Are you patriotic? What does being patriotic mean to you?
February around the world is a special time for people of African descent, such as myself. We celebrate the achievements of our race and our rich heritage, while pausing to reflect on the atrocities of chattel slavery which our ancestors endured and which interrupted our history for three centuries. However, in Jamaica, February has much more special meaning.
Continue reading “Reggae Month in Jamaica”
Cashless transactions are growing significantly on a global level. Countries like South Korea are leading the change with 77 percent of its citizens preferring cashless payments. Even those that are slower in adoption are already seeing a big uptick, with the Philippines seeing 33 percent of its citizens leaning towards cashless payments. With how feasible it is to get a credit card now or set up a digital wallet, it’s worth considering how practical this is when going on a trip around the world. As global travel continues to grow in the wake of the pandemic, let’s take a look at the pros and cons of travelling with a credit card.
Continue reading “15 Pros and Cons of Taking a Credit Card with You on a Trip Around the World”
Today, let’s take a break from the tropics to explore Houston, Texas. Houston is the USA’s fourth-largest metropolis and offers endless opportunities for adventure and excitement. Whether it’s soaking up the history and culture of the city or having fun in the sun, Houston has it all. This article will highlight the best adventures and activities for kids in Houston, Texas. Whether you’re looking for outdoor excitement or indoor adventures, this article covers you.
Continue reading “Discovering Houston, TX with Kids: Adventures and Activities for All Ages”
If at first you don’t succeed, try again, right? I tried visiting this waterfall one lazy afternoon in November 2022, but my travel partner and I were warned by three different residents in Cudjoe Hill that the river “come down” (was swollen) after recent heavy rainfall so that wouldn’t be a good idea. We heeded their warning and went home feeling despondent that we didn’t get to cross this one off the list. One month later we returned mid-morning and achieved success! Thus, now I can tell you all about the Mountain River Cave and Cudjoe Falls in St. Catherine. There’s some interesting Taino (Amerindian) history behind this one.
Continue reading “Mountain River Cave & Falls, Saint Catherine”
The best way to experience Jamaica is by car at your own pace. Jamaica has a wide variety of landscapes ranging from reef-lined beaches, hot dusty plains, cool rugged mountains and sweeping river valleys. This landscape diversity makes the island perfect for road trips. Jamaica has over 17,000 kilometers of road networks which connect all major towns and cities. There is always something to see out the window such as colorful urban murals, street markets, omnipresent mountains and remnants of the island’s rich colonial past such as centuries-old churches, aqueducts and courthouses. You may even pass waterfalls flowing right next to the road. Self-driving in Jamaica gives you the independence to stop as you please and absorb everything.
Continue reading “Everything To Know About Driving In Jamaica”
On the drive home from my weekend getaway at Animal Farm, my partner and I made a sightseeing detour– something which has become our norm. We had both passed signs to the Persian Water Wheel before on different occasions but never stopped. The Persian Water Wheel was built in 1798 to provide water from the Martha Brae river to the town of Falmouth in Trelawny on Jamaica’s north coast. In 2008, it was restored using many of the original parts. It still turns to this day once the river’s water level is high enough, such as after recent rainfall. The water wheel now lies on private property which is used to host events such as weddings, but thankfully we came at the end of a function and were able to view the wheel without interrupting. Here’s how this excursion went.
Continue reading “Persian Water Wheel, Trelawny”
Last year was the first year that I didn’t write an end of year review. In retrospect, I’m sorry that I skipped that tradition given that Adventures from Elle celebrated five years of existence in 2021 and had received recognition on national television and in the local paper. However, I couldn’t bring myself to write a recap publicly. 2021 was one of the most difficult years of my life, personally and professionally. The pandemic was at its peak with the delta CoVid-19 variant in circulation between August to November 2021, and I still don’t feel as if I’ve fully recovered from that trauma. However, I’m happy to report that I’m in a much better place emotionally for 2022, and my workplace + life in Jamaica are mostly back to normal. I celebrated SIX years of blogging on Adventures from Elle this month too. With that said, let’s recap 2022.
Continue reading “2022 Year in Review”
Nestled in the Montpelier Hills near Montego Bay, Jamaica lies the alluring Animal Farm and Nature Reserve. This 40-acre sanctuary sits in a lush rainforest valley which is supplied by the Great River, one of Jamaica’s fastest flowing rivers. Dr. Geoffrey Williams, the owner of Animal Farm, acquired the thickly wooded land in the 1990s and transformed it into a beautiful off-the-grid farm. Animal Farm is solar-powered, harvests water from the Great River and uses bio-gas for refrigeration and cooking. Animal Farm opened to guests in 2000 and quickly became a naturalist and ecotourist’s paradise, teeming with ferns, towering trees, flowering plants and beautiful exotic birds. Today, one can escape the hustle and bustle of city life with a stay in one of the farm’s eco-cottages, or enjoy an edutaining farm tour, hiking, birdwatching, bamboo rafting excursion or even a self-guided tour through the farm at one’s own pace. In this article, I recap my weekend getaway and share why Animal Farm deserves a spot on your Jamaican bucket list.
Continue reading “Experience Life Off the Grid at Animal Farm”
Sorrel (Hibiscus sabdariffa), also known as Jamaican hibiscus, flor de Jamaica or roselle, is one of my favourite drinks. This brightly coloured spiced beverage was traditionally consumed at Christmas, but it’s so delicious and nutritious that it’s now available commercially year round in Jamaican supermarkets and restaurants. However, sorrel is still consumed more often at Christmas and you’ll find that sorrel drink and fruitcake are the standard offerings to guests at Christmas in Jamaican homes. Thus, I thought it fitting to share our recipe and the nutritional benefits of sorrel with you all.
Continue reading “Jamaican Sorrel Drink (Recipe + Health Benefits)”
Coffee is the world’s most popular hot drink, prepared from roasted coffee beans. According to the International Coffee Organization (ICO), coffee is the second most traded commodity in the world after oil, with consumption listed at half a trillion cups per year. Humans have been drinking coffee for its stimulant properties for over one thousand years. Coffee beans were first introduced to Jamaica in 1728, and since then has had a long and intricate relationship with Jamaica’s culture and economy. Today we take a look at Jamaica’s coffee industry and figure out if Jamaican coffee is worth the price tag or not.
Continue reading “Jamaica Coffee 101: Is It Worth The Price Tag?”
Adventures from Elle 