Jamaica Land We Love....home of the fried dumpling, Asafa Powell's butt cheeks, Port Antonio, people who say flim and cerfiticate (my peops know what I'm talking about), the seventh largest natural harbour in the world and an unblemished national airline flying record (we'll miss you Air J), almost as many Ms World's as Venezuela, the inventors of the hammock and the pushcart. Birthplace of the late Prof Rex and the living the Honourable Usain Bolt, Bob Marley's vocal chords, and mad songwriting skills, curry goat, rice and peas and the starapple. We have Kumina, Dancehall, Soca, Daggering, Rent a Tile, Ska, Skanking, Dinky Mini (ah so it spell?), Brukkings and can Grand Jete just like the rest of them.
For a little a tiny little island the size of Connecticut, we have a lot going on for us. The land, the people, the history, the food, the music, the sayings, the isms and the skisms. As much as I love travelling the world, I love coming home even more, even when I start to cuss off the taxi drivers before I can leave the airport and the heat start tek me. I've had the opportunity to do three very fun things in Jamaica recently: Horseback riding and ziplining, flying in a small plane across the island and climbing to the Blue Mountain peak. Each time, I was reminded of how absolutely gorgeous Jamaica is, and how lucky I am to live here.
Courtesy of Chukka Caribbean Tours, I had a blast and rode a horse for the first time years. This is Whitney and I on the beach. So I guess beauty, inspires greatness, cause a scene from the Dustin Hoffman flick Papillon was filmed here.
Then we rode in the water with the horses. It was really incredible to feel how strong the animals were and feel their power beneath me. A definite bucket list item.
The zipline tour ended at the gorgeous Cranbrook Gardens, where I caught this shot of the river. I could have just sat there all day. By the way, stay tuned for a video of the ziplining. It was 100% awesomeness.
I love, love, love, love, love royal palms. I think they are simply majestic and if I'm lucky enough to have a yard at my house, I want them lining something. Anything.
Flying time. This is a shot of the north coast, heading out of Montego Bay. Look at the little white clouds and that amazing water. If more people could fly over this little island, they would see just how special it is.
Cockpit Country. Naturally formed limestone karsts that are full of caves and flora and fauna. Every time I see it, I just want to go exploring.
Hiking to the peak. The sun coming up over the foothill as I made my way up Jacob's Ladder, the name, or at least part of, the trail that takes you up to the peak.
No wonder you can never see the peak. At 7,402 ft (2,256 metres), you can see above the atmosphere. We never saw Cuba though...got up there a taaaad late, like 10:00 am.
I was incredibly lucky on the way down though. I caught a shot of the illusive Blue Mountain White Fox (Latin name, Jamaicanus Whitus Brownus Mongrelos Dogus). They are almost never seen in the day and subsist on young ferns and snacks left by hikers. I guess I was just in the right place at the right time.
So that's my little photo tribute to Jamdown. The Rock isn't perfect, but we definitely have something good going here.
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