Adventure in Jamaica
Island Routes and Chukka offer an authentic island experience
Maura Curley
I’m a journalist. I have an active and interesting life, so I’ve never felt the need to go looking for excitement.
But then Island Routes and Chukka Caribbean, purveyors of Caribbean adventure tours, offered a sampling of their smorgasbord of treats that engage and inspire.
Two hours on a dune buggy safari and I was hooked. I wanted more, which got me thinking about the whole concept of expanding vacation horizons.
Certainly holidays are a time to relax and recharge batteries, but perhaps they should also be about moving beyond the tired and true.
How many swim-up beach bars or drinks by the pool do we really need?
Shouldn’t we take home more from our Caribbean sojourns than a tan and a stronger tolerance to rum?
What about discovering a country’s culture, learning about its environment and infrastructure, going off the established tourist track to places where there may not even be a road?
Granted, we’re all built differently. Driving a dune buggy through rough and rocky terrain, and getting down and dirty splashing through mud and water may not be fun for everyone. But an adventure is something that operates outside our comfort zone. So it you’re a couch potato at home and a beach blob on vacation, you might consider a sail on a catamaran or a walking tour to be adventurous.
"Adventure" can be a delightful mixed bag. A group of us were transported to Good Hope Great House, 45 minutes outside of Montego Bay Jamaica, where Island Routes has partnered with Chukka Caribbean Adventures, which operates from Good Hope Great House in Trelawny.
The Good Hope Estate has over 2,000 acres of jungle with the majestic Martha Brae river weaving its way through the lush landscape. The property has nature, culture and history and all three are incorporated into the tours. These include a horse and carriage ride through the estate, a zipline canopy through the trees and river tubing, ATV and dune buggy safaris. For less intrepid souls there’s also a tour of the great house, with a high tea, complete with English scones.
Chukka is known for its commitment to geo tourism, the growing concept that travel should focus on a location's authentic aspects, which include its culture, history and natural environment.
All this of course leads back to my dune buggy safari, which I chose among the tours offered. I didn’t have e a clue what it would be like, having not done my homework in advance. I though that some tour operator would drive me through an “established path” of scenic overlooks.
But when I was asked if I had a valid driver’s license and handed my helmet, I knew I had signed on for something more.
We set out in a convoy of “ buggies” completely equipped with roll bars. The mountainous jungle terrain took us to places I’d never even imagined in Jamaica, during my previous three trips to the island. We traveled fast over grass and rocks, through ravines, fields and on some primitive paths. We stopped a few times to listen to the birds, and hear our guide discuss the river’s flow and the history of the estate. At one remote spot we came upon a group of school children and a tidy house in a clearing. We drove through groves of orange trees, which I later learned were harvested for juice, which is exported by Good Hope.
Arriving back at the great house for lunch, I was muddy and weary from the safari. My co-pilot from Trinidad was weary too, mostly from telling me to slow down, watch the rocks, and try not to tip over. But I was also filled with confidence from my new found driving acumen, happy, and grateful for the incredible experience.
Photos: Group pose before the dune buggy safari. virginvoices.com photo by Maura Curley.
To see more photos of Good Hope Estate click here.
For more information about Chukka Caribbean Adventures click here
For more information about Island Routes click here
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Maura Curley is publisher of Virgin Voice Publications
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Click Here to Add a Comment"Wow! I'm going to think differently about 'vacations.'" - Benjamin (2011-01-27)