Special Feature: The Best of ‘Pon Di Road in Jamaica’

Our favourite travel trio Calee, Stephen and their baby Nyla have come to the end of their Jamaican adventure (for now). For months we’ve watched them experience just about everything there is to do, see and taste in Jamaica.

Season one of the popular webisode series saw them climbing the cascading Dunn’s River Falls in Ocho Rios, tubing on the White River, swimming with the dolphins at Dolphin Cove, parasailing at Cosmo’s Beach in Negril, touring the haunted rooms of the Rose Hall Great House in Montego Bay, riding in an aerial canopy tour and taking a bobsled coaster ride through a tropical rainforest at Mystic Mountain and so much more. In the second season they thought it a great idea to finish off their road trip around the island by visiting many of the places they did not get to see last time, especially the eastern part of the Island with it’s quiet and undeveloped beauty.

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May 16, 2012 at 3:40 pm | Special Feature | No comment

The Jamaica Tourist Board’s Soft Adventure Bloggers Meetup 2011

From November 9-13, 2011 The Jamaica Tourist Board invited 9 Bloggers from across the US and Canada to experience the “softer” side of adventure travel in Jamaica. Bloggers Stephen Barrymore of The Wanderer Cynthia White of Johnny Jet, Lindsey Davis of Go Nomad Dave Bouskill and Debra Corbeil of The Planet D, Michael Ortiz of Smart Women Travelers, Robert Lloyd of Stop Having a Boring Life, and Teresa Plowright of About.com were those selected to enjoy these 5 days exciting action.

Upon arrival on the evening of the 9th, our bloggers (now guests of the Iberostar Grand Rose Hall in Montego Bay) were ushered my a bellhop and almost immediately introduced to their very own personal Butler who ensured that they were comfortable and connected to the internet so that they could share the journey they were about to embark on with the world.

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November 24, 2011 at 3:04 pm | Montego Bay, Negril, News & Updates, Ocho Rios, Off the Beaten Path, Trelawny, What to Do, Where to Stay, Where to Visit | No comment

What to Do: Dining at the HouseBoat Grill, Montego Bay, Jamaica

If you’re a food lover and you’re in Jamaica’s highly popular second city Montego Bay then you’re in luck. In addition to its magnificent beaches, colourful marine life and amazing scenery “Mobay” is also home to a number of excellent eateries featuring cuisines ranging from Jamaican to Irish and even Italian.

( via The HouseBoat Grill )

Located on Southern Cross Boulevard just on the outskirts of Montego Bay, The Houseboat Grill is a unique dining experience combining intimacy and entertainment with a fabulous setting for a one of a kind dining experience. Moored in the calm waters of the Montego Bay Marine Park the restaurant is a converted houseboat, with tables inside, on the roof and around the decking. Meals can be enjoyed downstairs in their cozy dining room, upstairs on the upper deck under the stars, or waterside to be soothed by the sound of snook & tarpon occasionally splashing in the surrounding water.

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October 18, 2011 at 1:25 pm | What to Do, Where to Eat | No comment

Event Update: The Jamaica Tourist Board Culinary Bloggers Meetup, 2011

Jamaicans are unique in their love affair with food. The island’s range of cuisine is vast enough to satisfy just about any palate. In any given eatery one may find classic Jamaican dishes like jerk chicken or escovitched fish on the menu and there’s always a rum cocktail waiting for you.

From October 5-9, 2011 The Jamaica Tourist Board invited 6 Culinary Bloggers from around the world to explore Jamaica’s assortment of tantalizing treats. The journey began just outside of Jamaica’s capital, Kingston with dinner at one of the most popular seafood spots for locals (particularly on a Sunday afternoon) Prendy’s on the Beach. Here the bloggers enjoyed everything from Fried fish, Brown stew fish, Steamed fish and Salad to Garlic shrimp, Spicy shrimp, Curried shrimp and Curried conch.

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October 12, 2011 at 6:20 pm | Jamaica Events | No comment

What to Do: Walkerswood Jerk Country Tour, Jamaica

Tucked away in the hills of St. Ann, Jamaica – Walkerswood Caribbean Foods has worked to bring a taste of the Caribbean to the world with an innovative line of traditional seasonings, cooking sauces, spices, preserves and canned vegetables. Sitting on seven acres, approximately six miles south of Ocho Rios, the Walkerswood Jerk Country Tour takes visitors on an in-depth, flavourful journey into the history of Jamaican cuisine.

( via Varun Baker )

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.

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October 10, 2011 at 9:22 am | What to Do, Where to Visit | 1 comment

Pon Di Road Weekly Roundup: Pon Di Road (Season 2) #4 – Boston Jerk & Frenchmans Cove

Calee, Stephen and baby Nyla’s journey “Pon Di Road in Jamaica” gets more and more exciting each week as they continue to explore Jamaica’s eastern parish of Portland. Lovely vistas and hidden treasures add increased appeal to the island’s natural charm. So far in Season 2 of the series we’ve seen these three venture out of the more familiar Kingston into Portland where we watched as they climbed the slippery cascades at Reach Falls. In case you may have missed what they’ve been up to since then here’s the roundup of “Pon Di Road (Season 2) #4 – Boston Jerk & Frenchmans Cove”.

After an exhilarating experience at Reach Falls, Calee, Stephen and Nyla continue their adventures in Portland with a stop for some famous Boston jerk. Well renowned as “The Jerk Capital of Jamaica” Boston Bay is a tantalizing treat for the taste buds. As the birthplace of Jerk food, Boston Bay is arguably the best place to sample all things Jerk in Jamaica and once a year hosts the Portland Jerk Festival, featuring live music, sideshows and hundreds of jerk food stalls. Roasted over Pimento leaves in large pits, jerk chicken or pork is cooked by each vendor with their own special “jerk sauce recipe. Watch and learn (as Stephen does) how the uniquely Jamaican dish is prepared.

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September 28, 2011 at 3:42 pm | JTB TV, Jamaican Food, Portland, What to Do | No comment

Vacation Themes: Beaches: Cosmo’s Beach, Negril Jamaica

Located at the main entrance to Long Bay Beach Park on Negril’s famous seven-mile beach Cosmo’s is a steadfast beach favourite for anyone visiting Jamaica’s “Capital of Casual” and a great alternative to its busier counterpart for anyone looking to escape the crowds.

( via )

The beach is private so visitors need to pay a small fee to enter (about the cost of one bottle of beer). The beach is usually less crowded and attracts a mainly local crowd. Cosmo’s is comprised of three thatched bars and dining areas. Diners can sit inside or dine on outdoor tables with their feet in the sand. Both indoor and outdoor tables offer a view of the ocean. Best of all, hammocks are strung up on the beach outside the restaurant so you can sleep off your meal in the sun.

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September 15, 2011 at 3:12 pm | Negril, Vacation Themes, What to Do, Where to Visit | No comment

Pon Di Road Weekly Roundup: Pon Di Road (Season 2) #2 – Goblin Hill

Travel junkies Calee and Stephen have seen so much of Jamaica, but they still want more. Especially now with their brand new addition to the family, baby Nyla. The second season of ‘Pon Di Road’ began in the capital Kingston with a trip to the famous Jamaica Pegasus Hotel. Now, on the cusp of the premiere of a brand new webisode we bring you the Pon Di Road Weekly Roundup, just in case you may have missed their latest adventure.

Last week Calee, Stephen and baby Nyla journeyed to the beautiful parish of Portland, Jamaica where they kicked the day off with some breathtaking scenery and a delicious traditional Jamaican breakfast at the Goblin Hill Villas. Before the “Pon Di Road” family enjoyed the mouthwatering delights on the wide covered terrace with its own view over the Bay they were given a quick lesson on how to prepare Jamaica’s National Dish; Ackee and Saltfish.

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September 15, 2011 at 9:59 am | News & Updates, Portland, Where to Stay | No comment

Where to Visit: The Hip Strip, Montego Bay Jamaica

Energetic, stunning and exciting, Montego Bay on Jamaica’s north coast embodies a spirit that invites us all to come out and play. A definite favorite among travelers in search of a good time, the second city is a great place to have your fill of relaxation and revelry. Treat yourself to something special with selections from Mobay’s extensive list of hotels, attractions and nightclubs. There are options for every taste and budget in Jamaica’s “complete resort”.

With its sparkling white sand beaches, assortment of water sports activities and tours, pulsating nightlife and tantalizing cuisine Montego Bay is undoubtedly one of Jamaica’s most romantic destinations. Montego Bay’s Gloucester Avenue, also known as the “Hip Strip” is home to some famous spots ranging from sun-splashed shores awash with crystal-clear water to interesting shops offering a slice of authentic Jamaican apparel and restaurants that double as venues for events and amazing live entertainment. The Hip Strip is also known for some great Caribbean sunsets and tropical panoramic views of the bay.

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September 13, 2011 at 11:28 am | Montego Bay, What to Do, Where to Eat, Where to Visit | 1 comment

Event Update: The Jamaica Tourist Board Bloggers Meetup 2011 (Days 1 & 2)

From August 24-28, 2011 The Jamaica Tourist Board hosted yet another Bloggers MeetUp. Fifteen amazing Bloggers and tweeters from North America were in the Jamaica experiencing just a taste of what the island has to offer in and around the popular resort areas of Montego Bay and Negril. The Bloggers were hosted by the luxurious Riu Montego Bay and Riu Palace Tropical Bay in Negril.

After checking in to the exquisite Riu Montego Bay on the very first day the Bloggers made themselves at home and enjoyed the spoils which included everything from a fully stocked mini bar, a swim up bar and pool, beachfront rooms (affording a stunning view of the sunset) all-inclusive buffet style and à la carte restaurants. The bloggers woke the next morning to a tour of the property before heading out on the road, eager to begin their island adventure. The day’s activities kicked off with a visit to one of the most famous and intriguing historical structures in Jamaica Rose Hall Great House.

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September 1, 2011 at 7:13 pm | Jamaica Events, Montego Bay, News & Updates, What to Do, Where to Eat, Where to Stay, Where to Visit | No comment

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