Nowhere else in the Caribbean is the connection to Africa as keenly felt as it is in Jamaica. Kingston was the major nexus in the New World for the barbaric triangular trade that brought slaves from Africa and carried sugar and rum to Europe, and the Maroons (runaways who took to the hills of Cockpit Country and the Blue Mountains) safeguarded many of the African traditions – and introduced jerk seasoning to Jamaica’s singular cuisine.
Since escaping the injustice of the Apartheid system in 1994, the tourism industry in South Africa has boomed. While many are skeptical about a vacation there, expecting only Safaris and extreme poverty, much of South Africa has experienced unprecedented economic growth. Cape Town and Johannesburg for example, two of the most popular destinations, exquisitely balance the rural and traditional African charm of the country with modern dining, shopping, and entertainment.
