I have a good friend who is from Jamaica so when I found this website about everything Jamaican I found myself reading it with great interest. My husband and I have enjoyed vacations to the Riviera Maya in the past and are considering going to one of the Caribbean Islands to enjoy the exotic paradise those islands offer.
The beaches on Jamaica are legendary for their beauty with white sands and crystal blue waters. There are also mountains, rivers, caves, hiking, lagoons to enjoy as well as fascinating flora and fauna that can keep most of us intrigued throughout a relaxing vacation on the island. The name of the island is the phonetic spelling of the name given the island by the original inhabitants ‘Xaymaca’. The Spanish spelled it Jamaica which translates to ‘land of wood and water.’ That pretty much sums up the natural beauty of the island.
What we find most fascinating is getting a feel for the native culture of any place we go. Most of us already know that the Jamaicans have the reputation of being unique and interesting as well as very friendly. The culture of Jamaica is absolutely fascinating. I have found myself spending a lot of time this evening reading about the history of Jamaica. The Jamaica we know today is the result of a long and fascinating history of a mixture of multiple cultures. It started with the first inhabitants, the TaÃno Indians. Then Columbus made his way there from Europe and made a couple of stops there. Then came the Spanish Conquistadors who were the first real enemy of this peaceful people. The Conquistadors began importing slaves from Africa who brought their own influences to the mixture of cultures on the island. Then, of course, we mustn’t leave out the Pirates of the Caribbean who left their own mark on the island culture.
All of that ads up to what will undoubtedly be a perfect vacation. To me, a perfect vacation is a combination of relaxation and interesting diversions. It sounds to me like Jamaica has it all. I think I might start looking at planning a trip.