New GoCurious Sites!

 Jamaica 

     Jamaica for me is vacation Utopia.  The island has everything you need to have a bang-up time. 

     First things first , Jamiaca has had filtered water since 1928. That means no green apple splatters while you're on vacation unless you partake of too many 'Jamaican kisses' (recipe: 2oz Tia Maria, 2oz of light rum, and 2 Tablespoons of cream) . 

The legal drinking age in Jamaica is 18. 

Must do's 

Dunn's River Falls

     This is the famous waterfall that you see in most ads for Jamaica and for good reason. It is a waterfall that you walk up. With the help of a guide a group of people form a chain holding hands and with each person following in the previous person's footsteps . Don't worry  you won't land on your coconut unless you try to be a free thinker and step where you want and not where they tell you. Your guide will hold everyone's camera and take their picture at a good spot so you can show the folks at home how you ascended this landmark.

     When you arrive you may be somewhat shocked to learn the admission fee is $300. This is Jamaica dollars! It s only $15USD for adults and $12USD for kids to get in.

     There are lockers to put your stuff in so you don't have to carry the kitchen sink up the falls.  For those even less brave than I there are stairs that adjacent to the falls so you can walk alongside and not get wet. Even if you are unable to negotiate stairs this area has a beautiful park and breathtaking views from above the falls. 

Rick's Cafe

     The view of the sunset from Rick's Cafe is unsurpassed.  Ok the real reason people come here is to see up close local men and some tourists dive off the cliffs to the water forty feet below. This act seems all the more treacherous because you are looking down at the water unlike most cliff diving spots where you watch from afar. The tourists are most welcome to try their luck at this game of Jamaican roulette.  Be warned though, if you are diving off this cliff after a few Negril Stingers (recipe: 2oz rum, 3oz Tia Maria) you are likely to crack your head on the rocks and Jamaica does not have 911 service. For emergency ambulance service dial 110 from any phone. In any case get there before dusk or you'll have to wait in line to get in.

Luminous bay

     Also known as Glistening waters this is one of the niftiest places you'll ever see. The water actually glows as something moves through it. You can take a boat tour for $15USD . As the boat travells through the water making waves everything behind it glows. If you put your hand in and move it around the water you stir up will glow. Although most marine animals have bioluminescent capabilities only a few are visible to the human eye without  a microscope. As an added bonus with this tour you are served a rum punch (recipe: 1oz white rum,1oz 151 proof rum,2oz pineapple juice,2oz orange juice, grenadine  just enough to make it red) before and after the tour.

Martha Brae River Rafting 

bamboo raft

     This is not white water rafting!. This is a leisurely trip on a bamboo raft down about 3 miles of the Martha Brae river.  Two passengers fit on a raft and your raft pilot stands at the bow with a long pole used to direct the raft. All you have to do is enjoy the splendid scenery . Your guide may leap off your raft onto shore and shimmy up a tree, chop down a coconut and serve it to you with two straws-all without breaking a sweat. I provided my own drink on this trip, a Red Stripe beer (recipe:one bottle of red stripe beer).