Christopher “Dudus” Coke finally arrested outside Kingston is a post from: Jamaica Vacations

Christopher “Dudus” Coke has finally been arrested outside Kingston and all of Jamaica can rest at ease now that America has gotten their man. I have remained rather silent about the whole affair because of how volatile the subject is but I felt it was time to make some remarks. I have no doubt that Mr Coke is a bad man and drug dealer who deserves to be arrested but my only question is why does Jamaica have to hand over one of their citizens to the United States at this time.

The common rationale is that this drug kingpin has committed crimes in America but I have to ask how many other drug kingpins are out there and the  timing of the US actions. If you look at statistics it seems that Jamaica has become rather lax in enforcement of drug laws with drug seizures in the last year a small percentage of the amounts seized in previous years. Actually it seems the statistics show that Jamaica has been lax on drug enforcement ever since California legalized ganja and one must question why the United States government has chosen this drug kingpin to be arrested now when we know of so many drug kingpins in the United States, Mexico and even Canada.

A total of 76 Jamaicans died trying to apprehend this man and he is not even charged with a capital crime. The Cali cartel in Mexico is directly responsible for the death of 100′s of Americans but they have never chosen to go after those guys. As a matter of fact US police officers in Mexico border states are receiving death threats in America by Mexican drug lords but no one seems to care about that. We don’t see any US DEA agents knocking down the capital city like they did in Kingston.

The Jamaican police shot and killed those 76 Jamaican men and women using guns given to them by the United States. Do the American need to send some more guns  to Mexico so they can capture the kingpins there or should we not worry about our southernmost neighbor with the longest border touching American soil? Mexican drug dealers dig tunnels into America and funnel drugs and illegal aliens directly in the country and all Dudus has been accused of is paying other Jamaicans to suitcase drugs way back in the 90′s.

Apparently Dudus is a has been in the US drug trade and his influence in America is weak at best. If Dudus was in fact importing cocaine into America it is a crime but the question is where does the cocaine come from? its not grown in Jamaica. There are no cocoa plants or drug labs in Jamaica. It’s nothing more than a small middle man in the billion dollar drug trade. If we want to stop cocaine from entering America maybe we need to invade South America where they actually make the cocaine.

Beyond the 76 persons killed I can assure you that a number of my friends have canceled travel plans to Jamaica this year because of the news of violence and unrest in the capital. How much do you think this has cost Jamaica in tourism dollars? Is 76,000 a reasonable number or do you think it approaches 76 million instead? how much is one drug kingpin worth and at what cost do we say thats enough? Would it be ok to have killed 100 men in search of a drug dealer? How about 100 million in lost revenues and bad press? Is that too small or too large a price to pay for one man?

Alleged drug kingpin arrested in Jamaica – CNN.com

Kingston, Jamaica (CNN) — Police in Jamaica issued a plea for calm after the arrest of alleged drug lord Christopher “Dudus” Coke outside Kingston.

The arrest occurred just outside the capital city on Tuesday afternoon. A failed attempt to arrest Coke last month resulted in four days of gun battles between security forces and his supporters that left 76 people dead, and authorities want to avoid a repeat of the violence.

Bob Marley Mausoleum Tours to Nine Mile Jamaica is a post from: Jamaica Vacations

Robert Nesta “Bob” Marley is without a doubt the most important man in Jamaican history and the single most powerful figure in driving tourism to Jamaica. Many may argue the importance of persons like Marcus Garvey, Norman Manley and Donald Sangster to name a few but no one has done more to announce Jamaica to the world than Bob Marley. More people travel to Jamaica because of the influence of Bob Marley than any combination of sun, beach and tropical weather and Bob Marley Tours are the some of our most popular tours in Jamaica.

Bob Marley is one of the most respected musicians to ever live and by far the most influential reggae artist to ever make music. Bob made Kingston and the ghettos of Trenchtown and Tivoli Gardens famous through his music and each year several hundred thousand tourists come to Jamaica to feel alright because of their love for Bob and his inspirational music. Bob Marley was a real revolutionary and deserving of the most high praise.

There are a number of Bob Marley tourist attractions in Jamaica with his home and museum in Kingston offering an extensive history of Bob and his musical legacy while his birthplace and final resting ground in St Ann Jamaica is the most popular place to visit and learn about Bob Marley the man.

My first trip to Jamaica was in February 2002 and I landed in Kingston for my very first day and the first place we went was the Bob Marley Museum and his former home followed by Tuff Gong Records which was certainly an emotional experience but nothing can compare to the raw power and emotion one feels standing on the hallowed grounds of Mt Zion where Bob lays facing East towards the rising sun. On my first trip there in 2002 I was shocked at how undeveloped and rough the museum was but still glad to have been able to meet with numerous family members and friends who had intimate stories of life with Bob. I fondly remember the conversations had with his cousin Fuzzy and hours spent with locals when we spent the night across the street with some of the most kind and most poor people I had ever met. Nine Mile is apoor community and a humbing experience outside the walls of the Marley estate.

On my most recent trip in March of 2010 I was impressed with how refined and developed the Bob Marley Mausoleum had become and with just how beautiful the grounds and new exhibits are. I was also impressed with the sheer number of guests there to express their love for the King of Reggae and it was very cool to spend time meeting fans from all over the world. It can be difficult to fathom his influence until you see people from 10 or more countries standing together smoking spliffs, taking pictures and sharing a love for Bob Marley.

Bob Marley truly was an inspiration to generations of kind hearted herb friendly people and bus loads of people enjoy Bob Marley tours to Nine Mile Jamaica each and every day. This last trip was with new friends from California Claudia and Jason who wanted to visit the grave and birthplace of the regggae legend and it was by far the most enjoyable of all my trips there. The mausoleum is much more like the Bob Marley Museum nowadays and the number of personalized artifacts, intimate photos and awards provide fans with an inside view to the life of a legend.

Nine Mile is located deep within the interior of Jamaica and roughly a 2 hour drive from Ocho Rios or about 3.5 hours from Montego Bay but well worth the trip for any real Bob Marley fan. Plan on spending the day traveling rural Jamaica and meeting real Jamaicans like Bobs cousin Fuzzy who has fond memories of growing up and going to school with Bob Marley and learn more about the musical legend. We’ll listen to Bob Marley music, smoke a Bob Marley joint and light a candle on his grave as we pay tribute to the Legend of Reggae Music.

For true fans of his music a tour to Nine Mile is a must do Bob Marley experience and a wonderful way to spend a day touring Jamaica.

Appleton Estate Rum Factory Tours in Jamaica is a post from: Jamaica Vacations

Appleton Estate Rum Factory is the oldest rum factory in operation since 1749 and one of the coolest tours in Jamaica. The Appleton Rum Factory Tour takes you through the inner workings of this centuries old factory for a journey back in time when life was simple and more natural. Many of the old factory machines and processes are still in use today and make for a wonderful and informative heritage tour where you will learn the history of rum in the Caribbean and the process Appleton uses to manufacture a world class rum famous around the world as one of the finest.

This historic tour of Jamaica offers a glimpse back into time to the beginning of a nation and covers much of the islands history from the very first use of the Appleton estate in the early 1600′s through the entire history of slavery and settlement to the modern times of today where they are now the largest manufacturer of premium rum. Your Jamaican tour guide will detail the history of the Appleton Factory and also the ancient process for making Appleton Rum as you walk around the lush scenic property tucked away in the Nassau Valley and surrounded by the massive sugar cane farms which provide the raw materials necessary to produce rum.

The factory is located near the Black River Safari which feeds the fast growing cane fields used not only for the extracted sugar but also for fueling the entire factory from the giant cookers and steam engines down to every light and power receptacle on the property. Appleton Estate is a self sustaining off the grid enterprise producing over 1,000,000 gallons of rum each year using no fossil fuels and is an excellent example of sustainable development in Jamaica.

Appleton Estate Rum Factory is often the best part of a full day tour to the area which might include zip line rides and nature hikes at the majestic YS Falls with some of the most beautiful waterfalls or the Black River Safari for some Jamaican wildlife and a ride on the river boats. The tour concludes with a stop by the Appleton Estate bar and gift shop where you can buy some rum to take home with you and also drink as much of the many fine rum samples they offer as you can manage. Here is the tricky part as if you plan things just right you can really cap off a great day with some fine spirits and a few good friends.

Driving in Jamaica is a post from: Jamaica Vacations

I have written about the hassle it was to get my Jamaican drivers license and for those of you who have actually gone on tour with me you have been told my opinions on driving a car in Jamaica but I thought I would put together some information for those interested in driving in Jamaica who are not familiar with what it is like to drive a car on the left side in such a dangerous country.

I get lots of questions about renting a car in Jamaica and my advice on driving yourself around on vacation and my first reaction is almost always to warn persons against doing so unless they have already driven on the left side and they have already been to Jamaica before. if you are considering renting a car on your first visit to Jamaica I will strongly advise you to reconsider because that is certainly a more dangerous and risky adventure. Trying to learn and understand a culture and drive around in a foreign country all at the same time as trying to enjoy the surrounding scenery and sights is simply to much for any person or group to manage. It’s a recipe for disaster in a country with so many beautiful scenes to stop and see.

Driving around Jamaica requires a prior knowledge of Jamaican customs, an understanding of the language and some familiarity with how to interact with Jamaicans because there are hardly any road signs in Jamaica and the even the Jamaican road maps are often useless enough that you are going to have to ask directions and know that you have been given good ones at that. Finding someone who knows where you are going and is willing to direct you there without misdirecting you is hard enough but finding someone who can properly explain how to get there and for you to actually understand it is actually far more difficult and even impossible on many occasions. Most Jamaicans do not drive and sadly many of them do not travel much outside of their parish or local area. A large percentage of Jamaicans have never traveled at all and are totally unfamiliar with how to get to places off the main road that circles the island. You will often find it harder to receive anything more than a hand gesture as the direction to travel and a grunt like “likkle more dat way” from people in rural areas or when dealing with those Jamaicans who are unfamiliar with tourists.

Jamaican road conditions are horrible and many of the roads on the interior are the original roads laid down in the 60′s and 70′s and they have never been maintained or repaired and they are littered with potholes or just plain washed out and difficult if not impossible to navigate without destroying a car or flattening a tire. You can’t imagine how many horror stories I have heard about folks getting flat tires in the worst places or a car stuck in a heavily damaged road conditions or even sliding off the side of ravines and into the gully. I have actually witnessed a car accident in the mountains where a tourist drove a car over the side of a mountain road and right into the top of a house that luckily was empty but still destroyed by the incoming car. Those people lived but they will never try driving in the mountains of Jamaica ever again and rightfully so, they had no idea where they were and they were heading down a hill in rainy conditions like some kind of suicidal maniacs trying to make it back to the hotel before before dark. They ended up almost killing themselves and ruining a perfectly good vacation and there was no reason to do so.

I started out driving in Negril Jamaica with an international drivers license I got from AAA which is enough if you want to rent a car and drive around on your vacation but I had to get the drivers license when I bought my own van. I drive around Jamaica very safe and cautiously and I always have because I can see how dangerous the roads are and I have seen many bad accidents and even more bad Jamaican drivers and I just knew you have to be a defensive driver and you cannot trust any other drivers skills or abilities. There is a dirty little secret in Jamaica that no one will speak much about but that certainly has caused a large number of deaths and accidents. Jamaica has around a 70% illiteracy rate and driving cars is one of the best jobs an average person can get so a large number of Jamaican drivers cannot read and they did not take a drivers tests.

They bought their drivers license from a crooked official for about $200US and next they rent a car from a local taxi cab service who rents a car to anyone with a valid license for about $40 US per day for vans and nicer cars to as low as $25 for certain route taxis. So for about $250 a Jamaican can buy a license and rent a car one and be on the road without ever passing a test. These guys are the hustlers you see speeding around Jamaican roads trying to make money to cover the expense of the car and maybe put some cash in their pockets and food in their families belly. You can’t blame a man for trying to take care of himself when you see the pressure these guys are under to make the ends meet but the idea they are risking not only their own lives but everyone else on the road is the scary part.

I have been in two car accidents in Jamaica. I can say that both of them were not my fault but I did let my guard down and forgot where I was at the time and both situations were made much worse because of me. I wrote about the first accident and road rage incident back when it happened but only those of you have met me know that I was in a very bad car accident in Jamaica that nearly cost me my life. I was driving my Nissan Vannette on a dark road in Gutters heading up Spur Tree Hill on my way to a reggae concert with my friend Ras Slick when I stopped to turn. There were 4 adults in the van and we were having a conversation when someone barked out stop because I was about to miss the turn. I came to a full and complete stop in my lane but apparently I was too close to the line and a driver coming down the hill who swerved around a car making a turn on the same road smashed into the drivers side corner of my van where I was stuck behind the wheel after the van came to a stop down the side of the road. It all happened so fast that I could not react but it happened so slow I can play it back in my head like it was in slow motion.

I actually saw the other drivers face of shock as he hit me and I remember watching the Jamaican youth who was seated in the front with me as he was thrown out the window and onto the street when I looked away from the oncoming car. My first reaction was to look back at my wife and kids in the back seat to verify they were alright and I remember asking my wife if the kids were alive. All three had a nice big red spot on their foreheads where they slammed into the back of the seat behind me but everyone was doing well otherwise. I yelled out for everyone to get out of the van and this was the moment of greatest fear in my life. I realized that my I could not feel my legs and they were pinned by the crushed van and steering wheel which was firmly planted in my crotch. I was stuck in my bus and I could not move and that’s when my head started whirling thoughts of dying in a blazing fire as my kids sat listening to my screams.

Alfred Moya crashed his van in Jamaica and lived!!

It was the most horrifying thought I had ever had and I immediately yelled out for them to remove my children because all I felt was liquid pouring out from the motor and I thought it was fuel about to burst in flames. Thankfully the liquid was only hot water from the radiator that was scalding my legs and not gasoline. I blacked out for a minute or two but I awoke to a scene of beauty as a dozen or more Jamaicans had begun to rip my van to pieces as they attempted to extract me from the wreck. There were people all over and they were hurting themselves to free me. I was elated and in tears of joy at the sight of my fellow man risking his own harm and pain to save me from mine. Two guys were in the cab with me pulling up on the steering wheel and there was a woman rubbing my head telling me “It’s ok rasta we gonna help you”, “we gonna help you rasta man”. This went on for what seemed an eternity and these people were so protective of me that they actually assaulted my wife when she came back from removing my children because the people helping me did not know who she was but they wanted to save me from any harm.

They finally had to tie a rope around the front clip of my van and another rope to the back of my van and they actually pulled my van apart with two trucks before I was able to slip my very broken and distorted leg out of the car seat. My left leg was bad and I was forced to tie it to a piece of 2 x 4 lumber as a splint to keep it from flopping around. It was becoming more difficult to keep aware and guide the efforts to rescue me because of shock and no one was in control but me and I had to make sure they did not kill me on the way out. I was of little help physically and they had to lay me on a half sheet of plywood and carry me over to a waiting pickup truck which was the only ambulance available to take me down into Mandeville about 20 minutes away to the closest hospital.

Alfred Moya stands up for the first time in 90 days!!

I spent about 3 days in Mandeville before being transported by van to Cornwall Regional in Montego Bay because they were the only hospital that could provide the surgery I was supposed to need. I ended up spending almost 15 days in the Mobay hospital waiting on xrays and about 5 different doctors to check me before I got a visit from a Cuban doctor. I spoke to him in Spanish and told him of my Cuban grandparents and he confided in me that surgery was unnecessary and that all I really needed was to properly set a cast on my leg. It seems the lead Jamaican doctor caught wind of my situation and he was trying to get me to pay cash for a private specialist to fix me up. He refered me to an outside doctor who could take care of me sooner and this . I almost went for the deal before my Cuban doctor told me it was not truly necessary and that the surgeon wasn’t even sure he could do much more than than pin it together and that the break was such that a pin would not help much at all.

After being laid up in traction with weights pulling my leg straight for 45 days I was finally set in a full leg cast and released to my home where I sat up for another 5 or more months on total bedrest. All told I was stuck in a bed for over 6 months and it cost me $1,000′s in lost wages and property as well as the huge bill I have to the Jamaican government. Almost two years later and they still don’t have a final bill for me and at this point I may just have to payback Jamaica by some other means because they seem to have lost all record of ever even treating me.

I feel a huge debt of gratitude and dedication to Jamaica because of how quick Jamaicans were to help me and I have dedicated this website and the tour guide service that has grown from it to the people of this great nation. To this day I spend more money on this website and my adventures in Jamaica than I ever make back in money but nothing can compare to the wealth of love and friendship that this investment has offered as my dividends. Not only has Jamaica changed my life but this incident has become the single greatest reminder of how precious my life and the lives of my wife and children are too me and why it is important to savor every single moment of every single day. Live long and irie!!

Boothbay Harbor Maine Oceanfront Hotel is a post from: Jamaica Vacations

Boothbay Harbor is home to Browns Wharf Inn which is a family owned oceanfront hotel, restaurant and marina listed on TripAdvisor.com as the #1 Rated Boothbay Harbor Maine Oceanfront Hotel. They offer 70 oceanview rooms with balconies that provide `excellent views of the sunsets and luxurious property. All rooms offer air conditioning, refrigerators, coffee maker, free WiFi and Flatscreen HDTV and you may not want to leave it’ so nice.

This historic and scenic location sits on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean and has been serving delicious seafood for over 50 years as the premier Booth Harbor Restaurant. Enjoy fine dining and world class service with fresh local catch of the day or a leisure stroll along the wharf and relax in the comfortable ocean breeze. Take a tour of Boothbay Harbor via the old footbridge and a walk through time as you take a walking tour or available trolley service through the historic township.

Browns Wharf Inn is a great American vacation experience rich in culture and atmosphere. Check out there website at BrownsWharfInn.com for more details.

Old Jamaican in the Caribbean Sea is a post from: Jamaica Vacations

Here is a wonderful set of photos taken from the Negril Cliffs which features one of my favorite Jamaican fisherman out in the early morning as the sun rises on yet another beautiful Jamaica day. I watched this guy fish the local waters off and on for over a year before I settled to take his photo without his permission. I probably could have found him and asked him for it but it was nice to chat with him as he went on about his day completely oblivious to me while I sat and watched him from the seaside cliffs of a Negril resort in amazement at his strength and determination. Some of these Jamaica fisherman seem as old as the sea itself but do not be fooled, these guys are hard as stone and stronger than any two average men you know. They have been fishing these waters for over 50 years in many cases and pulled enough traps to feed a family for longer than I have been alive.

I was almost always amused and sometimes disgusted with how different our lives are and how as I sit there with my digital camera from the deck of my resort accommodations I can peer out into the distance and witness a real man working for a living from a hand carved dugout while I blog about my daily adventures and smoked a few spliffs over a cup of Blue Mountain Coffee in the comfort of my private room overlooking the Caribbean Sea.

It’s a sick and twisted world we live in and the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence but I would gladly trade my experiences and knowledge for his.

Bob Marley Museum in Kingston Jamaica is a post from: Jamaica Vacations

See more pics in the Bob Marley Museum photo gallery!!

Bob Marley is a legend all across the world but in Jamaica is his revered as a saint by many. His home in Kingston is an important part of the Bob Marley experience in Jamaica and one of the most popular tourist attractions in the area.

The museum is home to the largest collection of Marley memorabilia and a great place to visit for an introduction into the history of reggae music. You will pass through rooms in the home where Bob cooked his food, wrote his songs and even see the very bed he slept in and the house slippers he wore while there.

The room carries a lot of history with loads of gold and platinum records hanging in rooms on the guided tours and even more newspaper articles from around the world highlighting his shows in places like Japan and Africa. It was nice to visit the first time just as much as it was the 5th and now 10th time I have gone. I particularly enjoy reading the newspaper articles for various opinions on Bob from people all over the world.

You will see the room where Bob was shot and even the original bullet holes still in the wall. There is a wonderful little spice garden and of course a huge shop full of Bob Marley things for sale. The tour ends with a somber music video highlighting his career and music. It’s nice to see Bob in the rare home movies and pictures throughout the museum. He seemed at peace for much of his life and the home reflects that.

You cannot take photos inside the Bob Marley Museum but the memories stay with you. If you make it to Kingston and appreciate the mans music you have to take a tour of the Bob Marley Museum as part of your Jamaica Vacation.

Reggae Sumfest 2009 Friday International Night One is a post from: Jamaica Vacations

The second night of Reggae Sumfest 2009 was actually a bit of a let down for me. This was International Night Number One and the line up was heavy on pop and sparkle which is not really my style of music. The night started early with some great new performers like Ras Penco and Hezron which were followed by strong performances from Lutan Fyah and Coco Tea but the rest of the night was weak and full of pop and r&b artists that did not interest me much.

I took lots of breaks and sat out much of the mid section of this evening . I skipped performances by Jazmine Sullivan and Keri Hilson and the only reason I watched NeYo was to see how he reacted to Jamaicans using his music as they have. He paid tribute to Vybz Kartel and Spice by letting the crowd sing their song to his beat. It was a weak attempt to make a connection with the crowd but it seemed to work Many fans went along with it but there were quite a few hisses and comments about his lawsuit over the use of his music. Seems he has a few people out there that like the Vybz Kartel version of his riddim.

NeYo on stage at Reggae Sumfest 2009

I waited it out for the finale with Morgan Heritage and Queen Ifrica but I faded out before the sun came up and Jah Cure went on stage. I was actually sitting on my ass when he went live and I jumped in the bus home while he was performing. I was simply out of gas and unable to stand up any longer after two full days on my feet.

Morgan Heritage put on a strong group performance and then went into solo pieces for Gramps, Peter and the youngest brother and it was a treat to see the many different musical styles they have grown into. Gramps and Peter have more reggae and r&b influences but the younger generation shows more rap and hip hop.

Morgan Heritage Live at Sumfest 2009

Queen Ifrica has impressed me with her powerful stage presence and her ability to sing gracefully but with power. She did a rendition of Michael Jackson Man in the Mirror and she did it with style. The crowd appreciated her performance and everyone sang along as part of the Sumfest Michale Jackson Tribute.

Queen Ifrica Live at Sumfest 2009

Queen Ifrica tributes Michale Jackson Man in the Mirror at Sumfest 2009

Reggae Sumfest 2009 Friday International Night 1

Travel to Jamaica – Jamaican Gift Ideas is a post from: Jamaica Vacations

If you travel to Jamaica, there’s bound to be someone just waiting for you to get home. Someone wondering if you remembered them at all while you were on holiday. Since we haven’t yet figured out a way to bottle our sunshine, here are some other ideas for the perfect gift from Jamaica.

Naturally you have to think about the recipient – what’s good for your 5 year old niece may not be quite the thing for Uncle Joe with the one good eye!

I’m writing primarily for the budget-minded. I am presently unable to think like someone who has money, but hopefully that will change one day soon! Happily, some of the nicest things from Jamaica aren’t at all expensive. So while these ideas are value oriented, they should be pleasing to just about anyone who receives them.

Liquor

Rum – Jamaica is rum country. You can chose from a variety of ages, blends and colours. Our most popular producer is J. Wray and Nephew. Appleton Estate VX is a deliciously smooth, well aged, red rum. I’ve not come across the casual drinker who doesn’t enjoy this one. Another red rum, very enjoyable, but a little less smooth than VX, is Appleton Special. More serious drinkers, or those who want to make rum punch, will enjoy the stronger J. Wray and Nephew Overproof Rum. In Jamaica we call this simply “white rum”.

Rum Cream or Liqueur – The ladies may prefer these milder, sweeter drinks. Sangster’s Rum Creams (in different flavours) are particularly good.

It’s best to buy your alcohol at one of the duty free shops at the airport. It’s practically the same price as at local supermarkets, but more conveniently packaged.

CDs

Jamaica makes so much good music it’s mindblowing. However, not all of the lyrics can be easily understood if you don’t speak Jamaican patois. You might want to choose carefully if you want to understand what’s being said. Recent CDs by Beres Hammond, Tarrus Riley, Etana, Queen Ifrica, Morgan Heritage are a great place to start.

By no means should you discount the dancehall artistes, even if you can’t understand all the words. Most of the music is infectious whether you get the words or not! Sometimes the words are blatantly sexual, or somewhat violent, so ask before making your purchase.

For music collectors, classic CDs by Dennis Brown, Gregory Isaacs, Beres Hammond, John Holt, Bob Marley are really good choices. You could also ask for recordings of traditional Jamaican folk songs.

Coffee

Visit local supermarkets for Jamaican coffee. Larger supermarkets will have a wider range. Choose from whole or ground beans. Coffee labelled “Blue Mountain” is usually the best quality, having been grown at the highest altitudes. The “High Mountain Coffee” brand, although not Blue Mountain, is a very good brand. Coffee is also available at duty free stores in the airport.

Books

If you travel to Jamaica, a visit to a good bookstore can solve many of your gift problems. Jamaican cookbooks for those who like to experiment in the kitchen. Books of Jamaican poetry for those with a poetic soul. Jamaican novels for those who like a good story. Jamaican stories and colouring books for the children. Books on Jamaican culture and lifestyle for those who want to know our island better. When buying books, remember to consider the weight of your suitcase – books can be quite heavy.

Accessories

Accessories like bracelets, earrings, necklaces and anklets have the great advantage of being small and easy to carry. Remember not to buy jewellery made from turtle shell or black coral – these are protected species, and it is illegal to have items made from them. Trendy bags come in all shapes, colours and sizes, made from different materials. Rasta belts and tams are perfect for those who want to look ‘rootsy’.

Clothes

As much as the Tshirt idea might seem overdone, there are actually a lot of attractive shirts on the market. Jamaican colours (black, green and gold) or Rasta colours (red, green and gold) are easily available. Bob Marley is still a great seller, and there are a lot of great shirts which show the many sides of Bob.

Also popular are Jamaican-coloured shorts, flip flops, caps and beach wraps. Or you may like to try some of the more subtle clothing now available in earth tones.

For the kids

In addition to books and clothes, there are traditional cloth dolls, playing cards, small percussion instruments like drums and shakers which make good gifts for children. Some very funky pencils with a dreadlocked head at one end are cute and inexpensive.

Food

Many people enjoy the adventure of tasting food from different cultures. For these people, the supermarket is the perfect place to find something they’ll enjoy. Here are a few ideas:

* Jamaican Guava Jelly – made from the guava fruit. Delicious on bread or crackers.
* Tamarind Balls – for those who like tangy sweets. Made from the flesh of the tamarind fruit rolled with sugar. Jamaican children (and many adults too) adore this.
* Banana Chips – the perfect salty snack, made from green bananas! Just as tasty as potato chips, but more nutritious.
* Jerk Seasoning/Sauce – those who like to cook can try making their own jerk chicken.
* Spicy Sauces – there’s a whole range of these, but our Pickapeppa Sauce is outstanding. Mango chutney is really good too.

Jamaican Artwork

Lookout for authentic Jamaican prints and paintings. These come in a range of prices, depending on the popularity of the artist, and the size and quality of the work. Wood carvings and ceramics are available, but again, you need to think about the weight as well as the packaging for your trip.

I hope these gifts ideas will be useful if you do indeed make the great decision to travel to Jamaica. In the event that you do make the trip, be sure to enjoy our wonderful Jamaican culture while you’re here.

Allison Morris’ website about St. Elizabeth, Jamaica is also a storehouse of information about Jamaican culture. Visit this entertaining and information-packed site at http://www.real-jamaica-vacations.com.

Review of Thursday Dancehall Night at Reggae Sumfest 2009 is a post from: Jamaica Vacations

I was fortunate enough to make it to Reggae Sumfest again this year for the third year in row and it was an awesome event with three nights of simply the best in Jamaican musicians as well as top International performers who made this the best Sumfest I have been to yet. Here is my review of Reggae Sumfest 2009 for Thursday night.

Thursday night is always Dancehall night at Sumfest and this year it was a powerhouse lineup with some of the biggest and hottest names on the Dancehall scene performing on one stage on the same night. It was evident things were going to be different this year as the vibe was more subdued and many major changes were made in the format over years past. The recession hit Sumfest and lots of things were scaled back which seemed to hurt the production which was packed with delays and setbacks but certainly did not curb the enthusiasm or caliber of performers on stage. The Jamaican government had to kick in $500,000US to make sure the show went on but it’s a fair price for the amount of money Sumfest injects into the local economy.

The entire music industry was rocked by the tragic death of Michael Jackson and this years events were in tribute to him and his music and the stars really took to it in force with most of them offering their respects at the least and many of them paying tribute in song during their performances.

Despite the cutbacks there was no shortage of talent on stage and the line up was more of a whos who on the current and past dancehall charts. The night started early and was to run on until the sun came up so I chose to show up a little late in the evening and I was not able to catch the first acts of the evening and I regret missing performances by my good friends Nature and Charly Black but I was blessed to have backstage passes again and I was able to spend some time with them both back stage after their sets and thats always a lot of fun. Jamaican artists are very animated and hanging out with them is more like a party when you put a bunch of them together. They spend lots of time trying to upstage or outshine each other and the commentary and banter are a treat.

I arrived two hours into the show at 10pm and was able to catch I-Octane on stage for the last of his set and the beginning of Prodigal Son before I headed backstage for photos and videos with the stars. I made it back out front to catch the end of Voice Mail who always look good and sound great on stage. These guys should get an award for best dressed group because they have some serious shard looking style every time you see them. Macka Diamond was next on stage and the foul mouthed female gave us her most with a great performance thats just short of a sex show as she touches herself and gyrates in ways your mother wouldn’t approve of. Macka always gives a strong performance and this year was no exception. I was backstage for the beginning of D’Angels performance but able to catch the ending as I ran out front to get some photos. I missed much of Kip Rich and caught the end Demarco on stage before I headed backstage again for more photos.

The drawback to backstage passes is that you often miss out on much of the show as you wait your turn to take some pics or interview an artist. I chose to spend less time backstage and settle for a few pics than to spend the entire evening in the press tent waiting for artist interviews. Some people chose to enjoy Reggae Sumfest from a television monitor backstage but I much prefer the energy and excitement of the front of the stage. It’s all about the music to me but I do enjoy meeting and speaking to the artists when I can. It’s nice to know someone who’s music you respect and I feel it brings you closer to the music in a lot of ways.

Sumfest runs into the early morning of the following day and the main talent usually hits the stage after midnight. Thursday nights star lineup began with Spice who put on an amazing show and her tribute to Michael was one of the more unique and inspired. Check out Spice at Reggae Sumfest on YouTube for more but trust me it was high energy and unique to say the least. Spice took a different direction than many other artists and her tribute was not just her singing a Michael Jackson crowd as many did but her entire set had Thriller style dancers and other examples of his music and style. Spice has truly matured and her music reflects a new found strength and attitude which must come from the recent success she has had as a result of her popular collaboration with Vybz Kartel on Rompin Shop which is the #1 hit single and a smash on the dance floors across Jamaica.

Spice was followed up by Assassin who I missed while backstage but I was there for the Queen of Dancehall Lady Saw when she hit the stage and put on yet another raunchy performance as she proved once again she is the dirtiest female of them all and a force in the dancehall. Her set started out decidedly different and a woman behind me made the comment that Lady Saw had finally gown up but after one song she chnaged from her cutesy dress to a mans Zoot Suit where she proceeded to cup her groin and chant out hardcore lyrics about her pum pum. She got some foreign press agent from in front of the stage to stand before her as she forced him to slap her pum pum and since he didn’t speak english it was hilarious to watch the mess from so close. I don’t mind explicit lyrics from men or women but raunchy dirty foul mouthed garbage is not my favorite style and Lady Saw rides over the edge on occasion. Watch Lady Saw at Reggae Sumfest 2009 on YouTube!!

After Lady Saw it was the heavy hitters from Alliance with Bounty Killer, Mavado and Busy Signal as the next three acts. Bounty Killer had a very strong performance at Sumfest 2009 but he did acknowledge his diss at last years show when he attacked Ninjaman and his brother as batty men but it was once again a different kind of show this year with Bounty offering his respect to Ninjaman who sits in a Jamaican jail on serious charges for harboring a fugitive. At last years show it seemed that Bounty was more harsh and into the clash style and the crowd wasn’t into it as much and Bounty was actually booed at Sumfest 2008 for his lyrics and attack style. This year he kept the insults and attacks minimal and stuck to a hardcore performance and it worked out much better for him.

Bounty was followed up by his #1 protege and the rising star in dancehall Mavado who himself had a great year with hit singles like “So Special” hitting heavy rotation on the dance floors and inspiring Jay-Z to step out of retirement just to do a remix with the “Gully God”. Mavado is my personal favorite and his music has more crossover appeal than Vybz does when you consider more people can understand what he’s saying unlike Vybz who speaks more raw patois. Mavado has a link with the rasta culture and his many references to Jah and Jehovah seem to enhance his popularity. The problem he faces is that Mavado is a studio artist and his music is heavily synthesized which is difficult to play by a live backing band and his live performances with a band are weak in my opinion. I was not impressed with Mavado at Sumfest 2009 which was live but I stood on stage with him just one week later at The Jungle in Negril and he performed to a pre-recorded riddim track and it was a much better show. I would recommend to him he stick to the riddim track and forget live band performances.

Elephant Man came on stage after Mavado and put on another powerful performance that I was sad to miss most of as I was backstage fighting for an interview I never got with Mavado. It’s silly in a sense because I know people that know Mavado and I can probably get an interview with him whenever I wanted to but I ended up catching the end of Elephant Man performance and then I was able to link up with him backstage for a moment as well which made a difference when I saw him on stage at The Jungle the next week. He recognized me from Sumfest and proceeded to have some fun with my by having a girl jump on me and dance unexpectedly which was a shock to me and amusing to about 4000 people at the show.

I also expected a difference in the main performances and I was right. I knew it was going to be a Vybz Kartel night and it was. Vybz Kartel and his Portmore Empire have had an exceptional year since the 2008 performances and his rivalry with ex partner Bounty Killer and Killers Alliance has hit a high point as well with the clash reaching extremes and the entire country is now either Gaza or Gully with the “Gully God” Mavado from Alliance adding fuel to the fire as he blazes his own trail to the top of the Dancehall scene. Some are calling Mavado the new King of Dancehall and this sparked a fire in Beenie Man who has aligned himself with Vybz to defend his self proclaimed title of King of the Dancehall. Beenie seems to have put his weight behind it and got himself crowned the “King of Danceall” in a ceremony on stage this year at Sumfest where he was given a crown and robe in recognition of his contribution to Sumfest and reggae music by Johnny Gourzong the founder of Reggae Sumfest Productions.

Vybz Kartel and Beenie Man both put on strong performances but when the two of them hit the stage at the same time the place lit up with excitement and it was by far the high point of the might with 20,000 plus fans yelling and screaming approval. Beenie led the chants of “Gaza mi say” and the crowds followed him and it got pretty loud for awhile. They performed well together and it seemed a match made in heaven with the two of them benefiting greatly from the partnership. Beenie Man is known as weak amongst many in the new generation because his lyrics are more dance and pop with no gun or violence and his link to Vybz gives him some much needed cred with the gangsta wannabes on the dancehall scene. Vybz on the other had finds Beenie Man legitimizes some of his antics and gives him some respect to the older generation who have no idea what Gaza or Gully really are.

By this time of the night I was burnt and I had seen what I came to see. I rarely make it through to the very end and on this night I bailed out after Vybz and Beenie left the stage. Click here are a selection of pics and don’t forget to check my YouTube page for more videos from Reggae Sumfest 2009 or click any of the links above to see the individual artist videos.

Home > Jamaica Reggae Music Shows > Reggae Sumfest 2009 Thursday Dancehall Night Reggae Sumfest 2009 Thursday Dancehall Night Set list from Reggae Sumfest 2009 Set list from Reggae Sumfest 2009 I-Octane backstage at Reggae Sumfest 2009 Charly Black backstage at Reggae Sumfest 2009 Bugle backstage at Reggae Sumfest 2009 Macka Diamond backstage at Reggae Sumfest 2009 I-Spryng backstage at Reggae Sumfest 2009 Voice Mail on stage at Reggae Sumfest 2009 Macka Diamond backstage at Reggae Sumfest 2009 Nature backstage at Reggae Sumfest 2009 D'Angel backstage at Reggae Sumfest 2009 Demarco on stage at Reggae Sumfest 2009 Spice on stage at Reggae Sumfest 2009 Demarco on stage at Reggae Sumfest 2009 Kip Rich on stage at Reggae Sumfest 2009 Lady Saw on stage at Reggae Sumfest 2009 Spice back stage at Reggae Sumfest 2009 Lady Saw back stage at Reggae Sumfest 2009 Bounty Killer on stage at Reggae Sumfest 2009 Mavado on stage at Reggae Sumfest 2009 Bounty Killer Alliance backstage Reggae Sumfest 2009 Elephant Man interviewed backstage at Reggae Sumfest 2009 Vybz Kartel on stage for Reggae Sumfest 2009 Beenie Man on stage at Reggae Sumfest 2009 Beenie Man on stage at Reggae Sumfest 2009 Beenie Man and Vybz Kartel on stage at Reggae Sumfest 2009 Crowds at Reggae Sumfest 2009

The medicine profiles the line.