More than 130,000 Canadians visit Jamaica... 11% Rise!

As reported by the Jamaican Observer... excerpt below:

MORE than 130,000 Canadian visitors came to Jamaica during the 2009/10 winter tourist season, representing an increase of some 11 per cent over the same period of the previous season.

Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett said this is the "strongest numbers" ever for Canadian visitors to Jamaica. He was speaking with a group of Canadian travel partners recently in Toronto.

The minister said during the recent unrest in Jamaica, the tourism infrastructure remained unaffected and continues to be open to serve Canadian travellers.

"Despite some of the concerns last month, we have had a healthy spring and we have good indications for the summer," Bartlett told the group.
Reminding the travel partners that Jamaica is a safe destination for tourists, the minister said the statistics reflected this fact, noting that crime against visitors is 0.1 per cent.

"Every year Jamaica welcomes millions of visitors from around the world, and the overwhelming majority of these visitors experience festivals, events, attractions, and shopping completely free from incident," he explained.

Giving an update on Jamaica's tourism, Bartlett said growth -- which has blossomed over the last decade -- has continued. He also noted that Jamaica offers more attractions than any other Caribbean destination.

Turning to the Montego Bay Convention Centre, which is expected to be completed by January, the minister said it is being designed as a modern state-of-the-art facility, capable of hosting large and small meetings, conferences, exhibitions, banquets and other events.

"We will be able to host large groups of Canadians like never before. The highly anticipated facility is being built on 35 acres of land and is aimed at strengthening Jamaica's participation in the growing groups and convention market," Bartlett noted.

On the matter of Jamaica's two international airports, the minister pointed out that they have both undergone upgrades.

"Jamaica is ready to welcome more visitors than ever before, process them efficiently and ensure that their vacation begins and ends with the high standard of excellence which they have come to know and expect from Jamaica," he said.

Accompanying the minister were director of tourism and chairman of the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), John Lynch; executive director of Jamaica Vacations, Lionel Reid; Jamaica's Consul General to Toronto George Ramocan; and JTB's regional director for Canada, Sandra Scott.

Canadians are so Rock Star!
Go Canadians!! Caribe Love!

The Crafts Market is situated in the downtown area . The main flea market (Ocean Village), sells everything under the sun is in the center of Ocho Rios. Here you see handmade textiles and figurines... A little piece of Caribe love to bring home.

Ocho Rios is blessed with almost perfect weather in the mid 80s year around. The wetter months are in the summer, but even then it is not that rainy.

An excellent excursion is tubing on the White River. There are a good number of tours in Ocho Rios that include SCUBA, snorkeling, downhill mountain bike riding, botanical gardens, plantation tours, horseback riding tours, Cave exploring and great beaches to enjoy.

Yes, Jimmy Buffets famous Margaritaville in Montego Bay, Jamaica has opened a sister restaurant and bar in Ocho Rios. Located in the Ocean Island Shopping Center right by both piers, it offers plenty of action and excellent food.

Lobster Dave will cook you up some Jamaican Lobster that will make your tastebuds sing mon!

Great View of our Gorgeous Villa

You should start planning your vacation here NOW!!

Here you can see one of the jerk chicken stands.. The chicken is cooked in the oven on the right of the image. I do not remember the name of the lady in the picture, but she was very friendly, and her jerk chicken was the best I tried.

If you buy a chicken you can choose which sauce you want with it. There is the spicy one and ketchup. The chicken is accompanied with rice and beans. You can buy a drink in stands like these. Other stands sell beers, tobacco, breads and others.

Have you ever had Jamaican Jerk??

Jerk chicken is damn fine stuff -- white or dark meat chopped up into golf ball-sized chunks, smoky and blackened in spots from charcoal flames lapping at it as the fat renders off. You can smatter it with as much thin, spicy habanero jerk sauce as your mouth can handle, but a couple of cold beers really up your tolerance. The pieces are bone-in, a Jamaican cooking tradition that's not without its problems, but one I've grown to enjoy. There's something primal and almost reverent about mawing down on meat that's still attached to its frame. When you're picking out jagged pieces of bone and sweating in the night time summer heat, you start to feel like this is a meal you're lucky to be enjoying.

Glimpse of Ocho Rios!!!

Ocho Rios is the only way to Rock the Caribbean:

Ocho Rios, located on the north central coast of Jamaica, is the favorite stop for cruise ships in the Caribbean with plenty of attractions.

The number of day trips in the area is almost endless, but there is one you should not miss: the visit to the Dunn's River Falls. Other attractions are the working plantations, the beaches, the Bob Marley Mausoleum, the scuba diving sites... the list is endless.

Plan your vacation today!!

I love this floor....

Great Pic alert!!

Wouldn't you like this to be your Home-away-from-Home?

Breakfast!! Fried Plantains!!!

Fried Plantains is a Caribbean staple or morning breakfast.

Enjoy the recipe :-)

INGREDIENTS:
-4 firm-ripe plantains
-vegetable oil for deep-frying


COOKING INSTRUCTIONS:

Peel and slice the plantains. I find that the best way to slice them is either diagonally or you can cut the plantain in half and slice lengthwise. The plantain can also be sliced lengthwise full size, but the smaller diagonal or half slices are easier to fry.

Heat the oil over medium heat (around 375 degrees is good) in a large frying pan and add the sliced plantains.
Fry plantians until golden brown. They will cook very quickly, be careful not to burn them.

Place fried plantains on a paper towel and dry off any excess oil.
Thats it! Serve warm. Brown sugar is a good addition if ya want to sweet it up mon. If you any thing to add to this recipe then feel free to add a comment.

Special Deal for Jamaica Lovers!!!

Wa Gwan!!!

Since we have family hanging at the villa throughout May and June, We've decided to throw a little promotion for those that share our Caribe Love.

So.... Throughout the summer when you book your travel, purchase 3 nights and get the fourth night free and let us, the owners take you to dinner. You'll meet great people, listen to great music and get a first hand experience of Jamaica from a NON-Tourist point of view.

Sound good?

email me, Nicole at hudson5starseaviewvilla@gmail.com
or call/text me, 305 877 2859

Caribe LOVE!!!

One of our suites

Our upper suites open up to balconies. What a way to wake up... the sound of waves. Yum.

The Ocho Rios Beach!!!

Sigh...

The Gated Villa- Front view

Private, but just yards or minutes away from the heart of Ocho Rios.

Looking for a Jamaican vacation villa close to local sights, attractions, and entertainment?

The Villa

Your lower level: living room, dining room, patio and 3 furnished suites.
Your upper level: 4 furnished suites with bathrooms and full-length balconies.
Your accommodations include: utilities, 24 hour maid, chef and concierge service.

Our concierge will plan the personal touches and arrangements. From setting reservations to restaurants serving local and international cuisine to tease your taste buds- to making recommendations to the coolest things to do on the island. Would you like to waterski, parasail? Our concierge will ensure a memorable vacation experience.

Oceanview single and double suites available. No Minimum amount of nights.
Flights are very affordable right now, we suggest Spirit Airlines, or Air Jamaica… our driver will pick you up from the airport for a small fee.
Reservations should be made in advance, I prefer PAYPAL, but will also accept Visa, Mastercard, and AMEX.

Please feel free to call me, Nicole, 305 877 2859 or check out www.alwaysonvacation.com and click on “OCHO RIOS”
We look forward to welcoming you to the magical island of Jamaica.