Jamaican me crazy mon

Every year I have a "destination birthday" and while I was trying to figure out where to go "Three Little Birds" by Bob Marley came on the radio...and it was easy as that, at that moment I decided I was going to spend my bday weekend in Jamaica. 

In Jamaica, you get the Caribbean standard of sun, sand and resorts, with an added extra of rasta culture, reggae and jerk spices. You don't have to love reggae to appreciate this island (although it helps), but you do have to keep an open mind that their music reflects their rastafarian way of life. 

How to get around: I try to avoid tour buses as much as I can, so instead I hired Colin, a friendly and welcoming taxi driver that we met at the airport in the middle of a mob of taxi drivers we encountered at the arrivals terminal of Sangster International Airport. Since the main attractions we wanted to see were fairly far from our hotel, we paid him $200 for the weekend plus tips (FYI they take US dollars). Hiring Colin was one of the best decisions I made on the trip, he was constantly saving us from the aggressive vendors/guides that followed many tourists in Jamaica.

Day 1: 

We spent our first night at Toby's Resort, a budget hotel (only a mile from the airport) located at the end of Montego Bay's Hip Strip. We had half a day to explore "Mo' Bay," which we dedicated to shopping, eating and jammin' on Gloucester Avenue, better known as the "Hip Strip". You'll run into a lot of local guys that try to lead you to their shops and booths, many are slightly more aggressive than we're used to but for the most part are fairly friendly. If you decline, "No problem mon!", which was a phrase we heard frequently all over the island. Mo' Bay's Hip Strip is lined with shops selling anything and everything Rasta colored or having Bob Marley's face on it. Haggling is expected with the sidewalk vendors, so don't be shy. Afterwards we kicked back at one of the beach restaurants and ate jerk chicken and drank some Red Stripe (local beer).

Day 2:

Colin picked us up early and we headed towards St. Ann's parish (about a 2 hour drive). The main reason I was on this island was to pay a visit to the legacy himself at Nine Mile, Bob Marley. 

To read more on our visit to Mt. Zion CLICK HERE, and you'll be directed to one of our sister blogs with more info on Bob Marley's birthplace and burial ground. 

The second half of the day was mostly spent bamboo rafting in the Martha Brae River. We paid $15/person for about an hour long, slow, leisurely trip down the river. Our guide was even nice enough to let us steer our raft, which I'm not very good at, not to mention the long bamboo stick was much heavier than it looks. Most of the rafters are also craftsmen and will try to sell you some of their carvings as a souvenir of your trip, there's also vendors on the side of the river that are more than happy to sell you food, drinks and trinkets. 

Day 3: 

We wanted to have at least one full day of just carefree bliss, so we switched hotels to the five star All-Inclusive Riu Resort in Mahoe Bay. We which scored a good deal on since it was "slow" season and it was their grand opening week. It was definitely nice not having to worry about paying for anything and being as gluttonous as you want whenever you want. The Riu had more bars and restaurants than you can eat and drink at, and not just well drinks, but the good stuff also (I was impressed with their alcohol selection). Even the mini bar in the room is included in our price!

My favorite were the swim up bars in the middle of the pools, as well as the booths in the water. 

At night you can dance away at Pacha nightclub (drinks are free here also) or enjoy one of the Riu's reggae shows, which gets packed and everyone really gets into the music.

Sandals Jamaica is next door and you can kayak to their private island off shore.

Most water activities like windsurfing, sailing, catamaran, snokelling, kayaking and an intro scuba lesson were all included. They even gave a free bottle of rum to people who joined their aerobics classes on the beach.

There's also a nurse's office on the property, which came in very handy after I got stung by a big jelly fish...on my birthday...the next time I go to Jamaica that jellyfish will pay. But despite my inflamed jelly fish stings that ran from one side of my hip to my thighs, all the way to my other side...it was still a good birthday and relaxing 2.5 days spent in Jamaica.