Right now, Norm Goldman, Editor of Sketchandtravel.com and Bookpleasures.com is delighted to have as a guest nicely- identified author and travel writer, Christopher P. Baker.
Christopher is an expert on Cuba and Jamaica, as nicely as other venues in the Caribbean and Latin America.
Christopher was named Travel Journalist Of The Year by the Jamaica Tourist Board in 1998. He is here to talk about with us Jamaica.
Beneficial Day Christopher and thank you for accepting our invitation to be interviewed.
NORM:
Please tell our readers one thing about your self, your expertise and the
books you have authored.
Christopher:
I grew up and was educated in England, where I began my international travels though studying geography at university. Following settling in California in 1980, I worked briefly within the adventure travel market. I've been a full-time specialist travel writer and photographer considering that 1982.
Although in my early career I specialized in adventure travel, and also the Asia/Pacific region, throughout the past 15 years I have specialized in the Caribbean, with a specific focus on and fondness for Cuba. My like affair with Cuba began with publication of my Moon Handbooks Cuba and Moon Handbooks Havana.
I've given that written National Geographic Traveler Cuba and Mi Moto Fidel: Motorcycling Through Castro's Cuba, a literary travelog that won both the Lowell Thomas Award as Travel Book of the Year and the North American Travel Journalists Association's Grand Prize. My most recent book is Cuba Classics: A Celebration of Vintage American Automobiles (Interlink Books, 2004), a lavishly illustrated coffee-table book.
I've authored various other books, which includes Lonely Planet's guidebooks to Jamaica and The Bahamas and Turk & Caicos Islands, plus the Passport Illustrated Guide to Jamaica. I've also written about Jamaica (and other Caribbean islands and international destinations) for dozens of leading magazines and newspaper travel sections, which includes as a common contributor to SkyWritings (Air Jamaica's inflight magazine) and Caribbean Travel & Life.
My other major expertise is in regard to Costa Rica. My 1st guidebook was the Moon Handbook Costa Rica (first published as the Costa Rica Handbook in 1992), now in its fifth edition, with virtually 100,000 copies sold. I've due to the fact authored National Geographic Traveler Costa Rica and the soon-to-be-released Eyewitness Travel Guide to Costa Rica (Dorling Kindersley), and have acted as a consultant to INTEL, which lately opened a fabrication plant in Costa Rica.
I love public speaking and have been interviewed on quite a few national television and radio shows. I'm especially honoured to have been addressed the National Press Club and the National Geographic Society (as a member of the Live from& faculty), and to have been a faculty member of the lecturing staff of Cunard Cruise Lines. In January, and once again in May well, I'll be lecturing about old automobiles in Cuba aboard Holland America Cruise Line's M/V Maasdam.
Complete details about my books and writing career are accessible on my webpage.
NORM:
Where is Jamaica and could you tell our readers something about it from the point of view of climate, activities a couple can experience, etc
Christopher:
Jamaica lies south of Cuba in the western half of the Caribbean. It was for a few centuries below British rule and has maintained close ties with the United Kingdom given that independence in 1962. Jamaica is amongst the most distinctive of Caribbean isles, mainly as the birthplace of Rastafarianism, which suffuses the culture, as does the music of the island's most well-known native son Bob Marley.
Although rimmed by coastal plains and fine sandy beaches, Jamaica is predominantly mountainous. In the east, the Blue Mountains (recognized for the world-well-known coffee grown here) rise to 7,402 feet. In spite of its somewhat modest size, the isle boasts a few distinct climates: the mountainous northeast, centered on the old banana-shipping port of Port Antonio, receives copious rainfall and is exceedingly lush, whereas the relatively flat south-central coast, centered on Treasure Beach, lies in a rain shadow and the predominant vegetation is cactus and thorn scrub.
Jamaica is remarkably nicely developed in terms of activities. Visitors can decide on from jet skiing, scuba diving, and sunset boat trips to mountain biking, crocodile safaris, and horseback rides.
NORM:
Would you think of Jamaica a decent choice for a romantic getaway or wedding and honeymoon destination? Why?
Christopher:
Jamaica prides itself on becoming a best wedding and honeymoon destination. Many resorts specialize in this marketplace. Some, such as SuperClubs and Sandals (each identified for their all-inclusive, couples-only resorts) even supply free wedding packages. The all-inclusive idea was born in Jamaica and no other destination has so successfully matured and marketed the concept.
I take pleasure in these all-inclusive resorts, which are run to quite high standards. Nonetheless, my favourite romantic retreats lie at the other finish of the spectrum, in modest boutique hotels providing a mixture of ultra-chic ambience and intimacy that is synonymous with romance. Once more, Jamaica excels, with local entrepreneur Chris Blackwell's Island Outpost group having conceived some of the most welcoming and delightful boutique hotels in the world. They draw notables from Naomi Campbell to Pierce Brosnan, but fortunately most are surprisingly very affordable.
NORM:
What is the ideal time to visit Jamaica from the point of view
of climate, costs, crowds, and the availability of flights from the USA, Canada
and Europe?
Christopher:
Weather wise, there are only two seasons: wet (May possibly-Nov) and dry (Dec-April). The preferred time to go to is throughout dry season, when rainfall is at a minimum and most of the island basks in sunshine.
In summer, prolonged afternoon showers or heavy downpours are standard island wide. Several days or even weeks of unbroken rain are also doable in summer, having said that, primarily in the northeast, although this varies year to year. Summer and fall are also hurricane season, even though the chance of a hurricane actually striking the island is somewhat slim.
All that stated, most of my guidebook research has been undertaken for the duration of summer, which has the added advantage of lower costs and much less crowds in the most well-liked resorts, such as Negril and Montego Bay. Flight service to Jamaica which is well served by each scheduled and charter service varies according to season, although there is everyday service from all through Canada and the USA year-round. The top airfare deals are off-season, in summer.
NORM:
How secure is it to travel to Jamaica?
Christopher:
I 1st hitchhiked around Jamaica in 1978 and have spent almost 30 years traveling the isle without having undue challenges.
Concerns more than safety should certainly not dissuade visitors from deciding upon Jamaica, except throughout instances of civil unrest. Nonetheless, Jamaica's reputation as being unsafe is based on a number of regrettable realities.
The initially is the prevalence of drugs throughout Jamaica society, and the violence that is often related with the trade is an ever-present undercurrent. Almost each visitor can expect to be approached to invest in drugs at some stage in the course of their holiday.
In areas such as Negril, the constant entreaties to order drugs, souvenirs, sexual favors, or comparable services by seemingly (or really) aggressive hustlers can be wearying and is one cause that the all-inclusive resorts have been so effective.
To its credit, the Jamaica Tourist Board has cracked down on hustling in the two other prime tourist destinations, Montego Bay and Ocho Rios. I discuss how perfect to handle this in my Lonely Planet guidebook.
The other aspect that ought to be addressed is the irascible, quick-to-anger nature of a big segment of Jamaican society. The neighborhood temperament can be unusually volatile, and resolution of disputes is frequently sought by means of violence.
Many areas of Kingston are entirely unsafe for unescorted visitors. Yet, this all paints far too gloomy a picture from the perspective of prospective visitors.
The other segment of the Jamaican population comprises the most gracious and hospitable men and women you could encounter, and the standards of service at most hotels is globe-class, not least thanks to the efforts and example set by the training programs and educational outreach of Sandals and SuperClubs, whose influence nationwide extends nicely beyond the tourist sector.
NORM:
Could you give our readers an concept of the costs involved if travel
originates from the USA or Canada and how accessible is it to fly Jamaica?
Christopher:
Jamaica is served by direct flights from main hubs and cities via Canada and the USA. Most flights serve Montego Bay, sometimes with onward service to Kingston. There is outstanding variation in airfares, not least in between seasons and no matter whether flying mid-week or on weekends.
For scheduled non-cease flights originating on weekends in high season, fares start at about $500 from Miami, $650 from New York, and $750 from Los Angeles. Lesser fares can be obtained if visitors select flights that need plane changes en route.
Air Jamaica, the national carrier, provides the most competitive rates and is an exceptionally properly-run airline with superb service. Charter operators present flights from most main urban centers at rates about 10-20% below schedule flights. The cheapest deals are package rates combining airfare and hotel accommodation, offered by charter operators.
NORM:
If you had to choose 6 unequalled venues in Jamaica for a
romantic getaway, honeymoon or wedding destination, what would they be and why?
Christopher:
*Treasure Beach, with accommodation at Jake's Location, a romantic, completely offbeat and laid-back yet well-run and chic hotel that epitomizes the unpretentious neighborhood spirit. It is fantastic for couples who want to laze away their time doing highly small but laze in a hammock in between bouts of producing love.
*Negril is the beach-maven's favourite, perfect for couples looking for a superb beach, lots of watersports by day, and a zesty but unpretentious nightlife. There's a wide option of hotels, including all-inclusive resorts for couples-only, as well as some excellent boutique hotels, which includes The Caves a world-class contender for most romantic resort in the world.
*Strawberry Hill, in the Blue Mountains. Old world ambience combines with contemporary savoir-faire at this mountain retreat a mile above Kingston. The cuisine is fabulous. There is a tremendous garden, plus mountain hiking nearby. A different chic boutique option from Island Outpost.
*Hedonism II or III (each run by SuperClubs) are almost often booked solid with couples whose thought of a romantic vacation is to get nude, play sexy antics in public, or even to share them (literally) with other couples. Yes, many weddings are performed here& generally in the nude. No prudes allowed!
*Mandeville. This modestly prosperous, hassle-free-paced town in the central highlands is set amid beautiful scenery reminiscent of the English Dales and most beneficial enjoyed by rental vehicle. The town has some fine restaurants, and there are some pleasant hikes locally.
*Port Antonio. If you like lush, this is for you, as the region receives large amounts of rainfall& but not all the time. It is famous for its fine hotels run to standard standards, such as the somewhat aloof Trident and Jamaica Palace. My recommendation is to decide on either the Hotel Mocking Bird Hill (a classy, eco-sensitive boutique hotel with gourmet cuisine, run by delightful artsy owners Shireen Agra and Barbara Walker), or to rent a private deluxe villa overhanging the Blue Lagoon.
NORM:
Are there any unique specifications for couples wishing to celebrate their marriage in Jamaica?
Christopher:
Unlike most Caribbean destinations, visitors can get married right after only 24 hours on the island. The following notarized documents are necessary: proof of citizenship certified copies of appropriate divorce or death certificates with regard to prior spouses and written parental consent for any party under 18 years of age. French Canadians need to have a notarized translated copy of all documents and a photocopy of the original French documents.
The Registrar General's Department of Jamaica Web-site has further facts, such as a downloadable Web based Marriage Certificate Application.
NORM:
What resources are available on the Net pertaining to weddings and honeymoon vacations in Jamaica?
Christopher: The Jamaica Tourist Board has complete info on planning a wedding vacation at its Website.
NORM
Is there something else you would like to add that we have not covered
pertaining to Jamaica?
Christopher:
A visit to Jamaica requirements careful preparing to make sure that you are receiving what you strategy. Alot more than any other destination I know, visitors have a love it or hate it reaction, most of which appears to relate to their certain interactions with locals. The island is physically fabulous, the food excitingly spicy and varied, and the music infectious.
Thank you Christopher for your most informative interview.
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