“Learn as if you will live forever, live like you will die tomorrow.” —Mahatma Gandhi
Emancipation Day called for an unforgettable adventure, and what better way to spend it than revisiting the stunning Cascade Waterfall, also known as One Drop Waterfall.
Inspired by a recent post from @Jamaica.Travel.Vibez on Instagram, I knew it was time to return.
This time, I brought along my coworkers—Jason, Rasheika, and Shanice—who were all first-timers and full of excitement for the trip.
From scenic drives through the Blue Mountains to cooking lunch by the waterfall, it was a day filled with nature, laughter, and mouth-watering food.
Let me take you through the adventure!
Our day started early as we packed everything we needed for the adventure.
I had my portable stove, pots, spices, and of course, my raincoat and extra clothing (never forget the essentials!).
Even though I don’t eat meat, I was in charge of preparing curry chicken with rice and peas for the crew, while I stuck to fruit juices and coconut water, as I was restarting my 21-day fruit fast.
We set out from Papine, winding our way through the picturesque Gordon Town Road into Irish Town.
Passing landmarks like Café Blue, Strawberry Hill, and EITS Café, we continued through the scenic Redlight District, which holds a special place in my heart due to its proximity to Rafjam Bed and Breakfast, home to two beautiful waterfalls.
Our journey took us past the famous Newcastle Training Depot.
I’ve never seen persons this far in the Blue Mountains riding bycicles. They looked so peaceful.
Some say we were brave to park the car by the road side but I knew noone would try to steal it.
A piece of Jamaican history nestled in the cool hills of St. Andrew.
We couldn’t pass by without stopping for a bit of exploration.
The Newcastle Training Depot was established in 1841 by Major General Sir William Maynard Gomm to protect British troops from yellow fever, and it’s now a training base for the Jamaica Defence Force.
After leaving Newcastle, we continued our journey into Portland, passing the Holeywell Nature Park, a birdwatcher’s paradise.
The cool, serene atmosphere of the area provided a nice break, and we took some time to snap a few pictures and admire the property.
A few more twists and turns, and we found ourselves nearing Cascade Waterfall.
A quick chat with locals confirmed we were on the right track.
We parked by the roadside and began our hike, which led us through a lush forest.
The excitement grew as we crossed another small waterfall before finally arriving at the breath-taking Cascade.
As soon as we arrived, I set up my stove and began preparing lunch.
On the menu: curry chicken with broccoli, carrots, Irish potatoes, cauliflower, sweet peppers, scotch bonnet pepper, spring onions, and thyme, all served with rice and peas.
I was racing against the unpredictable weather, as the sky started to darken, threatening rain.
The rain came, but it fell lightly, on and off. I was grateful for that since we didn’t have proper shelter.
Jason and I were the only ones with raincoats, but he had to use his to cover our luggage. We felt the cold, but thankfully, the rain didn’t stick around—it was almost like it was teasing us.
Shanice and Jason, my assistant chefs, kept an eye on the chicken while I snapped photos of the waterfall.
The beauty of Cascade never ceases to amaze me, and I couldn’t wait to share the experience with my readers.
Just as the curry chicken was finishing, the rain began to fall lightly.
We quickly covered our belongings and took shelter under Jason’s raincoat.
After a brief drizzle, we resumed cooking and continued taking pictures.
When the meal was finally ready, Jason and Shanice gave it a perfect 10 out of 10!
Their praise made me feel like a top chef in Jamaica, and I couldn’t have been more thrilled.
After lunch, we spent more time admiring the waterfall, snapping pictures, and soaking in the natural beauty of Cascade.
The water was ice-cold, but that didn’t stop us from enjoying the moment.
I even got to take some amazing photos of Jason and Rasheika. I joked that I must’ve been a photographer in a past life because the shots were simply stunning.
We had to climb huge rocks to get to the waterfall. But, we eventually made it to the stunning cascade.
Jason must have been a model in a past life, considering how incredible his photos turned out.
After taking a few shots, he fell asleep on a rock—yes, he was incredibly comfortable resting beside a waterfall. We let him nap since he was our driver.
Rasheika and I had a melon by the waterfall.
While the melon wasn’t very good, we managed to create some fantastic content.
The water was icy cold, so I didn’t go under the waterfall, but I did enjoy a few dips before we left.
As the day wound down, we packed up our things and made our way back to the car. Jason had his Vybz Kartel playlist ready, and we all sang along to the tunes of the "World Boss" as we drove back home, reflecting on the incredible day we had just experienced.
This trip reminded me that while I’m usually a solo traveler exploring Jamaica’s hidden gems, having company adds a whole new layer of fun to the adventure.
Cascade Waterfall is a treasure I’ll never tire of, and sharing it with friends made it even more special.
Have you ever visited Cascade Waterfall? If not, would you consider cooking at this serene location? If so, what would you whip up for your waterfall feast?
Let me know in the comments below—I’d love to hear your thoughts! Until the next adventure, stay curious and keep exploring.
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