Montego Bay, Jamaica - along the travel trail

On the North shore of Jamaica, Montego Bay is the the second city in Jamaica and the first to be developed for Tourism. I was 12 years old when I first visited the famous Doctors Cave Beach with it's world famous white-sand beach and translucent water. At the time it was the place to spend the day on the beach and has remained a favourite even with the major developments that have taken place over the years.

Montego Bay is the gateway to the northwest of the island, visitors arrive at Sangster International Airport, a convenient location to get to and from other parts of the island. There are hotels located a few minutes from the airport in downtown Montego Bay. Others require longer driving times, away from the city in each direction.

The Port in Montego Bay was built in the 1960's, of the 5 berths, two are for the exclusive use of the cruise ships that regularly call. Cruise passengers, going on day excursions can start and end the tour at the port. There is a Visitor information center for those passengers who just want visit downtown, where there is a Craft Market, Duty Free Shopping area, and many sidewalk vendors with an array of island wear, local jewellery and other souveniers.

Jamaica is not "just for lying on the beach" the island has a lively interesting history, interwoven with White Witches, slavery, Great Houses and Rum making, all of which can be experienced on a day tour. Among the more unusual are:

The Rustic Jamaican Adventures, at the Eldin Washington Ranch where visitors can feed the beautiful peacocks, turkeys and roosters, taste native fruits in season, learn about the medicinal trees - such as Noni, Aloe Vera, Lemon Grass and more. While there they will Travel by Donkey cart to visit the 18th century sugarcane mill and learn about sugarcane planting and usage, and take a Ride through the mangroves to see the wildlife and native birds.

A day spent at a Rastafari Village encompasses the authentic Rastafari way of life, with drumming, dancing, the art of craft cooking and learning about growing the healing herbs and organic foods they use The Rastafarian's are the descendants of the slaves who escaped to the mountainous interior, during the time of slavery on the islands.

Bellefield Great House and Gardens is one of the oldest plantations, it was built in 1784 by the Kerr Jarrett family, who played an integral role in the development of Montego Bay. A Visit to the Sugar Mill gives a glimpse into its history, and what life was like at that time.

Another peek back to the Plantation days, can be had at Belvedere Estate, which was one of the estates burned in 1831 during the Christmas Rebellion of the slaves, and which helped to bring about the end of slavery on the island. Most of the sights are in ruins, but visitors can see crafts people in period costumes, watch blacksmiths at work, see the clay ovens used for baking, the wattle and daub houses and learn how canoes were made. If you're a history buff this is a good look backwards.

if rum is your drink, you'll enjoy the Appleton Rum Distillery tour to the south side of the island, for samples and to see how rum is made.

There are many more Greathouses on the island and almost every one has a tour, but the one of the best known to visitors is Rose Hall. The Manor has been kept in excellent condition, the dining room, ballroom and Annie's bedroom, are as they were in the days Annie lived here. Legend says - Annie was born in 1802 in England of Irish and English parents who took her to live in Haiti at a young age. She fell under the spell of a voodoo Priestess who trained her in the practice of witchcraft. As a young woman she went to Rose Hall, which spanned 6,000 acres and had 2,000 slaves, to be a Nanny to the Owners children. After his wife's death "which some say she contrived with voodoo" she married him and when he became ill, took over managing the vast plantation. After his death, which rumour says she used witchcraft to make happen, Annie had many husbands over the years, all died under suspicious circumstances, attritubed to her. Annie is said to have been killed by a voodoo priestess, in retaliation for Annie's killing her grand-daughter, as they were both in love with the same man. The Book "The White Witch of Rose Hall" is worth reading, it shows the strong hold voodoo had on the island in the 1800's. The plantation was avoided by locals, who believed it was haunted by the spirit of Annie Palmer. There is a story that a visitor took a photo of the mirror, over the bed, in Annie's room and on returning home and developing the film, Annie's face was shown in the mirror. I did it but no image showed up, try for yourself.

Besides develing into past history of life as it once was, visitors can enjoy Undersea Tours, Rafting on the Martha Brae River, which is not too far from Montego Bay, or further afield on the Rio Grande River near Port Antonio; visit the reefs just offshore near the airport, which include coral caverns; dive at Widowmaker's Cave where you can see black coral; go fishing, sailing, horseback riding - the many things to do are rivalled only by one's imagination.

Finally you can play the slot machines at the Coral Cliff Casino on the Hip Strip - large jackpots, free draft beer, rum punch and sodas for everyone playing the slot machines.

Although Jamaica is on the Equator it has a year round temperature in the 80's farenheit, due to the cool ocean breeze that keeps the temperature down. In the mountains the temperatures are lower than along the coastline, falling into the 60's at certain times of the year. The island also lies within the hurricane belt, which extends from early June to end of November. During the months of July and August it is possible to get some rain and thunder showers, however they do not last very long and the temperature remains warm and sometimes the sun even continues shining, no reason to leave the beach or pool.

Montego Bay has numerous hotels, inns and Resorts to cater to each persons budget and lifestyle. Hotels range from tourist class, that is strictly accommodations, all the way to the luxurious all-inclusive resorts that cater to every wish of the guest. Most of the resorts are beachfront, but a few, such as Villas and homes for rent maybe tucked away, across from the ocean, in their own retreat areas.

Golf is popular on the island and Montego Bay has many private and public golf courses, some of which are located on the Resort properties. At the International Golf Travel Market in Spain, Jamaica was voted the top premiere golf destination for Latin America and the Caribbean.