Yah Man! Reggae, Bob Marley, Rastafari, Seven Mile Beach, Cricket, Usain Bolt, Jerk Chicken, Big Up and Bless Up!
Jamaica: Love of God and Love of Neighbour
Jamaica is an island country situated in the Caribbean Sea and can be easily accessed if coming from the US. Or you are coming from Frankfurt in Germany it is around a 10 hours flight. If you want to be utterly soaked in stunning beaches and a blissful tropical ocean with too many shades of blue, Jamaica is the place to go for any beach vacation. Other islands close by Jamaica are Cuba and the Dominican Republic. I had a week in Jamacia, and I did spend it more at the beach than exploring the greenery and the waterfalls of Jamacia. This blog post is for your Jamacia trip if you love coastal sites and food.
Wha Gwan?
One Love
1. Jamaica’s Best Beach: Doctor’s Cave in Montego Bay
Splurge at Doctors Cave in Montego Bay, no doubt one of the best beaches in Jamaica. Utterly clean, the sea is crystal clear with turquoise water, undeniable good amenities, and service. Most of all, fresh coconut water from the coconut. Finally, Doctors Cave in Montego Bay is a piece of paradise in Jamaica and the world. You are welcome, enjoy!
The entrance fee is six US dollars.
2. Jamaican & Jerk Chicken Roadside with Diana in Montego Bay
What is the fuss about Jerk Chicken in Jamacia? It is history, culture, and heritage. “Jerk is Jamaica in one bite”. The style of cooking Jerk is where the main ingredient is protein – coated in spices and slow-cooked over a fire composed of green pimento wood positioned over burning coals: the resulting smoke is key to the flavor of the Jerk.
If hungry, stop before going into Montego Bay by Queens Road at the roadside and have Jerk Chicken with Diana. She is a street chef for amazing Jerk. Typical side dishes include rice, beans, plantains, sweet potatoes, and small cornbread fritters called a festival.
Or stop at The Pork Pit in Montego Bay or Peppa’s Cool Spot with an ocean view. Other foods to try are Ackee & Saltfish, Jamaican Patty, Bambi. Highly recommend trying Curry Goat in Negril!
History of Jamacia & Jerk
The Spaniards colonized Jamaica due to the arrival of Christopher Columbus in 1494. Great Britain conquered Jamaica. The country became the leading sugar exporter with a plantation economy dependent on the enslaved Africans and their descendants.
The Word of Jerk
Jerk is a Spanish word that came from the Peruvian word of Charqui. It means dried strips of meat, which we might know as jerky elsewhere.
The Methode of Jerk
The Taíno were Arawak people, the indigenous people of the Caribbean and Florida. Arawak Indians settled in Jamaica more than 2500 years ago. They used a technique for smoking and drying meat in the sun, and they would sometimes cook it over a slow fire. These were standard practices in Peru, and they could take the dried beef on longer journeys. That is what makes up modern jerk cooking today. Taino, who developed the jerk method and later taught it to enslaved Africans, adapted it to creating jerk chicken.
The Spices of Jerk
Beginning in the 1840s, the British began using Chinese and Indian indentured labor to work on plantations. The island achieved independence from the United Kingdom on 6 August 1962.
If any questions about the spices used when creating Jerk:
- Jerk marinade or sauce are used to season the meats and consist of allspice, onions, garlic, Scotch bonnet peppers, soy sauce, brown sugar, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and thyme. These spices are also commonly used as a dry rub known as Jamaican jerk seasoning.
3. Whitehouse: The Hidden Gem of Jamacia
If you want to explore the hidden gem of Jamacia, take the road less traveled to Whitehouse. Enjoy the utterly stunning scenery of the Caribbean ocean and the 50 shades of blue. Maybe even go skinny dipping and enjoy the one love of mother nature. If you are going with friends or family, check out the fantastic Villa Gilgal. This luxury Caribbean residential home has been designated and fitted for anyone wanting an escape in paradise.
You can even take the private boat ride to the Pelican Bar made of driftwood stilted on a huge sandbar about ¾ mile out in the sea; listed as one of the most unique places to eat and have drinks.
4. Negril with Seven Mile Beach & Lobster at Firefly
Negril is the most charming coastal town in Jamacia. In Negril, you will find all the beach lovers and, most of all, a seven-mile-long beach, which is iconic in Jamaica. Utterly stunning beach for total relaxation.
Highly recommend staying at Westender Inn. I for sure loved the place.
Grilled Lobster & Reed Stripe
When hunger gets you, I recommend stopping by at the Firefly for a perfectly grilled Jamaican lobster that is huger than life. Enjoy the feast of the giant lobster and perfectly chilled Red Stripe (the local beer in Jamacia). Remember to order before you are hungry, food in Jamacia can take anything between 30 minutes to 1 hour and 20 minutes, you never know before you know 🙂
5 Best Beach Bar in Jamacia is Ricks Café at Negril
Ricks Cafe has the most breathtaking views of the Caribbean sunset. Most people come to test their braveness – are you an adventure seeker that will jump off the cliff? You can easily watch others doing the thrill if you don’t do it.
6 Horseback Riding at Sunrise Beach with Half Moon Equestrian Center
Haven’t you dreamt about being on a white sandy beach, riding a beautiful horse by the Caribbean Sea? I have. I decided to make it a reality with Half Moon Equestrian Center. Riding along Sunrise Beach before taking the horse into the ocean for a walk was complete bliss. Also, divine breakfast at Half Moon Resort since we have to treat ourselves sometimes.
If you have time do dinner at Sugar Mill Restaurant. This award-winning fine dining restaurant is known for its unique twist on Jamaican cuisine, which tells the story about food in Jamaica from countryside to seaside, and its historical location – the former Running Gut Estate on the Rose Hall Sugar Plantation. Fine dining.
7 Silver Sand Beach the North Coast of Jamacia
Once again, going to the local spot and more off the beaten path of Jamaica. We went to Silversand Beach on the Northside of Jamaica. Around a 52-minute drive from Montego Bay. An untouched beach with only glory and pure nature bliss.
Jamaica: The Only Island That Mek Di Whole Werl Shake
I did not mention all the favorite spots in Jamaica, like the Pelican bar, Black River, and pretty Waterfalls: Turtle River & Dunn’s River fall. Neither did I go to the Bob Marley museum or Usain Bolt shop in Montego Bay. I did not go on a Rum rum, aka Rum tour. Neither visited the Blue Mountain. Having only one week in Jamaica, there was not enough time to see all attractions. I decided to do more beaches and food than waterfalls, crocodiles, and mountains. The time in Jamacia was fabulous, and I stayed in Montego Bay and Negril.
Accomdation in Jamaica
If you want to splurge, stay at Half Moon Resort or other fabulous hotels in Jamaica, and if you are a budget traveler, look for Airbnb rentals and hotels more convenient for the money available.
I stayed in Montego Bay but up in the hills at Justin’s place with a stunning view of the town. Very affordable for a solo female traveler. Perfect for any budget traveler that wants to explore Montego Bay without going broke. You have to be a traveler who can handle life outside the resort area.
Cash is King in Jamacia
Jamacia is not a cheap place to go. If you want to do the resort experience, I understand. Everything is paid, and there is no hassle with getting cash, which makes life easier in Jamacia. If you are a budget traveler, remember cash is king, and NO American Express is accepted only on fancy resorts.
Safe Travels to Jamaica & Bless Up!
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