What to Do: Surfing at Boston Bay, JamaicaWell renowned as “The Jerk Capital of Jamaica” Boston Bay in Portland Jamaica is not only a tantalizing treat for the taste buds it also appeals to sun worshipers and vacationers seeking to venture into the realm of water sports. The golden sands and rough waters will tempt you to grab a surfboard and ride the waves, take a lesson in wind surfing, or venture further out to some good snorkeling sites. Located on Jamaica’s eastern coast, 4.9 miles from Athenry Gardens. Boston Bay is close to Priestman’s River, so exploring the town is a convenient option and in fact most people come out for the food and local interaction. Vacationers who are hoping for a taste of seclusion blended in with elements of local charm in Jamaica may find that Boston Bay is just the right spot. In addition, Boston Bay is conveniently located near a number of fascinating natural attractions including the Rio Grande, Somerset Falls, and Blue Mountain-John Crow National Park. Visitors may also choose to explore the history of Jamaica with a visit to the Lighthouse at Port Antonio, just 7.8 miles west of the beach. July 28, 2011 at 11:50 am | Portland, What to Do | No comment Travel Resources: 5 Places to See the Sunset in JamaicaThere’s no doubt about it, the perfect end to a day is witnessing a majestic sunset pulling down the curtains on a beautiful blue sky. Watching the sunset paint new colors across the sky and sea is a favourite pastime for many Jamaicans particularly when the suns rays are reflected on the surface of a tranquil ocean. An experience both soothing and awe-inspiring, a Jamaican sunset is not to be missed while vacationing on the island. The spectacular tropical vistas and green flash at sunset set the stage for memorable starlight dinners so it’s a perfect activity for couples on their honeymoon. Or simply a moment of introspection on a deck or a balcony. There are many places to witness this phenomenon all across the island, however there are of course a few select spots that offer a better vantage point than others. Here is a list of 5unset in Jamaica: July 18, 2011 at 4:55 pm | Montego Bay, Negril, Portland, The South Coast, Travel Resources, Weddings & Honeymoons, What to Do, Where to Eat, Where to Visit | No comment Event Update: Portland Jerk Festival 2011The Parish of Portland, Jamaica has long been known as “The Jerk Capital of The World” and this year hundreds of foodies flocked to the lovely Folly Estate in Port Antonio for the island’s annual Portland Jerk Festival to sample the curious range of exotic delights the event is famous for. If you’re unfamiliar with the term; “Jerk” is a style of cooking native to Jamaica in which meats are dry-rubbed with a very hot spice mixture called Jamaican jerk spice. Jerked food is a must-have for visitors and locals alike and if you haven’t had it yet you don’t know what you’re missing! Jerk is both a marinade and a preparation technique. In its most authentic form, fresh poultry or pork meat is massaged with a concentrated spice rub infused with allspice (pimento), cinnamon, peppers, onion, thyme and garlic hours before cooking. After marinating, the meat is placed on raised platforms of pimento wood over hot coals to slowly roast for hours. Jamaican jerk is world famous for it’s smoky, juicy, and spicy flavour. Jerk has its genesis in the hilly interior of the island. Caught in the middle of an imperial struggle between the English and Spanish, Africans hiding in the wilderness consumed wild pigs roaming the island’s interior. They prepared the meat using a charcuterie technique adopted from the Tainos and created a flavor so pleasurable that by the early 1800’s, jerk was being served to guests at the governor’s table. July 7, 2011 at 5:48 pm | Jamaica Events, Portland | No comment Where to Stay: Frenchman’s Cove Resort, JamaicaPort Antonio, on Jamaica’s eastern coast, is nestled between the Blue Mountains and the Caribbean Sea. Port Antonio has preserved its charm as a sleepy fishing village while still offering the comfort, variety and adventure of a vacation hideaway – with its bottomless lagoons, lush vegetation, crystal clear waters, beaches, mountains and beautiful red sunsets. ( via Frenchman’s Cove Resort ) Best of all, everywhere you go there are friendly people. Port Antonio is the authentic Jamaica where guests mix with locals – no need for fences here. The area is still, thankfully considered relatively virgin territory and Frenchman’s Cove is a perfectly secluded spot that will make you fall in love with the water instantly. One of the most beautiful beaches in The Caribbean, let alone Jamaica this white-sanded shore, set against a magnificent backdrop of exotic tropical gardens and crystal-clear mountain streams, is so idyllic; it’s no wonder it was featured in the major motion pictures Club Paradise and Treasure Island. June 25, 2011 at 11:22 am | Portland, Weddings & Honeymoons, Where to Stay | No comment Weddings & Honeymoons: Honeymooning in Portland, JamaicaThe parish of Portland on Jamaica’s east coast is without a doubt one of the most beautiful places on the island. With its stunning blue waters, romantic coves, remote white sand beaches, breathtaking panoramic views and some of the best food on the island Portland has long been a favourite getaway spot for everyone from celebrities to couples on their honeymoon and families on vacation. With it’s rustic charm, waterfalls, and river rafting it is perfect for any nature lover and this is part of its allure.
There’s no shortage of activities you can do while honeymooning in Portland. In addition to sailing, water-skiing, wind-surfing, sunbathing and swimming visitors may choose to take a bamboo raft tour, stopping off at a secluded beach along the way and all this can be done in just one day or over a number of days, the choice is yours. A picture-perfect display of nature’s finest works with dazzling walls of green mountainside slipping into crystalline waters. Port Antonio’s quiet charm casts a romantic spell that’s sure to enchant you. June 22, 2011 at 11:57 am | Portland, Weddings & Honeymoons, What to Do, Where to Stay | No comment Travel Resources: 5 Seductive Coves, Cays and Bays in JamaicaJamaica is one of the most sought-after destinations in the Caribbean and the world. The island’s stunning natural beauty and an alluring cultural appeal have been wooing travelers all over the world for decades. Part of its charm is the abundance of access to sparkling shores and tranquil turquoise waters. Jamaica is filled with seductive coves, cays and bays. For travelers interested in visiting them, here is a list of 5 of the most enchanting: Lime Cay ( via Varun Baker ) Fifteen minutes by boat from the famous former pirate haunt Port Royal is a small, low-lying island cay with one of the most beautiful beaches in Jamaica. The largest of the many small cays off the coast of Port Royal, Lime Cay is a part of Jamaica uninhabitable by humans because it is occasionally submerged when the tide comes in. Lime Cay, and the beaches there are public and open to all who can get out there. Seclusion and privacy are part of the draw to Jamaica’s beaches, and Lime Cay offers a taste of off the beaten path travel without taking you too far away from the city. June 10, 2011 at 4:10 pm | Kingston, Negril, Ocho Rios, Portland, The South Coast, Travel Resources, Where to Visit | No comment Travel Resources: 5 Must See Rivers and Waterfalls in JamaicaThere’s more to Jamaica than just scrumptious food, stunning beaches and vibrant nightlife. The island is bejeweled with fascinating hidden gems and natural wonders suited for anyone looking for an off the beaten path adrenaline rush or simply a tranquil day amongst seductive scenery. Numerous navigable rivers and exhilarating waterfalls offer a number of exciting opportunities for activities and adventures. To help you decide which ones to visit here’s a list of 5 Must See Rivers and Waterfalls in Jamaica: Dunn’s River Dunn’s River Falls in Ocho Rios is one of Jamaica’s most celebrated national treasures. It is hands down the island’s most frequented waterfall and one of most popular attractions in the Caribbean. This 600-foot majestic waterfall, known as “the Niagara of Jamaica” sees thousands of visitors from around the world each year climbing the limestone rock formation as water cascades past them and splashes into the ocean below. A truly outstanding treasure for everyone from the adventurous tourist to the more cautious individuals and an experience the whole family can truly enjoy together. May 18, 2011 at 3:21 pm | Negril, Ocho Rios, Off the Beaten Path, Portland, The South Coast, What to Do, Where to Visit | No comment What to Do: Rafting on the Rio Grande, JamaicaPort Antonio, Jamaica is today’s grown-up playground for mature free spirits. The old seaside town has long been a favourite resort for the rich and famous who, attracted to the seclusion, sophistication and serenity of the place, built elegant villas in the surrounding areas. A picture-perfect display of nature’s finest works with dazzling walls of green mountainside slipping into crystalline waters. Port Antonio’s quiet charm casts a romantic spell that’s sure to enchant you. Port Antonio is one of the most accessible towns in Jamaica. Within the town itself, few places are out of walking or bicycling distance. From end-to-end, graceful old buildings with Jamaican gingerbread verandas and elabourate fretwork transoms evoke illusions of grandeur from a time when the banana trade was at its zenith, and movie stars mingled effortlessly with the local elite. This is where you’ll find the famed Rio Grande River. Fed by torrential rains rushing down from as high as approximately 1000 meters in the Blue Mountains the Rio Grande river valley is dominated by bamboo and banana groves and rafting on the Rio Grande is the ultimate vacation treat. May 16, 2011 at 3:20 pm | Portland, What to Do | No comment Travel Resources: 5 Places to Eat in Portland, JamaicaThe parish of Portland on Jamaica’s east coast is without a doubt one of the most beautiful places on the island. With its stunning blue waters, romantic coves, remote white sand beaches, breathtaking panoramic views and some of the best food on the island Portland has long been a favourite getaway spot for everyone from celebrities to couples on their honeymoon and families on vacation. With it’s rustic charm, waterfalls, and river rafting it is perfect for any nature lover and this is part of it’s allure. There are so many great places to grab a bite in Portland that visitors might a little help narrowing down the options. For that here’s a list of 5 Places to Eat in Portland, Jamaica:
Woody’s Low Bridge Place Located East of Port Antonio, on the main road between Trident Castle and Frenchman’s Cove Woody’s Low Bridge Place specialises in homemade burgers, all made from local ingredients. Vegetarians are also well catered for with vegetarian burgers, cheesedogs and grilled cheese sandwiches. Hotdogs and fries are also available. Woody’s has been run by owner Charles “Woody” Cousins and his wife Cherry for 20 years and has earned a reputation as one of the best undiscovered burger shacks in the Caribbean. In addition to serving some of the best burgers around Woody’s is known for their sweet potato pudding and other local specialties such as fish, chicken and peppered steak. To add to its appeal Woody’s has a fantastic atmosphere. Each chequered tablecloth has a little flower bouquet, and the bar walls are covered with Cherry’s invented proverbs and sayings, added to over many years. May 8, 2011 at 9:45 pm | Portland, Where to Eat | No comment Travel Resources: 5 Succulent Seafood Spots in JamaicaJamaica is already well known for its white sand beaches, vast tropical terrain, vibrant nightlife and vivid culture but “foodies” may also know of the wide array of savory cuisines available on the island and where to find them. With a zesty collection of flavours guaranteed to please the palate Jamaica has some of the best food you will ever taste and seafood is a specialty. There are so many great places to sample succulent seafood in the island and if you are wondering where to eat here are a few choices, just to narrow down your options: Pelican Bar ( via ) Treasure Beach, in St. Elizabeth is known for being the perfect “get away from it all” experience. Complete with beautiful volcanic black sand beaches, exotic wildlife safaris, and quaint hassle free resorts, the place is like a fantasy isle on it’s own. It is here, well to be exact a quarter of a mile out to sea from here, you will find one of the most unique beach bars in the world, the Pelican Bar. A rustic wooden bar resting on stilts built on a sand bank in the middle of the sea the Pelican Bar is the perfect place to spend the day being busy doing nothing, sunbathe, drink beer, swim or snorkel in the shallow waters. May 3, 2011 at 6:09 pm | Kingston, Portland, The South Coast, Travel Resources, Where to Eat | 1 comment |












