JAMAICA

My first time to Jamaica was with my sisters in 1987. The one who already had an established career planned the whole trip for us. She was taking us on a week long vacation to The Rockhouse in Negril. My other sister and I flew in from CA to stay at her apartment in Soho before continuing on. That was a fun couple of nights.

This was not a fancy trip. At this time I think there were about 12 rooms and no pool. But it was everything we needed and wanted. Simple, private, quiet and beautiful. It was such an incredible week. And we all loved it.

Jamaica is really a special place from crystal blue ocean with perfect sandy beaches, lush landscape, and the culture is so vibrant and the sunsets are magical. I could go and on. And the food! I could eat jerk chicken, a side of plantains and a Red Stripe every single day. But most of all the people are so warm and welcoming.

So many funny things happened to us there from running into a family from our home town Danville CA to spotting a certain celebrity crush one of us had at the same place-Rick’s Cafe. (No, we didn’t jump from the cliffs!) Will save those stories for another time though.

It was such an adventure. It’s changed a lot since then. I went back one other time for a shoot for my sister’s yoga inspired clothing line called Nuala. It had been remodeled by then and even more lovely. My two oldest kids came with me and were, I think, 5 and 8 at the time. What a memorable trip.  My son James has always said it was his favorite vacation ever. He just recently went back a few weeks ago and stayed once again at The Rockhouse. Review coming soon! And hopefully will find pics from those trips.

I fell in love with this beautiful island country at first sight and had been dreaming of going back for many, many years. I honestly don’t know what took me so long. It’s name is derived from the Arawak word Xaymaca, which which translates "land of wood and water".

I just got back from the dreamiest vacation. And was lucky enough to spend 9 glorious days HALF MOON RESORT in Montego Bay. Oh how I wish I was still there instead of chilly NYC. I had heard wonderful things over the years but had never been.

The flight is less than 4 hours from NYC. And the resort is only 10 minutes from the airport.  Another huge plus. It couldn’t be an easier trip.

It was 85 and sunny all day long.

The property is stunning on 400 acres with 2 miles of beautiful beach. There are many types of accommodations to chose from in 3 different sections of the property.

Eclipse, which is the recently completed addition, has luxurious room and suites,

Founders Cove is the original part of the property which opened in 1954 by 5 families who fell in love with the area. There you will find 10 classic cottages, newly updated Hibiscus suites, and Ocean Court which is where we stayed.

Rose Villas have 5-7 rooms that include a private pool with butler, housekeeper and cook.

There are numerous restaurants…Sugarmill, Delmar, Haywards, North Point, Sea Grape and Spice. And several bars. Lester’s was our favorite.

If you don’t want to spend the entire day laying in the sun or swimming in the ocean there are tons activities to keep you busy.

Tennis, pickleball, golf, water sports, yoga, treatments at the Fern Tree Spa, bike riding, and most amazing of all horse back riding at the Halfmoon Equestrian Center where they will take you for a ride on the beach and into the ocean.

We were also lucky enough to witness baby turtles hatch and make their miraculous way to sea.

Just magical!

PAN AM TIDBIT…

Charles Lindbergh lands the first Pan Am Clipper in Kingston Harbor in 1931