Monday, May 24, 2010

Vacation In Jamaica - Absorb Its History While Savoring All It Has To Offer

By Willen Karsin

Jamaica is an island in the Caribbean Sea, located about 90 miles south of Cuba and 100 miles west of Haiti. The island is made up of coastal lowlands and beaches, a limestone plateau, and the Blue Mountains. You can opt for camping and nature excursions into the mountain jungle featuring waterfall climbing, horseback riding, as well as river trips. Besides swimming and surfing, there are many water sports available, ranging from charter fishing to ocean skiing.

Good old Christopher Columbus landed on Jamaica in 1494 on his second voyage to the new world. It spans 145 by 50 miles, and is the largest English speaking island in the Caribbean Sea. Tourism is a large part of the economy, aided by its friendly and welcoming people. The hurricane belt runs through this area of the Caribbean, and Jamaica occasionally takes a hit.

As noted, Jamaica's official language of government and education is English, although the Patois form of Jamaican Creole is also spoken. Most Jamaicans use both Patois and English depending on who they're talking to, and often combine them.

Jamaica is such a lovely island that just driving around in a car is sightseeing in itself. With the lush tropical forests and the magnificent beaches, it is truly a sight for sore eyes. The hot climate is eased by temperate breezes coming from the ocean. Winter temperatures hover around 75 F in winter and low 80s in the summer. Jamaican cuisine is often zesty and refreshing. Jamaicans are increasingly proud of their island's culinary offerings. Specialties such as jerk chicken, chowder with crabmeat, or conch can be enjoyed in one of the many casual restaurants in Montego Bay or Negril .

Jamaica vacations are fun! Imagine coconut palm trees swaying in the warm tropical breezes, Bob Marley tunes playing in in the background, swimming through coral reefs full of colorful tropical fish, eating jerk and sipping a cold Red Stripe bought from a Rasta cooking out of a grill made from a 55 gallon drum.

Jamaica is a first-class first-world country that is rich with pride, culture, and heritage. The Jamaica Tourist Board's Discover Jamaica road map is considered to be one of the best, and Maps.com has an excellent one also. Watch out on the road! Jamaicans drive on the left, and they don't have a whole lot of respect for traffic regulations.

Although Jamaica boasts the world's most famous coffee, Blue Mountain, it's not the coffee that keeps Jamaica's economy running strong, it's tourism. The hospitality in Jamaica in known around the world, offering a magnificent mixture of natural beauty along with some of the most welcoming of accommodations available in the Caribbean.

Jamaica is currently listed as one of the best five vacation destinations in the world, and hosts visitors from every corner of the map. You can't go wrong choosing Jamaica for your tropical getaway.

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