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 Rightly
famous for its beaches and music, beautiful, brash Jamaica is much more
besides. There's certainly plenty of white sand, turquoise sea and
swaying palm trees, but there are also spectacular mountains and rivers,
tumbling waterfalls and cactus-strewn savannah plains. Far more than
just a resort, the island also boasts vibrant towns and cities such as
sprawling Kingston , which inspired the music of Bob Marley and
countless other home-grown reggae superstars.
Jamaica is a country with a swagger in its step - proud of its history,
sporting success and musical genius - but also with a weight upon its
shoulders. The island faces the familiar problems of a developing
country, including dramatic inequality of wealth and social tensions
that occasionally spill over into localized violence and worldwide
headlines. As a result Jamaicans are as renowned for being as sharp,
sassy and straight-talking as they are laid-back and hip. People don't
beat around the bush here, and this can sometimes make them appear rude
or uncompromising. Particularly around the big resorts, this direct
approach is taken to extremes at times, with harassment reaching
irritating levels.
But there's absolutely no reason to be put off. As a foreign visitor,
the chances of encountering any trouble are minuscule, and the Jamaican
authorities have spent millions making sure the island treats its
tourists right. As the birthplace of the " all-inclusive " hotel,
Jamaica is well suited to those travellers who want to head straight
from plane to beach, never leaving their hotel compound. But to get any
sense of the country at all, you'll need to do some exploring. It's
undoubtedly worth it, as this is an island packed with first-class
attractions, oozing with character, and rich with a musical and cultural
heritage; if you're a reggae fan, you're in heaven.
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