Miami
A destination of vast diversity, Miami's year-round warm
weather attracts visitors from all over the world to its beautiful beaches,
modern architecture, and vibrant nightlife. Two million people call Miami home,
but another 10 million come to visit every year.
The Spanish were first to arrive, and it is understandable
that their influence should be felt first and foremost. Miami was colonized by
the Spanish in the 1500?s, then used as collateral in negotiations with the
English that ended the Seven Years War. Spain gained Havana back in exchange
for Florida. In 1783, England traded Florida back to Spain for the Bahamas, and
Spain ruled Florida as a colony until 1821, when Florida became a state.
Miami now is world famous for its beaches, 35 miles worth,
from South Beach to Sunny Isles. Whether you want to sunbathe, swim, or just
people watch, there are enough different beaches to suit your fancy.
But there is so much more to the city. A wide range of
museums and parks can be found here. They add a refined sense of culture to the
glitz and glamour of Miami's world-renowned nightlife.
Of course, if shopping is your main objective, Miami has more
than enough shops and boutiques to suit your needs. That's without even
mentioning the many upscale shopping malls and sidewalk stores that dot the map
What sets Miami apart from most other tourist destinations is
the blend of people who call it home. Nowhere else in the world will you see so
many people from so many different cultures. Large communities of Cubans and
Haitians mix with retired "snowbirds" from New York and Canada.
It's hard to take in all that Miami has to offer in one
day, but here are some of the highlights.
Ocho Rios
Jamaica's name comes from an old Arawak word, Xaymaca,
meaning "land of wood and water." Looking around the island, it's
plain to see where the Arawaks came up with that description. The lush greenery
of Jamaica's inland contrasts perfectly with the pristine white sand beaches
along the island's northern coast. Ninety percent of the island's 2.5
million residents are of West African descent, with the remaining population
consisting mainly of small pockets of European minorities. The island lies 90
miles south of Cuba, and trails only its neighbors, Cuba and the Dominican
Republic/Haiti in size, weighing in at 4,400 square miles.
In recent years, Jamaica's image has taken a bit of a
beating, as some tourists have bristled at overly aggressive vendors and a
rising crime rate. Some of the more affluent private resorts have taken to
forbidding their guests from leaving the resort without a guide. Of course, this
means that some people aren't getting the true feel of this island nation.
Travelers to Jamaica need not feel unsafe. As long as you
take the same precautions that you would take in any major American city, you
will have little to worry about. On the whole, Jamaica's people remain
friendly and hospitable, and they are proud to welcome you to their island
paradise.
Ocho Rios is on Jamaica's north coast, 64 miles or an hour
and a half's drive from Montego Bay and two hours from Kingston, Jamaica's
capital on the southern coast.
This small city has become a hugely popular tourist
destination, with pretty much every major cruise line making a stop here. It has
embraced the economic boom that has come with the tourism industry, and everyone
is trying to get a piece of the action.
You may get the feeling that each person you meet here is
trying to sell you something, and to some extent that is true. The people of
Jamaica are poor, in general, and the little crafts they are constantly peddling
may mean dinner on the table that night. If you do not want what is being
offered, just politely and firmly tell them you are not interested. You need not
feel intimidated.
If you come to Ocho Rios during the month of February, you
will be treated to the Reggae Sunsplash Festival, celebrate the beautiful sounds
of traditional Reggae music as well as the fascinating Rastafarian heritage.
So enjoy Ocho Rios beaches and restaurants. Negotiate
yourself a good deal on some souvenirs, and allow yourself to get lost in
Jamaica's island beat.
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