There's no wifi in the mountains, but you'll never find better connections.
Visit Nature's Sweet Escapes YouTube channel for an in-depth look at this amazing adventure! Also, follow me on Instagram at Nature's Sweet Escapes and on TikTok at .naturessweetescapes for more updates and behind-the-scenes moments from my journeys. Also, visit Jess's YouTube channel where you'll find a video of this adventure that's sure to bring a smile to your face.
Where we got our fruits.
Jess and I embarked on our second camping trip together, venturing into the picturesque parish of Saint Andrew, Jamaica. While not my top favorite (that's reserved for Portland and St. Thomas), Saint Andrew holds a special place in my heart with its lush greenery and serene mountain vistas. Jess and I decided to go on our second camping trip together, but not in Hanover. Instead, we chose my third favorite parish in Jamaica, Saint Andrew, with Portland and St. Thomas holding the top spot
I know it's a bit of a cheat, but until I return to Portland to uncover more of its secrets, it shares the number one spot with St. Thomas, where I spend most of my time these days.
St. Mary comes in second, and St. Ann third. These rankings might change as I explore more of each parish's magic.
Our destination was Mountain Paradise in Silver Hill, nestled in the Blue Mountains. On our way, we realized we were missing a few ingredients for our meals.
A quick stop at Papine Market provided us with lettuce, lemon, and sweet corn.
We also picked up melon and mangoes from a lively rasta man whose humor and excellent customer service left a lasting impression on us.
His joyful spirit was a perfect prelude to our adventure.
Curry Chickpeas in Coconut milk.
I will definitely look for him again and support his business.Good customer service is hard to find these days.
My first time making Breadfruit Burger.
The journey through the Blue Mountains was nothing short of spectacular. The scenic beauty of the mountains, with their lush greenery and fresh, cold air, always takes my breath away.
Jess Roast Salmon.
The scenic beauty of the mountains, with their lush greenery and fresh, cold air, always takes my breath away.
Lighting the lamp for the May Bugs
We made a stop at New Castle, where we enjoyed a sweet coconut and were greeted by a rainbow—a heavenly sign that our adventure would be filled with fun and new experiences.
Our next stop was New Castle, where we bought a sweet coconut and saw a rainbow, a heavenly sign that this adventure would be full of fun and new experiences.
As we continued our drive, memories of past adventures flooded back. I recalled my visits to Holywell for its waterfall and the Jamaica Coffee Festival.
My tour guide from my Cascade adventure and I almost got bitten by a huge dog, one of the scariest moments of my life.
It was also my first time going on an adventure on a bike, which later led to more bike adventures in St. Thomas and Westmoreland.
Although I haven't camped at Holywell, yet, it's definitely on my list. The day was overcast, but remembering the rainbow, I knew the weather was temporary and enjoyed the scenic route in the Blue Mountains.
Upon arriving at Mountain Paradise, I was immediately struck by the stunning mountain views.
I found love in the greenery, cold fresh air, and scenic views right in front of me. I knew this wouldn't be my last trip. I found the perfect spot to cook which was overlooking the mountain views.
We quickly set up our tents and started preparing our dinner before nightfall. Jess, the more experienced camper, helped me with my tent, saving us valuable time.
The cold mountain air took me by surprise, reminding me to always prepare for varying climates on future trips.
I underestimated the weather, as it was cold and would get colder as the night drew near. I dressed like I was going to a restaurant, totally forgetting I was heading into the mountains.
I had clothes in my bag to keep me warm but had to layer up. I was so excited for this trip that I forgot about the different climate. I won't make that mistake again.
Cooking in such a beautiful setting was an unforgettable experience. I placed my stove at the center of one of the most beautiful mountain views I've seen.
It was heaven. I made Breadfruit Burgers using Lettuce, Curry Chickpeas in Coconut Milk, Cabbage, Carrots, Bell Peppers, Ripe Plantain, and Roast Breadfruit. Jess prepared Roast Salmon and Sweet Corn.
I hurried because the sun was setting, but I finished in time to take some amazing photos of my burger.
Jess finished her roast salmon and sweet corn as well. We enjoyed our meal under the moonlight, accompanied by the glow of our phone lights.
The night brought a unique encounter with May Beetles(Genus Phyllophaga), or Easter bugs, as they are known in rural Jamaica.
Despite their annoying presence, we managed to enjoy the night by making a fire and sharing jokes.
The beetles' antics even led to some humorous moments, like when they flew into our mouths, prompting jokes about their protein content.
After a delightful evening of conversations, drinking coffee under the moonlight and laughter, we retired to our tents.
Although I had no signal, I had preloaded season 3 of Bridgerton and watched a few episodes before falling asleep.
The next morning, we woke early to catch the sunrise, but the clouds had other plans. Nevertheless, the view was still breathtaking. The climate was amazing, with cold, fresh air on my cheeks. The weather in St. Andrew is definitely romantic.
We had a big day ahead, so we started breakfast. I made stir-fried vegetables with cabbage, lettuce, carrots, bell peppers, pak choi, cherry tomatoes, and some leftover breadfruit that I fried.
I thought about love in many ways, and cooking in front of a beautiful mountain view was one of them.
What a beautiful life it is. I was reminded of the day I fell in love with exploring Jamaica. The love I give, I give to you, Jamaica, always and forever.
We made peach and lemongrass tea. It was my first-time trying peach tea, and I loved it. Jess prepared fried dumplings and baked beans with saltfish.
I also made fritters and green plantain chips. We had a feast, and I knew I gained a few pounds that day.
We washed up and went to look at the cabins.
Exploring Mountain Paradise further, we discovered it is the is the perfect getaway.
If you don't want to sleep in tents, cabins are available.
The property is filled with fruit trees, herbs, vegetables, and flowers.
We then walked to the river, which was a fifteen-minute downhill trek.
The river was icy cold, so we didn't stay long.
We took a few pictures and returned to the property, where we toured the farm, seeing rosemary and mint, among other plants.
There was a peach tree, which I saw for the first time, and lychee which I saw for the second time.
The first time I saw a Lychee tree was in North Clarendon searching for a waterfall.
Jess continued exploring the farm and got parsley, fennel, celery, and more.
I took a few more photos of the mountains. I couldn't leave without capturing them.
As we packed up to leave, we couldn't resist one last look at the magnificent mountains.
Our final stop was Holywell, where Jess bought a pie, and I indulged in freshly picked strawberries.
The drive home was filled with reflections on our amazing trip and the anticipation of future adventures.
Camping at Mountain Paradise was a remarkable experience, one that I will cherish forever.
The beauty of Saint Andrew, the joy of cooking in the mountains, and the laughter shared with Jess made this trip unforgettable.
Have you ever been camping? If so, where was your first camping experience? If not, would you consider it? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Whatta Gwaan!
You've discovered my blog. I'm delighted you're here. Maybe it's destiny. I'm Doreen Lillian Scarlett welcome to Nature's Sweet Escapes where I go on the far side of Instagram to document and share my adventures.