An under-explored paradise

With its rhythmic reggae music, captivating culture, cuisine and entertainment providing embracing energy, you have arrived in the land of the legendary Bob Marley, Jimmy Cliff, Uasin Bolt and above all, Black nationalist Marcus Garvey.... and, believe it, James Bond.

Welcome to the heartbeat of Jamaica.

I spotted my guide Cazembe, holding a manual pager outside the Norman Manley International Airport. He extended his hand and warmly said: “Welcome to Jumeika, bredda!”

Jamaica has deep-rooted historic African connections.

DIVINE LEADER

Jamaicans originate from Senegal, Gambia, Nigeria, Ghana, the Congo, Angola and the East African Coast from where they were sold into slavery. When slavery ended Jamaica became the home of 317,000 Africans.

Jamaica’s Rastafarians consider Ethiopia their religious home and Emperor Haile Selassie their divine leader.

Reggae has a bearing on Africa and many still remember superstar Bob Marley’s song Zimbabwe.

Kingston, which lies at the edge of the Liguanca Plains, is an ideal starting point to discover Jamaica.

The city has a diverse mix of old world heritage and life of an exciting busy modern metropolis offering an exciting array of activities, modern restaurants and urban scenes.

Make it a point to visit Devon House in Hope Road — a 19th Century colonial mansion of exceptional elegance, with old-fashioned furniture, paintings and carpets.

Also worth a peep next door is King’s House, the Governor General’s residence.

The Bob Marley Museum is a magnet for fans who come to pay homage to the King of Reggae.

Everyone in Jamaica remembers his soulful voice and sing along to his hits such as No Woman No Cry, One Love, Jamming and Three Little Birds.

The legendary musician’s 19th Century architecture home, bought in 1975, was turned into a museum by his wife Rita Marley after his death in 1981.

The main museum displays Marley’s personal treasures.

It also features a well-equipped 80-seat theatre, a photographic gallery, and a gift shop that sells Bob Marley memorabilia. Visitors enjoy the sights and sounds of Brother Bob during a 75-minute tour. Photography is prohibited inside.

The Botanical Garden has its own allure with its mini zoo featuring animals and birds from the Caribbean.

The works of Jamaica’s leading artists are displayed at the Revolution Gallery that also showcases textiles, jewellery, sculpture, ceramics and photographs.

RICH ARTEFACTS

Not to be missed is a visit to The Maritime Museum and Port Royal Archaeological and Historical Museum in Port Royal which houses rich artefacts that were  salvaged over the years from the sunken city once known as the pirate capital of the New World.

A boat ride from Port Royal to Lime Cay brings visitors to the small low-lying island that boasts one of the most beautiful white sand beaches in Jamaica.

The 7,402 feet high Blue Mountains offer spectacular views of natural beauty.

The real flavour of Kingston lies in its food.

When looking for culinary delights in Jamaica, how can one forget the ubiquitous jerk chicken, Jamaica’s soul food?

Jamaican cuisine is an extensive mix of the best gastronomic delights from Africa, China, Europe and India.

Try the popular curry goat, fried dumplings, ackee and salt cod fish, fried plantain and jerk chicken.

Jamaica is dotted with jerk centres where spatchcock chicken is barbecued over a sunken pit.

Before being tossed on to the barbecue, the chicken is marinated liberally in jerk sauce and covered with pimento wood whose bark injects the main flavour.

The pervading aroma of hot chillies and spices livens up the eatery. Any meat — fish, pork, beef — can be jerked but the real secret is in the marinade.

Jamaica’s bounty of nature cannot be understated.

There are untouched swathes of tropical mountain beauty, mineral baths, lagoons, rain forests and waterfalls making it an under-utilised paradise.

But in the utilised parts of the country, the island has a global reputation for its resorts.

Montego Bay is the tourist heart of Jamaica.

There are more than ten resorts including the luxury Sandals chain, Breezes, Sunset Beach and Secrets St James.

The Golden Eye Hotel in Oracabessa, St Mary has a special significance for the fans of espionage. This is where James Bond was born — in the tiny parish of St  Mary.

It was here in 1952 that famed writer Ian Fleming brought 007 to life when he penned Casino Royale, the first of his spy novels.

Fleming owned the bungalow where he sat under a lamplight overlooking the Caribbean Sea writing his 14 best sellers.

Even though James Bond is a fictional character his barefoot bravado, love for the lounge chair under the swaying palms, a glass of Martini shaken, not stirred and babes massaging him gives 007 a Caribbean identity. Many Bond movies were filmed in Jamaica.

After Fleming’s death in 1964, his home was turned into a discreet island getaway for the rich who fork out $1,000 a night.

Today, his three-bedroom villa still stands among the 21 villas, suites and cottages spread over 52 acres of sea front.

The James Bond Beach is a great place to spot holidaying celebrities mingling with the locals.

The Ian Fleming International Airport in Boscobel, St Mary is Jamaica’s way of honouring this literary icon.

Hollywood stars have lent an exciting sense of glamour to Jamaica by making it their popular destination when they have to run away from harsh American winters.

Jamaica’s attractions are spread throughout the island, including Frenchman’s Cove, rafting down Rio Grande, one of the largest rivers, Port Antonio, Noel Coward’s Firefly retreat, among others.

The best way to get around in Jamaica is by using a hired vehicle with a local driver. They know the best stop-over spots. The best time to visit Jamaica is between December and May, that time, you will avoid the official hurricane season.