Our first trip the trip from the airport was as crazy as it gets,it made me think if this is jamaica (mo bay) this trip will won't be fun-people everywhere cramming stuff they want to sell you in your face ,traffic craziness everywhere,I spent my hard earned money on this?I mean a week away from work is nice, but this?3 1/2 hours later we arrived at our cottage, the sun is going down and what do i think?this is overwelming,but little did i know i would never look at life thru the same old eyea again.The sun rise's and sets the same all over the world,but how you see it is not always the same.As an american we see generally see things thru cloudy eyes,the more we have the better we are,our cups are half empty,its alway partly cloudy,but little dii know hoin one week my views on life would change.As our first few days went by,and I learned about these people,I started feeling sorry for them.Then...we met a few of the local people,they would stop us on the street we're thinking great what do they want to sell ,but all they wanted is to introduce themselves,and teach you something about Jamaica,its people,and yourself
They invited us into there homes,introduced us to there families,invited us into there lives.My mind set was that i felt sorry for them,they work hard for nothing,many don't have dependable running water or electric,but they all have a passion to let you know its not that bad they are very grateful people,as long as they have life thats all they need.The more time we spent with with them,tmorI realized,what a great people they are.Nowhwere I've ever been I have I felt so at home.I started feeling sorry for myself.I guess wt i mean is,we have everything we need and most everything we want,but our we happy?How come i had to go away from home to realize how unhappy and ungrateful we really are.People I've just met here are inviting us into there homes and treating us like family whats wrong with this picture.one thing taht will forever stick in my mind was our last nite we were invited to a local nite club where they thru us a going away party!!then the next day they all showed up to send us off,an old rasta man came down from the hills just to say a blessing over us.How do you see all this and not come away looking at life thru different eyes.these people probably will never get a chance to see this but they will always have a special place in my heart and mind.
One love

Well c that is how jamaicans are we are a people of compassion and lots and lots of love to give. I am glad that you learned something knew , life is a constant learning process that is my motto. Unlike here in the US, people dont just open up their homes to strangers like that , you dont get visitors unless it's the holidays , Thanksgiving, Christmas etc. And yes sometimes we get so caught up in work and more work we forget to show appreciation for what we have , life, health and wonderful families and friends who love us so much. Hope ypu will visit many , many more times.

I have been visiting TB for a few years now, and I'm still working on adjusting my very American behavior to the very different behavior of folks in JA. At home, I never drop in on people, and would be really surprised if anyone ever just dropped in on me. In TB, I've finally come to realize that no one thinks it's strange to just drop in on someone. In fact, one friend was a little offended that I had never just stopped by when I was walking past his house every couple of days. And there are much more simple things, too, like the fact that everyone waves and says good morning to everyone that passes.

I've gone on and on in the past about how wonderful the people of TB are, about how welcomed I've felt and how happy I am to have found my way to the south coast (definitely *not* the vacation destination of my all-inclusive-loving friends and family!). When I come back from a trip to TB, the first thing people say to me (after commenting on my tan) is that I seem so calm, so peaceful. And part of that is relaxing for a week or two, but mostly it's how the gentleness of the people makes me feel so at ease, so much more myself, so at home. If the vibe of TB could be bottled and sold, it would outstrip the revenue generated by the tourism industry!

I agree wholeheartdly,most people I know that go to all inclusive come back home and are more stressed than when they left!It still amazes me that there are people this world that are as caring as those folks. My hats off to them,maybe a few more trips and it will rub off on us.It probabaly sounds silly but I feel as if I've be cleaned from the inside out!

I am thinking of coming to Jamaica and to Treasure beach. However alot of people say that it is dangerous and I am a little wary of the Rastafarians. Are there many in Treasure beach and what do the community think of them. thank you

janickGermany, in general Treasure Beach is a very safe community. Read some of the other posts recently to get other visitors impressions (such as the one at the top of this page) of the surrounding community.

What are your concerns about Rastafarians? I've never had anything but interesting conversation and good times with the ones I hang out with in Treasure Beach.

-Eric

Rastas are merely of another religion and are law-abiding, decent people.

janickGermany

i am a single woman and have made many trips to treasure beach on my own and yes i do go out after dark
i have also met other female travellers in jamaica and their experiences have been similar to mine
i have always felt very safe and never have i felt threatened

i have found that the community looks out for its visitors and will do anything they can to make your stay pleasant and enjoyable

i am curious who these people are that have told you it is dangerous and if they have ever even been to jamaica

what is it about rasta that has you wary?
i would like to know what your concerns are

rasta are people who have love and respect for all living things
rasta also encourge and promote self respect and love along with the importance of human dignity

rasta also speak of being able to free ourselves from the chains that bind us into slavery and oppression - spirtualty and physically

i suggest that you come to jamaica and explore for yourself and then you will know - once you go you know ;-)

if you have any questions you want to ask please send me an email - i will be glad to share my experiences with you

guidance
d

Just like antwhere you might venture there are aces that and not safe,but fro our experiance most people on the south coast will treat you with the utmost respect,and look out for your well being.and also few of these are Rasta's.They are very loving people.

This January 2008 will be my tenth trip to Jamaica since 1997 and I have always found my time here to be safe. The Rasta's I have encountered have never been threatening and like most Jamaicans are kind people. The south coast area in particular is very safe for a woman traveling alone. Do not go in a unregistered taxi however.
Quite honestly in all of my trips to Jamaica I have only felt threatened by the actions of another tourist from the USA

janickGermany, there is crime most everywhere in the world but Treasure Beach certainly has less than most places. Your comment about the rasta's is interesting. In Negril there are many hustlers and ner do wells that wear dreadlocks and call themselves rasta. Don't confuse a natty dread with a rasta. You'll find a real rasta to be quite peaceloving although with quite different views about a woman's place than perhaps you are used to.

No one told me Treasure beach was dangerous sorry, just jamaica. I will definately consider coming thank you

There is a big differance between a "Rasta" and a "Dread", aka Rasta-tute or Rent -a-Dread. True Rastafarians are vegetarians,or pescatarians, and do not drink alcohol,or smoke cigarettes. The ones I have met in Jamaica are busy on their farms ,or selling their veggies at the market, and are loyal and loving to their wives and children.They do not hang out on the beach hustling. Many rude boys sport "locks" because tourist women find them attractive.
Having said that, I would like to confirm that over the many years I have been going to Treasure Beach, I have never felt threatened by anyone, even when I go on the beach late at night or early AM by myself.The beach boys are protective and respectful.{I am female} You do not need to be afraid in Treasure beach. If you are lucky enough to meet a practicing Rastafarian, you will have met a kind and gentle person..

Treasure Beach is one of the safest areas in Jamaica.

If and when you visit Treasure Beach, be sure to visit Ital Rest and Viking's Place. As a friend of the brethrens there I must tell you that you will get nothing but positive vibes about Rasta.

As a single woman who has traveled alone to Treasure Beach several times, I highly recommend Treasure Beach. Ocasionally I have come across individuals (not dreads or Rasta) who are persistant in their attentions when I am by myself, especially in the evening, but I have NEVER felt threatened or been afraid to walk around at night or afraid to visit the bars and clubs. And I have found that the folk who hang out at the beach are always relaxed and enjoyable to talk with.

One of my favorite memories of Treasure Beach was walking back to the hotel in the early morning after an evening of dancing and good music, and being wished "Happy New Year Sistren" by another walker who had also left when the music ended.