Things I’ve seen in Dublin that I’d never seen before:

- Advertising signs with a measure of humility, “Probably the best coffee in Dublin.” And subliminal truth in advertising, like placing the “cereal bars” right alongside the candy bars:

- Ketchup in tomato containers:

- They don’t offer you bags for small purchases here. I bought a juice box, an apple, and a yogurt this morning, and the guy just gave me change and turned away.

- Giant golf umbrellas are totally acceptable for use on city sidewalks, and indeed seem to be preferred:

- Ashtrays with chimneys:

-This miserly toilet paper dispenser, which distributes a single square at a time from the center of the roll:

Maite Velez-Couto, Tara Berger, Lauren Marino, and Me at Dunn’s River Falls. (Note to self: Avoid posing next to smokin’ 20-somethings in bikinis.)

1. Climb a waterfall at Ocho Rios.

Climbing Dunn’s River Falls is one of those magical experiences that I recommend adding to your life list. I climbed the falls as a kid, and it was so epic I was anxious the return wouldn’t live up to my memories. It did. Your tour group links hands and climbs a sort of natural stairway up the side. It’s a little rigorous, but it’s one of the lovliest natural settings I’ve ever experienced. Click this link and you’ll see how gorgeous it is. See? You must do this.

2. Try the Jerk.

Scotchies boasts some of the best Jerk chicken and pork the island has to offer, prepared at a grill behind the counter. Vegetarians, you might want to avert your eyes for this next photo.

If you’re gonna go, go whole hog.

3. Swim with dolphins.

We didn’t have time to stop at Dolphin Cove, so I need you to do this for me. Dolphins! Unfortunately, no pregnant ladies or under-eights allowed. Everyone else? Get in the water.

4. Have a Ting!

A refreshing local grapefruit soda that’s my new favorite. Even better with a little vodka or rum. And while we’re on the subject of rum…

5. Sip some local rum.

Appleton is a Jamaican rum that’s been around for nearly 300 years, and the Appleton VX is delicious. Nutty, creamy, soft, but not sweet. If you’re looking for more of a dessert beverage, try a Rum Cream on the rocks, which is like Bailey’s but slightly boozier and hence better in coffee.

6. Go horse swimming, ziplining, dogsledding, or four wheeling .

I’ve already told you about the snowless dogsledding at Chukka Caribbean Adventures, but you can also do an ATV Safari or go on a horseback ride/swim where the horses head out into the ocean with you still on their backs. Yes to that.

7. Take in some history.

Rose Hall Plantation is an old plantation that offers historical tours with a twist. Legend has it the original mistress of the plantation killed all of her husbands and lovers. Now they host weddings on site! I mostly enjoyed it for all the gorgeous objects on display in the mansion.

8. Have a Jamaican Patty.

A patty is like a savory turnover, and is among the most popular fast food in Jamaica. The meat and veggie filling is spiced with cumin and curry. Tasty.

9. Go dancing.

Pier 1 was my favorite of the clubs we visited, and currently Friday is the best night to go. The locals mingle with tourists, and the vibe is very, very laid back. Street vendors wait outside, grilling jerk chicken to stave off your hangover or satisfy your munchies.

Jamaican blogger Corve DaCosta.

10. Take a Catamaran and take a leap.

The catamaran to Rick’s Cafe to see the cliff divers was one of my favorite parts of the trip. You dock at Rick’s for a meal and a swim, or to take a dive off the cliffs yourself. It’s a 40-foot drop, and a few in our group made the leap, but I stayed on the boat and danced. Someone had to guard the rum.

I’m currently on a four-hour layover at Miami International. While I’ve got some time on my hands, let me ask you something.

Were someone to offer you an unsolicited international trip via email, would you assume it’s a Nigerian prince scheme? Yeah, me too. Which is why I did a little research when the Jamaica Tourism Board contacted me about a week ago.

I know I’ve been on sponsored trips before (And I hope to take many such trips in the future! Captains of Industry, do drop me a line). But “free” travel usually comes at the end of a year-long pitch process with twenty different companies, and the conversations go like this:

-Will you stop using your laptop, and instead use our MP3 Player’s voice-activated “BlogUp!” feature?
-No.
-What if we let you keep the MP3 Player?

-Will you guarantee fifteen Tweets about video games over a two day period, using the hashtags #GameOn! #Cabo!
-No.
-What if we have our intern write the Tweets for you and set them to auto-post while you’re away?

So you can imagine my surprise when Jamaica contacted me about a week ago with a note that boiled down to, “What’s up, Maggie. Do you want to come to Jamaica?”

Uh. Yes?

And then I didn’t even bother to look for my hand-knit Rasta beret with attached dreads until a few days later when Jamaica was like, “Cool. Here’s your ticket.”

So now here I am in Miami. If you don’t hear from me in a few days, send a dispatch to Nigera, would you? Thanks a million, team.

This little red dress is one of those outfits guaranteed to make you feel happy. I got it at H&M for ten bucks. When saw the price tag, I think I may have howled at the sky in triumph. It’s poly-so it packs like a dream, even with all the ruffles.

In the morning I set out on a long walk in my sneakers and dress. It turns out the men of New York are very verbal about their appreciation for red dresses. My favorite exchange:

-That’s a real pretty red dress.
-Thanks.
-You gotta get yourself some nice stilettos to go with it though.
-Why don’t you get some stilettos to go with yours?
-…Bitch.
-Uh-huh.

The jacket is also H&M, my shoes are Puma. It was sunny and warm when I started out, and pouring by the time I arrived. I bought this umbrella along the way.

Here’s a blurry close-up of the shoes. I wasn’t sober when I took it, and I had just spilled bourbon on them. Sorry, shoes.

I wore this into Brooklyn for drinks, and it was also my traveling outfit for the next day. The shirt is Old Navy, the Jeans are Express, and my scarf is vintage.

The only thing I packed that I didn’t need on this trip was a cotton robe to use on treks to the communal bathroom at the Jane Hotel (they had robes in the room). I wore a cotton knit sundress to bed, in keeping with my philosophy of packing double-duty jammies in case I need an extra outfit.

Turns out it’s way, way easier to pack for New York in Spring than in Winter. I can’t wait for summer trips when you can take three weeks worth of clothing in a carryon.

Hey Laura, let’s take a moment to pause in the scenic parking lot outside our hotel at 2 a.m. because I forgot to take a picture of my outfit today.

Excellent. The jacket is thrifted, the purse is vintage, the expression is happy exhaustion. In real life, the blues are a little more harmonious than they appear under the parking lot spotlights.

This dress is a new favorite. I just picked it up at a vintage shop, and it fit like this right off the rack. Bam! it also rolls up into a little ball for packing and doesn’t wrinkle. Pow! Sock! Tights are from Target, and the little thing on my shoulder is a Fitbit. It’s like a pedometer that makes out with the Internet.

My shoes are also Target, and the pink purse has snaps on the side that let you make it clutch-sized, or larger like I have it here. My bracelet is from a museum shop in Buenos Aires, and so I especially enjoy it when people ask me where I got it.