Relaxing @ Doctor's Cave Beach top

Montego Bay is the tourism-capital of Jamaica. Each day vacationers arrive in the city and they are all itching for excitement... and MoBay is ready for them. This city offers everything you wish for - diving, discos, food and drinks, shopping and golfing, all-inclusive, and much more.
Well, for us Montego Bay was only our point of entry and exit, so we didn't spend too much time there.

Montego Bay, Relaxing @ Doctor's Cave Beach<br /><b>Downtown Montego Bay</b>
Montego Bay, Relaxing @ Doctor's Cave Beach<br /><b>Fruit stall</b>
Montego Bay, Relaxing @ Doctor's Cave Beach<br /><b>Welcome to Montego Bay Hip Strip</b>
Montego Bay, Relaxing @ Doctor's Cave Beach<br /><b>Shops</b>
Montego Bay, Relaxing @ Doctor's Cave Beach<br /><b>Doctor's Cave Beach</b>
Montego Bay, Relaxing @ Doctor's Cave Beach<br /><b>Doctor's Cave Beach</b>
Montego Bay, Relaxing @ Doctor's Cave Beach<br /><b>Unbelievable turquoise</b>
Montego Bay, Relaxing @ Doctor's Cave Beach<br /><b>Unbelievable turquoise</b>
Montego Bay, Relaxing @ Doctor's Cave Beach<br /><b>Doctor's Cave Beach</b>
Montego Bay, Relaxing @ Doctor's Cave Beach<br /><b>Doctor's Cave Beach</b>
Montego Bay, Relaxing @ Doctor's Cave Beach<br /><b>Cool Runnings</b>
Montego Bay, Relaxing @ Doctor's Cave Beach<br /><b>Red Stripe - Jamaican beer</b>
 
More pictures... various impressions of Jamaica! top
More pictures... various impressions of Jamaica!<br /><b>It's pouring!</b>
More pictures... various impressions of Jamaica!<br /><b>Changing the screen wiper</b>
More pictures... various impressions of Jamaica!<br /><b>Landslided</b>
More pictures... various impressions of Jamaica!<br /><b>Still a lot of work to do...</b>
More pictures... various impressions of Jamaica!<br /><b>Rastafarian food stall</b>
More pictures... various impressions of Jamaica!<br /><b>Food stalls</b>
More pictures... various impressions of Jamaica!<br /><b>Jerk chicken</b>
More pictures... various impressions of Jamaica!<br /><b>Jerk chicken</b>
More pictures... various impressions of Jamaica!<br /><b>Street sign</b>
More pictures... various impressions of Jamaica!<br /><b>Insect</b>
More pictures... various impressions of Jamaica!<br /><b>Parrot</b>
More pictures... various impressions of Jamaica!<br /><b>Breadfruit tree</b>