Travel Blog

8. I love just being alone with my husband. Even if we are doing nothing but sitting there with our own thoughts. I like being quiet with him. That was my favorite thing about being in Jamaica by ourselves at the end of our vacation.

Most people who frequent Negril tend to shun so-called tourist traps like Rick’s Caf�. Thought of as a haven for All-Inclusive types (people not in-the-know), Rick’s Caf� is an island of crass commercialism in what we consider our little bay of authentic Jamaican culture.

Countries taking part in the festival include: The Bahamas, Saint Lucia, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Bermuda, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Dominica, Trinidad and Tobago, Anguilla, Antigua, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Montserrat, Cayman Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The current predicted track on Emily (click on the link in the column to the right) is significantly different from early yesterday, demonstrating how difficult such prognostications are. The mid-day track moved the path further south, talking the storm away from a direct hit on eastern Cuba and right over Jamaica. This morning, NHC adjusted it even more to the south, on a path that misses most of the big Caribbean islands and points Emily right at Cozumel on the Mexican peninsula. The cruise lines are probably keeping an eye on that, as that small town is a very popular tourist stop in the Gulf.

Virgin Atlantic Airways plans to launch services to Jamaica following successful bilateral air services talks earlier this month in Kingston between the UK and Jamaican governments. Subject to final approval from the Jamaican government Virgin Atlantic plans to launch two services a week between London Gatwick and Montego Bay. Sir Richard Branson, Chairman of Virgin Atlantic, said:

Jamaica is the ultimate vacation spot. It’s charm comes from the untouched beauty of the island and the warmth of the people. Tourism is Jamaica’s biggest industry but the island is not ruined by over industrialization. Because of this, visiting certain parts of the island will take you back in time. The cane fields, the animals, the houses, the guy on the donkey selling his goods, almost everything is done the same way as years ago. The Economy in Jamaica is not so good. Most of the people are poor but, as you will see, are very...

My sister and I used to take turns cooking meals that corresponded to that week's TAR destination. It's too bad we didn't revive the custom for the finale, as I certainly would have enjoyed some Jamaican jerk chicken. At the very least, I would have liked to sip some tropical drinks while I watched Uchenna & Joyce (or as Phil calls them "Uchenner & Joyce) win the million dollar cash prize.

Well I'm back from my week in the sun. I didn't have a GPRS connection in Jamaica so I couldn't moblog any pics out there but I've added some photos into my Moblog.

A court in the Jamaican capital Kingstone on Tuesday sentenced Masataka Ikeya, 20, to nine months in prison and imposed a fine of $1,642, while a court in Montego Bay on Wednesday sentenced Aoi Yamaki, 24, a Tokyo office worker, to eight months in prison and fined her $3,136, they said.

Air Jamaica announced Friday that it was pulling service to Grenada, St. Lucia and Barbados to meet the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority's new maintenance guidelines.

Mar. 13--Air Jamaica has been completely taken over by the government, laid off more than 100 workers and recently had to ground half its fleet after a dispute with U.S. air safety regulators over its maintenance schedule.

Filling out the team is Brazilian-born producer Mario Caldato, Jr, producer and mixer for such artists as Bebel Gilberto, Beck, Tone Loc, but best known for his work on the Beastie Boys" Paul"s Boutique, Check Your Head, Ill Communication and Hello Nasty. Mario C brings his history of hip hop and love of Jamaican music into the project, but most recently and what interested Franti was his nurturing, organic production of Jack Johnson"s On and On and the newly released In Between Dreams.

Other nations with freedom of information laws: Albania (enacted 1999); Armenia (2003); Austria (1987); Belgium (1994); Belize (1994); Bosnia and Herzegovina (2000; Republika Srpska, 2001); Bulgaria (2000); Colombia (1888, 1985); Croatia (2003); Czech Republic (1999); Denmark (1865, 1964); Estonia (2000); Finland (1951); France (1978); Georgia (1999); Greece (1999); Hungary (1992); Iceland (1996); India (2003); Ireland (1997); Israel (1998); Italy (1990); Jamaica (2002); Japan (1999); Kosovo (2003); Latvia (1998); Liechtenstein (1999); Lithuania (2000); Mexico (2002); Moldova (2000); Netherlands (1978); New Zealand (1982); Norway (1970); Pakistan (2002); Panama (2002); Peru(2002); Poland (2001); Portugal (1993); Romania (2001); Slovakia (2000); Slovenia (2003); South Africa (2000); South Korea (1996); Spain (1992); Sweden (1766,1949); Tajikistan (2002); Thailand (1997); Turkey (2003); Trinidad and Tobago (1999); Ukraine (1992); United Kingdom (2000; Scotland 2002); Uzbekistan (2002); Zimbabwe (2002).

Sewell believes taking the children to Jamaica is central to the success of his scheme. 'The boys will have a significant number of black role models in Jamaica, who are doctors, artists and university professionals,' he said. 'There is just no way they can experience that critical mass of positive peers in Britain.'

Although nine onshore and two offshore wells have been drilled since 1955, there is no production in Jamaica despite the presence of both oil and gas, Wright said.

From MSNBC.com: Travel.

From roadside jerk stands to bohemian hideaways to white-glove resorts, this Caribbean hot spot has something for everyone.

From Air Travel Center Airfare Specials.

Prices in CAD: Sample one-way fares to the US: Edmonton Raleigh Durham 226, Halifax Miami 171, Ottawa West Palm Beach 161, St. Johns Boston 228, St. Johns Las Vegas 328, Toronto Boston 119, Vancouver Charlotte 232, Vancouver Los Angeles 172. Sample one-way fares within Canada: Calgary Ottawa 124, Edmonton Winnipeg 74, Halifax Toronto 89, Montreal Winnipeg 129, Saskatoon Vancouver 119, Vancouver Regina 88. Sample round-trip fares to international destinations: To Frankfurt Munich Stuttgart or Dusseldorf from: Edmonton or Winnipeg 818, ...