A Visit to the Old Pera Windmill & Beach

Old Pera, a small village in St. Thomas, Jamaica’s easternmost parish, is home to a historic windmill and beach by the same name. Built around 1780, this windmill is a remnant of the sugar estates which once dotted Jamaica. The Pera Estate dates back to 1682 and was originally owned by Sir Thomas Lynch, an English lawyer who had three stints as Governor of Jamaica before his death in 1684. The estate was eventually subdivided into two: New Pera and Old Pera, both of which are sleepy rural villages today. Here’s what’s left of them.

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Rochelle | Adventuresfromelle8 Comments

A Visit to the Stokes Hall Great House in St. Thomas

The Stokes Hall Great House in St. Thomas first piqued my interest three years ago when I researched and visited the Colbeck Castle in Old Harbour, St. Catherine. Both great houses bear some similarity, but Stokes Hall is smaller in size and was built thirty years later. Stokes Hall was constructed in the early 1700s by Luke Stokes, a former Governor of the island of Nevis who came to Jamaica shortly after the British captured the island from the Spanish. Today let’s explore what’s left of the great house.

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Rochelle | Adventuresfromelle11 Comments

Stony Gut: Birthplace of Jamaica’s National Hero

Walking through Stony Gut is like walking on Jamaican holy ground. Stony Gut, a tiny village located in St. Thomas, was the birthplace of the Rt. Excellent Paul Bogle, a Jamaican National Hero who led an uprising in 1865 that revolutionized the quality of life of Black people in Jamaica. There isn’t a lot to see there, but the site holds sentimental value. Here’s the history of Stony Gut and what to expect at this National Heritage Site.

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Rochelle | Adventuresfromelle16 Comments
Girl lying on bench in forest

Welcoming A New Decade: 10 Lessons Learnt In My 20s

It’s my 30th birthday! It may be an unpopular opinion but I’m actually excited for this milestone because I view ageing as a blessing, including all the quirks and more importantly, the lessons which come with it. I’ve been blessed to learn and grow so much in my 20s. Also, this blog has played an integral role in my growth and development as I started it at age 21! It saw me through loss, breakups and grief, but also through successes like graduations, home ownership and now as a happy newlywed wife. My twenties were filled with ups and downs but I’m leaving them better than I started. Cheers to 30, and here are the most important lessons I learnt in my 20s.

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Rochelle | Adventuresfromelle37 Comments

Here’s How To Join A Baby Sea Turtle Release In Oracabessa, Jamaica

Oracabessa, a Jamaican coastal town and Ian Fleming’s favourite getaway, has become a focal point in Caribbean sea turtle conservation. Through the efforts of the Oracabessa Bay Sea Turtle Project, the survival rate of hawksbill sea turtle nests has increased from 37% in 2005 to an impressive 80% today by providing protection from predators and human interference. Each year, between 12,000 to 20,000 hatchlings are released into the Caribbean Sea, contributing to the recovery of this critically endangered species. I finally had the rare opportunity to join a baby sea turtle release earlier this month, so here’s how to enjoy a similar experience and support the work of the Oracabessa Bay Sea Turtle Project.

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Rochelle | Adventuresfromelle10 Comments

Heineken River: A St. Thomas Hidden Gem

Once nicknamed the “Forgotten Parish”, St. Thomas has been receiving more attention these days for its rivers, new housing schemes, Paul Bogle Highway and the recently opened Morant Bay Urban Centre. Heineken River, also known as Heineken Hole, is a delightful swimming spot tucked away in the hills of Ramble, St. Thomas, and deserves the attention it has been receiving recently. I assume this river was named Heineken because of the river bed’s green colour which is similar to that of a Heineken beer bottle, but I could be wrong. Here’s how I stumbled upon Heineken River earlier this month, plus everything you need to know to plan a visit.

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Rochelle | Adventuresfromelle10 Comments

How Seafood From Norway Became Jamaica’s National Dish

Norway and Jamaica may seem like an unlikely culinary pair—one a warm, tropical island in the Caribbean, the other a cold, fjord-laced Nordic country. However, our countries have shared a strong bond for centuries, tied together by one key ingredient: saltfish, also known as salted cod. What began as a colonial-era trade has evolved into a rich cultural and culinary tradition, with Norwegian saltfish playing a foundational role in some of Jamaica’s most beloved dishes, including the Jamaican National Dish of ackee and saltfish. Last year, I was invited to a media event which celebrated our tasteful exchange and highlighted seafood from Norway in a grand way at the Rok Hotel in Downtown Kingston. Here’s a brief recap of the event and the story of how seafood from Norway became half of Jamaica’s national dish.

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Rochelle | Adventuresfromelle20 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

Crescent Falls: A Hidden Waterfall in St. Mary

Sorry TLC, but “Don’t go chasing waterfalls” is advice I’ll never take! I’m fascinated by waterfalls, and am pleased to report that I’ve now visited 30 of Jamaica’s 50+ waterfalls. My thirtieth Jamaican waterfall was another hidden gem: the Crescent Falls in Geddes Town, St. Mary. Here’s how my amusing adventure to Crescent Falls went and what to expect at this off-the-beaten-path treasure.

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Rochelle | Adventuresfromelle12 Comments

Logos Hope Returns to Jamaica: A Must-Visit Book Fair in 2025

After a five-year hiatus, the world’s largest floating book fair, Logos Hope, is back in Jamaica! Their last visit to Jamaica was in 2020, just before the pandemic halted international travel. I have fond memories of Logos as my mom took me aboard the Logos II in my childhood, an earlier vessel which was retired from service in 2008. Logos Hope is more than just a ship— it’s a floating bookstore, cultural centre and community outreach vessel operated by GBA Ships, a non-profit Christian organization. Logos Hope had its maiden voyage in 2009 and welcomes an average of one million visitors on board each year! Logos Hope has visited over 150 countries and distributed countless books and educational materials. The ship is currently staffed by 350 volunteers from 65 countries who receive sponsorship from friends, relatives and civic organizations. With that said, here’s all you need to know to visit Logos Hope in Jamaica for 2025.

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Rochelle | Adventuresfromelle21 Comments