When it comes to scenery, Jamaica has rendered Photoshop irrelevant in every possible way – most notably when water is involved. White-sand and blue-water beaches…voluminous waterfalls nestled amidst lush, green foliage…rivers rippling calmly through mountains ranges…Not all islands were made equal, but Jamaica stands among the blessed. The island’s tourism product comprises all the elements travel […]
Save Time, Money and Space Packing with Pinterest
I used to be a chronic over-packer. If had a suitcase, no matter the size, no matter the duration of the trip, I felt obligated to fill it to capacity, as long as it didn’t exceed 50 lbs. Because…(1) I could never have too many options (2) I never knew what could come up, and […]
Bamboo Rafting on the Rio Grande in Jamaica
Bamboo rafting on Portland’s Rio Grande River is #bucketlist material. Trust me. Of all the experiences I have indulged in on my numerous trips to Jamaica, this was by far the most relaxing, edifying and invigorating all at once. We drove for almost 3 hours to escape the bustling city life of Kingston and were happy to spend the […]
Caves, Cigars and Captivating Vistas in Viñales, Cuba
I’ll be perfectly honest. The number one selling point for me with the day trip to Viñales was the 3 hr air conditioned bus ride from Havana. After three days walking through the city streets in sweltering heat I was looking forward to spending some QT in AC some place other than our ‘casa particular’, La […]
Review: An Idyllic Stay at La Rosa De Ortega
La Rosa de Ortega was everything I wanted from my Cuba accommodation. On the outside, a concrete facade partially covered by bright pink bougainvillea. On the inside, exposed brick, arched doorways, and antique accents that make you feel as if time has stood still for almost a century. Perfectly appointed. Perfectly maintained. It was surreal. I’m a […]
Cuba: Color and Afro-Cuban Culture at Callejon de Hamel
At the end of every trip there’s always one place/thing that stands out to me more than everything else. Callejon de Hamel was that place for me in Cuba. Vibrant colors. Expressive art. Quirky decor. Rich culture. Live music. And the ‘negron’, a signature drink I could vouch for after just one sip. So much positive vibes, […]
Island Girl’s Travel Guide to Cuba
An eclectic mix of architectural designs through the ages, some immaculately maintained others crumbling and weathered. Kaleidoscopic facades straddling faded exteriors. Mint condition vintage cars cruising beside struggling antiques. Live music. Colorful art. And some of the most friendly and accommodating people I’ve ever encountered. Welcome to Cuba. Finally! After two failed attempts and a […]
7 Stops to Make on your next Grenada Road Trip (plus one bonus)
I love road trips. Especially ones without a set plan. But when time is a factor, it helps to have a rough guide that ensures you don’t miss the important, must-see-and-do spots. Despite it’s relatively small size, it’s impossible to see everything there is to see in Grenada in just one day. So I took three separate […]
Island Girl’s Guide to Carriacou, Grenada
There’s island life and then there’s island life in Carriacou. So small you can drive around the entire island and the gas needle barely moves; so slow-paced, time is indicated in vague terms with tour guides scheduling pick-ups and drop-offs ‘around’ a certain hour; and so idyllic the white sand and clear water look like scenes […]
Grenada: The Great Escape to Sandy Island, Carriacou
Sandals off. Locks loose. Body stretched out on a surprisingly comfortable bed of fallen coconut tree branches…that was my conduct for most of the afternoon I spent on Sandy Island. To say I painted a cliched picture of #islandlife would be an understatement, but I make no apologies for it. Because for all the times I used […]
