Let's face it, a vacation comes at great sacrifice. Whether it is a new gadget, an accessory or not being able to eat-out as much as you would like. The reality is, you have to give up something in order to obtain what you need, I'm recalling the concept of "opportunity cost" from college economics here...

Local mobile service provider LIME, yesterday announced its one rate billing plan which charges a measly US$0.04 per minute on all calls. Oh, oh, they've even taken that offer one step further by billing you PER SECOND!!!!.  Did we just hear you yell awesome? Thought so...

Look, these rates apply for all local calls, as well as those to the USA, Canada and UK Landlines.

Now when you couple this offer with a 4G data plans for as little as US$1.15 per day, why'd you agree to have your mobile provider charge you for roaming. Seriously? In the age of BBM and WHATSAPP it's virtually free to send text, video and audio messages to those who matter most. Then again, there's also our FREE high speed in-room wifi access in the event you do not care to part with that extra dollar each day. A dollar saved is truly a dollar worth spending for local 'Juici Patties' goodness.

HERE'S WHAT WE RECOMMEND

Call our reservation team after you've made your booking. You may choose to purchase a SIM card for use with your own phone or get a courtesy mobile from us (subject to availability and may not offer data or internet services).

1.Disable your phone transmitter/ antenna when you board the aircraft to Jamaica.     In the event you have to switch it on to retrieve anything when you get here, the         phone will not register on local networks and start charging you for roaming.
2. Ensure your mobile device is GSM compatible (uses a SIM card).
3. The device should be unlocked for International use.
4. Insert local SIM card, switch on phone and device will now register on network.
5. Call everywhere and anywhere you wish to. (It's prepaid so it'll disconnect when you run outa juice or call credits)

Please note that Jamaica has not yet moved to offering minutes for pre-paid packages due to varying market rates and networks available. Call credits will then expire after your per minute/second billing cycles come into effect. Please remember that stays for a minimum of  seven (7) nights at Condos at the Ridge will automatically include a mobile phone with call credits. Hmmm hmmm.

Have a great weekend y'all and we hope that this new development will just help further in making us your preferred lodging option in experiencing "a better way to vacation" in Ocho Rios, Jamaica.

Contributor,

Brian G

So after many weeks of speculating, then backing and forthing with the decision whilst trying to not have it escalated to being a human rights issue. Our management team today decided to show solidarity for our two most highly traded currencies and proposed a union of sorts. (pause)

DRUM ROLL PLEASE:

The Canadian Dollar is now being traded at PAR with the United States Dollar and what this now means, is that our friends from the land further up north will now have even greater spending power when vacationing at Condos at the Ridge. YAY!!!

There's no more need to be lugging a conversion table with you everywhere, as now a dollar is just a dollar or a loonie,  just as how it was intended to be from the days of the abacus was being used to perform the most complex of mathematical calculations involving pharmaceuticals and volatile compounds ;D.

Just imagine the possibilities! Starting this moment you can settle that tab, make a reservation deposit and even tip fairly with your own lil loonie.

Have a great weekend now y'all and keep in mind that at Condos at the Ridge we are always in search of ways to make sure we remain your top choice and most definitely "a better way to vacation".

See you soon
Brian G

Taking a vacation should be just that: taking a vacation. It provides that opportunity to unwind with all your cares being catered to by someone else other than your close friends and family.

Carrying money on vacation is a balancing act between safety and utility. Making money difficult to access deters thieves, but when it comes time to pay for something, you still want to be able to get to it without stripping off clothes or playing hide-and-seek with a bag's hidden pockets. With that in mind, here are 10 tips for carrying money safely and elegantly when you travel.

Jamaica hosts many festivals yearly dedicated the the Arts and Literature. The month of February is no exception, as it is deemed not only Black History Month, but to us Jamaicans it also represents International Reggae Month.

This musical genre is uniquely Jamaican. The proud father of the Reggaeton and Dancehall, which have both spawned huge followings, as well as fashion and cultural trends internationally. Most recognised as masters of this art form are: Bob Marley, Jimmy Cliff and Bunny Wailer among numerous others who have helped move this form of expression from the ghettos of inner-city  Jamaica, to international stages and the far corners of the earth.

In place of putting together a made-up travel grant for your parents or grandparents, you could, of course, apply for a real one. Students, researchers, volunteers, and teachers can obtain travel grants through various public and private agencies. Your trip has to have some kind of educational or developmental purpose to be grant-worthy. But if you think you might meet the requirements, it can't hurt to look into the many programs that offer considerable travel funds for qualified globetrotters.

Find a good list of programs on Matador Network. StudyAbroad.com also has a useful list of travel grants and scholarships for which students can apply.
(contribution via  www.smartertravel.com)