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Caribbean Travel RoundupNewsletter - Paul Graveline, Editor |
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Featuring the Eco-Inns of Dominica! Romantic waterfalls, fiery
sunsets, swim in emerald green pools and up narrow gorges, find your
own secluded beach, scuba & snorkel with fantastic marine life,
count fireflies under a romantic star-covered sky, hiking for all
ages, biking, unspoiled scenery, watersports on a safe and friendly
island! Our special package is the best value around!!!
$499 per person for 8-days/7-nights
$305 per person for 4-days/3-nights
$245 per person for 3 days/2-nights
Choose from over 31 properties islandwide! A guidebook, a welcome
island fruit basket and road map are included and well as a jeep
with unlimited miles and accommodations at any of the following
hotels on the island:
Anse-A-Lian Hotel & Dive Coconut Beach Club
Anchorage Hotel Lauro Club Hotel
Castaway Beach Hotel Papillotte Wilderness Retreat*
Chez Ophelia Apartments Reigate Hall Hotel
D'Auchamps Cottage Reigate Waterfront
Evergreen Hotel Roxy's Mountain Lodge
Fallsview Guest House Springfield Plantation Guest House
Floral Gardens Sunset Guest House
Herches Sutton Place Hotel
Hummingbird Inn Symes Zee Villa
Itassi Cottage Sunset Bay Club (All-Inclusive)*
Portsmouth Beach Hotel Picard Beach Cottages*
End of Eden Sister Sea Lodges
Exotica* Fort Young Hotel
Verandah View Inn Sutton Inn
Cocoa Cottages
Fly-Drive Dominica
Ms. P.J. Ott
Marketing & Sales, U.S. and Canada
Serious Inquiries Require: approximate dates of travel, length of
stay, departure city, name and telephone number. Your Personal
Dominica Specialist will respond immediately to assist you. We are
the Dominica Specialists and are waiting for your e-mail or call!
Wild Side Destinations and Fly-Drive Dominica, flydrivepj@aol.com
or 888-696-4202
A Calendar of Events for the New Millennium
NEW YORK, NY, DECEMBER 1999 – Jamaica will be alive with energy in
2000, as music, cultural heritage, and culinary events highlight the
island’s Calendar of Events 2000.
Below is a list of exciting events that will be happening in Jamaica
for the new millennium. If you are planning a vacation to Jamaica in
2000, a visit to the Jamaica Tourist Board’s website at
www.jamaicatravel.com is a must! More information on the listed
events, as well as information on special packages, accommodations,
entertainment, the island’s history, people and heritage can be
found on the website. The JTB’s website now features the new "J-Mail
Dispatch," which automatically updates you via e-mail about new
events and happenings in Jamaica.
The Insider’s Jamaica, the innovative program highlighting Jamaica’s
intimate hotels, resorts villas and inns, restaurants and
attractions, is gaining more and more popularity and has recently
announced the addition of ten more properties. The Insider’s package
(five night minimum stay) includes round-trip air transportation and
hotel transfers, accommodations, a Jamaican House Party, priority
access to a Meet-the-People experience, 25% off admission to
participating attractions; 15% discounts at restaurants; and a one-
class upgrade at select car rental companies.
For more information on Jamaica, contact the Jamaica Tourist Board
at 1-800-JAMAICA, or visit the Jamaica Tourist Board’s website at
www.jamaicatravel.com.
DATE
EVENT & DESCRIPTION
LOCATION
CONTACT
January 6
Accompong Maroon Festival
An annual celebration by the Accompong Maroons of
Western Jamaica, with traditional dancing, singing, maroon feasts
and ceremonies, blowing of the Abeng and playing of the maroon
drums. This festival dates back to the 19th century.
Accompong, St. Elizabeth
Kenneth Watson / Ava Simpson, (876) 952-4564
January 20-23
Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival
This Jazz and Blues Festival, is celebrating its fourth
year, featuring prominent local and international Jazz artists.
James Bond Beach
Brigette Zadie, 888-LOVEBIRD
February 1-April 30
LTM National Pantomine
The LTM Pantomine is an annual Jamaican folk musical
with original songs and dances. Participants are dressed in brightly
colored costumes. There is amusing commentary on current affairs.
Little Theater, Kingston
The Little Theater, (876) 926-6129
February 5-9
"Celebrating Bob Marley"
A week of activities celebrating the life of Bob Marley.
Activities will include a concert to highlight Bob Marley Music, a
film festival and more. There will be Seminars for students of music
as well as players of drums, guitar and wind instruments.
All Island
Jamaica Tourist Board, (876) 929-9200
February 6-13
Negril Fat Tyre Festival
The week-long celebration consists of downhill and cross
country mountain bike racing, a night ride to a giant cave where
there will be a "cave rage", a scavenger hunt by bicycle and a
Jamaican style street party. A celebration with live entertainment
will wrap up the week’s activities.
Good Hope, Negril Hills
Rusty’s X-cellent Adventures
February 8
Jamaica International Marathon
The staging of this marathon offers athletes a
challenging run from the National Stadium circling the Kingston
Harbour to historic Port Royal ending adjacent to the renowned
Rockfort Mineral Spa.
National Stadium to Port Royal
JAAA, Mr. Teddy McCook, (876) 927-5331
February 12
Sugar Cane Ball
Over 21 years old, with different themes for each year,
the event is a cocktail party followed by a grand ball in aid of
Hanover charities. It is a formal event in very elegant style and
setting.
Round Hill Hotel, Montego Bay
Katrin Schafelner, (876) 956-7050
March
The Jamaica Music Awards
An annual Jamaica Music Industry Awards (JAMI) function
with presentations in various categories including Reggae, Folk,
Gospel, Jazz and Classical. This will be their 10th anniversary.
Pulse Investments Ltd., Trafalger Rd., New Kingston
Pulse Investments Ltd., (876) 968-1089
March 24, 25 & 28
Jamaica Orchid Society
43rd Annual Spring Show & Celebration
An American Orchid Society sanctioned show with three
days of celebrations commencing with a cocktail reception. The
flower show for the two final days provides a feast of color and co-
ordination.
Assembly Hall, University of West Indies, Kingston
Mr. Claude Hamilton, (876) 927-6713
March/April
Spring Break 2000
An annual program for students vacationing in Jamaica
where selected hotels, attractions, restaurants and nightclubs put
on reggae concerts with live bands. There is beach volleyball
competitions along with other forms of entertainment.
Negril and Montego Bay
Jamaica Tourist Board, (876) 929-9200
April 23-30
Carnival in Jamaica
Celebrating its 11th anniversary with flamboyantly
costumed groups parading in the streets of Ocho Rios, Kingston and
Montego Bay. There are Soca parties, fetes with reggae & calypso
bands, a kiddies parade and reggae & calypso tents. Top performers
come from Jamaica, Trinidad and other Caribbean Islands.
Kingston, Ocho Rios and Montego Bay
Tony Cohen, (876) 923-9389
April 23, 24
Drax Hall Kite Festival
Annual festival showcasing colorful kite design by kite
enthusiasts locally and internationally. Also incredible stunt
flying shows and kite flying shows from another world. There will
also be pony rides, amusements and clowns for children. Also a
national competition for a grand cash prize.
Drax Hall, Ocho Rios
John Gosse, (876) 974-8258
April 24
Trelawny Yam Festival
The day’s festivities begin with a street parade and
gala opening ceremony. Highlights will include Yam Farmers
Competition, Culinary Competition, Best Dressed Donkey and Goat
Competitions, products give-a-ways every 15 minutes, live
entertainment. There will also be pre-event activities such as a 10K
Run, and a Yam Symposium.
Albert Town High School, Trelway
Hough Dixon, (876) 610-0818
April 30
Treasure Beach Off Road Triathlon
This off-road Triathlon is in its Fourth year. It will
include a 400 meter swim, 18 kilometer mountain bike ride and four
kilometer run.
Treasure Beach, St. Elizabeth
Jakes, (876) 965-0552
May
Miss Universe
Kingston
Pulse Investments Ltd., (876) 960-1320
May
Japex "00"
Annual Product Exchange for persons in the travel trade,
showcasing Jamaica’s travel product.
Ocho Rios
Jamaica Hotel & Tourist Association, Ms. Janet Smith,
(800) 233-4582
June 14-21
Ocho Rios Jazz Festival
This festival includes international performers from
Europe, Japan, the United States along with renowned Jamaican jazz
artists. There will be jazz concerts in Ocho Rios, Kingston and
Montego Bay. Jazz days at Carib Inn Beach. Daily jazz lunches, jazz
teas, jazz feasts on the river, jazz barbeques and youth jazz days.
Renaissance Jamaica Grande/Almond Tree, Ocho Rios
Jazz Hotline, (876) 927-3544
Jamaica Tourist Office worldwide, (800) 233-4582
June
Shell’s Wonderful World of Golf
Exciting playoff between two professional golfers.
Delayed broadcast on ESPN
Ritz Carlton, Montego Bay
Jamaica Tourist Board offices worldwide, (800) 233-4582
July 1-3
Family Festival
There will be cultural presentations, sporting
activities, a family festival competition, a family beach party.
Jamaican pen-pal sign up, rafting, country cookout and lots more.
Three days of fun for more family.
Montego Bay
Jamaica Tourist Board, (876) 929-9200
July 28- August 27
National dance Theatre Company’s Seasons of Dance
Jamaica's internationally celebrated dance company.
Creative dancing exploring traditional and modern dance forms. The
season will also feature the NDTC singers.
Little Theatre, Kingston
(876) 936-6129
July 28-August 31
Jamaican Spice Food Festival
A celebration of the best of Jamaica's cuisine through
the vibrancy of Jamaica in art, craft music and literature. Book
signing by internationally renown Jamaican Culinary writers. Cooking
demonstrations and entertainment galore.
UDC Park, Ocho Rios
Jamaica Tourist Board, (876) 929-9200
August
Reggae Sumfest
Annual music festival held in Montego Bay for the sixth
consecutive year. This five-day event features top local and
international reggae artists.
Catherine Hall, Montego Bay
Summerfest Office,
(876) 940-5446
August 6
Jamaica Independence Day Parade
Gala parade of costumed and uniformed groups.
Traditional Jonkanoo dancers as well as modem dancers showcasing a
cross section of Jamaican culture.
Kings House, Kingston
Jamaican Cultural Development commission (JCDC),
(876) 926-5726
September
Miss Jamaica World Beauty Pageant/grand coronation
Crowning pageant to decide who will represent Jamaica in
the Miss World contest.
Le Meridian Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, Kingston
Mr. Haughton-James, Spartan Health Club,
(876) 927-7575
October 9-14
Terra Nova’s Heritage Food Festival
A full week of activities highlighting Jamaica's
culinary heritage. Authentic dishes are complemented by music from
the specific regions of the world.
Terra Nova Hotel
(876) 926-2211
October 9-17
All that Heritage and Jazz Festival
This reunion brings about the bonding of individuals who
have enjoyed and grown up with a wide range of music over the years.
Activities throughout the week include live entertainment, a boat
ride and return to Morant Bay the original roots of the Merritone
Sound, which will celebrate it’s 50th anniversary in the year 2000.
Montego Bay
Ms. Marlene Stephenson,
(876) 979-2498
October 19
Peter Tosh Birthday Celebration
Tribute in concert, featuring reggae musicians. A slide
show and display of photographs will be a part of the celebration.
Belmont, Westmoreland
Mr. Worrel King,
(876) 957-4605
October
Port Antonio Blue Marlin Tournament
One of the oldest and most prestigious sports fishing
tournaments in the Caribbean. Attracts anglers from all over the
world.
Port Antonio Marina
Mr. Joe Keiffer, (876) 923-8724
October
28th Jamaica Air Carriers Invitational Golf Tournament
This tournament will be played at three of the island’s
championship golf courses – Wyndham Rose Hall, Half Moon and Tryall
Golf Courses. Most participants work with airlines that provide
service to Jamaica.
Montego Bay
Jamaica Tourist Board officers worldwide,
(800) 233-4582
November 26- 28
Caribbean Heritage Fest 2000
This festival will showcase the best of Caribbean food,
traditional entertainment and folklore. At least eight (8) islands
will participate.
Rio Cobre Park, Portmore, St. Catherine
Ms. Nicole Braham, Social Development Commission,
(876) 754-7609
November 25
Holland Bamboo Run
Part of the St. Elizabeth Homecoming Celebrations, the
event features a 10 km run through the scenic Holland Bamboo main
road and ending in Santa Cruz.
St. Elizabeth
George Waton
(876) 906-5455
December
Devon House Christmas Craft Fair
Colorful displays of Jamaican art, craft and culinary
delights.
Devon House, Kingston
(876) 929- 7029
December
The LTM Pantomime
Gala opening at the Ward Theatre, Kingston. Jamaican
folk musical, a different play with original song and dances each
year.
Ward Theatre, Kingston
(876) 926 - 6129
Trip 11/99 I spent 5 days at Sunsail this past November. I returned to Antigua to bring my daughter to see her Dad as well as to seek out a new windsurf location. Sunsail was more than I expected. The positives include it's fabulous location. Set in upscale Hodges Bay, Sunsail is close to the airport, dining and shopping. The man made beach is lovely. The pool is huge. Their is little in the way of grounds as it is right on a busy street but speed bumps keep traffic to a slow pace. The water sports dept. is great. Staff and gear are plentiful. Most of the guests are Brits with much nautical experience. The staff are very patient and helpful. I found all the gear and equipment to be top notch aside from the big clunky windsurf boards. I would have preferred better boards. The sails were plentiful with an 8.0 meter being the biggest. They use partial carbon booms and masts. Sailing rigs are great. Lasers, Topaz's and Beneteaus flew around the bay. There are rescue boats all about to help those in trouble. Each day some sort of race was ongoing. It was a fun setting. Food was good to mediocre. There are mostly buffets with good choices including local fruit and fare. The waitstaff and bar staff were most helpful. The dining room was set right on the water. On the negative side, the public areas and rooms need upgrades. Things are pretty worn and tired. If booking a room ask your agent to upgrade you to a one bedroom suite near the ocean. The ones near the kids clubs are pretty claustrophobic looking. Speaking of Kids Club, it was quite popular. From the looks of it, the staff are very nice and the kids are well cared for. There were MANY babies about. Enjoy a lovely Caribbean setting while learning to sail and windsurf. Go to Sunsail.
Club Rockley will rock you the wrong way -- NOT RECOMMENDED. Club Rockley Barbados is not the bargain that it first appears to be. The rooms are mildewed and soggy, with the constant smell of mildew seeping into all clothing and bedding. It is impossible to adjust the air-conditioning -- you either freeze or boil -- because of poor design and/or malfunction (by the way all of our neighbors in the adjoining units complained of these same problems). Room furnishings are dated, unattractive and substandard ( the mattresses and bedsprings died ages ago!), and it was nearly impossible to operated the water faucets for the bathroom sink and shower because of faulty design problems. The cleaning staff were efficient and courteous, but even they could not overcome the problems of poor facilities, poor maintenance and a management which is apparently unresponsive to complaints. Certain members of the front desk staff were discourteous, insensitive, disrespectful, and apparently even intolerant of diverse groups of people. There seems to be a residual colonial mentality in this regard. The attitude of the supervisors was also suspect. While they were apologetic, they seemed more interested in covering each others rear ends than really addressing the downright hostile attitudes of some of their staff. The food leaves much to be desired. While the presentation was pleasing to the eye, the food had a bland sameness -- and did little for the discerning palate. For those of us who are health conscious, there was no refuge from the disgusting, choking, ever present clouds of cigarette smoke which wafted indiscriminately over our breakfast, lunch and dinner -- no safe haven for non-smokers! The evening entertainment was spotty at best and (perhaps with the exception of one evening which featured an exciting group), the week's entertainment could only be described as unappealing and amateurish at best and downright decrepit at worst. The beach -- five miles away, requiring transportation provided by the hotel every half hour -- was fine, but who can "live by beach alone!" Club Rockley will rock you the wrong way. Stay away or be prepared for a third rate vacation!
Trip 12/99 Hurricane Lenny not only ran over a few Caribbean islands, but it caused us a quick change of travel plans. We have traveled to and stayed on several islands (St Martin 3x, St. Barts, Aruba, Guadeloupe and Anguilla) over the last few years and had booked a return trip to St. Martin (our second favorite after St. Barts) for Dec. 4 to 11/99. Karen's birthday is Dec. 1 and we always plan something warm around that time. Northwestern Ontario can be a mite chilly at that time of year. Our vacation was keenly anticipated until Hurricane Lenny changed the land scape on St. Martin. From what we gathered the French side was not hit too hard but the Dutch side required a little work to cleanup and our travel agent advised us that even though we were booked on the French side (St. Tropez) our charter was not going. With a forced change of plan we decided to try something different. We did not have much time to think about a new island so we decided to try Cuba. We had heard good and bad about the island and thought "what the heck" why not try it. We chose Cayo Coco for no other reason than it was available on one week's notice and our travel agent had been there and thought we would enjoy it. Our hotel selection was Melia, a brand new full service all inclusive resort. To sum things up succinctly, the food was great, the facility was great and the people were great. As a matter of fact great may be a weak word to describe our impression. We had to change flight plans and leave Thunder Bay (a 3 hour drive from home) earlier than expected on the 3rd but did not have to over night in Toronto since we had an afternoon flight to Cuba. This was nice going south but as I'll mention later not so nice returning north. We flew on Skyservice and having traveled with Royal, Air Transat, Canada 3000 and Air Canada Charters, Sky service ranks right up there as a good charter service. The only complaint, as is common with any charter, is the sardine-can seating. When the traveler in front puts back his seat to gain a comfort advantage, you can neither use or tray nor read a book unless you do the same or you are 5'2" and 115 lbs. The attendants were superb and the charter left on time and arrived on time. The in-flight meal was... well an in-flight meal. We stopped in Santiago de Cuba to unload and reload passengers and had about one hour in the airport while the aircraft was serviced. The flight continued to Ceigo de Avila where we cleared customs. My personal advice, be sure to get in a line for customs with other Canadians. Even though our flight originated in Toronto, there were many non-Canadians on board. Cuba loves Canadians but I'm not so sure about others. They had several customs booths and fast moving lines. In our line, we were second behind some folks from Portugal and after a great animated show by the combatants (the Portuguese and Cubans) we were the last to clear through. Once through, we were quickly ushered onto a bus and headed into the darkness enroute to Caya Coco (90 min). Our Sunquest rep rode the bus with us and gave us a quick briefing about checking into the hotel and eating expediently when we arrived because the restaurant would stay open for us but it was very late for the staff (11:00). Check in was a fast and courteous as I've ever seen, our bags were delivered to our room and we ate a nice cold meat and cheese platter with buns and wine for supper. The first morning we woke to a howling wind and wandered around a bit before breakfast to orient our selves. Breakfast was a buffet and was actually very nice. Many of my "in the know" friends had told us to avoid the Cuban buffets at all cost, so we approached it cautiously and were indeed pleasantly surprised. The wind was too strong to stay on the beach so we hunkered down pool side and began to rotate for an even tan. Our goal on this vacation was to relax and relax we did. The beach at Melia was very nice and when the tide was out we could walk several kilometers on beautiful sand. Next door to Melia was the Sol Club and then there was a small coral outcropping which was difficult to walk over. There is a construction site near this out cropping and we could walk through the site (a new "cash" restaurant being built) and then could walk another 3 kilometers to TRYP on the same shoreline. This walk nicely burnt off the extra calories acquired sitting by the pool keeping Alexander our pool waiter slim. Melia has the buffet for breakfast, lunch and supper as well as a pool side snack bar which also served a hot lunch from 10 to 5 and a beach side restaurant which severed a nice salad bar and a la cart lunch menu. Two theme dinning rooms (Italian and Fish (seafood)) were also available for supper. These restaurants were excellent. Reservations had to be made for the dining rooms with seatings at 6:30 or 8:30 however they were flexible for 7:00 with us. Even when we were late to make reservations one day (time just gets away from you when you don't wear a watch) the fellow at the reservation desk was more than accommodating. He made two phone calls, jabbered in Spanish quite animatedly, and told me that he "just told them it was for his friends" and we had our reservation. Even with other coming in, we were never rushed to leave and a three hour supper with new friends from Montreal was not an inconvenience to our superb wait staff. The personal at Melia were without doubt the friendliest and most helpful we've ever encountered in the Caribbean. My own feeling is that if we Canadians treated our tourists like this we would have one heck of a tourist industry. We were made to feel very welcome and encouraged (subtly) to return. The people working at the resort spoke English (as well as some French and German for the most part) and were very well trained and educated. They appeared to really like their jobs. The winds lasted two days and the evenings were cold those days. Karen needed to wear her fleece to and from the restaurants only those two days. The rest of the week was nice weather wise with just one cloudy afternoon which gave us a forced break from the sun. Even though we didn't want it, we needed it. At Melia, Canadians were not the majority even if we counted the Quebecers. There were many Germans and some Dutch, Portuguese, Spanish, French and Brits. There were also some folks I think were from Greece although I can't fathom why they would go to Cuba for a sun tan. The average age at Melia appeared to be early 50's late 40's,- a little older than next door at Sol Club. Being in our really early 40's we weren't out of place. Just a few kids - rarely seen because of the numerous activities available for them. The return home, as always came too quickly. We had to check out by 4:00 pm so we had the whole day in the sun. The bus did not come to pick us up until 7:00. A few extra hours in the lobby bar and a quick supper took care of those three hours. Then came the 90 minute bus ride to the airport. On the way to the airport our driver (we were on a small 12 passenger bus) detoured though Moron (the town were our hotel staff lived) and we picked up an English speaking Cuban who gave us a great commentary of the local highlights and Cuban life. I don't know who he was (a friend of the driver's maybe) but it was an unexpected treat. After check in we waited in the airport for the flight. We left Cuba around 10:30, a little ahead of schedule, and arrived in Toronto just around 2:00 am (by then we didn't care what time it was). Sleep on an aircraft is impossible for me so I read the end of my 6th book when the seat in front of me wasn't back. Actually the guy in that seat was good enough to keep his seat upright after I asked him. Our trip was not over since we had a 8:20 am flight to Thunder Bay looming in our future so we made a decision to grab a little sleep at a hotel and spent 4 or so hours at the Travel lodge. This part of our trip I don't remember much but it had a bed and pillow so we were happy. All in all we will return to Cuba. The price was less than we'd paid before for other islands and the value for our dollar was extremely high. The trip was more than we expected and we were treated very well. The hours of travel would be great for someone in Toronto, but for us northerners, it left a little to be desired. Cayo Coco is still quaint but there are new hotels being built as I write. We were told that in 10 years this area will be like Veradero (resort upon resort). What a shame.
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