... not Disney World!
Despite the theme park's claim, Costa Rica actually takes the top spot, according to the New Economics Foundation. This Britain-based independent research firm uses the "Happy Planet Index" to determine and rank the countries with the happiest people. ...Click on a label to read posts from that part of the world.
Jamaica
And the happiest place on Earth is ...
... not Disney World!
Despite the theme park's claim, Costa Rica actually takes the top spot, according to the New Economics Foundation. This Britain-based independent research firm uses the "Happy Planet Index" to determine and rank the countries with the happiest people. ...Big up Kingston - Pirates & Parrotfish in Port Royal
It's June 1692, and you're a resident of Port Royal, a thriving settlement in the harbor of modern-day Kingston. As you gaze at the cerulean-blue harbor, your eyes linger on the silhouettes of several privateer ships. The English crown has given these ships free reign to ...Big up Kingston - The Spanish Court Hotel
Hotels provoke strong reactions among travelers. Stay at a really terrible, cookie-cutter property, and it's likely to color an entire trip. Just the opposite is also true - when a traveler finds himself at truly unique hotel, aligned with the rhythms and particularities of ...Big up Kingston - Sunday brunch with a view
Sunday brunch is an institution in Jamaica. After church services (around 65% of Jamaicans are Christian) it's perhaps the second most popular Sunday ritual. Families gather together to enjoy a leisurely meal of Jamaican culinary specialties and enjoy each other's company. ...Big up Kingston - Welcome to the real Jamaica
In Jamaican slang they like to use the phrase big up. It's a term intended to bestow respect, giving a shout-out to its recipient in recognition of specific talent or excellence. In Kingston, Jamaica's capital and largest city, "big up" is a phrase that rings particularly ...Canadian hostages in Jamaican airport
One man with a gun can do a lot of damage. A weapon-wielding nut-job held around 180 hostages on a Canadian plane in Jamaica yesterday. He chose the landing in Jamaica as his time to act. All passengers were eventually released unharmed, but five of the original seven crew ...Bob Marley Day and a charming version of Three Little Birds
Today is Bob Marley Day. Marley, born February 6, 1945 is the musical genius who put Jamaica and reggae in range of the world's radar. Starting today through Sunday, there are various festivals and celebrations occuring around the globe as a way to honor Marley and enjoy his ...Party naked with accountants
If you are headed to Hedonism II with visions of tight bodies and loose morals, you'll certainly find the latter. Greg Boose, of Blackbook, stepped into this nudist resort only to realize what any sane traveler would expect: accountants are looking for easy sex with anyone ...What is a "dangerous" travel destination?
I've been thinking long and hard about what it means to travel to a "dangerous" destination lately because I'm in the process of planning a 2-month trip to Cuba. While Cuba is not considered "dangerous" to citizens of other countries, it does send a little shiver up an ...American women found with $471,000 dollars at airport in Jamaica
When the officials at the airport in Jamaica found $471,000 on two American women a couple days ago, they took it. See, you're only allowed to have $10,000 which I would think is ample enough for a rip roaring good time in Jamaica.
So far, according to this AP article, ...More on Caribbean travel
This Sunday's Columbus Dispatch travel section is devoted to Caribbean travel. With this morning's post on Caribbean vacations, written before the Sunday paper arrived on my front porch, I'm wondering if I'm getting a message.
One article, "Caribbean offers comfort for less ...Missing: Jamaican beach
A beach has gone missing in Jamaica, and no one is blaming erosion, global warming, or stormy weather. Police suspect that someone(s) stole five hundred truckloads of white sand from a planned resort at Coral Spring Beach. The theft was in July, but no arrests have yet been ...Man charged with bomb parts in luggage
In a way, it is good to know that they actually screened those checked bags. I was always skeptical about how many they honestly scanned.
Yesterday, the FBI arrested a 32-year-old Jamaican man because he allegedly tried to board a plane at Orlando International Airport with ...Jamaica considers marijuana legalization
I was just as surprised by this headline as you were: marijuana isn't already legal in Jamaica?
Despite the fact that government commissions recommended legalizing pot in 2001 and 2003, marijuana is still illegal in Jamaica. Of course, a sizable minority of Jamaica's 2.6 ...GADLING TAKE FIVE week of 12-7-07
Gadling bloggers have been as busy as Santa's elves this week. It's hard to choose five posts from so many, so this week I'm offering five categories:
Animals: Brett covered stress-reducing felines in Tokyo and how to adopt a Tasmanian devil, Jerry told us the touching ...Photo of the Day (10/26/07)
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Wow. This is exactly what I need right now – a blissful landscape gently whispering sweet nothings into my slightly-stressed brain. Can't you just feel the peace that this wonderful shot evokes and how very wonderful it would be to slip inside and soak it all up? I ...Word for the Travel Wise (01/21/07)
Babble too much and you could be called one of these on your fun-sun beach vaca in Montego Bay. Today's word is a Patois word from Jamaica: Mout-a-massy - someone who talks too much. A gossip. You can expand your 'Rasta Patois' in several ways. The most rewarding way is ...Word for the Travel Wise (12/12/06)
Running low on luck these days? According to Wikipedia, Obeah, a type of sorcery practiced in Jamaica and various parts of the West Indies contains many traditions for helping, healing and bringing love and money to those who are seriously without. I'd never heard of it ...Miami Herald On the Caribbean
Trying to decide on the Caribbean island that's best for you? I know, the decision can be a toughie, but shouldn't be too much of a strain. The Miami Herald features an excellent piece highlighting noteworthy hotels, environmental aspects, restaurants and the basic 'why' you ...Word for the Travel Wise (10/28/06)
I'm gearing up for my big run tomorrow, but I just wanted to send this funny looking piece of Patois your way. Today's word is a Patois word from Jamaica: peenywally - firefly You can expand your 'Rasta Patois' in several ways. The most rewarding way is straight from the ...
