Jamaica Travel News

Update on Power, Water Service in Jamaica

Good news continues to come in from Jamaica in the wake of Hurricane Dean. The Jamaica Public Service Company (JPSCo) has now restored electrical power to about 78% of its customers. Work is now complete in the parishes of Westmoreland (Negril), St. James (Montego Bay), Hanover (Lucea) and Trelawny (Falmouth). They're making progress in the south, too; the hardest hit parish of St. Elizabeth now has power to 46% of its customers. Right now, they're predicting the entire island's power will be fully restored by September 9, 2007.

Things are moving along in terms of repair to the water service, also; right now they're back up to 85% capacity.

Labels: weather

posted by Paris and John @ 1:47 PM

Photos of Weather Channel Crew Enjoying Chukka Caribbean Tours

We stayed glued to the Weather Channel during Hurricane Dean coverage and we know these guys have been really busy...so it's good to they're getting to enjoy themselves in Jamaica during their stay! These photos, courtesy of the Jamaica Tourist Board, show the Weather Channel crew enjoying some of Chukka Caribbean tours including horseback riding and kayaking. We took a Chukka tour ourselves in June so we know they were having a good time!

Labels: weather

posted by Paris and John @ 4:18 PM

Post-Hurricane Resort Photos

If it's true that a picture is worth a thousand words, then we've got a novella here for you: these are post-hurricane photos from Jamaica, courtesy the Jamaica Tourist Board. This was our first time to see the photos and we're happy to say that Jamaica is looking great. (It makes us wish we were on the beach ourselves!)

A family enjoying the pool at Half Moon:



Dolphin handlers are back to business as usual at Dolphin Lagoon Half Moon:



Guests who stayed through the storm hit the beach at Holiday Inn in Montego Bay:



The pool at Round Hill looks inviting:



The beach at Sunset Jamaica Grande in Ocho Rios:

Labels: weather

posted by Paris and John @ 3:59 PM

Road & Power Update

We've had several emails from readers asking about the conditions of the roads across Jamaica. Good news: the road from Negril to Montego Bay to Ocho Rios is clear and accessible to general traffic.

Elsewhere on the island, the Mount Rosser, Flat Bridge, the South Coast roads are cleared.

Treasure Beach roads are now cleared, but caution is needed due to downed poles.

Regarding electrical power, about 34% of the electrical customers now have power once again. By Sunday, August 26, the following areas should have power: Kingston and St. Andrew, St. Catherine, St. James, Westmoreland, Hanover, Trelawny and St. Ann.

Customers in the parishes of St. Thomas, Portland, and St. Mary should have power by the end of next week.

Unfortunately, though, it could be weeks before the parishes of Clarendon, Manchester, and St. Elizabeth have their power supply restored.

Labels: weather

posted by Paris and John @ 2:37 PM

Update from BREDS

Yesterday we told you about a hurricane relief fund that's been set up by Breds - The Treasure Beach Foundation and is being operated by Jakes's. The fund will assist with providing aid for the many people of Treasure Beach. Unfortunately, though, we gave you the wrong URL for BREDS and wanted to make sure we corrected it. The correct URL is www.breds.org.

We received this update from Jason Henzell, Island Outpost President and Jake's Owner, about the project: "The directors of Breds - The Treasure Beach Foundation, a registered non-profit (since 1998) did a preliminary assessment in the area from Great Bay to Fort Charles, including Lewis Town and Sandy Bank. This preliminary assessment took into account type of damage (category 1-4 as used by UN) and ability to pay. Our directors know this community extremely well and I can assure you that we know of those in need and without a support system. Our goal is to raise US$10,000 and has this matched to help approx 50 persons. If we exceed this amount, our intention would be to include the district of Beacon where persons also received extensive damage. Not included in this figure is loss of fishing traps which we extimate could be as high as 1,000 rolls of mesh which translates into approximately 4,000 traps. As we know, this is essential to the sustainability of Treasure Beach, being a Fishing Village."

To make a contribution:
• call (876) 965 3000
• visit www.breds.org
• email info@breds.org

Labels: South Coast, weather

posted by Paris and John @ 2:16 PM

Power Update After Dean

We're still getting good news from Jamaica in terms of hotels and roads but it looks like there might be more damage to the electrical system than first thought in the southern and eastern parishes.

While restoration efforts is proceeding as expected in other parishes, the process is much slower in these parishes:

• St. Catherine (just west of Kingston, home of Spanish Town)
• Clarendon (on the island's south side, home of May Pen)
• Manchester (on the south coast, home of Mandeville)
• St Elizabeth (on the South Coast, home of Treasure Beach and Black River)
• St Thomas (the southeasterly most parish, home of Morant Bay)
• Portland (the northeasterly most parish, home of Port Antonio)

Word is that the assessment has indicated that the damage to the company’s transmission system in these areas is far greater than that caused by Hurricane Ivan in 2004.

Labels: weather

posted by Paris and John @ 2:21 PM

Giving Back to Jamaica After Hurricane Dean

If you're wondering how to help the people of Jamaica in the wake of Hurricane Dean, we've just received word about a hurricane relief fund established by Jake's and run by BREDS, The Treasure Beach Foundation.

According to Island Outpost President and Jake's Owner, Jason Henzell, “These forces of nature tend to bring out the best in people - my staff and community are incredible. Spirits are high, and our faith is stronger now than ever. The Jamaican spirit is strong, and with that, we know we will prevail all obstacles. Faith is the strongest asset of any nation, and for Jamaicans, it is the gold standard.”

Jake's resort has established a hurricane relief fund through Breds - The Treasure Beach Foundation (USA), which Henzell runs for the less fortunate who have property damage, no insurance, no support system, especially to the sick and elderly. The initiative is also in concert with Treasurebeach.net, a community web site.

BREDS, TREASURE BEACH FOUNDATION is a non-profit organization established in 1998 to promote education, sports, cultural heritage, environmental awareness and more recently emergency healthcare in Treasure Beach. The long-term vision for Breds is to establish Treasure Beach as a model for low-density, environmentally friendly, sustainable community in Jamaica. The term “Breds” short for Brethren -- has for generations, been a familiar way of hailing a person from this local fishing community.

To make a contribution:
• call (876) 965 3000
• visit www.breds.org
• email info@breds.org

Labels: South Coast, weather

posted by Paris and John @ 2:13 PM

Hotel Update

We've just received a new report on the damage across the island; the good news is that much of it is cosmetic and many properties are reopening this week if they're not already open. Here's a look at each individual area:


MONTEGO BAY AND FALMOUTH

Breezes Montego Bay: Open, accepting guests
Coyaba Minimal damage. 100% occupied.
Doctor’s Cave: No structural damage
Half Moon: No structural damage -operational
Holiday Inn: No structural damage. Open.
Iberostar Rose Hall: No structural damage.
Ritz Carlton: Accept new reservations on Thurs, Aug. 23
Round Hill: No damage – open and fully operational
Royal DeCameron: No damage
Sandals Inn: No structural damage
Sandals Montego Bay: No structural damage
Sandals Royal Caribbean: No structural damage
Sunset Beach Resort & Spa: No structural damage, open, accepting guests
Tryall: Minimal damage. Reopen this weekend.


KINGSTON

Overall Status: some damage to hotels in New Kingston

Altamont Court Hotel: Minimal damage to roof, foliage
Courtleigh Hotel: Minimal damage – windows, foliage, etc
Hilton Hotel: Some water damage to furniture and carpet, foliage
Pegasus Hotel: Fire in storage room. Has been contained.
Strawberry Hill: Will open Friday, Aug. 24

OCHO RIOS

Overall Status: No major damage was reported to tourism product reported.

Bahia Principe: Minimal damage
Beaches Boscobel: No structural damage
Breezes Runaway Bay: Open, accepting guests
Couples Ocho Rios: No damage
Couples Sans Souci: No damage
Goldeneye: No structural damage; accepting guests Weds. Aug. 22
Grand Lido Braco: Open, accepting guests
Heart Academy: Minimal damage
Hedonism III: Open, accepting guests
Riu: All hotels open. Waiting for electricity and water supply.
Rooms on the Beach: Open, accepting guests
Royal Plantation: Normal
Sand Castles: Open for business
Sandals Dunn’s RiverL No structural damage
Sandals Grande Ocho Rios: No structural damage
Starfish Trelawny: Open, accepting guests
Sunset Jamaica Grande: No damage, open, accepting guests



SOUTH COAST & MANDEVILLE

Overall Status: Roads clear. In Mandeville, trees down, roof damage to houses. See

Golf View Hotel: No damage to hotel
Jake’s: Will open on September 28
Sandals Whitehouse: No structural damage


PORTLAND

Overall Status: Minimal damages, trees down and water is still available in some areas. See Table below:

Fern Hill Hotel: No significant damage to report.
Jamaica Palace: Minimal damage, foliage,

NEGRIL

Overall Status: Minimal damage to properties in region. Few utility poles down. West End road was blocked but has since been cleared. Most other areas are clear. The road from Orange Hill to Frome mainly intact.


Beaches Negril: No structural damage
Beaches Sandy Bay: No structural damage
Grand Lido Negril: Open, accepting guests
Hedonism II: Open, accepting guests
Sandals Negril: No structural damage
Sunset at the Palms: No structural damage, will reopen for arrivals on Aug. 21.
The Caves: No structural damage

Labels: weather

posted by Paris and John @ 2:49 PM

Update on Jamaica's Golf Courses

Jamaica, of course, is a major golf capital in the Caribbean and fortunately her golf courses were spared damage by Hurricane Dean. We've just received a report on the condition of many of the island's top courses from the Jamaica Tourist Board:

• Breezes Runaway Bay Golf Course currently in operation

• Negril Hills Golf Course currently in operation

• Cinanamon Hill Golf Course currently in operation

• Half Moon Golf Course, opening August 21 (afternoon)

• White Witch Golf Course, opening August 22

• Sandals Golf Course Wednesday,opening August 22

• Tryall Golf Course, opening August 23

Labels: weather

posted by Paris and John @ 2:46 PM

An Update from the Jamaica Tourist Board

Good news has continued to come in from Jamaica today in the wake of Hurricane Dean. We just received an island-wide update from the Jamaica Tourist Board. Flights resumed today into Montego Bay's Sangster International Airport and many hotels are reporting that they've had little or no damage. Here's a rundown of the latest news:

IN GENERAL

· Nearly 14,000 tourists remain on island. 5,000 residents were housed in 231
shelters throughout the island.

· Hotels are reporting no severe damage and many expect to be fully operational by the end of the day. A round-up below details specific hotels.

· All Couples Resorts, Sunset Resorts & Island Outpost properties in Jamaica have reported no damage, and with the worst now past they will be getting back to business.

MONTEGO BAY AND FALMOUTH

· No major damage was reported to tourism infrastructure in Montego Bay. In Falmouth, a few trees were down and the Falmouth Court House received minimal damage. Most damages reported were to craft markets such as Old Fort, Holiday Village, Success and Bamboo Village.

· No damage was reported to the Montego Bay Cruise Ship Terminal.

· Chukka Caribbean Adventures in Montego Bay reported no damage, and operations should be up and running by Tuesday August 22, 2007, including reinstalled canopy tour lines.

· All seven Sandals Resorts and three Beaches Resorts in Jamaica report no structural damage today as a result of Hurricane Dean.

· SuperClubs' six resorts and three affiliate hotels are open and fully operational in Jamaica

· Half Moon Resort - The 400 acre resort experience only minimal effects. There has been no physical damage to any structure or injury to any person. A survey crew assessed the property and reported only fallen trees, limbs and debris.

· Round Hill Hotel & Villas is fully operational and open for business.


KINGSTON

· Hilton Hotel suffered water damage to furniture, carpets and foliage.

· Pegasus Hotel minimal damage to foliage and windows.

· Altamont Court hotel had minimal damage to roof and foliage.

OCHO RIOS

· The following attractions reported no damage and will be opened for business on Wednesday, August 22, 2007:

· Dolphin Cove
· Dunn’s River Falls
· Prospect Plantation
· Green Grotto Cave

· Chukka Caribbean Adventures in Ocho Rios reported no damage, and operations should be up and running by Tuesday August 21, 2007, including reinstalled canopy tour lines.

• Royal Plantation in Ocho Rios, has not been directly affected by the hurricane. The hotel currently has no power but this should be remedied in the next couple of hours. Guests due to arrive at this time have the opportunity to revise their reservations and can do so by contacting the Sandals group or their travel agent.

• Jamaica Inn has a few fallen trees, but no structural damage.

· Sunset Jamaica Grande - No damage to resort. The hotel is open for all guest arrivals as of Monday, August 20, 2007.

· GOLDENEYE suffered no structural damage. Will be open for arrivals on Wednesday, August 22, 2007

· Sandcastles Resort reported no significant damage and is open for business.

SOUTH COAST

· Golf View Hotel in Mandeville reported no damage.

RPORTLAND

· Fern Hill Hotel - No significant damage reported.

· Jamaica Palace - Minimal damage to property.

NEGRIL

· Rick’s Café - Slight damage to bandstand area.

· Sunset at the Palms - No structural damage has been reported, however landscaping damage has occurred. Guests were evacuated from the resort and were accommodated at Sunset Beach Resort & Spa and Sunset Jamaica Grande Resort & Spa. The hotel will reopen for arrivals Tuesday afternoon, August 21, 2007 at which time evacuated guests will also be returned to Sunset at the Palms.

· Tensing Pen - Sustained minimal damage and should be open for business by this weekend.

Labels: Kingston, Montego Bay, Negril, Ocho Rios, weather

posted by Paris and John @ 7:56 PM