My Story

Why Jamaica Became Part of My Life

My love for Jamaica began long before I ever set foot on the island. When I was about twelve years old, I discovered reggae music and immediately fell in love with its sound, message, and culture. That connection stayed with me, and by my early twenties, I had decided to open a reggae clothing store.

I first visited Jamaica in my mid-twenties. From that first trip, the island felt like more than just a vacation destination. I returned every few years—or whenever life gave me the opportunity. Later, my wife and I visited together, and after we had children, I brought the entire family so they could experience the Jamaica I had grown to love.

Deep down, I always believed I would retire there someday. Eventually, I made that dream a reality.

I lived in Jamaica for a time, moving from Montego Bay to Hopewell and later to Rejoin. Living there gave me an entirely different understanding of the island. It was no longer a place I visited—it became part of my everyday life.

My days often began with a swim from Harmony Beach Park toward Dead End Road, beside the airport. Afterward, I would sit down with a cup of coffee, grab my spear, and head into the water to look for fish and lobster. The rest of the day was usually spent talking, laughing, and sharing time with friends.

Life in Jamaica was a wonderful experience, but it was also real life. I met many kind, generous, and unforgettable local people, along with a few who taught me to be more careful. Both the good and difficult experiences helped me understand Jamaica beyond the beaches, resorts, and travel brochures.

What I love most about Jamaica is not just its natural beauty. It is the rhythm of everyday life, the music, the sea, the conversations, and the people who made me feel at home. Jamaica gave me memories and friendships that will remain with me for the rest of my life.

That is why I created Simple Jamaica Life: to share Jamaica from a personal point of view and help others discover more than the version of the island they see from a hotel or cruise ship.

Why I Created Simple Jamaica Life

I created Simple Jamaica Life because the Jamaica I came to know was much bigger than the version most visitors see from a resort, cruise ship, or travel brochure. Those experiences can be wonderful, but they only reveal a small part of the island.

After visiting Jamaica for many years and eventually living there, I learned that understanding the island takes time. Each parish and community has its own character, and everyday life can be very different from what a first-time visitor expects. Knowing how to get around, where to find dependable services, what things should cost, and whom you can trust can make an enormous difference.

I wanted to create a place where people could find practical information alongside genuine personal experience. Simple Jamaica Life is meant to help visitors explore beyond the resort gates, help people considering a move understand the realities of living on the island, and give returning travelers new places and communities to discover.

I also want the site to provide a place for honest reviews and to introduce visitors to trustworthy local Jamaicans who offer taxi, airport transportation, guiding, and other useful services. Tourism should benefit the people who live on the island, not only large resorts and international companies.

This website is not intended to pretend that everything in Jamaica is perfect. Like every country, Jamaica has challenges, and travelers need accurate information and good judgment. My goal is to share both the beauty and the reality—the beaches and mountains, the music and food, the friendships and everyday moments, as well as the lessons I learned through experience.

Most of all, I created Simple Jamaica Life because Jamaica gave me memories, friendships, and a way of life that became an important part of who I am. This site is my opportunity to share some of that experience and help others discover the Jamaica that exists beyond the postcards.