Island

The Island of Jamaica: Travel Guide

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The tropical island of Jamaica, also known as the “land of wood and water,” got its name from the Indigenous Taino people who migrated to the island 2,500 years ago. Its unique history and African heritage heavily influence Jamaican culture. Initially inhabited by the Taino Indians from 1,000 BC., through the early 16th century, their culture thrived until the arrival of Spanish settlers. Due to disease, malnutrition, and slavery, the Taino civilization quickly became extinct. Christopher Columbus and Spanish settlers came in search of Gold and other natural resources, and Great Britain subsequently overthrew the Spanish in 1655.

General Facts About Jamaica

Over the preceding centuries, African slaves were brought to Jamaica, which has contributed significantly to the cultural expressions of music, dance, sports, literature, religion, and art. Here are some general facts about Jamaica that may not have known:

– The capital of Jamaica is Kingston

– Jamaica has a population of 2.9 million

– The official currency of Jamaica is the Jamaican Dollar

– The official language spoken in Jamaica is Creole

Jamaican People And Origins

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The Indigenous peoples’ of Jamaica global contributions to society. The original inhabitants of Jamaica were the Taino Indians who occupied the island as far back as 1,000 BC. Throughout the island’s history, the Taino were subject to disease, and harsh working conditions and its original descendants have become extinct. Interestingly, the Taino have created several words, which are still used in the English language today. Hammock, tobacco, potato, hurricane, barbecue, cannibal, and canoe. The Taino helped shape Jamaican culture as well as many others. The Jamaican people enjoy a laid back lifestyle. Jamaica is considered one of the happiest places on Earth due to the relaxed attitude of the Jamaican people. The phrase, “No Problem Mon” and “Everything’s Gonna Be Alright,” showcase this relaxed island lifestyle. It’s difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of their carefree lifestyle, yet a tropical climate, smooth beats of reggae, and authentic Jamaican cooking may be the cause. Jamaica is considered one of the most relaxed Caribbean countries.

Jamaican Music And Dance

Bob Marley is considered the Father of Reggae music, click here to see how you can visit his house and see one of the best known cultural contributions to Jamaica and reggae music. Reggae music originated in the early 1960s. Mento music predates Reggae and has helped influence its musical rhythms. This musical genre makes use of acoustical instruments, such as the guitar, banjo, and hand drums. There are several styles of reggae today, which include roots reggae, dub, and reggaeton. Reggae is one of the most Internationally recognized musical genres. Jamaican dances are derived from European and African influences. A majority of the dances in Jamaica are centered around religious celebrations. One famous dance in the Jonkunnu, which is typically performed around Christmas time. The Tambu dance is performed primarily for entertainment with a couple facing and moving towards each other. The Gumbay is a type of ritualistic healing dance similar to Myal with extravagant body movements. Jamaica has a wide variety of dances, some popular, and some obscure.

Facts About Jamaican Festivals

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Jamaica hosts vibrant, exciting festivals throughout the year. Some of the most popular festivals celebrated in Jamaica are Carnival and Reggae Sumfest. Carnival is typically observed in March before Easter and features music, dance, food, drinking, parties, and overall a fun party atmosphere. Reggae Sumfest is the largest music festival in Jamaica and the Caribbean.

Sumfest is held every year in July in Montego Bay. Reggae’s popularity brings thousands of people to Jamaica each year.

Celebrating Jamaican history at the annual Maroon festival.

During the 16th and 17th century African slaves brought to Jamaica that escaped took refuge in the mountainous interior and isolated themselves. The term “Marooned” found its roots here. During the mid 19th century, slavery in Jamaica was abolished. Many of the African descendants that were marooned returned to the coastal regions. The maroon festival celebrates the peace treaty signed by the marooned slaves and British. The maroon festival showcases Jamaican history and culture.

Jamaican Sports

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Jamaica’s popular sports originated in Britain. Sport is a significant feature of Jamaican culture. Some of the most popular sports are cricket, basketball, football, track and field, boxing, and cycling, to name a few. Jamaican sports go beyond warm climate sports, despite being a tropical island, Jamaica has a bobsled team, as well as a ski team. Jamaica is also home to the fastest sprinter in the world, Usain Bolt. School children in Jamaica are actively involved with sports at an early age.

Jamaica is famous for its track and field athletes. Well known Jamaican sprinters Usain Bolt and Veronica Campbell helped revitalize sports enthusiasm throughout the island. In 2011, Veronica Campbell won gold in the 200 meter World Championships in Athletics. Usain Bolt is famous for having set three world records in a single Olympic game. Usain Bolt is considered the fastest man alive and ran the 100 meters in 9.63 seconds in 2012. Jamaican athletes have collectively won 78 Olympic medals.

Jamaican Culture

The most well-known aspects of Jamaica’s culture are reflected in its various sports and music, followed by its authentic cuisine, and various belief systems. Jamaica has a long, rich history that’s brought to life through its multiple festivals held throughout the year. Jamaica’s cultural contributions to the world have taken this small tropical island nation too places as far away as Alberta, Canada.

Why you should go on a Maui Jeep adventure

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Maui is one of the most beautiful islands in the world and it’s attracting many tourists each year. There are hundreds of things you can do here such as go beach hopping, go snorkeling, surfing, or drive the legendary Road to Hana. Maui is an exciting, magical island and you need to experience it in the right way. The island comes with a paradisiacal climate, but it also comes with roads you can’t go on without a proper vehicle.

4×4 Jeep is an extremely popular choice there because of all the dirt roads you have to drive on in order to reach some of the most stunning parts of the island. Sure, you could go for a smaller vehicle, but you would have to find a different way of reaching those small, magical beaches and views.

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Road to Hana

Road to Hana isn’t just another regular highway. This is a trip everyone who visits Maui should go on. You will be passing the beautiful Paia town, Ho’okipa lookout, Twin falls, Waikamoi Ridge trail, Kaumahina State Wayside Park, and Honomanu Bay.

While Ho’okipa lookout is a perfect spot for surfers, the trail to Twin Falls is great for hikers and nature lovers. You can also swim in the lake under the waterfalls which makes for a unique and magical experience.

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Honomanu Bay is an amazing spot for photographers as it’s extremely peaceful and picturesque. However, the rocky beach doesn’t make for a great spot for swimming or sunbathing.

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Jeep can make your entire trip much more comfortable as it is incredibly spacious and can move freely on all sorts of roads and it will offer you an authentic Hawaiian experience. Cruisinmaui.com recommends choosing the jeep from which you can remove the doors in order to truly experience the island.

It will allow you to explore the rough roads and reach some of the island’s hidden gems.

Jeeps are fun to drive, but more importantly, they are safe and come at an affordable price. It is clear to all rental companies that visitors might have to go off-road in order to visit some of the best parts of the island, so the prices aren’t too high.

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Haleakala

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Driving up to the summit of Haleakala can possibly be one of the most amazing rides you’ll ever take. This is the most popular attraction in Maui and for a good reason. The scenic route, stunning sunrises, and magical landscapes leave everyone in awe. As the road can get a bit rough, you want to make sure you chose the right vehicle for this trip. While jeeps are the most convenient options, convertibles are less so.

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The majority of tourists who opt for a convertible as their main vehicle on the island, often keep their tops down due to extreme heat or rain. Maui can be a bit unpredictable when it comes to weather, so you should be prepared for everything. Bring your jackets wherever you go and as long as you’re equipped with a proper vehicle, you should be able to go wherever you desire.

The Legend of the Oak Island: What taxes Laginas brothers have to pay if they find a lost treasure?

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Located in a Lunenburg Country on the south shore of Nova Scotia, Canada, Oak Island is a place of many legends for centuries. The most famous legend tells about the hidden treasure and the deadly outcome for people who try to find it.

The Legend of the Oak Island’s treasure

The Legend of the treasure hidden on the Oak Island wasn’t familiar around the world for a long period of time. As per the legend, seven people have to die while searching for hidden treasure, before the Oak Island will allow the seekers to finally find a secret fortune. In the 19th century, many expeditions were organized, unfortunately without success. The mystery of the Oak Island challenged the History Chanel to film a series of documentaries called “The Curse of Oak Island” with Lagina brothers in the roles of main seekers.

The Curse of Oak Island

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The History Chanel’s show is already in its sixth season, with Rick and Marty Lagina, brothers who are trying to find hidden treasure and valuable objects, located somewhere on the Oak Island. While on this expedition, Lagina brothers are combining the historical sources and modern technology. As per the History Channel, Rick and Marty made remarkable discoveries last year, which will help him on resolving the mystery of the Oak Island in the next season.

It is not sure if the Oak Island Curse is yet fulfilled, but based on the Island’s documentation, more than 7 people already died while searching for the mystery treasure.

What taxes Laginas brothers have to pay if they find a lost treasure?

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What are the legal obligations of Lagina brothers in case they find any mysterious treasure? Well, they have already been lucky to find some objects but not the whole fortune of Oak Island’s legend.

In 2014 the Island published an official Act regarding any treasure discoveries. The Oak Island Treasure Act presents the set of rules necessary to be fulfilled in case any treasure is found on the Island. Every individual is required to submit the written document with details of location, time, way and type of the treasure found. The document has to be submitted to the Minister of Natural Resources of the Oak Island. The acts also require certain tax to be played, however, it doesn’t specify the exact amount. The official statement says: “Upon payment of a royalty at the rate prescribed by a license, the Minister may conform to the holder the right to retain for the license holder’s own use and benefit any treasure discovered and recovered by the holder of the license within the area covered by the license.”

The Paradise Island of Koh Samui

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Koh Samui is an island that lies in the Gulf of Thailand and is the second largest island of Thailand. Koh Samui is a paradise island and is widely known for its palm beaches. The majority of the island is mountains covered in dense rainforest.

Koh Samui is home to a large 12-meter tall statue of Buddha, which is part of a massive temple and is Koh Samui’s greatest tourist attraction. Surrounding the temple and statue is a small marketplace which usually sells lucky charms, figurines, souvenirs, refrigerator magnets, and some of them are food stalls.

A historical part of the island is the famous Bophut’s Fisherman’s Village. This village houses rustic-style buildings, villas, boutiques, hotels, restaurants, and more. During Friday’s, the whole village gathers together to form the Fisherman’s Village Walking Street Market, which attracts the attention of every tourist and native of the island. During this day, the whole island gets together to witness the amazing and lively atmosphere that signals the start of the weekend.

Another great attraction the island has to offer is the naturally generated Hin Ta and Hin Yai, which translates into the grandpa and grandma rocks. These rocks have been formed naturally and resemble the male and female genitalia, and they are a source of mirth and wonder for the island.

Most of the housing options on this island come in the form of luxury villas. These villas can range anything between $1 million and several hundred thousand dollars. Conrad Properties is a Real Estate agency in Koh Samui that sells and rents luxurious villas. They also rent and sell cheaper apartments, sell land, and offer real estate investments.

Their most expensive property comes in the form of a luxurious 4 bedroom villa located in Bophut, Koh Samui. What makes this villa so special, and so expensive, is the pool which is faced towards the sea.

If visiting Koh Samui, you cannot miss on visiting Koh Tao, which means turtle island. Koh Tao is a small island that is ranked as the best scuba diving destination in Thailand, with its beachhead spreading 21 square kilometers. The Gulf of Thailand is what makes these islands so perfect. The gulf provides the crystal clear water that will make anyone want to visit. What’s more is the types of exotic fish that live in these waters that make only half of the reasons why you would want to visit.

Koh Samui is home to numerous waterfalls, all differing in size. One of the most popular waterfalls in Koh Samui is the two Na Muang. The names of these waterfalls refer to the massive purple rocks that give them vibrant beauty. The two waterfalls are separated only by a 100-meter walk.

Koh Samui is a very spiritual place. Between the monks and the temples, hidden in the hills of one of Koh Samui’s mountains, can be found the secret Buddha Garden. The Secret Buddha Garden has a majestic collection of unusual statues, all surrounded by jungle and plants. The creator of this garden is an old farmer when in 1967 wanted to erect several statues on his family’s land to show his religious dedication.

Another popular tourist attraction is the mummy monk at Wat Khunaram. In fact, there are several mummies, which actually are mummified monks that lay on display at Wat Khunaram. The latest is the body of Luanda Pordaeng, which is 20 years old, but what’s impressive is that the signs of degradation are minimal.