Catherine’s Peak: St. Andrew’s Highest Point

Catherine’s Peak, located in the Jamaican Blue Mountains, is the highest point in the parish of St. Andrew. This peak is named after Catherine Long, the wife of Sir Henry Moore who served as the Governor of Jamaica in the mid-1700s, as she is believed to be the first white woman to climb the 5,050-foot-high peak in 1760. Catherine’s Peak is an easy trail– perfect for beginner hikers, and starts at Newcastle, the JDF military base nestled in the Blue Mountains. Here’s everything you need to know about hiking to Catherine’s Peak.

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Rochelle | Adventuresfromelle5 Comments

Catalyst Campus: Jamaica’s Premier Hub for Coworking & Innovation

In today’s rapidly evolving global economy, innovation and entrepreneurship are the engines driving growth, job creation and competitiveness. Recognizing this, the Novamed Consulting Group has added Catalyst Campus to their dynamic portfolio. Catalyst Campus is Kingston‘s premier coworking space and innovation hub. I had the pleasure of attending their soft launch last month, so read on to learn everything about this new innovative arena.

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Rochelle | Adventuresfromelle14 Comments

Rafjam: Exploring the B&B and Waterfall

Nestled in the charming mountains overlooking Kingston lies the Rafjam Bed and Breakfast. My first visit to Rafjam happened by chance. Earlier this month, I visited the C-Pond Waterfall in Gordon Town and since that trail took less time than anticipated, we made the spontaneous decision to add this delightful B&B and its waterfall to the itinerary. Rafjam is located in Irish Town, a town that was originally inhabited by Irish settlers who came to work on Jamaica’s Blue mountain coffee farms in the 1700s– hence the name. Perfect for nature-loving friends and families, here’s my review and why you should take a day trip– or spend the night– at the Rafjam Bed and Breakfast.

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Rochelle | Adventuresfromelle11 Comments

C-Pond Waterfall: An Adventure in Gordon Town, St. Andrew

It gets clearer to me with each adventure why Jamaica’s first inhabitants named the island Xaymaca which translates to Land of Wood and Water. Much of Jamaica is comprised of mountains and karst topography, giving rise to numerous caves, springs, sinkholes and rivers. It’s no wonder then that after eight years of intentionally exploring Jamaica, I still discover new hidden gems fairly often. After hearing about the C-Pond Waterfall in Gordon Town, St. Andrew for the first time last year, it went on my local bucket list. Now that I’ve finally visited, today I can tell you all about it!

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Rochelle | Adventuresfromelle16 Comments

Into The Hills: A Hike To Hermitage Dam

Some gems are hidden in your own backyard! I first visited the Hermitage Dam in 2016 after I took a wrong trail to the Falling Edge Falls. Eight years later, my return visit was intentional. The Hermitage Dam and Reservoir is a concrete gravity dam on the Wag Water River located in Hermitage, a small district of Stony Hill in the St. Andrew parish. The Hermitage Dam is owned by the National Water Commission of Jamaica, and was built in 1924 then commissioned in 1927 with the sole purpose of providing municipal water to the Kingston & St. Andrew parishes. Unlike the Mona Reservoir, Kingston Metropolitan Area’s larger source of municipal water, Hermitage is not designed nor promoted for recreational use but I hope that’ll change one day as the surrounding area is quite beautiful and holds much potential.

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Rochelle | Adventuresfromelle17 Comments

St. Peters Waterfall, Saint Andrew

A few weeks ago, I visited the Cinchona Botanical Garden on a hike with Trekkers Adventures JA which began at Newcastle, a JDF soldier camp and training ground in the beautiful Jamaican Blue Mountains. Cinchona had been on my bucket list for years and I had a blast. My only regret was not having had enough time to visit this beautiful nameless waterfall in St. Peters which I had heard and spotted along the way. As such, I vowed to return on my own to visit this hidden gem before I forgot the directions– or the trail grew too overgrown as it is scarcely used. So said, so done! The tiny community of St. Peters in east rural St. Andrew is home to Blue Mountain coffee farms and one of the most breathtaking waterfalls I have ever witnessed. Here’s how this adventure went.

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Rochelle | Adventuresfromelle19 Comments

Clydesdale National Forest Park, Saint Andrew

Nestled within the lush and mystical Jamaican Blue Mountains lies the Clydesdale National Forest Park, a hidden gem filled with history and untamed natural beauty. Originally founded in the 1700s, Clydesdale was the first place in Jamaica to grow coffee in commercial quantities after its founder recognized the superior quality of the beans thanks to the Blue Mountains’ unique cool and moist growing conditions. Whether you’re a a hiker, camper, birdwatcher, history buff or nature lover, Clydesdale National Forest Park has something in store for you. Here’s how my visit to Clydesdale went in October 2024 + how to plan a visit.

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Rochelle | Adventuresfromelle21 Comments

Cinchona Botanical Garden, Saint Andrew

Nestled in the Blue Mountains, Jamaica’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, this beautiful botanical garden is named for its cinchona trees which were first planted in 1868. Cinchona trees are used to make quinine, a medicine used in the treatment of malaria, the serious mosquito-borne illness which has been eradicated from Jamaica since 1965. Located at between 4500 and 5500 feet above sea level, Cinchona Botanical Gardens boasts the record of Highest Botanical Garden in the Western Hemisphere. For these reasons, Cinchona has long been on my Jamaican bucket list but visits require either a 4×4 or hiking with an experienced guide. As such, I finally accomplished the trek with the illustrious company of Trekkers Adventures JA. Here’s how this adventure went + why you should visit!

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Rochelle | Adventuresfromelle23 Comments
Sunset and fog over the mountains with bird perched on tree branch

Alpinia: An Urban Oasis In Kingston, Jamaica

As a proud native of Kingston, Jamaica, I’m always happy to show off my city. This diverse city is the capital of Jamaica, and boasts a rich vibrant culture- home to the best of the island’s music, art, food, sports and cultural events. Kingston city is closely intertwined with the parish of St. Andrew, and boasts unbridled natural beauty in its three suburban city limits. Tucked away in the city’s sublime suburbs of Stony Hill lies Alpinia– an affordable one bedroom apartment and Kingston’s newest Airbnb. Here’s why you should book Alpinia on your next visit to Kingston, Jamaica.

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Rochelle | Adventuresfromelle16 Comments

6 Jamaican Rivers You Can Visit Without Leaving Kingston & St. Andrew

Jamaica is renowned for its stunning beaches, vibrant culture and lush landscapes. While locals and visitors alike usually flock to the coast, the interior regions of Kingston & St. Andrew offer a treasure trove of natural wonders waiting to be discovered. Among these treasures are beautiful rivers, each with its own unique charm and allure. From cascading waterfalls to serene swimming spots, here are six rivers you can explore without a long drive, paying toll or leaving Kingston & St. Andrew.

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Rochelle | Adventuresfromelle13 Comments