Traveling last week to Jamaica taught me a lot about how your expectations can affect the overall outcome of a situation. I was not eager to go to Jamaica, mostly because the main purpose of my trip was to get my student visa and as anyone who has ever had to get a visa knows the process is less than fun. It’s a lot of paperwork before you travel and then waiting at the embassy and a steady stream of stress throughout. I was planning on waiting for my visa, so I was in Jamaica from Monday to Friday. 

Now wanting to make the best of the situation, I went to the bookstore the weekend before and picked up two books, which I intended to finish during my trip (spoiler alert: I did). However, my grandma, who was accompanying me, informed me that we would be doing something every day. I’m honestly grateful that we ended up doing something every day because as cliché as it sounds life is short and it’s important to make the most of every moment. 

On Wednesday, we drove for about 40 minutes to Ocho Rios. The drive was absolutely gorgeous and so peaceful, being surrounded by green mountains and blue sky. And then the view as you get close is breathtaking because the sparkling ocean is added to the mix. 

We went to Dunn’s River Falls to go climb up the falls. You walk down to the beach and to get back to where you started you climb up the falls. You can go solo or join a group with a tour guide. It’s a unique experience and I would highly recommend it to someone looking for some adventure. Plus they have the most glamorous water shoes available for sale. 

For lunch we went to Scotchie’s for some local jerk chicken. It was pretty good and the ambiance definitely added to the experience. There’s a location in Kingston too, so if you can’t make it out to Ocho Rios be sure to check it out. 

On Thursday, we headed over to Devon House for lunch and ice cream. The ice cream is seriously the best and if you only have time for one stop in Kingston this is the place to go. There’s a variety of flavors, including some made from local fruits. I had strawberry, which was delicious and although I only got one scoop it was more than enough. If ice cream isn’t your thing there’s also a fabulous chocolate shop with handmade truffles, cakes, cupcakes, and more. After dessert, make sure to wander into one of the stores to pick up handmade gifts and souvenirs. 

We had a few hours to kill before our flight, so we went to Gloria’s in Port Royal. If decide to go make sure you’re not hungry and be prepared to wait as it’s busy. 

By the end of the week I was planning when I can go back to Jamaica for vacation, which was not what I was expecting. I’ll make sure to keep you updated when I do.