J is for...

Jamaica!

Another place I would love to visit.

Idyllic white sand beaches and tropical blooms sitting on a backdrop of blue mountain peaks... Who wouldn't want to go there?

Dunn's River falls

Jamaica is the third largest island in the Caribbean. Here are some tourist attractions to check out if you're going there: Dunn's River falls in St. Ann, YS falls in St. Elizabeth and the Blue Lagoon in Portland.

YS falls

It was once a Spanish possession (Christopher Colombus 1494) known as Santiago, in 1655 it became English and later a British colony, known as "Jamaica". Full independence was achieved in 1962. But it still remains a Commonwealth realm with Queen Elizabeth II as head of state. I've got nothing against her, but how many countries does she need?

Blue Lagoon

I love the name of their National Bird: Doctor Bird, seriously, that's the name! The Latin name is Trochilus Polytmus.

Doctor Bird

Although not many of the films are made there, Ian Flemming, who lived in Jamaica, repeatedly used the island as a setting in the James Bond novels. Live and Let Die, Doctor No, and For Your Eyes Only is just a few examples.

Kingston

But Jamaica isn't just a pretty paradise island. When I read this next fact I almost changed my mind about wanting to go there.

Jamaica has had one of the highest murder rates in the world for many years, according to UN estimates. Some areas of Jamaica, particularly big cities such as Kingston, experience high levels of crime and violence.

As if that wasn't enough...

Many Jamaicans are hostile towards LGBT (Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) and intersex people. Various mob attacks against gay people have been reported, prompting human rights groups to call Jamaica "the most homophobic place on earth".

I'm not lesbian or bisexual or anything, but I believe everyone should be allowed to be with whomever they want (as long as it's not illegal like anyone underage or family etc.) without judgement. You can't choose who to love, it just happens.