| Today, Norm Goldman, Editor of and is
| |
| | civil unrest. However, Jamaica's
|
| delighted to have as a guest well- known
| |
| | reputation as being unsafe is based on
|
| author and travel writer, Christopher P.
| |
| | several regrettable realities.The first
|
| Baker.Christopher is an expert on Cuba
| |
| | is the prevalence of drugs throughout
|
| and Jamaica, as well as other venues in
| |
| | Jamaica society, and the violence that is
|
| the Caribbean and Latin
| |
| | always associated with the trade is an
|
| America.Christopher was named Travel
| |
| | ever-present undercurrent. Almost every
|
| Journalist Of The Year by the Jamaica
| |
| | visitor can expect to be approached to
|
| Tourist Board in 1998. He is here to
| |
| | buy drugs at some stage during their
|
| discuss with us Jamaica.Good Day
| |
| | holiday.In places such as Negril, the
|
| Christopher and thank you for accepting
| |
| | constant entreaties to buy drugs,
|
| our invitation to be
| |
| | souvenirs, sexual favors, or similar
|
| interviewed.NORM:Please tell our readers
| |
| | services by seemingly (or actually)
|
| something about yourself, your expertise
| |
| | aggressive hustlers can be wearying and
|
| and the
| |
| | is one reason that the all-inclusive
|
| books you have authored.Christopher:I
| |
| | resorts have been so successful.To its
|
| grew up and was educated in England,
| |
| | credit, the Jamaica Tourist Board has
|
| where I began my international travels
| |
| | cracked down on hustling in the two other
|
| while studying geography at university.
| |
| | prime tourist destinations, Montego Bay
|
| After settling in California in 1980, I
| |
| | and Ocho Rios. I discuss how best to
|
| worked briefly within the adventure
| |
| | handle this in my Lonely Planet
|
| travel industry. I've been a full-time
| |
| | guidebook.The other aspect that should be
|
| professional travel writer and
| |
| | addressed is the irascible,
|
| photographer since 1982.Although in my
| |
| | quick-to-anger nature of a large segment
|
| early career I specialized in adventure
| |
| | of Jamaican society. The local
|
| travel, and also the Asia/Pacific region,
| |
| | temperament can be unusually volatile,
|
| during the past 15 years I have
| |
| | and resolution of disputes is often
|
| specialized in the Caribbean, with a
| |
| | sought through violence.Many areas of
|
| particular focus on and fondness for
| |
| | Kingston are entirely unsafe for
|
| Cuba. My love affair with Cuba began with
| |
| | unescorted visitors. However, this all
|
| publication of my Moon Handbooks Cuba and
| |
| | paints far too gloomy a picture from the
|
| Moon Handbooks Havana.I've since written
| |
| | perspective of prospective visitors.The
|
| National Geographic Traveler Cuba and Mi
| |
| | other segment of the Jamaican population
|
| Moto Fidel: Motorcycling Through Castro's
| |
| | comprises the most gracious and
|
| Cuba, a literary travelog that won both
| |
| | hospitable people you could encounter,
|
| the Lowell Thomas Award as Travel Book of
| |
| | and the standards of service at most
|
| the Year and the North American Travel
| |
| | hotels is world-class, not least thanks
|
| Journalists Association's Grand Prize. My
| |
| | to the efforts and example set by the
|
| most recent book is Cuba Classics: A
| |
| | training programs and educational
|
| Celebration of Vintage American
| |
| | outreach of Sandals and SuperClubs, whose
|
| Automobiles (Interlink Books, 2004), a
| |
| | influence nationwide extends well beyond
|
| lavishly illustrated coffee-table
| |
| | the tourist sector.NORM:Could you give
|
| book.I've authored numerous other books,
| |
| | our readers an idea of the costs involved
|
| including Lonely Planet's guidebooks to
| |
| | if travel
|
| Jamaica and The Bahamas and Turk & Caicos
| |
| | originates from the USA or Canada and
|
| Islands, plus the Passport Illustrated
| |
| | how accessible is it to fly
|
| Guide to Jamaica. I've also written about
| |
| | Jamaica?Christopher:Jamaica is served by
|
| Jamaica (and other Caribbean islands and
| |
| | direct flights from major hubs and cities
|
| international destinations) for dozens of
| |
| | through Canada and the USA. Most flights
|
| leading magazines and newspaper travel
| |
| | serve Montego Bay, often with onward
|
| sections, including as a regular
| |
| | service to Kingston. There is great
|
| contributor to SkyWritings (Air Jamaica's
| |
| | variation in airfares, not least between
|
| inflight magazine) and Caribbean Travel &
| |
| | seasons and whether flying mid-week or on
|
| Life.My other main expertise is in regard
| |
| | weekends.For scheduled non-stop flights
|
| to Costa Rica. My first guidebook was the
| |
| | originating on weekends in high season,
|
| Moon Handbook Costa Rica (first published
| |
| | fares begin at about $500 from Miami,
|
| as the Costa Rica Handbook in 1992), now
| |
| | $650 from New York, and $750 from Los
|
| in its fifth edition, with almost 100,000
| |
| | Angeles. Lesser fares can be obtained if
|
| copies sold. I've since authored National
| |
| | visitors choose flights that require
|
| Geographic Traveler Costa Rica and the
| |
| | plane changes en route.Air Jamaica, the
|
| soon-to-be-released Eyewitness Travel
| |
| | national carrier, offers the most
|
| Guide to Costa Rica (Dorling Kindersley),
| |
| | competitive rates and is an exceptionally
|
| and have acted as a consultant to INTEL,
| |
| | well-run airline with excellent service.
|
| which recently opened a fabrication plant
| |
| | Charter operators offer flights from most
|
| in Costa Rica.I love public speaking and
| |
| | major urban centers at prices about
|
| have been interviewed on numerous
| |
| | 10-20% below schedule flights. The
|
| national television and radio shows. I'm
| |
| | cheapest deals are package rates
|
| particularly honoured to have been
| |
| | combining airfare and hotel
|
| addressed the National Press Club and the
| |
| | accommodation, offered by charter
|
| National Geographic Society (as a member
| |
| | operators.NORM:If you had to choose 6
|
| of the Live from& faculty), and to have
| |
| | unequalled venues in Jamaica for a
|
| been a faculty member of the lecturing
| |
| | romantic getaway, honeymoon or wedding
|
| staff of Cunard Cruise Lines. In January,
| |
| | destination, what would they be and
|
| and again in May, I'll be lecturing about
| |
| | why?Christopher:*Treasure Beach, with
|
| old cars in Cuba aboard Holland America
| |
| | accommodation at Jake's Place, a
|
| Cruise Line's M/V Maasdam.Complete
| |
| | romantic, totally offbeat and laid-back
|
| details about my books and writing career
| |
| | yet well-run and chic hotel that
|
| are available on my website.NORM:Where is
| |
| | epitomizes the unpretentious local
|
| Jamaica and could you tell our readers
| |
| | spirit. It's perfect for couples who want
|
| something about it from the point of view
| |
| | to laze away their time doing very little
|
| of climate, activities a couple can
| |
| | but laze in a hammock between bouts of
|
| experience, etcChristopher:Jamaica lies
| |
| | making love.*Negril is the beach-maven's
|
| south of Cuba in the western half of the
| |
| | favourite, perfect for couples seeking a
|
| Caribbean. It was for several centuries
| |
| | great beach, lots of watersports by day,
|
| under British rule and has maintained
| |
| | and a zesty yet unpretentious nightlife.
|
| close ties with the United Kingdom since
| |
| | There's a wide choice of hotels,
|
| independence in 1962. Jamaica is among
| |
| | including all-inclusive resorts for
|
| the most distinctive of Caribbean isles,
| |
| | couples-only, as well as some excellent
|
| primarily as the birthplace of
| |
| | boutique hotels, including The Caves a
|
| Rastafarianism, which suffuses the
| |
| | world-class contender for most romantic
|
| culture, as does the music of the
| |
| | resort in the world.*Strawberry Hill, in
|
| island's most famous native son Bob
| |
| | the Blue Mountains. Old world ambience
|
| Marley.Though rimmed by coastal plains
| |
| | combines with contemporary savoir-faire
|
| and fine sandy beaches, Jamaica is
| |
| | at this mountain retreat a mile above
|
| predominantly mountainous. In the east,
| |
| | Kingston. The cuisine is fabulous.
|
| the Blue Mountains (known for the
| |
| | There's a tremendous garden, plus
|
| world-famous coffee grown here) rise to
| |
| | mountain hiking nearby. Another chic
|
| 7,402 feet. Despite its relatively small
| |
| | boutique option from Island
|
| size, the isle boasts several distinct
| |
| | Outpost.*Hedonism II or III (both run by
|
| climates: the mountainous northeast,
| |
| | SuperClubs) are almost always booked
|
| centered on the old banana-shipping port
| |
| | solid with couples whose idea of a
|
| of Port Antonio, receives copious
| |
| | romantic vacation is to get nude, play
|
| rainfall and is exceedingly lush, whereas
| |
| | sexy antics in public, or even to share
|
| the relatively flat south-central coast,
| |
| | them (literally) with other couples. Yes,
|
| centered on Treasure Beach, lies in a
| |
| | many weddings are performed here& often
|
| rain shadow and the predominant
| |
| | in the nude. No prudes
|
| vegetation is cactus and thorn
| |
| | allowed!*Mandeville. This modestly
|
| scrub.Jamaica is remarkably well
| |
| | prosperous, easy-paced town in the
|
| developed in terms of activities.
| |
| | central highlands is set amid stunning
|
| Visitors can choose from jet skiing,
| |
| | scenery reminiscent of the English Dales
|
| scuba diving, and sunset boat trips to
| |
| | and best enjoyed by rental car. The town
|
| mountain biking, crocodile safaris, and
| |
| | has some fine restaurants, and there are
|
| horseback rides.NORM:Would you consider
| |
| | some pleasant hikes locally.*Port
|
| Jamaica a good choice for a romantic
| |
| | Antonio. If you like lush, this is for
|
| getaway or wedding and honeymoon
| |
| | you, as the area receives large amounts
|
| destination? Why?Christopher:Jamaica
| |
| | of rainfall& but not all the time. It's
|
| prides itself on being a perfect wedding
| |
| | famous for its fine hotels run to
|
| and honeymoon destination. Many resorts
| |
| | traditional standards, such as the
|
| specialize in this market. Some, such as
| |
| | somewhat aloof Trident and Jamaica
|
| SuperClubs and Sandals (both known for
| |
| | Palace. My recommendation is to choose
|
| their all-inclusive, couples-only
| |
| | either the Hotel Mocking Bird Hill (a
|
| resorts) even offer free wedding
| |
| | classy, eco-sensitive boutique hotel with
|
| packages. The all-inclusive concept was
| |
| | gourmet cuisine, run by delightful artsy
|
| born in Jamaica and no other destination
| |
| | owners Shireen Agra and Barbara Walker),
|
| has so successfully matured and marketed
| |
| | or to rent a private deluxe villa
|
| the concept.I enjoy these all-inclusive
| |
| | overhanging the Blue Lagoon.NORM:Are
|
| resorts, which are run to very high
| |
| | there any special requirements for
|
| standards. However, my favourite romantic
| |
| | couples wishing to celebrate their
|
| retreats lie at the other end of the
| |
| | marriage in Jamaica?Christopher:Unlike
|
| spectrum, in small boutique hotels
| |
| | most Caribbean destinations, visitors can
|
| offering a combination of ultra-chic
| |
| | get married after only 24 hours on the
|
| ambience and intimacy that is synonymous
| |
| | island. The following notarized documents
|
| with romance. Again, Jamaica excels, with
| |
| | are required: proof of citizenship;
|
| local entrepreneur Chris Blackwell's
| |
| | certified copies of appropriate divorce
|
| Island Outpost group having conceived
| |
| | or death certificates with regard to
|
| some of the most welcoming and delightful
| |
| | prior spouses; and written parental
|
| boutique hotels in the world. They draw
| |
| | consent for any party under 18 years of
|
| notables from Naomi Campbell to Pierce
| |
| | age. French Canadians need a notarized
|
| Brosnan, but fortunately most are
| |
| | translated copy of all documents and a
|
| surprisingly affordable.NORM:What is the
| |
| | photocopy of the original French
|
| best time to visit Jamaica from the point
| |
| | documents.The Registrar General's
|
| of view
| |
| | Department of Jamaica WEBSITE has
|
| of weather, costs, crowds, and the
| |
| | additional information, including a
|
| availability of flights from the USA,
| |
| | downloadable Online Marriage Certificate
|
| Canada
| |
| | Application.NORM:What resources are
|
| and Europe?Christopher:Weather wise,
| |
| | available on the Internet pertaining to
|
| there are only two seasons: wet (May-Nov)
| |
| | weddings and honeymoon vacations in
|
| and dry (Dec-April). The best time to
| |
| | Jamaica?Christopher: The Jamaica Tourist
|
| visit is during dry season, when rainfall
| |
| | Board has complete information on
|
| is at a minimum and most of the island
| |
| | planning a wedding vacation at its
|
| basks in sunshine.In summer, prolonged
| |
| | WEBSITE.NORMIs there anything else you
|
| afternoon showers or heavy downpours are
| |
| | would like to add that we have not
|
| typical island wide. Several days or even
| |
| | covered
|
| weeks of unbroken rain are also possible
| |
| | pertaining to Jamaica?Christopher:A
|
| in summer, however, especially in the
| |
| | visit to Jamaica needs careful planning
|
| northeast, although this varies year to
| |
| | to ensure that you're getting what you
|
| year. Summer and fall are also hurricane
| |
| | plan. More than any other destination I
|
| season, although the chance of a
| |
| | know, visitors have a love it or hate it
|
| hurricane actually striking the island is
| |
| | reaction, most of which seems to relate
|
| relatively slim.All that said, most of my
| |
| | to their particular interactions with
|
| guidebook research has been undertaken
| |
| | locals. The island is physically
|
| during summer, which has the added
| |
| | beautiful, the food excitingly spicy and
|
| advantage of lower prices and less crowds
| |
| | varied, and the music infectious.Thank
|
| in the most popular resorts, such as
| |
| | you Christopher for your most informative
|
| Negril and Montego Bay. Flight service to
| |
| | interview.For over thirty- five years,
|
| Jamaica which is well served by both
| |
| | Norm Goldman practiced as a Title
|
| scheduled and charter service varies
| |
| | Attorney and Civil Law Notary in
|
| according to season, although there is
| |
| | Montreal, Canada. After his retirement
|
| daily service from throughout Canada and
| |
| | from the legal profession, Norm pursued
|
| the USA year-round. The best airfare
| |
| | two of his passions - book reviewing and
|
| deals are off-season, in summer.NORM:How
| |
| | travel writing, implementing many of his
|
| safe is it to travel to
| |
| | research skills he had been practicing
|
| Jamaica?Christopher:I first hitchhiked
| |
| | for 35 years.Norm and his wife Lily are a
|
| around Jamaica in 1978 and have spent
| |
| | unique husband and wife team, writer and
|
| almost 30 years traveling the isle
| |
| | water colorist, who write and paint about
|
| without undue problems.Concerns over
| |
| | romantic destinations and wedding
|
| safety should not dissuade visitors from
| |
| | destinations.
|
| choosing Jamaica, except during times of
| |
| |
|
