Victor Schoelcher, a Parisian whose campaign to abolish slavery in France's colonies succeeded in 1848, was elected deputy governor of Guadeloupe.
Jamaica lives up to all the stereotypes you'd expect from a Caribbean island: paradisiacal beaches with turquoise waters, a pleasant year-round tropical climate and lush nature everywhere you look. But the traveler will soon discover that the "island of wood and water" is much more than that, and proof of this are the unique experiences it offers, such as those that follow.
Bathing in luminescent waters
Home to millions of microscopic organisms (called dinoflagellates) that light up at night, the Luminous Lagoon is a natural wonder that extends into Falmouth Bay. As a curiosity, there are only three other places in the world where this phenomenon can be observed: Indonesia, Bahamas and Puerto Rico, although Jamaica's lagoon is said to be the largest and brightest of all. The 45-minute night tour departs from Glistening Waters, during which it is possible to take a dip in the shimmering waters that promises to be unforgettable.
Savoring the world's most coveted coffee
As most people know, Blue Mountain Coffee is the best coffee in the world. So what better excuse to discover the secrets of Jamaica's best-kept treasure than to visit one of its coffee plantations, such as the award-winning Croydon Plantation in the Catadupa Mountains or the private Craighton Estate, to learn firsthand all the details of its production. For example, the Mavis Bank Coffee Factory is one of the few places on the island where this delicacy is produced and organizes 45-minute guided tours of its facilities. After the tour, participants can enjoy a free tasting of this select coffee.
Sailing on a raft made of bamboo
A boat suitable for those who get seasick on the high seas, since the Bamboo Rafting tours, despite their name suggesting otherwise, are very relaxing. There are several tours to choose from, the most popular being the Martha Brae River descent and the Rio Grande, which offers the opportunity to sample an authentic Jamaican menu on the banks of the river at Bellinda's.
Originally, bamboo rafts were a key means of transportation during the golden age of Jamaica's plantation era. Today they still maintain the same design as they once did, although they now carry passengers instead of cargo.
Drinking a Red Stripe beer between the sea and the sky
A trip to Jamaica wouldn't be complete without a visit to the coolest bar in the Caribbean: Floyd's Pelican Bar. Its owner, Floyd Forbes, dreamed of building a bar in the middle of the ocean, and in 2001 he made it happen. Located on the high seas, more than a kilometer from the coast, its only access -as it could not be otherwise- is by boat. The interior of the place is decorated with relics from all over the world, so travelers can feel free to leave their own souvenirs.
Shipwrecked for a day on a desert island
What would you take with you to a desert island? On Pellew Island you can find out and feel like Tom Hanks in his mythical movie. The island, also known as Monkey Island, has a small private beach and a swing set, the perfect place to enjoy a picnic surrounded by an idyllic setting. It is said that at low tide it is accessible on foot, although it can also be easily reached by raft or boat from nearby Blue Lagoon.
Victor Schoelcher, a Parisian whose campaign to abolish slavery in France's colonies succeeded in 1848, was elected deputy governor of Guadeloupe.
