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Jamaica for Lovers

By: Melissa Wolfe

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Romance… the simple word itself lifts our spirits. It brings to mind thoughts of love and passion, of serenity, intimacy and the exotic. So naturally, Jamaica is a perfect setting for couples to indulge in all things romantic.

Romance in Jamaica is founded on the valuable time the island provides for couples, families, friendships and personal reflection. The richness of romance is alive and well in Jamaica and it’s found in both the most obvious of occasions, such as a wedding, as well as in a myriad of activities with wide appeal.

A Wedding Story
The romance of a couple focuses on the sharing of two lives. Many couples choose to “make it official” by joining their lives at a wedding celebration with their family and friends.

Recently, Cayman residents Natalie Coleman and Sandy Urquhart chose Jamaica as their romantic hot spot to tie the knot. The ceremony was performed at a historical plantation located on 9,000 acres of rolling hills. The backdrop to their nuptials was the island’s dense and lush tropical acreage.

Located only 30 minutes from Montego Bay, the Good Hope Country House opens her doors to visitors looking for privacy and meaningful time away from the hustle and bustle of modern life. Historically rich and serene, the estate prides itself on delicious home cooked meals and hosts various retreats, workshops and camps.

Good Hope was the ideal venue for the wedding of Coleman, the director of the Cayman Islands National Gallery and Urquhart, a renowned freelance designer. Their romantic union was also the marriage of art, design, creativity and an appreciation for the finer things in life.

Joining this romantic weekend were approximately 80 guests from locations including Hong Kong, Australia, Los Angeles, New York, Canada, England and the Cayman Islands, to name only a few.

In fact, the experience was so memorable and meaningful that the discussions in the departure lounge were about solid plans on when to return to recapture the magic of the experience. Now that’s romance!

Quality Time
Finding the quality time that all couples need to reconnect requires eliminating the distractions of our daily lives. Computers, television, PDAs, e-mailing, texting, Facebook, Twitter — they’re all very effective means of communication. However, making the time to exclude them, thus eliminating the white noise, presents a romantic opportunity to dive into some good old-fashioned quality time together.

When taking a ride on a river raft, you don’t come across couples updating their blogs. What you do see are couples sitting comfortably and closely on a narrow 30-foot long bamboo raft with nothing more than a picnic and the mental space for true conversation.

Caymanian entrepreneur Simon Pairaudeau and his girlfriend, Searlina Bodden, are busy professionals who, like the majority of frequent travellers, both work in an increasingly competitive and demanding environment. While in Jamaica, they chose to go rafting down the picturesque Martha Brae.

Being piloted down the three-mile river by their rafting captain allowed them the ease to open their minds, relax their bodies and rekindle their spirits. The cool and fresh mountain water served to cleanse their minds, and nature’s beauty inspired them. These are a few of the things all busy professionals need in order to live a balanced, healthy life.

The Martha Brae is located only 25 miles from Montego Bay and 40 miles from Ocho Rios, three miles inland from the town of Falmouth. Over the years, a number of celebrities have enjoyed the magic of Martha Brae, including Queen Elizabeth II, heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis, Chuck Norris, Dionne Warwick, Spike Lee, former NBA star Patrick Ewing, Jane Seymour of “Doctor Quinn, Medicine Woman” fame and the late Johnny Cash.

River rafting can also provide quality time for developing stronger bonds with friends and family.

A Different Romance
Fellowship with friends is something to always be treasured. There surely is romance to be found in hours of uninterrupted time together sharing lives and laughter.

Laughter added to undisrupted time creates the romance in families and friends’ relationships. So significant is the value of time that when shared, it becomes the greatest gift of all.

Choosing to vacation in a villa, such as those available at Half Moon Bay, often includes staff to take care of any duties that interrupt spending time together. A properly trained butler, cook and cleaner will ensure all meals are laid out for various sizes of groups.

By eliminating the distractions of public dining, the focus shifts to spending time and having fun with friends and family. While many love visiting new and exciting restaurants, there’s no hiding the nostalgic romance and privacy of intimate dining.

Of course, a casual cocktail party in the great room should always precede a sit down dinner by the villa pool. Having discerning staff to take care of the details and allow all guests the time to have fun and visit is priceless.

Half Moon Bay, in Montego Bay, is a colonial-style resort situated on 400 acres of tropical landscape on a two-mile, private, white-sand beach. The resort has villas with four, five, six and seven bedrooms.

The romance of time with friends and family can also be found on the many golf courses around Jamaica. With tall palms, rolling hills, mountainous terrain and seaside views, there’s appeal for golfers of all levels. Couples can also benefit from the tranquillity of the golf course, trusting that the focus is on having fun and perhaps not shooting par.

Tryall Club Jamaica is only 12 miles from Montego Bay and has hosted major events like the Johnnie Walker Tournament and Jamaica’s Classic Annual. The course is well manicured and available to play year-round. Since this is a prestigious course, it’s recommended to call ahead to book a tee time.

The White Witch golf course of Rose Hall is nestled in the mountains above the Ritz-Carlton, Montego Bay. Some of the best views of the sea can be gleaned from the course. Be sure and ask about the legend of the White Witch of Rose Hall, a spooky tale about a plantation owner and her husbands, all of who died under suspicious circumstances.

Half Moon Golf Club, located at Half Moon Resort, boasts well-groomed fairways and helpful, talented caddies. The championship golf course was created by respected designer Robert Trent Jones Sr. and annually hosts the Red Stripe ProAm.

Ironshore Golf & Country Club boasts reasonable rates, making it a good value for golfing in the Montego Bay area. The course is challenging with many bunkers and doglegs and is open to all golfers.

Wyndham Rose Hall Golf & Beach Resort has both seaside and mountainous holes. The staff is eager to assist and ensure golfers are set up to have a great time. The well-stocked pro shop carries anything that you may have left behind.

Golfing is a very traditional way to clear the mind. Personal reflection can be found while working your way down the fairway to make that ten-foot putt.

However, the quintessential path to reflection leads everyone to the spa!

The Romance of Personal Solidarity
With the daily pressures everyone has, no romantic getaway could ever be complete without a day or at least a half day at a great full-service spa.
In the Montego Bay area, many resorts have their own spa facilities on location, including Rose Hall Resort and Spa and the Ritz-Carlton Golf and Spa Resort, Rose Hall. Most hotels are happy to accommodate spa-goers who are looking for premium treatments and are not staying at the hotel. It’s always best to contact hotels in advance to reserve spa treatments, as the best facilities book up during busier times of the year.

Few spas can boast the feeling of luxury and peace of mind extended to guests at Fern Tree at Half Moon Bay. This 68,000-square-foot indoor/outdoor spa has earned its gold star as a “must-do” for any romantic getaway.

Throughout the spa, the exterior construction is reminiscent of a bygone era. Careful and proud craftsmanship is evident in every detail of stone, clay tile and hardwood. The use of natural materials provides the appropriate sanctuary for clearing the mind and focusing on wellness.

The designated relaxation areas at Fern Tree are plentiful, something many spas fall short on providing. Personal space and harmony is easily found and with many options — including indoor, outdoor, poolside or garden relaxation areas.

Unique to Fern Tree are the specialised services of a Spa Elder. This spiritual character is versed in the art of holistic healing and dedicated to the spa’s central philosophy of wellness. In addition to recommending customised treatment options, the Spa Elder is also available for classes and private consultations. The Spa Elder uses the well-stocked library to counsel and educate guests about wellness and indigenous remedies.

Time stands still while visiting a good spa. The enhanced mental state you feel upon leaving makes it worth including in any trip, whether romantic or even business.

A myriad of romantic opportunities abound in Jamaica for families, groups of friends or couples looking to spend quality time together. It’s a destination suitable for travellers willing to embrace life with passion and steal away for an adventure.

Cayman Airways operates direct flights between Grand Cayman and Montego Bay twice weekly, and between Grand Cayman and Kingston daily. To book your Jamaican getaway visit www.caymanairways.com  or call 345-949-2311 (in the Cayman Islands), 1-800-G-Cayman (in the U.S.) or your travel agent.


Book your flight today! Visit www.caymanairways.com, or call 345-949-2311 (in the Cayman Islands)
or 1-800-G-CAYMAN (in the U.S.).

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