That was Christopher Columbus' description of our country when he first set foot here in 1494.
But the splendor and beauty of our island was not only discovered by this 15th century explorer [sorry historians], hundreds of thousands of people across the globe have recognized it and made our country their favourite destination!
But Why?
Did the glamor and beauty of the island alone create this thrill?
The response depends on who you ask.
As a native, I would definitively say it is our culture. It is exclusive.
Of course our music is loved the world over- I am assuming you didn't know.
Reggae music is synonymous to the island! Say Jamaica and many think immediately of Reggae (and vice versa). Nevertheless, our traditional folk music, Mento, is still highly cherished and favoured. Christmas here is lifetime experience!
And the dances...
Whether it is the early Kumina, Pocomania and Jonkonnu, or the newer, more secular dancehall moves, they all will captivate you.
But that's from me.
Mary, my ex-boss told me that it is simply the warm tropical climate and the great food that won her love for the island.
We still communicate every now and then and she is always quick to remind me of the 'Ackee & Coco Bread' sandwich. It was her favourite. She had a business here for about 9 years.
But did you recognize that I did not even mentioned the warmth and sincerity of the people?
Especially in rural parts, the community spirit is still vibrant-everybody knows everybody! Our people are truly special.
Have you been following track and field lately? If you were, then you don't need to hear it from me. Jamaicans stand out wherever they go and in whatever they do- even the few bad apples!
The scintillating beaches only adds to the fun and exclusivity. Have you been lucky to hear anyone mentioned the 7 miles of pure white sand beaches?
They are talking about one of our (and the world's) most admired beaches - right here in Negril. Our beaches are to die for!
I asked my two year old daughter, "What do you love most about our country Leah- the food, the beaches or the music?"
Before I could complete my question she exclaimed, "Di Beach!".
She constantly nags me to take her to the beach, since August 2006 when we went to James Bond Beach in Oracabessa, St. Mary. Obviously she had great fun.
You are welcome to read the real travel stories from visitors to the island for even more inspiration.
So you see, Christopher Columbus did saw something special about the
island, but he didn't even see the half!
And by the way, it is this passion for my country that I converted into a profitable little online business, take a quick peek at my SBI story to see how I did it.
After subscribing to MyIslandJamaica Digest, you will be given instructions on how to download your FREE copy of my e-book "101 Intriguing facts about Jamaica"., FREE OF COST!
I am giving away only a limited number of copies, so you may want to hold on to it while this lasts.
Do consider subscribing to My-Island-JamaicaMini-Blog also. This RSS feed is a small blog about Jamaica (kind of a journal), which will also let you know whenever any new or changed Web pages appear on My-Island-Jamaica.com. It keeps you up-to-date with other special postings that you might otherwise miss.
My Island Jamaica Site Search This is exciting. Now you (and I) can find exactly where a word or phrase was used on My-Island-Jamaica.com using Site Search - Thanks to the power of Google's Technology!
Share The Site! My Island Jamaica - The Dream Caribbean Paradise.Please help us to share the site . Let your friends and family members benefit from the wealth of information presented here.
My-Island-Jamaica.com'sOfficial Blog MyIslandJamaica Blog keeps you up-to-date with all the latest additions and changes to the my-island-jamaica.com Web site.
Best Colleges in Jamaica The number of universities and colleges in Jamaica are ever increasing but still, we maintain a commendable high quality of programs.. Here are some of the most notable schools.
The Best Hotels in Jamaica From the average to the very best (anywhere in the world), the hotels in Jamaica accomodates your complete vacation or travel experience!
Getting to Jamaica Getting to Jamaica is a relative breeze these days. You have scores of options.
The Delectable Food from Jamaica! Like the beaches, the people and the music, our food defines us too! Get an insight into the delectable food from Jamaica here.
Sports Played in Jamaica Sports exemplifies our distinctive culture. Here are the popular sports played in Jamaica.
My Island Jamaica Forums The new and exciting My Island Jamaica forums allow our readers share stories, ask questions, give their views and reviews as well as comment on topics by others. Great stuff!
Plants and Animals in Jamaica The Plants and Animals in Jamaica are diverse. Quite interesting also is that a significant number are native to the island!
Work at home Jobs - Important Advice! Looking for a work at home business opportunities? Good for you, but Wait! not so fast, you'll need to know a few things BEFORE you start
Starting A Successful Online Business! Tired of your day job? Looking for a online business opportunity? Wait, not so fast. You'll need to know a few things BEFORE you start.
Buy Me A Drink! Show your appreciation of the work I've done and buy me a drink - would you?
My SBI Story! How did I manage to put up a solid website, that works? My SBI Story tells it all!