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