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
Log cabin at Gourie Forest Reserve Jamaica

Gourie Forest Reserve: A Hike & Caving Guide

Tucked away in the mountains of north central Jamaica lies the Gourie Forest Reserve near Coleyville, Manchester. This beautiful mountain park falls under the auspices of the Forestry Department, a public agency responsible for Jamaica’s forest resources. Lying on 265 acres of montane land at 2000 feet above sea level, the Gourie Forest Reserve is also home to the Gourie Caves, Jamaica’s longest cave system. I’m pleased to report that Gourie is once again open to the public for visits, and who better to visit Gourie with than Trekkers Adventures Jamaica! Here’s how this adventure went + everything to know about visiting the Gourie Cave and Nature Reserve.

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Rochelle | Adventuresfromelle19 Comments

Everest Base Camp Trek: Preparation Guide for One of the World’s Best Adventures

The Everest Base Camp (EBC) trek is a bucket-list trip for numerous adventurers, drawing people from across the globe to the Himalayan heartland. It’s a hike that promises spectacular scenery, cultural immersion and the chance to stand in the shadow of the world’s highest mountain. It’s no stroll in the park though; preparation is what will make this life-changing experience comfortable and safe. Whether you’re a first-time trekker or experienced on other mountains, this guide from Bikash Khanal will get you ready for the trek’s difficulty and includes tips on physical and mental conditioning, what to pack and how to stay healthy on one of the world’s best adventures.

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Rochelle | Adventuresfromelle4 Comments
Nanny Falls in Portland, Jamaica

Nanny Falls in Portland, Jamaica: Explore its History & Beauty

Nestled in the highlands of Portland, eastern Jamaica lies the beautiful Nanny Falls. Nanny Falls is located in the historic community of Moore Town, one of Jamaica’s four remaining maroon communities. Formerly known as New Nanny Town, Moore Town was founded in 1740 after the signing of a Peace Treaty between British colonial authorities and the Windward Maroons following the First Maroon War. This treaty granted the Windward Maroons 500 acres of land on which they currently reside. Today, Moore Town is a quiet village and its residents enjoy self governance and a self-sufficient way of life in harmony with nature and ancestral ties. Despite this, Moore Town faces modern challenges such as a dwindling community and aging population, as many of its young people migrate to urban centres or overseas in search of greater opportunities. That being said, here’s how to plan a trip to Nanny Falls and enjoy a slice of Jamaica’s rich maroon heritage.

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Rochelle | Adventuresfromelle20 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

Couples Tower Isle: Elle’s Review

Couples is a local family-run resort chain founded by Abe Issa in 1949, and its Tower Isle location in St. Mary on Jamaica’s north coast serves as their flagship resort. In 1978, Couples Tower Isle became Jamaica’s first all-inclusive hotel and to this day, it’s still super all-inclusive with all meals, drinks, excursions and watersports included in one upfront fee. Couples Tower Isle has undergone numerous renovations over its 76 years in operation, but still preserves its older charm and warm casual atmosphere. As such, I ran into many guests who proudly declared that they were on their umpteenth vacation at this spot as they refuse to visit anywhere else– I think the longest I heard was 27 visits! With that said, here’s my experience and why vacationers at Couples Tower Isle keep coming back.

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Rochelle | Adventuresfromelle24 Comments

Mad River, St. Mary: A Surprise Find

Jamaica is home to over one hundred rivers, and it’s my favourite hobby to explore them as often as I can. Most Jamaicans are only aware of the popular ones so it’s quite an adventure getting to the not-so-popular ones. Directions to off-the-beaten-path rivers are often unclear, and paths are quickly swallowed up by heavy rainfall, thick overgrowth and disuse. That being said, I like the challenge. Last December, my partner and I drove to the general vicinity of one waterfall and did what we sometimes do– stop and ask community people for directions. This time we went as far as to show a local a picture of the waterfall we were seeking, yet he led us to somewhere completely different. Was this deliberate? The world may never know, but I’m not mad about finding Mad River at all.

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Rochelle | Adventuresfromelle40 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