Rivers In Jamaica Are Stunning Places To Visit

Rivers in Jamaica

There are more than 100 rivers in Jamaica but not all of them have been explored or can be navigated. The most popular of all the rivers to be found on this island are in fact the Great River, the Rio Grande and the Martha Brae River. But other rivers around the island are actually increasing in popularity as well.

The Black River which is the widest of them all is 73km long but only the first 28km can be traveled along in small vessels. Then there is the Rio Minho which is the longest of all the islands rivers and flows south to southwest where it starts at Portland Point and ends up at Carlisle Bay. The major town that is situated on this rivers bank is May Pen, Clarendon. But as well as those rivers that you can see there are a number of underground rivers located in the limestone regions of the island. The main ones of these being the Hectors and Cave Rivers.

Many of the rivers on the island and not just used for pleasure but have other uses as well. The Rio Cob and Milk River are used to irrigate the land surrounding them. Also the Rio Cob is used to produce hydro electricity for the island as well and this also goes for the White River and Rio Bueno. Certainly the Rio Grande is probably a river that many people have heard the name of and this is where one can try a spot of rafting if you wish.

Before you visit Jamaica check out our Holidays to Jamaica and also our Package holidays to Jamaica

Local or Long Distance?

You know you want to hike, but you have not yet decided where to go. That is when you should make the critical decision of distance. Do you want to stay in your local area? The same state? The same region? Or maybe you want to go cross-country for a completely new adventure.

My Area

One-day hikes can often be accomplished in your local area. Check with the local parks system to see if there are marked trails that you can go on. Your local area should have that information readily available so that you can make an informed decision. The maps and information provided should give you a good idea of the layout of the land, distance, and any features that could hinder your hike. This may be a preferable situation if you just want a quick weekend or one-day getaway without a lot of travel.

The State Is Wide

If you are interested in expanding your local search, you can travel within your own state. The state parks system will offer more variety in trails systems and can give you a change of scenery without a lot of travel. These trips can give you the ability to travel a shorter distance and spend less money than a cross-country adventure. Plus, you get to see the beauty of your state that you may not have known about previously.

All In

So you have decided to chuck it all in and go for broke. You live on the East Coast, but you want to see the West. With a little bit of planning, you can do just fine. First, coordinate how you will be getting there. Will you be hiking all along or going straight to your destination and back? Do you want to buy supplies there to cut down on packing or do your pack at home and take it with you? Make sure you have detailed maps of the area and plan ahead for any side trips that you want to make. Budget in enough time to go fishing or climbing if that is your passion. Above all, have fun.

Backpacking Vacations

Hiking and backpacking can be fun vacations if you plan for them. No other vacation will allow you to see the beauty of nature and enjoy the thrill of accomplishment that a backpacking vacation will. If you are well-prepared, the memories of fun will last a lifetime. Make sure you know what you are getting into before you strike out. Be well-versed in where you are headed, what the plan is once you get there, and be aware of any dangers that may come up along the way.

Chart a Course

You should decide where you want to go and what you want to do once you get there. Your hiking abilities should be taken under consideration when planning your trip. If you are not a well-experienced hiker, then it might be best to stick closer to home and plan a simpler hike. If you are more experienced, you may wish to spread your wings a bit and travel farther and spend more time out on the trail.

Take a Friend, Take the Family

You should know what the hike will involve and whom you will be taking. Is this a family vacation or a weekend to get away with your friends? The members of your party will be influential in choosing the best destination. You do not want to be carrying your children on a strenuous hike that will last five days, just as you have no need to seek out a family-friendly trail if the family is not coming along. Plan your trip around who will be coming with you and know how they can contribute to the overall hike.

Take What You Need, Not What You Don’t

Pack your gear so that it will best serve you on the trip. Measure out exact quantities of all your supplies and pack them as tightly as you can. Make a list of all the equipment you will need and double-check that you have it all. Will you be going through extreme conditions? Make sure your pack reflects that. Also, do a test run with all your equipment so that you know how to use it and how best it will serve you.

Bonfim to Yemanja in Salvador, Bahia

I really did not plan it this way.. but, I guess I am lucky. Millions of people were in the streets of Salvador partying the day I landed and the day I left Salvador, Bahia. Yup... Bonfim to Yemanja.

I reached on the day of Lavagem do Bonfim, a sacred festival where the steps of Igreja Bonfim is washed. There is a long parade from the heart of the city to Igreja Bonfim, almost 9 kms away. Millions of people make their way to the church, dancing, singing and drinking beer. Once they reach the church, they tie colourful ribbons which say 'Lemrbranca do senhor do bonfim da bahia'. Every ribbon is tied to the fence of the church with three knots and you are supposed to make a wish for every knot. After dancing all the way to the church in the heat and not really drinking anything (I dont like to mix religious festivals with beer), I was more than glad to get my share of ribbons.





































Bonfim made me realise that Salvador can be overwhelming even without all the Capoeira I was looking foward to. I was staying with Alda, who incidentally I met in Peru on a boat trip. We just hit it off because she loves India and I love Brazil. She invited me to stay with her at her place in Rio Vermelho, a beautiful beach 30 minutes west of the historical centre of Pelorinho. I was glad to be far from the tourist crowd and more than happy to see that my room had the most amazing view of the sea.

















Salvador is supposed to be the Mecca for Capoeira, one of the main reasons I wanted to travel to Brazil. Just the week before reaching Salvador, I had attended a huge event of capoeira in Ilheus Bahia. The event was Capoeirando, the annual event for my Capoeira group Cordao De Ouro. As much as I had been looking forward to this event for as long as I knew, I discovered many things about Capoeira and the way I feel about Capoeira in those few days. I am not going to really elaborate too much on this. But, Ill talk about the few things I learnt...

















Capoeira is my Capoeira family back home. I was with 200 people, who all belong to Cordao de ouro family, the group I am a part of. But, at the same time, I did not feel a part of this larger family. Maybe it was my mental state of mind or missing home or whatever you call it.... To me, Capoeira is my group back in India. They are my family and the entire event seemed meaningless without being able to share it with people I love to play with. With people I learn from. With people whom I drink beer with at home. For the first time in these 3 years, I was afraid to enter the Roda and I did not like that feeling.

















Brazil cannot make you do a backflip. Well... everyone thinks that training Capoeira in Brazil is going to make you fantastic Capoeirista. Well, I suck big time at that. I havent been playing regularly. I havent been learning anything. I think I was playing a much better game when I was at home. In Brazil, Ive been caught up so much with the whole `I want to soak into the Brazilian culture` that a lot of things other than capoeira have taken priority.... So, unless you focus on Capoeira, whether its at home or in Brazil, no miracle can happen. And especially, attending a huge Capoeira event cannot teach you anything superhuman. Philosophy is the only the only thing youll get. So, am enjoying that.

Mestres are not Gods. I loved waking up in a small house (Casa of Dona Maria) in Capoeirando and walk out to see Mestres lying around in the hammock, drinking coffee, singing, talking, walking... doing everyday stuff. Mestre Suassuna was staying in the same house. Mestre Lobao was our neighbour. Mestre Deputado always hung out in the verandah. All the Contra mestres stopped by for coffee. It was a little dreamy... yet so real. I used to know all these Mestres only thanks to the MP3 songs in my Ipod. It was amazing seeing them in flesh and blood and realising that they are human... (I guess Ill be partial to Mestre Suassuna here and call him God.. it was truly incredible to meet him)

















Everyone is a student at something or the other. All mestres, contra mestres, intructors, students.. everyone is learning something. Working on something. No one is really perfect at everything. Capoeira is something you learn all your life. Baba, my teacher at home has always told us this. But, it was nice to see this in Brazil. To see that everyone is putting effort on something that they know they have to work on. It just inspired me to take up one movement or one song a month and work on it. Im sure that by 4 or 5 years, the list of things I can do will be substantial then.

















Women can play kickass capoeira too. It was fantastic to see some women mestres, contra mestres and students playing some fabulous games. Even at home, we have more women in the group, but since acrobatics gets associated with Capoeira, people think women cant play. Thats not true. Capoeira is not just about acrobatics. It was wonderful to see challenging games devoid of acrobatics and yet look fabulous. (Dedicating this para to my dear friend Mel, who I share a laugh with everytime people are doing one hand Au's and flips)


















Back to Salvador from Capoeira....

Reaching Salvador, I was keen on getting as much Capoeira as possible. If there is one thing that I have been shattered with in this whole trip, its this wish. I went to many schools in the past 2 weeks.... schools of Angola and Regional... in Pelorinho and other places... but, just did not find what I was looking for. Classes were very touristy thanks to the Carnaval season approaching. I was charged 20 reals per class to play with other tourists. Classes started on Bahian time (thats a whole new chapter I am not getting into.. If you people were making fun of IST.. Indian standard time, you havent witnessed Bahian time). I dont know whether it was the classes I picked or generally the way things operate here.. But, I really missed the rigour, discipline and more than anything the Axe..... I missed Cordao De Ouro. Also, Im not doing justice by trying a class once and deciding its not for me. Im not doing any justice by staying in Salvador for just 3 weeks and deciding its not for me. I guess thats possibly the reason I will return one day to Salvador maybe for a couple of months and stay put doing Capoeira regularly. But, I am aware that I do need ample time to research the schools that I want to play with. Capoeira was the reason I decided to come to Brazil and Capoeira was the reason Im deciding to leave salvador and go back South. I do know that spending some extra time in Rio and Sao Paulo will only help me discover nooks and corners that I love to stumble upon in large cities.

Anyway... other than the Capoeira fiasco in Salvador, I had a bloody fabulous time thanks to Alda. Alda works in an organisation providing culttural opportunities and leisure activities to industries in Salvador. She has amazing friends, who are involved in something cultural or the other. Every day, we landed up meeting her friends and doing something wonderful... Whether it was a Samba night listening to Lazzo sing... or a Jazz night at the Modern Art Museum.. whether it was evening eating Chocolate desserts... or an Indian dinner night.... whether it was dancing at Boomerangue or Borracharia or getting an Afro hair makeover at home.... whether it was lazing in Praia do flamengo or parading with Hare Rama Hare Krishna group.... whether it was a musical night with Aleh playing the guitar or Danilo playing the Berimbau.... Alda knew how to get things going. I was spoilt like a kid by Alda for a couple of weeks.

















































More than what we did, its the people I got to meet thanks to Alda.... Willy, her American neighbour who works in Bahian tourism and the only guy Alda allows into her house with shoes... Marie, his friend from France who is a Yoga teacher and a masseuse.... Danilo, a yoga teacher and a experimental musician....

The people who made everything worth it

Was just thinking about how many interesting people Ive met in this trip so far.....

I guess Ive always had this doubt in my mind whether travel is about meeting people or seeing places.. I guess its a bit of both.... I remember people more than places and I remember places because of the people I met there...

So.... a big thanks to all these people for making my journey worth it....

Italian gay artist in a China town bus in New York

A music lover and wonderful human being (who incidentally is my sisters educational Godfather) in Madison

3 Tam Bram Engineering Boys living the typical American Grad student life in Madison

Sociologist Mom in Sao Paulo

The 17 year old on a metro who was carrying a cake for his girlfriends birthday in Sao Paulo

Amelie Poulain look alike and kickass samba dancer in Sao Paulo

Drama queen cum Capoeirista who loves to wear roman sandals in Sao Paulo

Brazilian capoeirist couple who ideally should have been a bollywood dancing couple in Sao Paulo

Brazilian born middle eastern obsessed Foodie in Sao Paulo

The only Brazilian guy who doesnt like the sun and coffee in Rio De Janeiro

His girlfriend who is as Brazilian as it gets in Rio De Janeiro too

A Chilean artist who has made one of the most romantic and moving art staircase Ive ever seen in my life in Rio De Janeiro

A Slovakian Anthropoligist living in Bahia in Rio De Janeiro

A social worker from Portugal, working with children in Rio De Janeiro

A professor from Petropolis who is learning English in his 50s in Rio De Janeiro

An Australian from England, overstaying her visa in Brazil to learn Capoeira in Rio De Janeiro

2 Brothers named Washington and Wellington in Ouro Preto

An arrogant American who asked unbelievably idiotic questions about India in Ouro Preto

A Polish guy who was locked outside the hostel in Sao Paulo

His English friend who kept ringing the bell in the wrong house in Sao Paulo

The Canadian couple who were fussing about 5 dollar meals but spent 100 dollars on REM in
Buenos Aires.. whatever rocks their boat...

The 3 loud girls who wore lycra and went out only at 10 pm and returned at 6 am in Buenos Aires

The pinstriped shirt banker gathering in a Halloween meetup in Buenos Aires

The Peruvian Women Shahrukh Khan Fan Club in the hostel in Cusco

The Swedish (overenthuasiastic engineer sent to Peru to work on some technology project) who escaped work for a weekend trip in Machu Picchu

The Colombian couple Lina and Mauro who I cannot describe in one sentence.... They are my family and I love them to death... Met them in Peru and landed up traveling in Bolivia with them.. Check out what I have to say about them in my post Un-Boliviable

French couple in the hostel in Puno, who were doing the exact reverse of my trip from East to West giving me invaluable advice about Bolivia and Chile

Brazilian 40 year old who looked nothing over 30 in the boat in Lake Titicaca .. Landed up going and staying with her Salvador after a few months

The Mexican sisters in the boat in Lake Titicaca who were dying to go sand boarding

The Australian exchange students in the bus ride from Lake Titicaca to Lapaz, with whom I spent an afternoon drinking beer and bitching about cricket

Bolivian biologist who hosted me in Lapaz and who is now tripping around India.. I truly managed to convince her to visit my country

Another wonderful Bolivian girl with a Swiss boyfriend (who worked in an organisation with priests.. so he really coudlnt admit he had a girlfriend)

The large Bolivian family who made me feel so welcome I was afraid I would leave Bolivia with Montana as my surname

Menta, the most beautiful blind dog Ive met in my life.. I wish she couuld see how beautiful she was

A Colombian 21 year old gastronomical student who is moving to Australia to become a chef... who danced with me under the stars and taught me how to love Spanish music.. I traveled with
him in Bolivia and fell in love with his spirit... I cant wait for the day I get to travel with him again

A German geologist, without whom I would have never understood the real natural beauty of the Bolivian salt plains...

A French couple.... the guy talking all the time and the girl sitting quietly.... Kinda reminded me of Roy and me (opposite though)

An Israeli gang who sang Bob Marley all the time... something about the whole wild outlook of
the group made me fall in love with Israel... I just have to go there

The perfect boyfriend anyone can ask for... the colombian boyfriend of my Indian friend in Santiago, Chile... he is adorable

Peruvian single mother to a baby who looks like a J&J baby in Santiago... a fantastic strong woman

Monicas mother - Energetic mother, shopper, tour guide cum Ambassador of Santiago

Capoerist professor (friend of neeshas from the US) who I think looks really hot

Spunky theatre artist cum dancer addicted to Yoga and wearing Indian clothes all the time in Santiago

Colombian Chica Loca (Crazy in Cordoba Argentina... there is an entire blog post dedicated to her..

James Dean look alike Argentinian guy who just returned from Canada in Cordoba

Greek god who dances like he was born to dance in Buenos Aires

A cartoonist cum beedi smoker who loves to bicycle in Buenos Aires

An Armenian Australian chiropractor in Buenos Aires

A Colombian guitarist who was spending time learning music in Buenos Aires

A Brazilian student in Argentina, missing home

An American round the world traveler with whom I shared 3 wonderful days in Iguazu

A ping pong expert and business woman from Singapore (she is in her 30s and already a MD of a company) in Iguazu

A lost little boy from Singapore who wanted to travel all around South America in 25 days in Iguazu

A Californian couple who run a fitness club with more positive energy than anyone else Ive met

A Brazilian family (who have adopted me as their daughter) in Curitiba

An American firefighter (wonderful dancer but he will deny it, patient listener considering how much of my non stop banter he has put up with and someone who I am addicted to in many ways now) and his friend (who Ill always remember as the guy who lost his camera on New years in Rio and tried to report it to the cops....)

A talented Brazilian musician who needs a third hand (to hold the beer as he strums the guitar) in Vitoria and then in Belo Horizonte

His father, who makes the best breakfast in Brazil

His fathers friend, who I can fall in love with had he been about 20 years younger

An American woman who lives in Salvador Bahia setting up an NGO for the homeless, who incidentally spent many of years of her life as a professional dancer, grew up in Hollywood (knows Brad Pitt), has 20 year old sons (when you see her, you wont believe it) and a heart of gold

An American guy who moved to Salvador 18 years ago and celebrated the 18th birthday of his move with my Indian dinner

An American girl who decided to visit Salvador for 3 months and is paying for everything with her credit card, hoping to get a job to pay back those bills when she heads back

A British girl, whose aunt paid for her rount the world trip, discovering herself

A Spanish guy, who can make you laugh even when everything around you makes you want to scream and cry

An American guy who does some virtual techy job (computer software stuff) who lives in a different country every year... Im freaking jealous

A Brazilian guy who was obsessed about doing handstands and kissing the British girl in Chapada Diamantina

A Brazilian lady who moved to live in Hawaii and named her son after Narayan, the Indian God as she is obsessed with Hare Rama Hare Krishna stuff in Chapada Diamantina

A Brazilian guy from Belo Horizonte who volunteers with children in a Favela teaching them Capoeira and Afro dance

A 5 year old Brazilian girl who taught me how to dance to Shakira on a 24 hour bus journey from Salvador to Belo Horizonte

A house full of girls who throow weekly international theme parties and monthly costume parties in Belo Horizonte

A girl wearing a pink dress and putting up balloons at a music show in Belo Horizonte

A whole bunch of musicians who make the world seem like a more beautiful place in Belo Horizonte.......

..... and I still have 3 more months to go.....

Survived the Carnival,Brazil

Every year, sometime around February, I remember media channels and publications covering the Carnival in Rio De Janeiro. From a distance, I have been party to bits and pieces and always imagined the Rio Carnival to be an orgy of millions of semi-naked Samba dancers in glittering costumes. I was terribly wrong. This very moment, as I am sitting in the balcony of a South zone apartment in Rio, sipping Cerveja (beer), and listening to a Samba band pass by in the street below followed by hundreds of people moving to the addictive rhythm, I feel a part of the real Rio Carnival.
One of the toughest decisions since I reached Brazil was choosing the city where I would spend time during the Carnival. Whether it is the traditional carnival of Olinda or the Afro-Brazil influence in Salvador or the mud parade in Paraty, every city in Brazil boasts of a Carnival with its own unique touch. Having read that it was possible to do something every hour for the entire month of February in Rio and wanting to experience everything possible as a first timer at Carnival, I chose Rio.
It has been 10 days since I reached Rio De Janeiro and I learnt a few things about the grand Rio Carnival. If there is one word to describe 72 hours of no sleep, having beer and barbecue for breakfast, thousands of people sporting crazy costumes and dancing in the streets, its called 'Blocos De Rua' – the street parties of Rio, that take place in every neighbourhood all day long.
If there is one place where there are more feathers than the bird population of the world, more colours than you can mix on Corel Draw, more perfect bodies than you can imagine, more fireworks than Diwali, more cheering and competitive spirit than any sporting event, this place is called 'Sambodromo' - the place that houses the Samba Competition among the top schools of Riode jeneiro
If there is one place where you can see carpenters, electricians, painters, artists, musicians, dancers, writers and technicians working towards one goal, with incredible teamwork and effort, its called 'Cidade Do Samba' – Samba City, the place where the Carnival paraphernalia is produced.
If there is one reason why bumblebees, mummies, angels, devils, prostitutes, musicians, magicians, clowns and cross-dressers hang out together, its thanks to 'Fantasia' – costumes, the very DNA of the Carnival
If there are people peeing on the streets, homeless picking up beer cans to sell and make money, dirty starving street kids crawling under the stands to pickpocket tourists, drunk men beating up their women in broad daylight, people throwing up from bus windows, its called ‘Realidade’ - reality, one thing that even Rio Carnival cannot escape.
If there is one word for energy, life and spirit, it is ‘Cariocas‘ - the people of Rio De Janeiro, who are the drivers behind the biggest party of the world. I leave with a backpack full of glittering memories from the Carnival and symptoms of a strange disease. My feet move three steps even when I am asleep and this disease is called Samba Itch. What a perfect souvenir from the Carnival!

Ultima dois semanas,Brazil

The last 2 weeks in Brazil went away so quickly it almost felt like it never happened. I was torn between just staying back in Rio and dancing away every night or heading to Florianapolis and lying around in the beach or diving in Ilha Grande or taking a boat ride down Pantanal (the Kerala of Brazil).... But, then I figured that it involved 20 hour bus journeys or 2 hour boat rides, both I was sick and tired of.. So, I just decided to head to Sao Paulo and attend classes at the Capoeira Academy and do the 'oh so brazilian things' and 'some not so brazilian things' before leaving...

I drank Cerveja.. lots of it..

I ate Acai.. tons of it..

I overdosed on Guarana..

I ate at the cheap Comido por kilo places.. Ive now perfected the art of loading the plate only for 10 Reals or under..

I ate at the Japanese quarter of Sao Paulo... (Incidentally, some of the best Jap food in the world is served in Sao Paulo)

I ate at the best pizza place in the world .. (Thats what my host Luiza calls it)

I drank loads of coffee.. and bought lots..

I ate Pasteils in the Mercado Municipal.. (Mauricio in Chile. i did try to ask them if they would deliver in Santiago .. I remember your request... and they said thats not possible..)

I drank Caipirinhas.. (and even volunteered at a street fair trying to make some)

I drank Maracuja juice.... mmmmm,....

No guesses.. I am a foodie... In between all this eating and drinking, I did some Capoeira. I injured my wrist trying to do a stupid move that I cannot do and had to stop doing classes.

So, I decided to Samba instead... I went to my favourite Samba club and was amazed that I could sing a lot more than I could 5 months back.. the band remembered me and the singer (who looks like an ex boss of mine) even dedicated a song to me..

I learnt to click my fingers like the Brazilians.. (am still learning).. my right fore finger is almost green..

I bought some backless tops.. (god knows if I can wear them in India)

I went to a Brazilian waxing parlour and experienced excruciating pain... (they are not kidding when they say Brazilian women go through a lot of pain to look beautiful)

I shopped for Brazilian porn for an American friend... (and learnt about the different grades of porn)

I spent an afternoon reading Vinicius Moraes Poetry with a dictionary and fell in love with him..

I watched an Israeli film with Portuguese subtitles.. I think my Portuguese reading and comprehending level is way better than Hebrew listening level..

I went to a circus rehearsal with a girl from Honduras..

I went to a film archive and learnt about film restoration..

I bought hawainas... (brazilian rubber chappals)

I paid homage to Senna... visited his grave....

I downloaded Season 4 of Prison Break and saw most of it... and Im tired that its going nowhere.. and Michael is getting fatter..

I watched Lost with Portuguese subtitles and fell in love with Sawyer all over again..

I chatted with a Lebanese liquor store owner and discussed a part of the world I knew nothing about..

I hung out with wonderful couchsurfers..

I watched the corporate world walk by Aveneida Paulista as I sat around eating Acai flovoured ice cream in backpacker clothes... its a thrill...

I tried to hand stands in Ibirapuera park..

I slept on a few bus rides and missed my stops..

I bargained in Portuguese...

I discovered my artistic side and made a fabulous looking belt...

I skype called everyone I missed...

I tried to flip coins everyday to decide whether I should stay back in Brazil or leave.. I even tried best of threes..

Anyway... I did board that flight on 11th March. Took the metro to Tatuape and the bus the airport and drank a Cerveja and a Caparinha in the 1 hour in the airport. Quickly ate Acai too. Boarded the flight and was disappointed to find only Hollywood films and English music. Searched Delta In-Flight entertainment desperately for a Portuguese film. Spoke to the airhostess in Portuguese though she spoke fluent English. Was extremely delighted to be sitting next to a Brazilian exchange student. Saw the night lights of Sao Paulo as the flight took off.. and cried a bit...

The flight started heading northwards.... it got colder (though the flight had temprature control, I could feel the warmth of Brazil being sucked out of me) .... When I landed in Atlanta, the welcome was the coldest welcome in my whole life. Will do justice to that by writing the bitchiest blog post ever very soon.

Now Im here... cold.... missing Brazil sooo much... craving for Cafezinhos... missing hearing music everywhere... all the oh so Brazilian things... and wondering whether I should have done 'best of 5' when I flipped that coin. Only meeting my 2 school friends is making up for leaving Brazil.