Not that I am in therapy but...my hubby and I recently dipped our toes into Treasure Beach for the first time and what a fantastic experience it was. It took us about two days to unwind and unfortunately a little longer than that to "get it". Treasure Beach is so cool that words do not do it justice. We stayed at Jakes in a fantasy-type cottage named "Octopussy 3". Funky is what the internet ad promised, and funky is what it was. The architectural design of the entire "resort" was total creative madness. We loved it! Colored bottles in the walls, conch shells as walls, beautiful mosaics...neater than neat. Every day when we would journey back to our room, we would be greeted by bright and fragrant flowers, it was such a treat. Oh, and speaking of treat...the food....a perfect setting for any meal any time of day was at Jakes, tables around the pool overlooking the sea...what more could you ask for. Oh wait, the nicest people that work there. Daicia, Gracie, Bevon, Saudia, Roxann and Janet (hope I spelled their names correctly), I will miss them all. Not to mention all the girls that work at the front desk. Everyone was so helpful. We were not sure what to expect when we stepped off that plane in Mobay and dragged our tired butts through customs, but once we were greeted by Richard (Fuddie), our driver from Jakes, we knew we were in good hands. All I have to say is that anyone traveling to Treasure Beach for the first time, you will be blown away, and if you are not, than you just don't get it. You have to get out and explore the area. Go for a walk, everywhere. Stop at Fisherman's Bar for a Red Stripe and play a game of dominos with Vicas and his son Andy. Swing by the Wild Onion for a Red Stripe and some yummy pumpkin soup. By the way, these are fun night-time dancing places with sometimes live music. These are two good destination points, because there is so much in between. Don't forget to pop in at the stop-n-shop and say hey to Alex, maybe on your way back from Calabash Bay and pick up some Red Stripe and trinkets. We thought of renting a scooter, but is was so much better hiring a driver from Jakes to take us on adventures too far to walk...Fuddie was a great tour guide! We had a super time at YS Falls. Fuddie got us there early enough in the day to beat the crowd and give us the feeling that the whole place was just ours, and he turned us over to Odley who was so awesome at running us around the Falls to those perfect kodak moment spots. Wish I would have had him at my wedding! The Appleton Rum factory was very intersting, I have a whole new appreciation for rum. The rum tasting was fun too by the way... Oh, oh, and if you go, you have to go fishing, whether you catch any fish or not, who cares, just being out on the boat is great. We saw dolphins and a sea turtle. Joseph (Blacka) who also works at Jakes, is a great captain. He told us many times when the fishing looked good, but we were still in our vegging out mode and turned him down. Next time we will listen to the captain when we want to catch fish. Joseph also took us on our Black River adventure. What a great tour up the river, all the plant life and animal life was just like National Geographic. We saw some pretty large crocs along our way to Sister Lous. Joseph gets the boat nice and close to those scaley beasts for a super pix. Sister Lous is a perfect spot to sit back and drink a Red Stripe and wait for Tuck to cook up those blue crab for some yummy crab back. Don't foget the hot sauce! Save your appetite just for that. On the way back we stopped at the neatest little shack on a reef...the Pelican Bar. Now this is Floyd's place and we were told that people thought he was crazy building a bar so far out in the ocean on a sand reef. Well, he did it, and it is super popular. Destination ground zero to many Jamaican visitors and locals. Not only will Floyd cook you up a meal, but he has plenty of cold Red Stripe. Speaking of Red Stripe, what goes better with beer than the beach?....Pizza! The greatest pizza in the whole wide world is at Jack Sprats! And I am not lying to you, are you listening to me, I'm Italian, it's the greatest pizza in the whole wide world. Get the "fully loaded". Jack Sprats is a very fun place to chill, and the beach is like, right there. They have really good homemade pineapple ginger juice too. Everyone who works there is great. Shelly works there and she is super and she has an adorable son with the biggest blue eyes I have ever seen. Don't forget if leave Jack Sprats, stroll down the beach and head past the tree (the one that everyone takes a picture of) to Fisherman's Bay, you should look for Ted and Flora. Ted is a man, Flora is a dog. Ted is a captain, and was out one afternoon obviously without his trusted companion. We found her on the beach, anxiously looking out toward the sea, howling for her other half to return! Now that is love! I love Humphrey, Max and Peanut (all the dogs of Jakes), but Flora is the prettiest pup in town. There is also a cool little shack at Fisherman's Bay named the Shell Shack. It is Eddie's place. Just a place to stop and have a Red Strip until the sun begins to go down. Not only does Treasure Beach have the most beautiful sunsets, but the sun rises ain't too shabby either. Sleeping was something we really didn't want to do, wasting all our sights on our eyelids, but nothing better to put you into lala land than the sounds of waves crashing against the reef...and a Red Stripe! So I am not finished and am sure I am forgetting momentarly to write it all down, but since I have been to Treasure Beach, my spine has never been so straight. Why you ask? Two words...Joshua and Shirley. Joshua is a massage therapist specialized in ortho-bionomy. He has a hut set up at Jakes overlooking the sea, and he will work wonders on your body. Fantastic! Wait, there is more. There is Shirley. Shirley told me that there is a traveler who comes to Jamaica just to see Shirley. She has an abundant concoction of herbs that will set you free. Or at least, will set all that Red Sripe in your system free. This is detox to the max. I would see Shirley every day if I could and Josuha. And then I would be Jello. Do not pass them up...make the appointments (as many as you can), it's a once in a lifetime experience, your body will thank you for it. Well, I think that is all I have, I hope I didn't forget anyone or anything. My memories of my visit to Treasure Beach will live on forever...and will be added to my next trip, I hope. I only have one more thing to express...It's a lovely day for a Guiness, but never too early or too late for a Red Stripe. Tell that to the turtle...and Dougie. Thank you Treasure Beach.

P.S. to Eric, this web site rocks. I will be adding pix shortly.
P.S.S. travelers, don't forget to talk to Joseph, he has some really interesting and funny stories...one of survival.

What a fab write-up! I really enjoyed reading this and reliving my own memories of the area. I think you have captured the essence of Treasure Beach perfectly. I'll be back in March this year for my 40th birthday (why would I want to celebrate it anywhere else?!)and I just can't wait!!!

I need therapy and believe it or not i'm a physical therapist by profession and vacation is in february and there's no other place worth spending it than Treasure Beach.JAMAICA.

Amen to that! I could hear the waves crashing in the background as I read it. Treasure Beach is like an addiction and hard to understand unless you've experienced it......thanks for bringing it alive to those of us who have, but can't be there....at least right now!

Thank so much for all the wonderful things that u said about TB. I enjoyed reading everthing u wrote.
I am from TB and to hear a visitor talk so much good and positive things about our quiet little community it's joy to my ears. I am glad that u had such a wonderful time on ur vacation.

Hope TB will be your second home from this day.
Once again thank you because it means alot to me and all the wonderful people of TB.

what a positive and fabulous write-up. Being a resident of TB this meands alot to me. As jamaicangirl said it means so much to hear a visitor pass such positive remarks about TB.

Doesn't everyone who visits TB fall instantly in love with the place and the people? I know my family, friends and co-workers think I've gone completely mad because I can't stop talking about Treasure Beach and when I'll be heading back! I'm sure they'd understand if they'd just make a visit of their own.

GG

Just got back from spending the best Xmas ever in TB - we were there for 3 weeks. None of the commercialism of back home [England] just plenty of Xmas spirit and not just the type that comes from a bottle tho that was also there in great supply.
This was my 4th visit and each time it gets harder to leave - stayed in and around Great Bay and words can't express how much I've grown to love the place and people. Was met only with kindness and friendliness at all times. Great Bay beach is a really fantastic and safe place to swim, play & spend time day or night. Plenty of friendly beach bars & people to meet and things to do. A new bar had opened up this time 'Cool Runnings', just up the road from the beach - the owner Palmer serves up a good cold Red Stripe and some of the best food I've eaten in the area - good prices too especially when you compare with UK. We all spent many days and nights there playing pool, making 'real' friends and just watching the world go by. Thanks Palmer! Would recommend 'Cool Runnings' to everyone it's worth a visit.
Like previous writers I'm a TB addict and am already trying to arrange my next trip - am suffering withdrawal badly. Thanks to the website for keeping me in touch & sane!