Carrole Guntley-Brady was the first woman to be appointed as the Director of Tourism at the Jamaica Tourist Board in 1984. It was under her leadership, when the hospitality industry was struggling in Jamaica, that the JTB took a new approach to marketing the island. During the early 1980s, Jamaica was known more for violence than its beautiful white sand beaches. Guntley-Brad made it her […]
Meet the Artist Who says He is The Visual Bob Marley
Jamaican artist David Marchand in his studio, with his painting “The Dread and the Tourist.” Ask Jamaican artist David Marchand when he had his big break and he’ll tell you that at the age of 72, he’s still waiting for his moment.To the Jamaican art community, however, he’s one of the most influential figures in the burgeoning movement. He’s also one of its most colorful—some […]
Meet the Man Saving Jamaica’s Sea Turtles
Mel Tennant came to Jamaica in 2003, purchasing a home overlooking Oracabessa’s Gibraltar Beach, and expecting to enjoy his retirement in tropical quiet. The following year, Tennant observed turtle tracks on Gibraltar Beach for the first time. Further investigation led him to find that most of the adult turtles were either killed and their nests dug up. The destruction of a critically endangered species would […]
The Friendliest Place in Jamaica is Also the Tastiest
We’ve already dispelled the myth that Jamaicans are unfriendly, but if you’d like to see for yourself, head to Coronation Market in downtown Kingston. Known as “the stomach of Jamaica,” this massive farmers’ market in an iron-covered warehouse is filled with hundreds of vendors from all around the island. it runs from Thursday mornings to Sunday evenings all year round. The scene at the market […]
Why Jamaica is the World’s Next Surfing Hotspot
Huntington Beach, California. Bondi Beach, Sydney. Hanalei Bay, Kauai. If you’re a surfer, you know these beaches well. But did you know there are killer waves right here in Kingston? Jamaica’s beaches along the north and south coast have perfect surfing conditions for eight months out of the year, largely due to wind swells from the northeast. Just along the southeastern coast at Eight Miles […]
Most Kick-Ass Dreads in Jamaica
Walking down the streets of Kingston, you notice a young boy with dreadlocks flowing past his waist. Across the street, a woman sells fruit; the sunset creates a halo around the dreadlocks that she wears in a sweeping high bun. Young, old, male and female: Dreadlocks are worn by many in Jamaica. While the hairstyle has been around for ages, and dates as far back […]
Did You Know These Celebs Are Jamaican?
What do one of the world’s first supermodels, a U.S. Secretary of State, and a New York Times best-selling author have in common? They all have roots in Jamaica! We Jamaicans can be found in all corners of the world—and these natives are making their country proud! 1. Malcolm Gladwell – Author Journalist Malcolm Gladwell has written five New York Times Best Sellers, including The […]
Jamaica Makes History: Newest UNESCO World Heritage Site
Images courtesy of Adrian Boot When UNESCO announced its newest additions last week, it honored the Blue and John Crow Mountains, adding Jamaica to its coveted World Heritage List for the first time in history. Home to a high proportion of endemic plant species, the Blue and John Crow Mountains is a hotspot for biodiversity. The heavily forested mountainous region provided refuge for the indigenous […]
How Well Do You Know 007?
Ian Fleming published his first James Bond novel in 1953. The book, titled “Casino Royale,” and penned right here at our very own GoldenEye, became a global bestseller, and James Bond became a beloved character to millions (especially in his literary birthplace, Jamaica). With the upcoming release of “Spectre” (November 6!), we wanted to see just how well we know Mr. 007. We unearthed a quiz from a […]
Big in Japan: Dancehall Music
Dancehall music is a descendent and cousin of reggae, and it is often regarded as the direct predecessor to rap. In Jamaica and the West Indies dancehall is king, and has been since the 1970’s, but it’s reach, while garnering some international acclaim and recognition, has not infiltrated the world nearly as much as rap and hip-hop. It has grown in popularity in the US, UK […]
The Sport That Just Might Change Jamaica
Bicycle motocross, better known as BMX, was all but nonexistent in Jamaica—until now. Jonathan Gosse, Executive Director of the Oracabessa Foundation, is bringing the sport to Jamaican youths, and he hopes it will change their lives. For the Oracabessa Foundation, the BMX bike is a clean vehicle, both literally and metaphorically. In addition to being green, Gosse and his colleagues hope BMX will empower the […]
A Rasta’s Guide to Living Well
Q: “Are you a rich man?” A: “When you say rich, what do you mean?” Q: “Do you have a lot of possessions? Do you have a lot of money in the bank?” A: “Possessions make you rich? I don’t have that kind of richness. My richness is life, forever.” This quote is from the now-famous “60 Minutes” interview with Bob Marley, and the quote […]
How James Bond Got His Start in Jamaica
Ian Fleming, author of the James Bond series, fell in love with Jamaica instantly. (Really, how could you not?) He was sent to the island by the British Naval Intelligence (how very Bond of him). Fleming vowed to return to the island, and when the war ended he made good on his word—purchasing property and naming it GoldenEye. This land now exists as The Fleming […]
Where to Find the Best Jerk Chicken in Jamaica
Chances are you are familiar with jerk chicken, Jamaica’s second most popular export. (The first? We’ll give you a hint: “Let’s get together and feeeeeeeel all right.”) What’s so special about the jerk on the island? Only everything. Visit Jamaica and you’ll hear that you shouldn’t miss this or that, but really, you shouldn’t miss these jerk shacks! Dor’s Fish Pot, Oracabessa The roadside shack […]
Meet The People Changing Jamaican Music
There’s a big revival of reggae music going on right now, both in Jamaica and around the world, and front and center is Suns of Dub. This group is the loudest champion of “dub,” a genre that grew out of reggae in the late 1960s and is typically lighter on the vocals, and heavier on the bass and drums. In the absence of lyrics, and […]