Jerk Chicken at Fern Gully Jerk Centre in Ocho Rios Jamaica is a post from: Jamaica Vacations

Jamaican food is worth a trip to the island and no Jamaican vacation would be complete without at least one jerk chicken meal for a true Jamaican experience. Jerk Chicken is an art form in Jamaica and everyone has their opinion on what is the best jerk chicken recipe in Jamaica. I personally appreciate the many differences in jerk chicken recipes and the use of hot pepper and spices grown locally and I try to eat some in every new location I possibly can.

Fern Gully Jerk Centre in Ocho Rios Jamaica is an out of the way place that many people would never see but it has some of the very best Jamaican Jerk Chicken and it sits in a sweet spot at the top of Fern Gully where you can sit and enjoy the lush tropical vegetation and over 600 varieties of fern plants while you eat lunch.

I have been there about a half dozen times now and the chicken is always smoking hot, flavorful and cooked the right way over Jamaican hardwoods from the local forests. The type of wood has everything to do with the flavor and cooking over pimento wood is the preferred method although not cheap so most jerk chicken is cooked on lesser charcoal which is made from an assortment of soft lumbers and coated or injected with massive amounts of spices including Habanero, pimento and peppercorns.

When you get to Ocho Rios make sure you try the Jerk Chicken and if you take a trip up Fern Gully then you have to stop by there for some of the finest jerk chicken in Jamaica.

Domestic travel packages to Myrtle Beach is a post from: Jamaica Vacations

With the ever increasing costs and hassle associated with international travel we have seen a definite up tick in domestic travel. The Gulf Coast is a mess because of the BP Oil spill and basically no one travels north because of the weather. The difficult economic times are harsh and over travel is down but fear not because there are still many millions of Americans who will take a vacation this year and domestic vacation hot spots such as Myrtle Beach are gaining traction as the best vacations to take this summer.

A decent Myrtle Beach hotel will hardly cost as much as rooms in more exotic and far away places like Jamaica or South America and you can just jump in your car and make a road trip for far less than the cost of airline tickets and reservations. As an example sites like Towers at Myrtle Beach , located at www.towersatnorthmyrtlebeach.com, are offering great value and discount travel packages such as their exclusive travel packages which combine room rates and desired amenities into a value based package that has been nothing but hot for domestic travelers in the United States.

Myrtle Beach is a fabulous destination for travelers in America and a great way to see more of the States as so many of us Americans need to.By traveling locally and spending our hard earned dollars here we not only enjoy our vacations but do more for boosting the economy and creating jobs in America which is of course the best way for us to be spending our money these days.

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.

Enjoy Summer No Matter Where You Go is a post from: Jamaica Vacations

Thanks to John Liefend for the guest post.

Enjoy Summer No Matter Where You Go

Enjoying the summer starts at home but can wind up anywhere. I have a long list of things to do with the season this year.

I love to garden and raising beautiful flowers and my own fresh vegetables are wonderful. When I cook meat out on the grill, I always wrap up a few vegetables in butter and seasonings and put it on as well. There is nothing like sitting on the patio with a good book while my meal is cooking.

After a day in the yard, I enjoy sitting down to some television. Now the Direct Tv Offers is better than ever and there are a great many sit-coms that I enjoy and there is almost always a good movie to catch. Some of these movies are new releases that I can see in the comfort of my own home rather than renting or going to a crowded theater. I can also stay up on the news and keep updated on the weather which is a great help when I am planning on being outdoors.

I enjoy traveling in the summer months as well and there is a lot out there to see. The Texas Hill country is one of the most beautiful sights when all of the wildflowers are in bloom along the highway. I visit a lot of rivers and lakes and I also enjoy museums and historical sites. Hiking and just enjoying nature is a must as well. There are many things to do during the summer season and I hope to take advantage of every moment that I can get.

Find cheap airline tickets and discount airfare online is a post from: Jamaica Vacations

It’s been a difficult year for many and not everyone is able to travel as much as we would like. The high cost of airline tickets and hotel reservations has made it so that not very many people are traveling as they have in years past and of course travel agents and service providers are working hard to increase the amount of travelers that are going to be visiting them this season.

Cheap airline tickets are by far the biggest boost a travel agent can have and companies like LowFares.com are offering the best discount airfare and travel packages available this year. Find cheap airline tickets on the web with some of the best in travel discounts being offered at discount providers and wholesale travel sites.

Discount airfare can make or break a vacation and the money saved by finding cheap airfare will make a huge difference in how you spend your time on the next vacation. Imagine saving as much as $500 on the cost of your flights and what you can do with the money in week. With $500 in savings a couple could enjoy a few extra days at the resort of their choice or maybe try a spa treatment and some local tour guides to truly immerse themselves in the local culture of a country.

Before you travel check online for discount airfare and save money with cheap airline tickets at sites like LowFares.com

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.

Travel to Greece for your next holiday vacation is a post from: Jamaica Vacations

The current global economic crisis has caused a number of problems for the travel industry but travel during the holidays can come at a great savings for some travelers this year and some countries are offering spectacular holiday vacation packages such as the wonderful deals on holidays in Greece where the adventure traveler can explore an historic and vibrant country at incredible savings.

Greece holidays are available at affordable prices and with the right investment your holiday budget can go much further in a country that is in such a need for travel investment. Greece is a country rich in history and the available travel destinations in Greece are some of the best holiday vacation locations in the world. Planning your holidays in Greece may become difficult actually when you realize just how much there is to do in this beautiful Middle Eastern Nation and when you start looking at top attractions such as The Acropolis , The Parthenon or Cape Sounion and the Temple of Poseidon you come to understand that you are in the center of a rich cultural heritage and source of great history.

Athens is the main city and most popular tourist destination in Greece with a number of luxury hotels and resorts available with a variety of Greece holidays suited to the needs of every type of traveler. For those looking for the culture and heritage you will probably spend more time in and around Athens but those looking for an eco vacation in Greece may find themselves on a Greek islands vacation where the natural beauty of the country shines though in the unique parks and reseves offered by the Greek government.

Buy yourself a pair of cheap sunglasses is a post from: Jamaica Vacations

Sunglasses are an important travel accessory and so much more vital than you might imagine when traveling to the Caribbean or anytime you plan on spending time at the beach. Your Jamaica vacation will not be as enjoyable if you do not take a pair of sunglasses with you and to be honest you might even conider bringing more than one pair. it’s pretty easy to loose or misplace a pair of sunglasses and they are so important to those with sensitive eyes that it is junst better to be safe rather than sorry you did not being them.

Buy cheap wholesale sunglasses online and save over the cost of expensive designer and name brand sunglasses and you will be glad to have more than one pair of stylish yet affordable sunwear. By checking out the cheap wholesale sunglasses available from retailers on the web you might find more than one pair for the same rice you would pay in a local department store and with cheap wholesale sunglasses you can even leave then with your new friends as you travel. Why not check out the value and benefits by securing yourself a pair of cheap wholesale sunglasses for your next vacation.

Explore Argentina Hotels, Tours and Reservations is a post from: Jamaica Vacations

Northern arm of Lake Argentino, Patagonia region, Argentina Photo taken by Luca Galuzzi

Ready for a new travel adventure? How about Turismo en Argentina for your next eco vacation? Argentina is a fairly large country that that offers the adventure traveler a number of unique regions and geographical features to explore. Argentina offers hiking, biking, fishing, and whitewater rafting in exotic and scenic locations like Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego where you can hike and ski some of the most pristine conditions on earth and feel like you are the last person on the planet.

Book Hoteles en Argentina, Hoteles en Buenos Aires or Hoteles en Bariloche with ExploreArgentina.com and enjoy a wonderful vacation in South America as you explore the rich culture and lush tropical landscapes of this vast and bountiful country. A vacation in Argentina is the ideal escape for those looking for a real outdoor adventure to one of the few wild places left in the world and if anyone deserves a great vacation it has to be you.

Take a look at the many eco adventures and vacation packages available in Argentina and there is no doubt you will make this a must see destination in your lifetime like I have.

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.