Girls Weekend in Montego Bay

If you follow me on Instagram (@afayah), you would have definitely noticed my pictures from my girls weekend that took place recently. My friends and I decided to take a three day vacation to the lovely Montego Bay, Jamaica. We stayed at the Royal Decameron hotel and I must say, it was a very lovely experience. No doubt, there were things to complain about from the get go like having to pay a ridiculous amount of money for wifi for a few hours at a time. We decided that whatever issues we could ignore, we would and we did. There weren't many issues anyway.

The staff there was super friendly to us and the other guests seemed to really like us as well. The entire vibe was so relaxing and the environment was beautiful. I live in a crowded place so to be able to walk freely on a beautiful beach and do anything and go anywhere and still be able to have my space was a huge plus. My weekend experience was, quite frankly, the best and most relaxing experience I have had in a very long time. If you're in Jamaica and need a vacation I highly recommend taking a trip out to Montego Bay. If you're already from Montego Bay then head to another beautiful parish. You won't regret the time away.

Here are just a few shots of where I was last weekend. For more personal pictures please go to my IG page (@afayah) and follow me :)

The view from my hotel room.

  

Happy and grateful :)

Some of my girlfriends doing our version of a coordinated photoshoot (lol).

My view from our lunch table.

A variety of things in my last meal: salad, pasta, pork and seafood gumbo. Yum!

Have you been on any trips recently? Let me know how it went.

Peace, Love and Blaze,

Afayah

Archive || Hike to Blue Mountain Peak

Earlier this year I went on a hiking trip to Blue Mountain peak. The trip was organized by friends and it was a great opportunity to meet new people. Our group stayed at a hostel called Whitfield Hall in the mountain, which was very cozy and fun. We cooked and played games and gathered around the fire place then rested for the early start to hike. We prepared to leave at 1 am in the darkness of the night. Breakfast consisted of oranges and bananas and a cup of tea, then we departed from the hostel.

Our hostel, Whitfield Hall

The journey was extremely difficult for me. I had no training nor was I fit to climb to climb a mountain anyway. The part of the climb known as Jacob's Ladder was the worst part of it for me. My body was under so much strain that I vomited for most of the journey until we rested at Portland Gap. It was there that the entire experience changed for the better. We got the opportunity to rest and drink water and eat. Then beyond that point, we climbed into the mountain, wedged on both sides by moist vegetation. The climb itself was an undulating one which made it easier to rest on segments that went downhill for a bit before ascending again. 

The most interesting thing about the hike was experiencing the weather. We had to remove most of our warm clothing because the wet air made all our clothing wet (along with sweat) which then made us chilly. So in removing the items of clothing we were then left to experience the chill first hand. It was an interesting experience but definitely a manageable one. When I arrived at the peak, others had already been there hours before. The rest of us took our time to get to the peak but when we were all together, we celebrated with cheers. Our intention was to hike early in order to see the sunrise, however the fog was very thick that day and it prevented us from experiencing the sunrise. None the less, hiking to Blue Mountain peak was one of the best experiences of my life. Will I ever do it again? I don't know just yet...but I might!

Me with my boyfriend near the peak

At the top!

Peace, Love & Blaze,

Afayah

My 2014 Heroes Weekend

I had hoped to get this post out yesterday but I have been ill for the entire weekend and my recovery has been slow. Despite being sick, I still took the opportunity to enjoy my four day weekend as much as possible. Jamaica just celebrated National Heroes Day and I'm pretty sure everyone had great plans for their holiday. My plans were very simple but fun nonetheless. I took things easy on Friday night in preparation for the rest of the weekend. On Saturday, my boyfriend and I hosted a small pool party. We invited friends to drink, chill out and use the pool. We had interesting discussion and played games while listening to an amazing Dub soundtrack curated by a friend. It was very relaxing spending time with cool friends on Saturday afternoon.

Setting up Battleshots...the drinking version of Battleship :)

 Listen to Bam's Dub Playlist below:

After our pool flex, I went out with two of my friends to have drinks at a bar called, Off The Grid. It was even more chill than earlier in the day. We just spent a few hours talking and enjoying the quiet evening.

Sunday was spent battling my illness and relaxing and recovering from the activities of the day before. On Monday, my boyfriend and I were invited to our friends' home for a barbecue. While there, we grilled chicken and beef burgers and made hot dogs and fries. Cooking was fun but we also watched movies, played video games and drinking games. It was a fantastic time. 

I hope to share more of my weekends with you in the future. Thanks for reading!

Peace, Love & Blaze,

Afayah

Archive || A Study Tour to Dominica

Hello everyone!

In January 2009, I embarked on a Study Tour to the Caribbean island, Dominica. My classmates and I stayed in the capital, Roseau for two weeks to study the local Architecture and familiarize ourselves with the area. My photography skill was probably no good at this time but I still appreciate the images I took. Looking back at them now brings to mind the amazing time I had in Dominica as a student; and I am certain that I will revisit the island in the future.

View to the sea from the Dominica Museum

A basic school building in Roseau

A cobblestone side street in the capital

Dominica is quite a forested island with significantly less of a built environment than in Jamaica. However, it charmed me with its greenery and slow pace; and after visiting there, it's definitely a place I recommend for anyone who is interested in a relaxed island vibe. While I was there I noticed that the shops closed by 6 pm; and it was even harder to find a restaurant open on a Sunday morning or afternoon. The night life consisted of occasional house parties and small events at distant clubs. This place is definitely not for the party animal but it can still be fun. Dominica is mostly a place where you can take it easy and embrace your green thumb. The most active part of my trip there happened on a "cruise ship day".

On the cobblestone backstreets and all along the main road by the sea, vendors set out their wares for tourists to see. Duty free shops were a buzz, restaurants served the most amazing traditional breakfast food, and you could get drunk before midday if you happened across the right bar. Funny enough, there was one time that I had started off my day with some beers and shots of aphrodisiac rum before strolling through the busy streets. It turned out to be a very fun day. :)

Dominica, a former French and English colony, boasts tell-tale signs of their history even in the way the roads in Roseau are laid out. Not only that, their creole is French-based which was very fascinating to listen to even though they seemed to be more interested in hearing me speak. The locals begged me to "talk street" which I had to explain was really called Patois by us Jamaicans. Jamaican culture is big in Dominica. While I was there I heard Vybz Kartel's music and a variety of other Dancehall artists; and, in the market, vendors sold Bob Marley merchandise. 

Some of the locals

My classmates and I visiting a historical site in Dominica (I'm far right)

Overlooking the capital, Roseau

 Outside the windows of the guest house I stayed in

I managed to get a few leisurely activities done while I was there. I went to a house party and a street dance; I shopped in the market; I ate out at local restaurants; I went to the sulfur springs and to the beach; and I saw a lot of the Architecture. But one of my biggest memories was getting my first tattoos done. It was such a wonderful experience, and the artist's shop was right on a bustling street that was, apparently, the main route for Dominica's annual carnival. Unfortunately, I left just a week before the carnival so I didn't get to experience it.

Displays inside the tattoo parlor where I got my first tattoos

Dominica is such a beautiful place and I would definitely go back. Next time I won't be preoccupied with school and I will be able to fully enjoy my time as a tourist. I want to explore the dense forests and interact with the wildlife there. It definitely taught me how to appreciate the serenity of nature.

Peace, Love & Blaze,

Afayah