By Janet Silvera, Gleaner Writer 
Carson 'Eddy' Edwards of WVCG 1080 AM and Pat Montague of WAVS 1170AM and WVCG 1080 AM enjoying a meal at Ritz-Carlton's Horizon restaurant. - Contributed
WESTERN BUREAU:
A POST-HURRICANE recovery tour by patriotic Caribbean journalists based in the United States, kicked off in Kingston on Tuesday and culminates in fine style at the Ritz-Carlton Rose Hall today (Sunday).
Awaiting the group of 10 media personnel at the Ritz-Carlton's Horizon restaurant on Thursday night, an interesting side order of coconut rice served with blackened Atlantic grouper, jerked chicken with fettuccini, delicious crusty salmon and mouth-watering lobster tails.
Initially their trip to Jamaica was planned by the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) as part of the tourism week of activities, but with the devastation caused by Hurricane Ivan the familiarisation trip was concentrated extensively on the tourism product.
"It is the first time that the JTB has made a concerted effort to bring a Jamaican/Caribbean team to assist in promoting the island," said Irwine Clare of HardbeatNews.com, an Internet news service out of New York.
STRONG MESSAGE
He said it is consistent with something else that was launched earlier this year, the Diaspora Conference, which highlighted the need for a more sensitive approach to Jamaicans overseas.
"When overtures like these take place, it sends a strong message," he concluded.
The group was hosted by the Hilton Kingston Hotel; they devoured pastries at Devon House in St. Andrew, gambled at Caymanas Park in St. Catherine and went river tubing at Chukka Blue in St. Ann.
Journalist Vinette Pryce of Caribbean Life, the New York Beacon and WBAI FM, who is known as a guinep fanatic, bought several bunches of fruit at Flat Bridge in St. Catherine and the rest of group dared not ask her for a taste.
High voltage Joan Savoury, formerly of California's Heart Beat Television spent two hours in the jacuzzi at Sans Souci Hotel, reportedly causing an electrical outage at that hotel and the Jamaica Inn close by on Wednesday night.
GAWKED AT EXOTIC DANCERS
And some male members of the group gawked at exotic dancers at Foxy's in Ocho Rios, but would prefer if Director General Carrole Guntley was not made aware of this activity.
On Friday, Montego Bay was highlighted and even Roberta Flack in concert was squeezed into the tight itinerary. Saturday saw the group sampling the world famous seven-mile stretch of beach in Negril, boating along with the crocodiles on the Black River Safari and , climbing the unspoiled YS Falls in St. Elizabeth as well as tasting true Jamaican rum at the Appleton Estate.
The group was escorted by Dollis Campbell of Jamventure Tours and Services and Lyndon Taylor of Ruder Finn, New York.
Carson 'Eddy' Edwards of WVCG 1080 AM, Derrice Dean and Melvin of Voice of America and Carib Nation Television, Anthony Turner of WGUN and WRTN, Pat Montague representing WAVS 1170AM and WVCG 1080 AM, Leona Minto of Caribbean American Commentary newspaper and Gordon Williams of Caribbean Today comprised the team.
