The Jamaican Life
Jamaica here we come!
We are going to take a tour of some interesting places on the island of Jamaica. But before we actually begin our tour, there are some facts that I will give you about the country. The facts will contain its population, political and physical geography and tour different neighborhoods, while checking out some pretty cool places such as the Dunn’s River Falls in Ocho Rios Doctor Cave’s Beach in Montego Bay; Blue Lagoon in Port Antonio, and the Bob Marley Museum in Kingston.
The government of Jamaica is based upon its Governor-General and Head of State being Queen Elizabeth of the United Kingdom. Jamaica is the third largest island in the Caribbean, and the most populous English speaking island there. The island of Jamaica is home to the Blue Mountains inland, and is surrounded by a narrow coastal plain. Most major towns and cities are located on the coast. Chief towns and cities include the capital Kingston, Portmore, Spanish Town, Mandeville, Ocho Rios, Port Antonio, and Montego Bay. Jamaica is the third most populous Anglophone or English speaking country in the western hemisphere after the United States and Canada. As of July 2005, the country has an estimated population of more than 2.6 million on an island with an area of 2,422 square miles. The country’s capital and largest city is Kingston, which is on the southeast coast. Along with being the capital and largest city in Jamaica, Kingston is also the major cultural center in Jamaica. Since the island’s interior is dominated by the Blue Mountains, which we will visit during our tour, most of the island nation’s inhabitants live in the cities on the island’s coast away from the mountains, which is directly connected to the man-land, spatial and area studies traditions of geography.
Let’s start with the Dunn’s River Falls in Ocho Rios.
Dunn's River Falls is one of Jamaica's national treasures. Globally, it is as well known as reggae and equally stimulating. There are few places where the Arawak name "Xayamaca" - land of rivers and springs - is more apt. The Spaniards called the area "Las Chorreras", the waterfalls or springs and it is truly one of the most beautiful spots on the island. A stone's throw from Ocho Rios, one of Jamaica's fastest growing resort centres, Dunn's River Falls is unique. Described as a living and growing phenomenon, it continuously regenerates itself from deposits of travertine rock, the result of precipitation of calcium carbonate from the river, as it flows over the falls. The small dome-shaped cataracts are usually associated with thermal spring activity found in limestone caves. This, combined with its location near to the sea, gives Dunn's River the distinction of being the only one of its kind in the Caribbean, if not the world.
Next stop is the Doctor Cave’s Beach Club in Montego Bay.
Doctor's Cave Beach Club, Montego Bay (also known as Doctor's Cave Bathing Club) has been one of the most famous beaches in Jamaica for nearly a century.
It is noted for its crystal clear turquoise waters and near white sand. Its sheltered location provides calm waters encouraging even the most diffident swimmers to practice safely. The beach has a broad swath of very clean, near white sand some 200m long. It is fringed by trees, and has numerous facilities: bar, restaurant, well appointed changing rooms & showers. For members there are several club rooms.
As well as for members, the beach is open to the public (entry J$350). Chairs and umbrellas are available (J$300 each). The beach can get crowded in season, but out of season its peace is only disturbed by the chant of holiday makers undergoing organized games in the adjacent Breezes Hotel property some 200m away.
Next is the Blue Lagoon in Port Antonio.
Blue Lagoon is and Port Antonio's most celebrated attraction and one of the most scenic spots in Jamaica. It is fed by underground mineral springs, and is estimated to be about 185ft (56m) deep. Surrounded by steep, green hillsides, the Blue Lagoon is a wonderful place to swim if one chooses to ignore the tales of sea monsters deep below the surface that are circulated by locals.
Last place is the Bob Marley Museum in Kingston.
The Bob Marley Museum is a museum in Kingston, Jamaica; dedicated to the reggae musician Bob Marley. It is located at 56 Hope Road, Kingston 6, and is Bob Marley's former place of residence. It was home to the Tuff Gong record label which was founded by The Wailers in 1970. In 1976, it was the site of a failed assassination attempt on Bob Marley.
So we have now taken a little tour through this fabulous country of Jamaica, but you cannot leave this place without enjoying some of the eatery such as their famous chicken jerks and porks; also experience some of the best coffee in the world called the blue mountain coffee. For any additional information, feel free to check out the following sites:
http://www.volcanicacoffee.com/jamaican-blue-mountain-coffee-beans.htm.
http://www.doctorscavebathingclub.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jamaica
