Having been back 4 days from our 2 week hol in Jamaica, I thought I MUST write this before I forget what was what!

We normally like to do all-inclusive hols as I prefer to vegetate and be waited on hand and foot whilst on holiday!! (work hard, play hard???) So having already been to other Caribbean locations, we decided this year to do Jamaica. We initially had considered Cuba, but it was more expensive!

Jamaica is one of the larger islands in the Caribbean and it's Capitol is Kingston (South East of the island, fairly central).
Montego Bay is located on the North of the island, and is also where the airport is situated.

The airport has no air conditioning, so beware both arriving and departing! (believe me, with hundreds of other passengers squashed into the airport when we were leaving, it was NOT for the faint hearted!)
On arrival, the airport staff take a very long time, to check your entry visas before letting you go on your merry way.

Once we had cleared immigration/customs/visa checking/looking suspicious, we hurried outside to find our coach. The airport however, is STACKED with locals trying to sell you 'weed', 'coke', braided hair or any other service that you could give them money for...so just grab your suitcases, RUN to your coach and get on!

The weather (and this is obviously based on what I encountered while I was there as is the rest of it!) was perfect. We were there from end July to early Aug and we only had one day of rain BUT.....the people we befriended who were frmo the States and staying a day longer than us got caught up in the hurricane (Charlie) and ALL flights were cancelled from Montego Bay Airport (bear this in mind as the hurricanes do visit the Caribbean at this time of year!)

A limestone waterfall, with clear waters and a place where tourists flock in droves to climb and take pictures! It was fun (around $33 each) but not for less mobile people as the climbing of the rocks was pretty treacherous!

This was a 2 hour trip through jungle and onto beach. Wear long trousers (shorts will rub!) and sunscreen on your neck! This was around the same price! Fab for that beach ride you've always wanted :o)

We had already done this in Mexico but it is WELL worth the money if you can afford it! Costs a WHOPPING $180 each but for this you get to swim/stroke/be pulled along by dolphins. They will also train you how to be lifted out of the water on dolphins noses (seriously!) and get them to jump over your head! You'll be in a group of around 6-10 people and usually have 25 minutes of time with 2 dolphins! ;o)
Be aware that the photos are expensive but you'll only ever do this once so buy them!! hee hee! They tend to offer a video or dvd of your time as well but this is even more pricey!

Shopping is either one extreme or the other in MB. They had sparkly jewellery shops or dusty little stores down dirty streets....my advice is to only ever shop with a guide or tour rep....harrassment reasons (and safety).

~~Jerk Chicken with Rice and Peas

There are 2 National Holidays in August and most things are closed:
1st August is Emancipation Day and the 3rd August is Independence Day (bit like our bank hols I reckon!)

The beach (well, the part we were on) in MB was fab. Sand is powdery and clean and sea is clear and turquoise!!! Nice array of pretty fish if you snorkel and I found the best time to do this was early morning when the sea was at it's stillest (is that a word?!?!)

If you want to relax, this is a great resort. If you need to be entertained I wouldn't recommend it as there is not a great deal to do. I found that lying horizontal in the sun reading and drinking suited me plenty though!