Me showing off my muscles at Dunn's River Falls in Jamaica
A quick trip today to Rose Hall Great House in Jamaica was intriguing. The story goes that Annie Palmer, nicknamed the “White Witch,” killed not only one, not two, but three husbands in this house. The dramatic tale is told by a cute woman named Latoya who kids us that it’s “Latoya, like Latoya Jackson.”
The rooms of the house have been carefully re-upholstered with silk and hand embroidered wallpaper, and gorgeous period furniture. Down in the cellar (now the gift shop), there’s a bear trap that was used to catch slaves. Um, a house with happy memories… right.
Private Pool at the Sandals Grande resort in Jamaica
From there we went to the spectacular Dunn’s River Falls. Rafael, the charismatic guide, had the group of us holding hands as we hiked up the waterfall, all 960 feet.
We were soaked, grinning and feeling like we were about 12 years old. This is one of those attractions that you MUST go to if you’re in Jamaica- total fun.
For fuel, we went to the local hangout Scotchies. This is where to get jerk chicken, beef and snapper, along with the Jamaica staple of “festival,” like a breadstick, but so much better.
Finally, we got to our new resort for the next two nights, the Sandals Grande. Imagine my delight when I get to my suite, only to discover that, not only am I reminded that Jamaica is undoubtedly heaven, but that I also have a private swimming pool and Jacuzzi.
Really? So I had the most amazing nude dip while looking up at the clear night sky (did I mention it’s open air, so no roof covers the stars?). Unfortunately, my dreams were crushed when I learned that the Jacuzzi wasn’t working, but I still had fun in my very own pool!
Lori Henry is a freelance Travel & Lifestyle writer based in Vancouver, Canada. She covers Solo Travel, Outdoor Adventures, Wellness & Spas, and Cultural Dance, and is often called "That Cultural Dance Gal."
I have to make a confession. Instead of spending the rest of my evening completely unplugged, well, it’s Hockey Night in Canada and the resort gets CBC. Because I’m on EST time, the Oilers and Sharks game started at 10:00pm and I’m not watching the third period. Is it bad that I miss hockey even when I’m in tropical paradise?!
Yes it is bad not to watch the game when Mats Sudin is playing his first game with Van.:)
did you get to mystic mountain?
Can you do Dunns falls without the guide?
Richard
Ha, I definitely caught the “debut” of Mats
Yes, you can do Dunn’s Falls without a guide, but they’re so entertaining that they make it all the more fun. It doesn’t cost you to have a guide, either, which is nice. It would take you longer to get up without a guide, but you could also just follow in the path of the people around you if you wanted to spend more time just hanging out. There’s also a nice little beach at the bottom that you can stay at for as long as you like.