Jamaica

Jamaica... home to Caribbean Rum and Jerk Chicken, two things that you will be sure to indulgent in once you get there! Jamaica is on a whole new level when it comes to experiences. Although it does boast the typical Caribbean island expectancies ( addictive sun-rays, beautiful sands and the pampered resort-life ), something about the place does set it aside, if not above, from the rest.

The thing you need to embrace most about Jamaica is its unique character, the inherent 'African-ness' of its population, if you will. The whole place is just bursting and buzzing with personality and atmosphere that you cannot get anywhere else.

One recommendation that does have to be made (and if it is the only trip that you do there then make sure it is this one!) is the visit to Nine Mile: Bob Marley's house and final resting place. It is amazing to see what and where he comes from and, even as someone who knew very little about the famous man, it is so interesting. The funniest part was on arrival being directed to the small hole in the wall in which several men sold several different types of weed out of! You get the chance to learn a lot about Marley and see where he came from. It does make you see what a truly talented and down-right cool guy he was. And you also realise what a huge impact and positive effect he had on his community - he is truly worshiped! Definitely worth a visit. Although you will be listening/chanting/singing/humming/whistling his songs for the entire time in Jamaica!

'ONE LOVE'

Another recommended trip is to the Dunn's River Falls. It is a huge waterfall that is the most popular in the Caribbean islands and Jamaica's most top-grossing tourist attraction. Starting at the bottom you form a daisy-chain with around twenty people (at first holding hands with randomers is awkward but once you get going you certainly appreciate them being there!) You then make your way up the huge waterfall which has a series of cascades and pools, making it hard to believe that it is a natural wonder. One of the best parts is falling down what can only be described as a slide and landing in a deep pool of freezing cold but seriously refreshing water! It does take some time to get up there and you are guaranteed to get wet, but it is not something that you could do anywhere else and is a truly amazing experience.

The last trip that I took was to Dolphin Cove. It has been a dream of mine for a long time now to swim with dolphins; a dream that finally came true! It was fantastic too...the only downside being it went far too quick. You get to interact with the dolphins, as well as touch them and let them take you for a ride on their fins! It really is something that should be experienced by everyone. The park also includes a lot of other things to see and do. I swam with and held huge sting rays, had a parrot perch on my head and even saw/sat in one of the original toboggans from Cool Runnings! Another thing I did which was really cool was go into the love bird cage. Its a large cage with about forty different colored love birds flying around. The park keeper who was in there kindly gave me some bird feed and within seconds I was swamped with lots of little birds perching on me. The cheeky man even put some feed on my head without me noticing (funny until I thought one had 'relieved itself' on me!) Again it is something you don't often get the chance to do and was a fun experience.

Overall, Jamaica has a cool, fun vibe to it. The island is full of things to do and see and you could never get bored there! It is also so relaxing and very nice and hot! The people go out of their way to be nice and ooze such coolness its hard not to be in awe of them! Definitely someone I would recommend visiting.