The drums are what drew me to the Rastafari Indigenous Village in Montego Bay. The sound seeped through the lush jungle of breadfruit, ackee, banana, coconut and assorted other trees and urged me to shake my feet. I decided to follow. Moving closer, I walk in rhythm to the boom, boom of the bass drum, then quicken my steps, dancing to the music that was meant just for me. I...

Another of the musicians I grew up listening to is singer/songwriter, Gregory Isaacs, also called the “Cool Ruler” for his soulful, heartfelt music. Isaacs’ hit single, My Only Lover, is credited as being the first song recorded in the lovers rock sub-genre of reggae. He recorded with many of the top Jamaican producers of the 1970s including King Tubby, Freddy McGregor, and Lee “Scratch” Perry who also produced Bob Marley & the Wailers,...

 

Most people are puzzled when they learn that an airport in Jamaica is named after Ian Fleming. The airport, formerly known as Boscobel Aerodrome, is located in the parish of St. Mary where Fleming, a Naval Intelligence Officer lived and created the British spy, James Bond. Fleming fell in love with Jamaica on his first visit in 1943. The Jamaica of Fleming’s time was the playground for the rich and famous....

This recently completed building is the Montego Bay Convention Center. Located a few miles outside the city, it is convenient to the Donald Sangster International Airport (St. James), the Ian Fleming International Airport (St. Mary), hotels and guest houses. I was fascinated by the curves and angles and their reflections and also by the colors of the sky and the Caribbean Sea. This is my submission to this week’s Budget...

I’ve been featured in the Cheapflights blog in their Travel Bloggers choice series. Take a look at why I think Treasure Beach, Jamaica is a destination everyone should visit. Cheapflights is the UK’s leading flight deals provider and if you haven’t already booked your flights to Jamaica, take a look at their site. ***************** Since my arrival in Jamaica, I’ve been soaking up everything around me, especially flowers. Many, like this one, the Shrimp...

I noticed this lone cherry on the tree yesterday and couldn’t resist taking a photo. I was told that this was the last one of the latest crop but I noticed a few buds of flowers so I imagine there will be another one in a few weeks. I can’t wait.  

Jamaica’s ninth and youngest leader, 39 year old Andrew Holness, was sworn in as prime minister yesterday afternoon in an elegant and sober ceremony on the lawns of King’s House, the residence of the Queen’s representative, the Governor-General His Excellency the Most Honorable Sir Patrick Allen. Prime Minister Holness takes over from Bruce Golding, who was forced to demit office following his handling last year of the extradition of Christopher...

One of the few child stars in Jamaica, Dennis Brown recorded his first hit when he was just eleven years old. The “Crown Prince of Reggae” recorded more than 75 albums in the lovers rock style, a romantic genre of reggae music, producing hit after hit in a prolific career which spanned nearly thirty years and included stints as a producer for his DEB label in the UK. Brown, who...

We picked this bunch of bananas from the garden a few days ago and I watch each day as the green outer skin turned yellow. In no time, each hand was gone – shared with neighbors and friends and eaten one by one.