Exploring the Cultural Ties Between Scotland & Jamaica

This lush and culturally diverse Caribbean island carries within its history various influences, including that of Scotland. Our Scottish connection dates back to 1656 when Oliver Cromwell banished 1200 Scottish prisoners-of-war to Jamaica, England’s recently acquired colony. Subsequently, the practice of banishing Scottish exiles to Jamaica continued, and several thousand more Scotsmen came to Jamaica as indentured and skilled labourers with the promise of land and other riches. Eventually, Scottish settlers became involved in the slave trade and used enslaved Africans as their labour force on the sugar plantations. As such, Scottish and Jamaican history are intricately intertwined, albeit ghastly in many ways. Today, I’ll share five tangible ways in which Scotland has shaped Jamaican society.

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Rochelle | Adventuresfromelle26 Comments

A Local’s Guide to Spanish River in Portland

Oh Portland, my favourite parish! I recently celebrated my birthday by rafting on the Rio Grande, followed by a weekend stay at the Orange Bay Camp Ground. Before visiting, I’d scanned the area for hidden gems I could combine with this trip and realized that the Spanish River would be in close proximity. A section of it which we wanted to visit is now unfortunately commercialized and closed to the public unless previously reserved and in groups of 20+ persons. However, by local tip I discovered this inexpensive section at the mouth of the Spanish River where it meets the sea. Here’s how it went.

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Rochelle | Adventuresfromelle26 Comments

Rafting on the Rio Grande in Portland, Jamaica

Rio Grande was the final river to complete my Jamaican bamboo rafting bucket list. This rafting experience is the most meaningful, as the Rio Grande is the birthplace of rafting in Jamaica. Originally designed to transport bananas from deep inland to the coast for export, these bamboo rafts were made popular by Errol Flynn in the early 1900s for recreation. The Rio Grande is one of Jamaica’s largest rivers at 3034km and lies in a beautiful valley. Rio Grande was named by early Spanish settlers in the 1500s, and rafting down a 10-km stretch of it is now one of Jamaica’s top tourist attractions. Here’s how my birthday rafting trip to the Rio Grande went.

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Rochelle | Adventuresfromelle36 Comments

Culinary Delights on Jamaica’s North Coast

Although I seldom visit because I’m too busy discovering gems closer to home, Jamaica’s north coast is lovely! Our north coast has breathtaking white sand beaches, beautiful waterfalls cascading through lush rainforests and also a vibrant culinary scene. With a rich blend of flavours influenced by indigenous ingredients, our African heritage, European legacy and Asian fusion cuisines, the North Coast offers a gastronomic journey like no other. In this article, I’ll take you on a culinary tour of four restaurants on Jamaica’s North Coast. Each of these establishments brings a unique perspective to the island’s culinary offerings, celebrating local ingredients and traditions while also introducing innovative twists. The atmosphere at these four restaurants is also a treat.

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Rochelle | Adventuresfromelle26 Comments

Forgotten Footprints: Welsh Legacy in Jamaica

Last week’s article on Oktoberfest & Jamaica’s German legacy was so well received that I decided to continue this history series. Plus, this research is super fun! Similar to the Germans, the Welsh migrated to Jamaica in smaller droves but their presence is a lot more tangible today. The Welsh arrived to Jamaica alongside the British in the mid-1600s, but even before then Welsh pirate Henry Morgan was already raiding settlements and shipping bases in Port Royal. In fact, Henry Morgan was one of the richest pirates in the Caribbean and served as one of Jamaica’s earliest Lieutenant Governors under British rule. Most Welsh migrants to Jamaica were ministers of religion and plantation managers especially from the Anglican, Moravian and Methodist faiths. Others were artisans, sailors and labourers. With that said, let’s share five facts about Welsh legacy in Jamaica.

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Rochelle | Adventuresfromelle24 Comments

Why Chronology Is My Favourite Album

For a Jamaican, I have quintessential music taste. Sure, I do listen to lots of other things but reggae is my favourite music genre by far, as I’ve already written about with a previous WordPress prompt. In fact, I feel very happy to live in the birthplace of reggae and I’m very proud of the artistes who spread our music culture across the globe. We celebrate reggae music every week with numerous live music events across Jamaica’s capital city of Kingston, and each February is designated as Reggae Month in Jamaica.

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Rochelle | Adventuresfromelle25 Comments

The Untold Story of Germans in Jamaica

Did you know that Jamaica has German history? Their numbers were significantly smaller compared to other European immigrants, but they are still a visible minority group thanks to The Jamaican German Society which works closely with the German Embassy in Kingston. Today, German isn’t spoken in Jamaica nor taught in Jamaican schools or universities but it’s still possible to enjoy a taste of Germany in Jamaica as the two countries have an intertwined history and diplomatic ties. In commemoration of Oktoberfest, today I’ll share five facts about German legacy in Jamaica.

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Rochelle | Adventuresfromelle8 Comments

Langley Great House, Saint Andrew

Langley Great House is a hidden gem located just off the Mount Airy main road in Mount James, rural St. Andrew. With no work for a 3 day weekend, my partner and I decided it would be worth the trek to visit despite finding very little useful information about it online. It ended up being very easy to find, hiding in plain sight! I hope that this article will stir new interest in Langley Great House because it would benefit from some investment and TLC– as is the case with all public ruins and great houses in Jamaica. Here’s how this adventure went.

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Rochelle | Adventuresfromelle24 Comments

The 10 Best Hiking Trails in Jamaica

Did you know that the Caribbean island of Jamaica is 50% mountain? The island is often associated with reggae music and relaxing on the sand, but the diverse terrain makes Jamaica good for hiking too. From misty mountains to cascading waterfalls, Jamaica’s hiking trails offer an unforgettable adventure so, nature enthusiasts and explorers, book that flight! Even better, hiking in Jamaica is safe as we have no venomous snakes or dangerous animals in our montane forests. Here are the 10 best hiking trails in Jamaica, each promising unique vistas and unforgettable experiences. These are my tried and true experiences on the island to date in no particular order.

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Rochelle | Adventuresfromelle19 Comments

Hiking the Cunha Cunha Pass in St. Thomas

Have you ever done a hike which you know will forever be etched in your memory? I first heard about the Cunha Cunha Pass trail in high school history classes, as it’s an important Maroon trail filled with rich history. I’ve had it on my list to visit for years, but my compact car is not built for the treacherous roads which lead to Hayfield, St. Thomas– the start-point of this hike. That being said, the opportunity to visit Cunha Cunha Pass with Trekkers Adventures Jamaica knocked on Emancipation Day last month, and I answered the call! Here’s how it went + everything to know about this Jamaican national monument.

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Rochelle | Adventuresfromelle26 Comments