Everyone has their own personal "best of" Jamaica. You can find it in a wave in your own secret river escape or in the first taste of honey. Here are a few of our favourites...

A PERFECT WAVE
"I like the beaches that you can't find. Mostly I head to Macca Surfing Beach in St. Thomas, and Prospect, just outside of Morant Bay
The quality and power of the waves are world class, so the challenge is there." —Billy Wilmot, Jamaican surfer, founding member of Jamaica Surfing Association, and owner of Jamnesia Surf Club, Bull Bay, Jamaica.

FROM PITCH FORK TO TABLE FORK
Recently, I had the pleasure to eat my way across the country and truly live the farm to fork lifestyle with DaVinci Jamaica Vacations who currently offer the only off the beaten path culinary tour of Jamaica.
A food tour with a heart, the owners are individual members of Slow Food, an international eco-gastronomic society, who believe in promoting traditional livelihoods. This consciousness has led them to support communities such as those in the Blue Mountains.

Situated in the eastern section of the island, this area is famous for its highly prized and protected Blue Mountain Coffee, which is globally recognized as one of the best in the world. On our first stop our host, Jason Sharpe of Coffee Traders shared with us the exciting history of Jamaica's most famous export from the bean to the mug.
After touring his gorgeous estate, Clifton Mount, we sat with him in his company's quaint hillside spot, the popular Café Blue in Irish Town.
Here, we enjoyed the delicious aroma of coffee beans as we sipped our individual coffee beverages and tucked into homemade tiramisu which we appreciated that much more after witnessing the tremendous hard work which goes into hand-reaping coffee beans on precarious slopes.

Afterwards, we headed to the other side of the mountains to Woodford. This lovely property is owned by the wonderfully creative couple, Paul and Donna Noble.
Paul is a filmmaker and Donna, a food stylist. Their farm, Woodford Garden Market, began in 1994 and was certified organic in 2008 through the Jamaica Organic Agricultural Movement (JOAM), whose members are trained through the auspices of the International Organic Inspectors Association.
The farm produces salad greens such as Swiss chard, kyona, radicchio, arugula and spinach as well as herbs like dill, red and green basil, parsley, fennel, cilantro, tarragon, oregano and chives.
Their Green Salad Blend is popular in supermarkets, restaurants and hotels. In addition, Donna is very conscious about helping fellow farmers and offers workshops to demonstrate the formation of seedlings and the art of organic composting. She also goes into local schools in the inner city with her produce for young children to sample which, given its fresh taste and crunchy texture, is an instant hit.

My final stop on the Blue Mountain culinary trail was the beautiful Belcour Lodge and Belcour Blue Mountain Preserves.
Robin and Mike Lumsden are the most hospitable hosts one can imagine. Bon vivants, they are the ultimate foodies. Their property boasts a citrus grove featuring oranges, tangerines, lemons, lime and grapefruits, all of which can be found in their delicious Five Fruit Marmalade. This is but one of the many delicious products which come from this farm in the form of pepper sauces, chutneys and jams from local fruits and vegetables such as mountain peaches, scotch bonnet pepper, plum tomatoes and guavas.
While visiting this farm, don't be surprised if Robin offers you a delicious snack such as her cho cho bread, banana muffins or yummy crackers with locally grown goat cheese accompanied by her fantastic pepper jam or tomato chutney.
Chill out by the stream and you may just spot young boys from the area catching "janga" (river crayfish) to make a scrumptious rustic soup. But the star of Belcour has to be the beautiful honey produced from the apiary on the property; all of their products have an element of honey and Michael is now experimenting with producing mead, the ancient honey wine. —Jacqui Sinclair, is a chef and writer. She recently took a star turn in Andrew Zimmerman's "Bizarre Foods" on the Travel Channel.

PERFECT ADVENTURES
Not for the faint of heart, the Irie Safari Lost River Kayak Adventure promises to take the rider on a thrilling journey down the Broad River, a tributary of the famed Black River and home to a number of toothy-grinned Jamaican crocodiles. This kayak tour will have you floating amongst mangroves and other local flora and fauna.
Another plus? It's a great workout! The kayaking is just part of the adventure, with a rope drop stop where you can swing your way into crocodile-free water (don't worry they checked!) and enjoy some exceptionally well-seasoned river crabs from the friendly local eatery, Sister Lou's.

Imagine the crisp, cool mountain air with the breeze gently cradling you as you watch the everyday happenings on the ground below you.
Thanks to Jurgen Von Dueszeln, owner and operator of Paragliding Jamaica, your dreams can come true. So what is paragliding exactly? A paraglider is an inflatable fabric wing. It is easy to transport, easy to launch, and easy to land. The pilot sits in a comfortable harness suspended by Kevlar lines from the canopy and steers the glider with two controls. And, don't worry, you are in safe hands as Von Dueszeln is a certified paragliding instructor. Now, who's ready to fly?

Immerse yourself in Jamaica's natural beauty with Tread Lightly Jamaica, a tour company that "treads lightly" through the island's untouched trails to hidden waterfalls and deserted beaches, and up to coffee plantations in the Blue Mountains. See the island like a local. —Rebekah Watson, is an avid writer currently pursuing a degree in law.

HIDDEN RIVERS & WATERFALLS
"The jungle landscape, surreal blue natural pools and varying cascades and waterfalls of Blue Hole River, on the border of St Ann and St Mary, makes it one of Jamaica's most picturesque spots. A short trek up the river's banks takes you up to the riverhead where the adventurous can jump from the 30 ft jump spot parallel to the impressive waterfall.

Guts River in South Manchester has amazing crystal clear pools ideal for an easy swim. Alligators have been spotted from time to time, but that hasn't stopped swimmers from enjoying this fantastic spot. Proceed with caution!

Hillside Dam, also known as Reggae Falls, is another beautiful spot, located in Serge Island, St. Thomas.

Hillside Dam was once a hydroelectric plant that was damaged after a series of storms. The Negro River now cascades over the concrete lip of the dam creating a curtain-like waterfall with pools below. This river also has shallow areas with large banks ideal for family outings and picnics." —Adrien Lemaire, of Doctor Bird Expat Services, a concierge of sorts to diplomats and corporate clients.

LINK SkyWritings Magazine Article:
PHOTO: Hidden Waterfall Near Hermitage Dam, Stony Hill

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