Vacation to Jamaica in the Caribbean Islands

These are some of the facts we found out before we went, and having that knowledge as we travelled around the island, helped us enjoy the wonderful culture of Jamaica
The Island of Jamaica is a parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchy, Queen Elizabeth II of England is indeed the head of State and is referred to as the Queen of Jamaica also and serve in ceremonial roles as representatives of Jamaica. The country's current Prime minister is Bruce Golding.
Jamaica has had political independence since 1962.

I loved the fact that Jamaica has 3 "counties" and these are indeed called after places in Britain.

• Cornwall County
- Highlighted in GREEN
1- Hanover Lucea
2 - Saint Elizabeth Black River
3- Saint James Montego Bay
4- Trelawny Falmouth
5 - Westmoreland

• Middlesex county
highlighted in RED
6 - Clarendon May Pen
7 - Manchester Mandeville
8 - Saint Ann St. Ann's Bay
9- Saint Catherine Spanish Town
10- Saint Mary Port Maria


• Surrey County
Highlighted in Yellow
11 - Kingston (parish)
12 - Portland Port Antonio
13- Saint Andrew Half Way Tree
14- Saint Thomas Morant Bay

If you go out and about, it is beautiful as you enter into each Parish, each as different as the other. and in fact they do make jokes locally about the weather being better in their parish! We thought it was amazing how they all took ownership of their communities and parishes. And entering an individual county.
I never brought home enough Coffee Beans so I was glad to find it online Blue Mountain Coffee the trademark is very strict on what parishes are allowed to harvest their coffee beans and call them Blue mountain, only beans from these parishes Saint Andrew, Saint Thomas, Portland and Saint Mary may be considered Blue Mountain.

Picture Credit: By user:ranas [CC-BY-SA-2.5], via Wikimedia Commons

We chose Montego bay for a few reasons. I remember a song years ago, about Montego Bay, one of those songs you just remember and it gives a feel of the island, and how I envisaged Jamaica
Listen to the song Montego Bay Song Here, and get in the groove of the Jamaican Rhythm?
We wanted a relaxing holiday, but somewhere that offered us lots to do and see if we wished. I loved that being in Montego Bay it was also known as the "friendly city" and yes you hear the warnings about venturing out and about, but to be honest, we never saw one bit of trouble, and even if we were approached we politely said no thank you and moved on. We never once felt uncomfortable, and felt able to explore the wonderful countryside.
The usual holiday safety rules apply, keeping your valuables safe at all time. but we found it no different in Jamaica as anywhere else's in the world.
Even at night time this palace is Magical

We were fortunate to be able to try many of the fantastic Activities around Jamaica.
Our Favorite was Swimming with the dolphins at Dolphin cove which is in Ocho Rios, St. Ann, Jamaica.
This was actually a surprise for my Daughter whose birthday it was whilst we were there, 2 days before our wedding, we told her we were going shopping for her birthday, and never told here until we were walking down the stairs.

My little angel daughter daughter wants to be a marine biologist, and knows a lot about sea life, The most impressive thing about Dolphin Cove is the sheer size of it. Nestled into the hillside, and totally unobtrusive to the beauty of the landscape. It is beautifully maintained, well kept, and the animals all look very healthy, and more importantly happy in their environment.
We had a fantastic time walking though the 5 acres of Tropical Forrest, where you will be surprised at every turn, with magnificent examples of plant life, and animals. Some we were able to feed, touch and learn amazing facts about, snakes, iguanas and beautiful exotic birds. Each area had a dedicated keeper who was extremely knowledgeable and made the whole experience a fantastic learning opportunity.

We were ready to swim with the Dolphins but first we had an encounter of snorkeling amongst the Stingrays, and this itself was magical. As we made our way to the dolphin enclosure, it did make me think about using the animals as an "attraction" however what impressed me was their strict guidelines and rules, and at the heart of their messages was their obvious care and love for helping us understand these beautiful animals.

You Must make this Trip:
Known as one of Jamaica's national Treasures, until you visit you cannot comprehend the sheer magnificence of this cascading waterfall, and a wonder of nature.


I don't think we expected what we had to do until you get there. But I have never experienced anything as exhilarating in all my life. As you are guided up this waterfall, yes they make you walk up the middle of this. The sheer power of the natural clear mountain water flowing around your legs, is magical, the wonderfully water carved rocks, which continuously re-new due to the precipitation of calcium carbonate from the river itself, are smooth and gentle on your feet, as you twist and turn, in the human chain you form, and follow the leader up the waterfall. I do believe it to be the only one of its kind in the world.

Although the Park has been upgraded to accommodate tourist volumes, it still holds a very natural and rustic setting, and unobtrusive modern facilities.

We went on this activity with Chukka Blue Adventure Tours which is Situated at Blue Hole, Sandy Bay, they offer a horseback-riding tour through an ancient sugar estate. The tour is for two and a half hours and takes you through the picturesque Jamaican landscape and finishes with a dip in the sea (horse and all)
Before the emancipation (1833) (freeing someone from the control of another;) of slaves in Jamaica that were brought in mostly from Africa to use and operate the Sugar plantations, which dominated political and economic structure. And due to the economy diversifying and with an overwhelming majority of descendants of the ex-slaves who became the stimulation of achieving political independence from England in 1962. Throughout Jamaica you will still see strong evidence of the plantations, and many of these you can visit
was amazing to leave the town, and feel as though we were being transported back to the 1900's, my daughter could not believe the way the children and families still lived in shacks, and even the little hut that was indeed their shop. This was more than a visitor attraction, it was an insight into how privileged our lives really are.

After a long hard day there is nothing more beautiful than watching the sun go down, every night brought a new scene.

Jamaican Sunset by LisaAuch
Browse more Jamaica Posters

Montego Bay is divided into three fairly distinct parts.
There is the city itself. where streets are colorful and lively Adorned with Markets and shops, and supermarkets, the Craft markets are dotted around and not to be missed.
There is the "hotel area" which is the mile-and-a-half strip running from the town,
Thirdly, there are the outlying hotels and villas on beach or hills

Montego Bay offers a great deal of opportunities to photographers, adventurers or those afflicted by curiosity or inability to sit on a beach for long periods. I loved taking photos of the beautiful stunning flowers, that were all around you as you walked along.

flowers- yellow flowers by LisaAuch
Design photo cards zazzle.com

Aquasol Theme Park
Situated on the white sand Walter Fletcher beach, this theme park offers enough entertainment to keep you busy all day.

Underseas Tours
join in the many Glass bottom boat tours, we went on one and ended up snorkeling out in the ocean. Yes we did indeed spot Nemo

Belvedere Estate
Belvedere is a family-owned estate set on one thousand acres of land just minutes away from Montego Bay. It was one of the first sugar cane plantations in Jamaica and is still a working estate. This is open to the public and you can now see the natural beauty of its rivers and waterfalls, its ruins and exotic plants and birds.

Bird Sanctuary
A visit to Rocklands Feeding Station in Anchovy This scores a whopping 94% on Trip advisor for experience

Bob Marley Experience and Theatre
Situated in the Half Moon Shopping Village. Shows every hour on the hour are a touching tribute to Bob Marley.

A safari jeep tour - your tour guide will be able to recommend the best one in your area

Water sports try the - Rose Hall Beach Club
They call themselves the water sports capital of Jamaica and with great reason. Name any water sport and they have it - Highly recommended we loved it

Rose Hall Great House
Visit he most celebrated Great House in Jamaica. It was once the home of the notoriously wicked Annie Palmer, the White Witch of Rose Hall, who murdered three husbands and terrorized her slaves.

Why not Visit Cuba for the Day or weekend
Vacation Outlet and Tropical Tours can add a Latin flavor to your holiday with a side trip to Cuba which lies a mere 90 miles from Jamaica's north coast. I really wanted to do this however we ran out of time

Our holiday in Jamaica was even more Special as we were getting married. Look out for this Article soon. And follow our story of our wonderful day in this stunning location for a wedding.