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