Speas wrote:

The all inclusive resorts are a good way to go there given the crime problems....

I very much like the food - jerk lambchops are about the best (and hottest) thing you can put in your mouth.

We will be staying at an all inclusive on the western side of the island. The food there is said to be some of the best on the island (fingers crossed).

Speas wrote:

The murder rate is about highest in the world - something like one murder per 1600 people each year. This is in the rough areas which you wont be seeing. The touristy areas are much better but dont go exploring on your own I'd say.

I've read that, due to gang violence, Kingston reports an average of 4-6 murders daily.



*I'm still interested in book recommendations. Pirate themes ares still on my list.

I have also considered dusting off "Tucker's Last Stand"-- a nice jungle themed adventure.

I just ebayed a copy of Rafael Sabatini's Captain Blood.



Certainly a hokey title, but it sounds quite good. The main character is an Irish physician who becomes enslaved in Barbados and eventually takes up with a band of pirates.

I'll report back in the other thread once I finish it.

Two great "stranded on a tropical island" classics I've always enjoyed are:

Swiss Family Robinson (Johann Wyss) and The Coral Island (R.M. Ballantyne)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Swiss_Family_Robinson

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Coral_Island

I know they are considered juvenile fiction, but great, entertaining reads, IMO.

I actually have a copy of The Coral Island - I'd be happy to send it to you as a wedding present - shoot me a PM if you're interested (seriously).