JAMAICA! - JOIN THE FLAG IN 2008!

Behind Barbados, Jamaica is the name that sells the Caribbean. It's the idea of a people that haven't a concern in the world. It's mile after mile of glorious beaches. It's rum! It's Reggae! It's the scent of 'wild herb'! It's all that, but maybe a little out of perspective when there's cricket in Kingston, not one of the world's most easy going cities!

WEST INDIES GREAT MICHAEL HOLDING INVITES ALL FLAGGERS TO JAMAICA

The perception that Kingston is dangerous isn't far from the truth, but over the years Kingston has definitely changed; that is quite noticeably for the better.

Behind Barbados, Jamaica is the name that sells the Caribbean. It's the idea of a people that haven't a concern in the world. It's mile after mile of glorious beaches. It's rum! It's Reggae! It's the scent of 'wild herb'! It's all that, but maybe a little out of perspective when there's cricket in Kingston, not one of the world's most easy going cities! The perception that Kingston is dangerous isn't far from the truth, but over the years Kingston has definitely changed; that is quite noticeably for the better.

A city where you don't walk alone in places, you've still got to get to the game and enjoy yourself so with greater awareness Kingston is sure to surprise the uninitiated. Leisure and business travellers reside in the commercial hub of New Kingston 5km north of Downtown. Though having been cleaned up, Downtown Kingston is where the real Jamaica lives, far from the developed coastal resorts of Ocho Rios, Negril, and Montego Bay, but close to the mad supporters that fill Sabina Park when Australia is in town.

Downtown, a tourist will appear lost amid the crowds that frantically trade along the Chock-a-Block streets, though still should be seen, albeit with a fair dose of caution and close company! Saying that, Sabina Park is where you can go alone and not concern over anything more than how much you can exhiliaration you can consume in a day as passion grips the cricket loving public!

Cricket across the Caribbean might seem much of the same to many but each island is so unique in culture, history, people, and parties, don't be too misguided with a belief that you've seen one island, you've seen them all. Jamaica, with it's heady nightlife and broadband music that frame several great days at Sabina, will be one of the more intense cricket pleasures to greet you around the West Indies!

If you are however short of time, join The Flag in Montego Bay for the opening Game and get the taste of two Caribbean islands in one.

CARIBBEAN FLAGS ARE BRIGHT AND BOLD, AND IN 2008 WILL BE JOINED WITH PLENTY OF OURS, AND YOURS TOO!

Luke Gillian 02/12/2007 04:00:55