Speed Demons and Daredevils Welcome!

Located in the hilly heart of St. Elizabeth, one of the 14 parishes in Jamaica, near the South Coast is Y.S. Falls.  Whether you just want to relax on the lounge chairs at the natural, smooth pebble-bottom pool and listen to the falls or scream through the canopy on the five ziplines, this is a beautiful spot for all to enjoy. I was fortunate enough to zipline and drop into the falls via the rope swing.

That helmet is sexy.

The first couple of ziplines are great for first time zipliners – like myself. It helps you get comfortable working the breaks and knowing the signals from the guides. The third zipline is by far the highlight of the tree top trip. You start close to the top of the falls and glide over the top for the perfect aerial picture of Y.S. Falls. You're flying! It’s pretty accelerating and definitely gets your hear pumping. I'm hooked.

Trying to slow down

I was also able to swing from a rope into the falls. The guides make you wear protective gloves and life vest. You climb out onto a very stable wood platform secured to a tree and the guide hands you the rope. He counts you down and off you go! Luckily, the man also tells you when to let go as if you drop in the wrong spot you probably have an uncomfortable landing. The water hole is about 16 feet deep.

Looking at my guide to tell me when to let go

The day we jumped the falls were overflowing onto the banks from lots of rain (June through November is the rainy season in Jamaica).  So the water wasn't clear blue like it is most of the time but it didn't feel muddy like it looks. In fact because the water level was so high, I almost didn't jump. I've had a few not-so-fun river rafting accidents and a life jacket does not soothe my nerves or provide me much assurance.   Honestly, I was darn scared but I can't pass up an opportunity to do something remotely thrilling. So I jumped...four times. Now that's facing fear.

#TT: Rose Hall Great House, Montego Bay

Rose Hall, Montego Bay, Jamaica

I love history! So recently when I have the pleasure of traveling to Jamaica (more to come later) and toured Rose Hall Great House in Montego Bay, I was THRILLED!   It’s a beautiful, old Georgian sugarcane plantation house positioned overlooking the Caribbean Sea and is one of the few Great Houses that survived the slave uprising. The house is said to be haunted by the last owner Annie, a.k.a. The White Witch, who killed her three husbands and numerous slave lovers.

Disclaimer: The Jamaica Tourist Board is a client. However, the opinions are solely my own.

A little history lesson... (Warning: there is a lot of death involved)

During the height of use, the Rose Hall Great House was approximately 6,000 acres and housed more than 2,000 slaves. The house was built by George Ash, who named the house after his wife, Rosa. After George died, and before the house was completed, Rosa remarried three more times. The final marriage was to John Palmer who later married (and was murdered by The White Witch, Annie).

Annie, was born in England; moved to Haiti in her younger years with her parents who were traders. As a young teenager (tween?) her parents died and she was raised by a maid who taught her voodoo. When the maid died, Annie moved to Jamaica to look for a husband. She married John Palmer.

Annie (only 4'11") became famous for killing her husbands, including John Palmer, and numerous slave lovers (she was obviously not well. Tale says that she probably went crazy from lead poisoning. Historically, lead has been used to make utensils and silverware.) She murdered them as follows:

1.     A dash of arsenic in the coffee (yum)

2.     Stabbed to death (lovely)

3.     Killed with her voodoo lover (Takoo) by strangulation (wowsers)

Karma came back to bite Annie in the butt though (as it should). She was killed by Takoo in her sleep.

Annie's bedroom

The house was not burned during the slave uprising, like so many Great Houses were, because the slaves didn't want to bother Annie's spirit.  It is said that Annie's spirit still haunts the house.

The house passed through numerous owners and feel into decay. The Rollins Family bought the house in the 1970s and restored it. Most the pieces had to be resorted but a few original pieces can be found throughout the house.

Today, the property is used for an array of activities including tours both private and public, weddings and other parties.

Our tour guide at Annie's grave