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