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

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

2025: Mid-Year Mark

The last time I wrote a mid-year mark article was 2021, can you believe it?! Perhaps that’s testimony to how busy the last four years of my life has been. I have some free time on my hands now though as I’ve closed the chapter on residency, and am undergoing a period of transition. With that said, I thought it fitting to resume personal blog entries and revive this mid-year series.

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Rochelle | Adventuresfromelle23 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

Highlights of Jamaica’s Inaugural Dragon Boat Festival

From May 31 to June 1, 2025, the Grand Excelsior Port Royal Hotel (formerly Morgan’s Harbour) played host to an exhilarating and historic event: Jamaica’s inaugural Dragon Boat Festival. Under a sky veiled by Saharan dust with heat shimmering off the Kingston Harbour, the world’s seventh largest natural harbour, locals and foreigners alike gathered in Port Royal to witness and celebrate the country’s entry into a centuries-old global tradition. It’s always exciting when new events are added to Jamaica’s cultural calendar, so I made the trip to Port Royal to catch a few hours on day 2 of the festival. Here are the history and highlights of this inaugural staging.

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Rochelle | Adventuresfromelle10 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

Black, Caribbean & Free: Lessons From Africa

When Kenisha from Global Moves reached out to me to share her story about the joy of visiting Africa as a Jamaican of African descent, I was ecstatic. After all, I dream of visiting Africa one day and imagine it would stir a deep sense of connection, pride, and homecoming. I believe that walking on the same soil as my ancestors, and witnessing the vibrant cultures, languages, music, and traditions that have shaped Caribbean identity, would evoke powerful emotions and feel more like a spiritual journey than another trip. Until that fateful day, stories like this one satiate my wanderlust. Here is Kenisha’s story.

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Rochelle | Adventuresfromelle28 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