Flavors of Jamaica

We're off to enjoy the balmy weather and laid-back lifestyle of sunny Jamaica. Created for a luxury resort near Montego Bay, my client wanted an illustrated map that reflected the rich and colorful nature of this verdant Caribbean island nation. Highlights of Jamaica were to be incorporated into the illustration, some of them well known tourist sites, others perhaps a little more off the beaten path.

Flying into Jamaica, my map indicates the two main airports. In the southern part of the island, Norman Manley International is located in Kingston, the capital of Jamaica. Sangster International is in Montego Bay to the north. Sangster is also home to the IAM Private Jet Centre, just in case any of you jet-setters care to zip on over in your Gulfstream for the weekend.

Now Jamaica is a fairly large island in the West Indies, tucked just below Cuba and to the left of Haiti and the Dominican Republic. For the sake of the blog, let's pretend that we're landing at Montego Bay, which is the airport closest to the resort. But there is just so much to see and do in Jamaica, I suggest that we take a leisurely tour around the island first. Don't worry, there will be lots of opportunities to relax and enjoy ourselves and who knows, maybe even take a side trip or two.

Heading southwest from the airport, our first stop is bound to be truly refreshing, although some might feel a distinct pang of white-knuckled fear. We’re going to experience, first hand, the thrills and chills of cliff diving. It’s time to don your swimsuit. Perhaps not as dramatic as the famous cliff diving area of Acapulco, the rocky cliffs of Negril still offer an opportunity to shout "banzai", or maybe just let out a blood-curdling scream of fear, as we hurl ourselves with abandon into the swirling turquoise waters below. Personally, this is where I draw the line. Where’s my stunt double?

Ok, I don't know about you, but after that riveting experience, I’m thirsty. Let's head up the Black River. It’s time for a little side trip. My plan is to kick back for a while and enjoy a sip or two of that world-famous Jamaican rum. Ahhh, the historic Appleton Estate...now we’re talking. Rum has been made here since 1749, and these folks definitely have the recipe for turning sugar into a little taste of heaven. We can take a tour of the distillery, view the shimmering fields of sugar cane waving gently in the soft breeze, and then sample the wares. Smooth.

Now as much as I could linger here a while, we’d best get back to our vicarious tour. Heading southeast we travel through a few of Jamaica’s 14 parishes. The very British sounding Saint Elizabeth, Manchester, Clarendon, Saint Catherine and Saint Andrew hint at a time in Jamaica’s history as a former British colony. North of Alligator Pond (love that name) is Mandeville Golf Club which is the oldest golf course in the Caribbean.

Heading past May Pen and Spanish Town, once the capital, we arrive in Kingston, the current capital. With the rugged Blue Mountains as a backdrop, this is Jamaica’s cosmopolitan center of government and commerce and home to many reggae stars as well. Protecting the natural harbor, a long strip of land known as the Palisadoes connects the Norman Manley International Airport with Kingston.

Getting hungry? Me, too. As we round the southeastern tip of Jamaica and head up the coast, we come to Boston Bay at Port Antonio, home of Jamaica’s world renowned Boston Jerk. The enticing aromas of spices, herbs, chilies and grilling meats are calling my name. Let’s eat.

Now it’s time for another little side trip. Besides, all that jerk has made me thirsty again. This time we’re heading inland, up into the beautiful, and aptly named, Blue Mountains that run through the the southeastern part of the island. Right about now, I’m craving a steaming cup of java, and the island’s famous Blue Mountain coffee is just around the next bend. Yes, caffeine rules.

Traveling back to the coast we turn westward. All you movie buffs, listen up. Just past Port Maria lies Oracabessa, home to Golden Eye, and the birthplace of Mr. Suave himself, Bond...James Bond.

The time for some wet and wild fun has arrived, and I am so ready to get out and stretch my legs. Put your swimsuit on again, as we’re off to Dunn’s River Falls, just west of Ocho Rios, where thousands of waterfalls cascade over terraced rock formations. Gushing down from the mountains, the water tumbles and splashes through this series of rocky plateaus, forming quiet pools before reaching the next tier of boulders on its journey to the sea. On with our water shoes and off we go as we climb ever higher through the maze of waterfalls, lush ferns and tropical forest. Exhilarating.

Inland from Dunn’s River lies a tiny town named Nine Mile. This rural mountain village is famous as the birthplace of reggae king Bob Marley. It’s a long and winding road to get to this destination, so I think we'll save it for a later journey. My favorite tidbit about this hamlet is that it was named Nine Mile because it is located approximately one mile from another town named Eight Mile.

Well, we are nearing our final destination, but I’ve got one more special treat planned for you. And I promise, it’s definitely worth the trip. Traveling westward along the gorgeous coastline we now head inland following the Martha Brae River. Hey Man, it’s time to chill. Take a seat next to me as we journey down the peaceful Martha Brae on our own personal bamboo raft. Our guide uses a pole to steer the craft as we lazily drift along. Lining the banks of the river are palm trees, fruit trees and flowers. Birds glide above us. There must be a million colors of green here. So placid. So serene. Look, there’s a Doctor Bird, the hummingbird that is Jamaica’s national bird.

As we near Montego Bay, the last leg of our coastal tour takes us past renowned golf courses including White Witch and Cinnamon Hill. Rose Hall, the supposedly haunted historic Great House with an infamous past deserves a visit as well, but we’ll save that for another time. We’ve arrived at Half Moon Resort, an idyllic retreat where we can soak up all the beauty and luxury that Jamaica has to offer. Personally, I’m ready to hit the beach and lounge in the shade of a nearby palm tree. Time for some serious relaxation with a good book and maybe another taste of Jamaica’s finest rum.

It has been a pleasure having you along for the journey as we have sipped and dined and splashed and reggae-d our way around Jamaica. Come with me next time as we travel the world through my pictorial maps. Until then, I’ll leave you with a recipe for a delicious rum martini, the perfect beachside cocktail:

JAMAICAN RUM MARTINI

Ingredients:
2.5 ounces Jamaican Rum
0.5 ounces Dry Vermouth

Directions:
Fill a shaker half full with ice cubes. Pour rum and vermouth into shaker and shake well. Strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with either a twist of lemon or an almond-stuffed olive. Enjoy!

Who Says We're Not in Kansas Anymore?

Come with me as we journey through the Great Plains of Kansas. Too boring, you say. Too flat. Well, as a pictorial map illustrator I love a challenge. And here, the directive was clear: make this a fun and entertaining visual representation with broad appeal. Even Toto would agree, this map of Kansas looks like it could be a pretty entertaining road trip.

In this illustration, created for the 2009-2010 Kansas Official Visitors Guide, Interstate Highway 70 runs a east/west route roughly through the center of the state. Geared to families traveling through the heartland, the map showcases plenty of tourist attractions across the land. OK everybody, it's time to get in the car.

Beginning in the east, where Kansas borders Missouri along the banks of the Mississippi River, our first stop is Topeka, capital of the state. Now the client had requested that certain towns in Kansas needed to be highlighted with an illustration. In the case of Topeka, the capital shape looks like many other typical, bland/grand capital buildings across the country. Hmm, how to distinguish it, I wondered. Then I saw him. Balancing atop the dome, in all his bronze glory is the famous sculpture named "Ad Astra", meaning "to the stars". Depicting a Kansa Native American hunter, Ad Astra stands tall with his bow and arrow aimed toward the North Star. Created by Kansas artist Richard Bergen, the image of this unique sculpture is just what I needed to distinguish my depiction of the capital.

On to our next stop, Wamego, just north of I-70. For many, especially any little munchkins along for the ride, this just might be the favorite destination on our road trip. Home to the Oz Museum, this place celebrates all aspects of the famous book and movie. My favorite character has always been The Tin Woodsman, so here was my opportunity to pay homage to this silvery star of the silver screen.

Just west of Wamego, in Manhattan, we encounter what may be an attraction to some and a place to be avoided at all costs by others. In any case, The Insect Zoo, at Kansas State University, is a creepy crawly place...literally. Here you can "enjoy", so to speak, hands-on displays of preserved, live and fossil insects.

Moving right along, The Zoo at Rolling Hills is our next destination. Located in Salina, just south of I-70, many wild animals that are listed as threatened or endangered in their native habitats can be viewed here. Check out the orangutans, giraffes and giant anteaters. Tigers, with their bold contrasting markings have always looked beautiful to me, so of course I had to feature this remarkable animal in my illustration. And besides, they may be wild, but they seem ever so much more cuddly that a red leaf cutter ant from the Insect Zoo.

Our next stop is bound to be one of the most strange and eerie yet compelling bits of Americana we will witness on our journey. The Garden of Eden, in Lucas, is a limestone Cabin Home surrounded by fantastical sculptures of all kinds. Biblical scenes, angels, devils, soldiers, Indians, animals and many other distorted figures and objects are depicted in this wild array of artistic expression dating from the early 1900s. Somehow, the sculptural figures of a man and woman with an American flag caught my eye, and they became the focus for this destination's illustration.

Moving ever westward, we arrive in Hays, home of The Frontier Park. Now I don't know for sure if the deer and the antelope play here, but the buffalo definitely do roam here. The park has maintained a herd of the critters here for more than 40 years. Well, as buffalo are the main attraction here, my job of choosing a subject matter was pretty well predetermined, but I couldn't resist adding in a few prairie dogs for good measure. Whatever one thinks of prairie dogs, they certainly have a "cuteness" factor and a charm that is hard to deny.

OK, so what are you getting me for Christmas this year? Well, if we're making this trip anytime between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day, in WaKeeny, it is always December 25th. Billing itself as the "Christmas City of the High Plains", this town goes all out to decorate itself from top to bottom with twinkling lights, decorated trees and an abundance of holiday cheer. Speaking of cheer, one of Santa's ubiquitous elves seems like the perfect little symbol for this ode to all things Christmas.

Our final stop in in Goodland. Now just imagine, we're driving along, it's a warm summer day, the flat landscape is filled with sunflowers waving in the breeze, and all at once, literally out of the blue, we encounter a giant, and I mean giant, artist's easel displaying a huge reproduction of Van Gough's famous Sunflowers painting. At 80 feet high, you will definitely not miss this stunning landmark. And of course, nothing could be a more fitting tribute to the Sunflower State.

I hope you have enjoyed our road trip across Kansas. Before we part ways I want to point out a few of the elements I incorporated into the border of the map. No trip to Kansas would be complete without a nod to the seemingly endless array of windmills marching across the landscape. Native American tipis, beadwork designs and arrowheads, cowboy hats and boots are all a part of the history of Kansas. And the Golden Eagle, sheaves of wheat, elk and and even the Kansas state bird, the Western Meadowlark make an appearance among the sunflowers. I look forward to seeing you on our next map tour.