Old Country, New City
by Joy Polanco, Queens, New York
For repeat visitors to Jamaica, Montego Bay offers something old with something new!
On my past visits to Jamaica, I've vacationed in Ocho Rios, the destination for many newlyweds who choose to "honeymoon" on this photogenic Caribbean island. I love Ocho Rios but hate the long, winding drive on Jamaica's northern coast to get there. This drive can easily take one or two hours depending on how far into Ocho Rios your hotel is from the nearest airport.
Jamaica has only two airports used by the major airlines, Norman Manley International Airport in the capital city of Kingston and Donald Sangster International Airport in the resort town of Montego Bay. Sangster Airport is the one you'd use to get to Ocho Rios but for this trip, I was able to get off my plane at Sangster and head to my hotel just five minutes away. This time I chose Montego Bay, affectionately called "Mo Bay" by native Jamaicans, as my vacation destination.
Just knowing that I would go from collecting my luggage off the conveyor belt to sipping on a frozen pina colada in less than an hour was a great feeling. My home for the week was the Royal Decameron Montego Beach Hotel. The resort is part of the Decameron All-Inclusive Hotels and Resorts located throughout the Caribbean and Latin America. Montego Bay's Royal Decameron is designed to give all guests a front-row panoramic view of the Caribbean Sea. Having stayed at quite a few all-inclusive hotels in the past, this one had all the amenities (and trappings) common of all-inclusives.
Upon my arrival, I was impressed with the West Indian décor of the lobby. Vivid bright hues, natural-colored bamboo furniture and a central statue of a Rastafarian man squatting and smoking an "exotic" pipe, were all there to greet me. The airy, open lobby has a nice-sized bar on the opposite side of the registration counter with comfortable cushioned seating surrounding it. From there it's just a hop, skip, and a jump to the hotel's main restaurant call The Passa Passa, the small but cozy beach, as well as two inviting pools, one with a swim-up bar.
Unlike some of the reviews I read about this hotel prior to my trip, checking-in went fairly smoothly and the interior-decorating of my clean and spacious room pleasantly looked like an extension of the lobby. My one complaint was that the bathroom desperately needed renovation. Otherwise, everything in my ocean-view room was as expected, including the breath-taking view of the sea from my balcony, perfect for creating post-card caliber sunset photos.
Montego Bay was originally called by the Spanish "Bahia de Manteca" or Bay of Lard. Lard was an early major export of Jamaica. Montego Bay is on the northwest coast of the island and considered to be the more "hip", more vibrant tourist town, as opposed to Negril on the west-coast of the island, known for being a quieter, more lackadaisical resort area. Since this was my first time staying in Montego Bay, I was determined to see the attractions it had to offer. Luckily for me, I took my trip during the spring when the weather in the Caribbean is mild and warm, not unbearably hot. I had blue skies throughout my trip and therefore had no trepidations about venturing outside the shelter of my resort.
I decided to visit Rose Hall via one of the many taxis waiting just beyond the main gate of my hotel. Rose Hall is the name of the lush resort area just a 15-20 minute drive east of the airport in Montego Bay. The Ritz-Carlton Golf and Spa Resort is located here. The beautiful and immaculate golf course just begs for golfers on the level of champions, to play on its pristine and luscious green course. I, unfortunately, am no Michelle Wie, so I made my way over to Rose Hall Great House, which was the reason for my visit to the area.
The great house is actually a Georgian Mansion built between 1770 and 1780. In the 19th century, it was home to Annie Palmer, who is said to have dabbled in witchcraft while also murdering her husbands and countless lovers. She was dubbed the name, White Witch of Rose Hall, which became the title of a book later written about her. Annie is rumored to be one of the many ghosts which haunt the house. A placid tour guide takes you on a walk throughout the two-story home that naturally had to be re-built and repaired over the years. However, just being in the historic residence, gave me a sense of what life must have been like back in Jamaica during its period of slavery.
Like other countries in the Americas, slavery afforded a pampered life for the slave owners but a miserable life for the slaves. Eventually that misery led to a slave uprising at Rose Hall, which resulted in the killing of Mistress Annie. You end your tour by visiting the mansion's dark and damp cellar/dungeon, which is a stark contrast to the beautiful courtyard it opens out to. Lily ponds and bright pink azaleas surround you as you conclude your eerie visit of this massive former sugar plantation.
My next venture was within walking distance of my hotel. This time just a short 7-minute stroll brought me to a long-standing tourist attraction called Doctor's Cave Beach. Considering how small the beach was at the Royal Decameron, which I'm sure is becoming quite a common sight, as more and more beachfront resorts spring up demanding their piece of the shore action, it was a welcomed relief to see a large beach with all the room I needed to spread out and relax under the sun.
Doctor's Cave located right off Gloucester Ave., a.k.a. the "hip strip", is listed in tour books as one of the best beaches in the West Indies. It was once the property of Jamaican tourism pioneer Dr. Alexander McCatty. A small fee of $5 U.S. will allow you to enter and from there you can enjoy what you imagine a Jamaican beach to be. Clean sand and clear blue-green water. The sea was calm and at the perfect temperature for my visit. I was able to see cruise ships in the distance and was grateful they did not dock too close. I believe these mega-floating hotels, however luxurious, create muddied, polluted sea water which is becoming all too common in certain parts of Jamaica.
Doctor's Cave also features a small café, as well as chairs and umbrellas for rental. All you need to bring is your desire for sunbathing. During my mid-afternoon visit, the beach wasn't too crowded and the sun wasn't too high in the sky but that was okay with me. I was able to swim unfettered and overexposure to UV rays aren't good for you anyway.
Along the hip-strip is where you'll find many souvenir shops, which are essentially mom and pop stores which will compete for your patronage by meeting you on the street and asking you to take a "look-see." Although the prices are right, especially at the small supermarkets where you can buy Jamaican-made condiments, the famous Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee and bottles of rum, the prices are better at the airport, where you can buy many of the same items duty-free. However, I would recommend buying t-shirts and other clothing items at these souvenir stores since I think you get a bigger and better selection with the opportunity to haggle.
Finally, how could I leave Montego Bay without stopping by what has become a well-touted hot spot in Jamaica--the increasingly popular Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville. The bar and grill is just a short walk from Doctor's Cave Beach. It looks like just another store-front but as you get closer you eventually discover the elaborate set-up, which includes an open-air bar, a huge waterslide and floating trampolines.
Margaritaville commands its own section of the Caribbean Sea. The two-level hotspot attracts tourists from both sides of the hip strip. In the afternoon, you can snack on a hefty plate of nachos and enjoy one of the 52 varieties of margaritas while listening to American dance music under the sun. Late at night you can re-visit and have a Red Stripe beer while listening to more American dance music under the stars. You can also head to the second-level for a live band singing and playing home-grown reggae music, which is the moment when it finally dawns on you that you're in Jamaica, you have left all your worries behind, and everything's gonna be alright.
Photo by Lovetripper.comLabels: Caribbean, Jamaica, myRomantic Getaway
Las Vegas: myRomanticGetaway
Where: Las Vegas
Why I Love Las Vegas: It has the fountains at the Bellagio Casino which are very romantic!
My Favorite Part: the restaurants
--contributed by Lily KwanLabels: February09 Contest, Las Vegas, myRomantic Getaway
Ireland: myHoneymoon
Where: Ireland
Why I Love Ireland: As an avid reader of romance novels, I've always fantasized about traveling to the majestic green isle of Ireland. My adoring fiance wanted to be the man of my dreams, so he took us there for our honeymoon!
My Favorite Part: We visited many different towns and cities during our 10 day trip. My favorite location by far was the small town of Westport, Ireland. The town has won the title of "Tidiest Town" for 3 years running and this title is well deserved. This adorable little town will steal your heart.
What I'd Like Others to Know: If you want to fall in love all over again, you must visit Ireland. The lush green fields, the plush white sheep, the romance inspiring castles, the hearty food, and those adorable accents are all the things that dreams are made of.
--contributed by kerri1973, Prattville, Alabama, USALabels: February09 Contest, Ireland, myHoneymoon
New Orleans: myRomanticGetaway
Where: New Orleans
Why I Think New Orleans is Romantic: BEEN THERE AND FELL BACK IN LOVE AGAIN
--contributed by Craig Cota, Versailles, OH, United StatesLabels: February09 Contest, myRomantic Getaway, New Orleans
Niagara Falls: myRomanticGetaway
Where: Niagara Falls, New York
Why I Love Niagara Falls: We live here and we wanted to get away from our 8 kids. We got a room at the casino downtown and overlooking the falls, it was beautiful. The mist in the snow covered gorge was breathtaking. The falls was light up and you could see Canada it was awesome
My Favorite Part: just being with my husband alone taking in the sights of our home town.
What I'd Like Others to Know About Niagara Falls: That it truly is one of the 7 wonders of the world whether in winter or summer.
--contributed by l. filx, niagara falls,ny usa
Labels: February09 Contest, myRomantic Getaway, Niagara Falls
Honolulu: myRomanticGetaway
Where: Honolulu
Why It's Romantic: It has the most beautiful view of the beach for 5 miles. Every room is decorated to recreate a beautiful beach scenery, it makes it feel like you are right there on the beach.
My Favorite Part of Honolulu: The clear waters, the amazing views, the overall relaxing feel of the whole place.
What I'd Like Other Romantic Travelers to Know: Go when it's warm, because you will want every second of your time to be spent on the beach.
--contributed by Marqelle, Grants Pass, Oregon, United StatesLabels: February09 Contest, Hawaii, myRomantic Getaway
Paia, Maui, Hawaii: A Fresh New Alternative to a week in Wailea or Kaanapali, or Kapalua
Paia, Maui. The North Shore. Getaway for Willie Nelson, world class windsurfers and kite boarders, surfers, artists, and hippies, Yes, actual hippies, some from California's counter culture of the 60ís and 70ís, others younger but spiritually attuned to the lifestyle and its ways. All authentic organically fed and real reminders of when all we asked of each other was to "Give Peace a Chance." The Zen and spirituality of the area is supported by a number of Yoga studios and spiritual shrines like The Great Paia Peace Stupa, recently blessed by the Dalai Lama in a 2007 visit.
Paia is also the home to eye popping surf including famous Ho'okipa Beach, inspiring surfers and boarders from locals to world class daredevils to pursue their adolescent fancies, to defy the sea's wind driven fury, to remain youthful and to "Catch the Perfect Wave." There is a balance to life here from the raging surf and tropical landscapes to the gentlest
namaste. Take a few deep cleansing breathes; you can feel it in the air.
The Paia Inn, a beach town boutique hotel right in the center of Maui's North Shore, is the perfect destination to tie these elements together into the most fabulous finish to your visit on Maui. 2 or 3 nights here on Maui's spiritual North Shore seems just right before returning to the mainland. The Paia Inn is the child and love of Michael Baskin, son of a successful hotelier. He has converted an old main street Plantation style building into a boutique hotel so enchanting that it exceeds any measure you can place on a small hotel . The design and planning of the 5 small but extremely comfortable rooms includes upgraded baths with marble showers, refrigerators, specially designed beds and furniture to allow for needed storage of luggage and active gear, and flat screened TVs. The guest rooms located on the upper floor also have 2 additional common but private restrooms (what a great idea), a large open common area to read; sitting on comfortable upholstered leather arm chairs and a computer station to print your return tickets or surf the Web. Attention to details is evident everywhere and always with their guests comfort in mind. In addition to the hotel rooms there are 2 larger 2 and 3 bedroom cottages on an immediately adjoining property.
The art displayed throughout the Inn is original, fabulous, colorful and locally available in a nearby gallery. The featured artist is Avi Kiriaty, a "Painter of Polynesia" whose works are inspired by Gauguin's impressionism. Go to
www.avikiriaty.com to view more of his works and request his DVD.
Enter the Inn thru the gated garden patio; note the native wood carvings over the door and archway. At check in you will receive a tour of the grounds. The private path to your beach is just a few steps away and beach chairs are provided free of charge, as is everything but the mini bar. Note the outdoor covered ping pong table too. The beach is breathtaking by the way. Paia's little nude beach is a beach walk away if you'd like.
The Inn features all the elements to make your stay comfortable. Outside patios highlighted by a waterfall and tables to enjoy your morning coffee and scones from Anthony's, a famous in town coffee stop for most, but a morning staple for you. In the evening, enjoy a glass of wine and some music. At the Inn the music is played based on your individual likes and requests. This is a great gathering spot just prior to dinner hour. Everyone freely exchanging information about their day's fun or dinner plans. Maybe a review from last night or a suggested stop along the "Road to Hana."
This personalized care is all orchestrated by a staff of young managers under the on site direction of the owner. These people are attentive, locally knowledgeable about all things Hawaiian and Paian , and seemingly perpetually happy to be able to assist you in finding a place to eat or a shop that carries particular gifts which you might want to bring back home. The staff's personalized attention to any guest's needs makes this place pop. They provide the fun and the local connection to the fabulous North Shore. Theirs is that specialness that transforms you from a tourist to a visitor. You especially feel at home as the sun sets and the day trippers head back to their resorts and you feel local. Its very cool. Have a cold beer and a few laughs before a restful sleep.
The town has many studios and galleries featuring local and established talent. There are 2 artist co ops in town as well. Even though the airport is just 10 minutes drive, leave your purchases to the shop owners to ship back home for you. You might save the tax and the trouble of taking it through inspection.
Though the dining in this region of Maui is quite reliable and in fact terrific, there are several restaurants that exceeded their internet/ guide book description. Almost all are within close walking distance of the Paia Inn. Those that arenít are a short easy drive away.
Next door to the Inn is Flatbreads. This local pizzeria and meeting spot serves ice cold beers, many local to Maui and Hawaii, and the finest flatbread pizzas anywhere. The locally grown ingredients and their farm source are prominently displayed on a chalkboard next to the special wood fired clay oven which sits stage center, open to all to watch as their thin crusted special pies are crisped to perfection. The crowd is young and fun and families can enjoy the affordability. The bar is hopping on weekends. Cheap and cheerful . Try the Mobley's special with Kalua pork, Maui onions, pineapple and goat cheese. Remember all local!
Across the street from the Inn is the Paia Fish Company. Famous for their fish sandwiches and other assorted fresh seafood treats. Ahi? Mahi? Ono? O My. You stand in line to order then find a seat at one of the many long wooden benches and tables. Make friends with a neighbor till they shout out your number. The orders come up fast so this isnít a place to dally but for lunch its perfect and for dinner its perfect too if judged by the crowds. All the fish served is fresh caught locally. Another cheap fabulous meal in Paia.
Across the intersection from the Inn is Milagros Food Company. This gem of a Mexican eatery serves the freshest ingredients and manages to mix the standard dishes with a local flavor of the Islands to create outstanding somewhat upscale food to compliment the tequilas and cervazas. The large outside patio is always packed due to its prominent intersection location. Prime for people watching. The menu is diverse and very reasonably priced. The blackened Ahi taquitos with mango passion fruit salsa was outstanding.
The last restaurant Iíd mention as particularly special is Hali'Imaile. You need to drive from the Inn about 15 minutes but this is well worth it. Of all the restaurants, this is a bit more money so I'll recommend you go for lunch. The view from the base of Haleakula is panoramic so lunch it is. Served Monday thru Friday. This delightfully bright airy hillside jewel was one of the first to serve Hawaiian Regional Cuisine. The menu is so varied and the tastes so delicious. The food is stylishly presented using very island fresh ingredients; very whimsical and fun. The desserts are epic endings and worth sharing. Our waiter worked in a local theater company and revealed by night he was the fanciful evil witch in Sleeping Beauty, but by day, he was a wonderful server, well versed in all the menus offerings. Reminded me a bit of Ed Begley Jr.
Before leaving Paia it seems appropriate to pass on some local knowledge I learned from the gals at the Paia Inn. Firstly, the cream puffs at the 100 year old T. Komoda Bakery in Makawao are the real deal and worth the 10 minute drive. Maybe try out their glazed "doughnuts on a stick" or a local Malasada pastry . Secondly, if you stop just passed the first one lane bridge beyond the Garden of Eden, on the Road to Hana, hop over the grey cinder block fence used in the shooting of Jurassic Park, and follow the trail to the left past the first waterfalls, you will find a secret second falls, known only to locals, and a swimming pool to privately enjoy. Or possibly share with a group of soapy hippies. Promise me you won't tell anyone else. Enjoy the Maui less traveled. Aloha
Contributed by Kendo, Palm Beach Gardens, FL, USALabels: February09 Contest, Hawaii
I decided to visit Rose Hall via one of the many taxis waiting just beyond the main gate of my hotel. Rose Hall is the name of the lush resort area just a 15-20 minute drive east of the airport in Montego Bay. The Ritz-Carlton Golf and Spa Resort is located here. The beautiful and immaculate golf course just begs for golfers on the level of champions, to play on its pristine and luscious green course. I, unfortunately, am no Michelle Wie, so I made my way over to Rose Hall Great House, which was the reason for my visit to the area.
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