Experience Geejam

Located on the northern coast of Jamaica near Port Antonio and tucked into the tropical rain forest, lies the paradise resort known as Geejam.  This funky, modern, Jamaican resort is just that – a combination of cultures, design, and upscale amenities – that just works.

Consistently rated as the top resort in all of Jamaica, Geejam is a sure bet for your best Jamaica vacation, ever.  This exclusive hideaway offers only seven rooms so booking ahead of time is a must.  The Sanwood Villa is the most private which includes its own private pool and sundeck area.  The other villas and cabins (more like elaborate cottages) feature the standard Geejam amenities – luxury linens, digital surround sound system, wireless internet – plus amazing tropical forest or ocean views.

Voted #20 out of 140 Top New Hotels by Conde Nast Traveler in 2009, visitors to this lush hotel will be amazed by the tree-top restaurant known as Bushbar.  As the only dining option at Geejam, you won’t be disappointed by the choices.  Bushbar offers a selection of traditional Jamaican cuisine plus an Asian influence thrown in for fun.  The ambience and the views from Bushbar are worth their weight in gold alone.

The completely worry-vacation experience at Geejam has been described as heavenly.  From the attentive staff, the attention to detail, and the attention you’ll be able to pay to your significant other, time is on your side while you stay at Geejam.  You’ll never need to leave the resort to fulfill any of your heart’s desires, all you need to do is use your cell phone.  Yes, a cell phone is given to each guest upon arrival so, if the need should arise, Geejam staff are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, ready to cater to your every whim.

Geejam has a private beach below that be reached by a set of stairs; and since the main villa has its own pool, you can sometimes have the Geejam beach all to yourself.  And of course, there’s also a fully-equipped gym and a luxurious Healing Spa that offers all sorts of tropical based treatments

Another very funky feature at Geejam is that they have their own recording studio and yes, it’s a real recording studio which has been used by Gwen Stefani and No Doubt, India Arie, and more.  Before you know it, you could be partying with a rock star while staying at this upscale resort.

Geejam also made the Travel & Leisure ‘IT’ list in 2009.  Rates for this little piece of tropical paradise start at $495 per night.

Nightlife in Mo Bay

Long known for its wild nightlife, Montego Bay is definitely the party place in Jamaica where Red Stripe beer and tropical drinks flow like water.  If you’re looking for nightlife in Montego Bay, or Mo Bay, look no further than Gloucester Avenue which is known as the Hip Strip in Mo Bay.  Full of nightclubs, bars, discos, and restaurants, there are almost 40 to choose from along this happening street.

A popular venue worth checking out is Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville.  Yes, it may be an American chain but that doesn’t take away from the fun Mo Bo party atmosphere in any sense; rest assured, as the owner’s of the franchise are local Jamaicans.  The open-air bar is a hangout for locals and tourists alike where they while away the hours drinking a selection of over 50 tropical flavored margaritas and huge glasses of beer.  Margaritaville is all about having fun – enjoy their 110’ waterslide (off their dock and into the Caribbean Sea) – and if that’s not enough, they also provide live entertainment throughout the week.

The Coral Cliff Casino is another popular place to spend a few hours and hopefully not so many dollars.  Try your luck at over 120 slot machines ranging from nickel machines up to $5 per play; but you could win up to $50,000!  And while you play, drinks are on the house including their famous Jamaican Rum Punch, Rum & Coke, or soft drinks.  Coral Cliff also offers an array of entertainment including cabaret style shows, comedy, music, and more.

The Groovy Grouper is a beach bar where you can wiggle your toes in the sand or sit in a swing while you enjoy the amazing Caribbean sunsets.  Also known for its great selection of Jamaican and American food, the Groovy Grouper crowd enjoys all the amenities of a beach side party complete with beach umbrellas and lounge chairs.  Sun Daze is another bar where the live music will keep the under-40 crowd going into the wee hours of the morning.

Other nightlife choices in the Montego Bay area include Hurricane’s Disco located at Breeezes Montego Bay and the Aquasol Theme Park which is open until 2:00 a.m.  Here you’ll find a dizzying array of water activities (trampoline, jet skis, banana boats, go karts and more), a full bar, plus they do have notable DJs performing on occasion so be sure to check their entertainment schedule in advance.

Flickr.com Photo Credit: Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville by McClouds

Spicy Times in Jamaica

When people think of Jamaican food, they think spicy.  And they’re right.  Using a combination of fresh fruits, meats, and seafood, and spices, Jamaican cuisine is a culmination of tastes from the Caribbean, Africa, Britain, China, France, Spain, and India.

Must-tries for any visitor to Jamaica includes anything Jerk (spicy chicken & pork are most common), fried plantains, curried goat, salt fish with ackee, along with those delicious spicy Jamaican patties that can be found in restaurants and roadside stands around the island.

Lingah by the Sea is a dining hall located in Negril that serves up an array of authentic Jamaican cuisine.  A popular location for wedding receptions and other celebrations, Lingah by the Sea is well-known for its delicious and abundant buffet-style catering.  Favorite menu items include Jerk Chicken, Pineapple Chicken, and the Curry Seafood.

Scotchies in Montego Bay is another popular restaurant known for its great Jamaican food and great value; for under $20, you can have three menu choices and a few Red Stripe beers to cool off with.  This casual restaurant underneath a thatched canopy serves up everything Jerk along with a good supply of Scotch Bonnet pepper sauce for those who like it even hotter.  Be sure to try the Fantasy Bread, anything Jerk, Rice and Beans, all of which will be chalked full on your plate.

Close to Walter Fletcher Beach in Montego Bay is another local favorite known as the Pork Pit.  Here you can get a pound of Jerk pork for around $11 – a whole pound!  The half-pound portion (served with your choice of a baked potato or baked yam) is probably a better size portion for most people.  This is a popular lunch stop for beach goers who don’t want to venture too far from their beach base camp.  Try the Rice and Peas, anything Jerk, and anything bread – like the yummy cornbread or sweet bread.

Also located in Montego Bay, Cafe Manteca is the perfect stop for breakfast, lunch, or even brunch.  Although the restaurant is small (it’s more a coffee shop than anything), don’t let the size fool you because as they say, good things come in small packages.  Cafe Manteca is known for their fresh fruit jams including pineapple and mango plus be sure to also try their rich Jamaican coffee, any of their delicious omelettes, and for lunch enjoy the ackee and salt fish or their crispy battered fish.

Flickr.com Photo Credit: The BBQ Boy with Jerk Chicken by Smile My Day

Rose Hall Great House

Rose Hall is a prominent limestone Great House nestled in the lush hillside of St. James, Jamaica, majestically overlooking the beautiful Caribbean Sea.  Dating back to 1770, this picturesque 400-acre former sugar cane plantation was the setting for some ominous happenings and is now a popular tourist attraction for visitors to the island.

Also known affectionately as the calendar house, Rose Hall was originally comprised of 365 windows, 52 doors, and 12 bedrooms, and 7,000 acres when in full operation.

The legend of the White Witch of Jamaica starts when Annie Palmer was married in 1820 to the then Rose Hose owner, John Palmer.  Annie had moved to Haiti with her family as a child and carried the stigma of being a voodoo queen when she moved to Rose Hall.  Not even 5’ tall, unfortunately, Annie took her new position of power a little too seriously and ruled the slaves to no avail.

Annie kept troublesome slaves in the damp and dark dungeon (now the first stop on the Rose Hall Plantation tour) and generally treated them with no regard for their welfare.  She continued to expand her practice in voodoo in order to maintain control over the 2,000 plantation slaves; fear was a definite factor that she utilized on a regular basis.

Annie apparently conducted frequent human sacrifices – especially of babies – whose bones would hold special black magic powers.  Every morning Annie would stand at her bedroom balcony administering torture instructions to the slaves quivering in fear below.  She even used bear traps to keep her slaves within the plantation property lines; she was cruel in more ways than one but always retained power over Rose Hall.

As a standard practice with many plantation wives, Annie, too had her share of love affairs with these same slaves and used the secret passageways within Rose Hall that led to her bedroom chamber.  If Annie became bored with a slave or dissatisfied in any way, she simply had them killed.  In fact, it may be true that she would even kill the slaves herself.

The story of the White Witch of Jamaica culminates with the gruesome murders of her three husbands for much the same reasons, whom are said to buried underneath the swaying palms at the edge of the plantation near the sea.  Her horrifying reign came to an end when, according to legend, Annie was murdered by one of her former slave lovers.

Annie Palmer, the White Witch of Jamaica

But even after her death, the terrified slaves believed Annie would continue to rule from her grave.  She was buried below her bedroom balcony just behind Rose Hall in a specially designed tomb so she could not escape.  A powerful voodoo ritual was performed to ensure her spirit could not return to the land of the living.

However, the legend states that the ritual was not fully finished which still allows the ghost of Annie Palmer to appear in the house and walk round the plantation today.  Some visitors have even seen Annie riding her favorite horse at night as she searches the grounds for runaway slaves.  Annie has also frequently been seen in her bedroom while other ghostly presences throughout Rose Hall include crying babies, music, and even the appearance of blood stains.

Photo Credits: Rose Hall Great House and Annie Palmer’s Tomb by Connie Motz