Jamaica, Mon

So close and yet so far!  In less than three weeks (okay, 2 weeks and 6 days), we will be leaving for a five day vacay in Jamaica.   We'll be spending our first three days at The Caves resort in Negril followed by another two days at the Ritz Carlton in Montego Bay.  Can't wait to see the cliff divers, the seven-mile beach and to have dinner in one of the caves while in Negril.    If all goes well, I will be drinking a Red Stripe and eating jerk chicken instead of turkey on Thanksgiving Day while listening to a little Bob Marley & The Wailers.

The Caves Resort - Negril

The Bar at The Caves Resort - how cool is this?

Dinner in one of the private caves at the resort

Even better is that the three days in Negril are free! Here is how I swung that one - I am an avid fan of Aveda products.  I use mostly their hair products but do use a few of their skincare products as well (never tried their makeup, though).  They have a great point system which I have successfully manipulated over the past 2 years to stock up on products only during double points days or other special bonus point days.  Well, after you save up 50,000 points, you get a free three day stay at The Caves in Negril.  The Caves is all-inclusive, including alcohol, and the stay also includes a free couples massage at their spa.  Normally, a stay here would cost you around $500-$600 per night but not for me!  All I had to do was buy the air tickets and then I added an extra two days in Mo'Bay just to check out that area too.

Seven Mile Beach - Jamaica

This is my first trip to Jamaica so I'm not familiar with the island at all other than what I have read online and on tripadvisor and some travel forums.  I ended up picking Montego Bay for the last two days of the trip just because we leave from that airport and I know that the drive from Mo'Bay to Negril is already pretty long. Not being sure where to stay, I settled on the Ritz Carlton at RoseHall.  I actually got a great deal on an oceanfront room, which surprised me so I hope it's decent.  The deal almost seemed too good but I did book it early so maybe I got a better deal that way.  I figure it's a Ritz so it can't be too bad.

Ritz Carlton View - Montego Bay

Oh, I will say that a pet peeve of mine is every person that comments or tells me "it's really poor there so don't leave your resort" when I tell them I am going to Jamaica.  Having been to a lot of islands in the Caribbean and even to Kenya, I can tell you that poverty is everywhere and we have seen extreme poverty as well.  Having seen how the Masai live in Kenya is an eye-opening experience to say the least.  Not to mention seeing the Kibera slums of Nairobi.  My point being that I find that statement to be offensive and incredibly close-minded.  If the poverty of other countries bothers you that much, I'm not sure why you travel at all.  The fact that a place has a lot of poverty doesn't mean you shouldn't leave your resort or get to know any locals.  It does mean you should use common sense and keep your wits about you but I wish people would remember that just because someone lives in what we would consider a shack with a goat hunting dog tied out front (like some people we know and love in the BVI) does not make them less of a human being and does not mean that they are out to rob you.  Crime is everywhere - just don't be an idiot but don't stereotype either.

Okay.  Rant over.

At any rate, I am really looking forward to seeing the island of Jamaica and experiencing the culture, the food and the natural beauty.  I really want to get away from the resorts (which I am sure will be nice and hard to leave in their own way) to try some local, roadside or beachside food.  Some of the best food I have had in the Caribbean comes from roadside ramshackle buildings rather than the fancy resort restaurants (and I have NEVER gotten sick from any such roadside food). I've also met some of the most interesting people at those establishments, too. Nothing like some good food and a cold beer to bring people together.  I'm sure there will be touristy gimmicks and things that I don't like or that will get on my nerves in Jamaica but it's all part of the travel experience.  Ya, mon.

Jerk Chicken - here I come!!