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I was told by many people that the island of Jamaica is full of contrasts: extreme poverty of local people and extreme excessivness of many luxury resorts, covering most of the Jamaican shores. And I was told that it is not a good place for independent travelers.

Travel Notes on Jamaica

Alex Mumzhiu
2006-03-25 16:35:00

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/>Best place in Jamaica. Ms Brown's house was good, but it was in the middle of town. I wanted to find a place close to the ocean, where I could snorkel alone and hunt for fish. Wild camping is not a good idea on Jamaica, especially for a solo traveler. So I started to look for a hotel, which will fit to these requirements and I found it! But let me first tell you about a remarkable part of the Jamaica shore which is located NE of Port Antonio.

This small stretch of shore is spotted with picturesque coves and small bays surrounded by virgin tropical forest. This place was discovered by famous Hollywood actor Errol Flynn in 1946. He wrote that it is more beautiful than any woman he ever saw. From that time it has become a mecca for the rich and famous.

Six movies were filmed at small 3 mi stretch of shore.

1. Blue Lagoon with Brooke Shields
2. Cocktail with Tom Cruise
3. Clara's Heart
4. Mighty Quinn with Denzel Washington
5. Club Paradise with Robin Williams
6. Playboy's Playmates in Paradise

The shore is dotted with occasional palaces and castles. But there are none of these all inclusive resorts. The place reminds me of the Southern shore of Crimea. There are a few small hotels here, again there are no giants like Marriott. One night in hotel Blue Lagoon Villas near the Blue Lagoon cost $10,000 - breakfast included. Even if you will stay in such expensive hotels you will not be alone with nature. They have beaches nearby, but these beaches are covered with bars and restaurants and with friendly but annoying locals.

But I found the hotel of my dreams. It is a small hotel, actually an Italian lady rents some rooms from her house, $24 single $46 double Name is "Draper San Guest House". (listed in LP) It is located in the middle of this picturesque stretch of shore, which I described before. It is 4 minutes from a little 10 meter long sandy beach. I have never seen anybody there. You can swim from that beach to a bay which is free from any development and full of corals and fish. In the same time it is in walking distance from the famous Blue lagoon and other attractions and castles. The only problem, the water in this bay is cold on the surface and warm below because of many spring flowing into this bay. But it was not too cold for me. I am used to cold water.

From Port Antonio I took a bus to Kingston and spent 2 days in Kingston and Port Royal. Port Royal was the capitol of Buccaneers (pirates) ruled by captain Henry Morgan. During earthquake of 1692, 9/10 of the city went under water and very little is left from the former glory. Anyhow in order to pay homage to popular Russian song writers who loved to write "pirates" songs, I visited Port Royal. Kingston and port Royal are known as very dangerous, crime ridden places. Even locals try to avoid them. As always on a bike it was OK, but I would not risk walking there.

Alex Mumzhiu
Washington
Dec 27 2005

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I can see you hate black people. I don't know anywhere in the world you don't have poor people and most of the things you say are fabricated. Get real man aparthide went long ago. Don't tell me you are still uncivilized like the slave masters!!!!!

June Grant, 2007-08-13 04:48:21