Wednesday 18 January 2017

WELCOME TO JAMROCK.

 Oh Jamaica, Jamaica, Jamaica... what an island!

I don't even know where to begin when talking about this extraordinary island. To be honest I'm probably going to have to do several other posts, because it definitely deserves more than just one. (Ok I'm being a little biased here, but you can't blame me) I feel very blessed that for me Jamaica is more than just a holiday, it's somewhat home, due to it being the birthplace of my father.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
1999 - The year I first went to Jamaica, I still remember this family holiday very clearly. It was one of the first long-distanced holiday's i ever went on, so I was so excited, me and my sister both were. when your younger the travel process is so much more fascinating.


We were there for three weeks, in that time my father made sure we visited family and friends in towns such as Ocho Rios, Maypen and Lucea. We went to the famous rock climbing attraction Dunn's River and went to an indoor rock pool (can't remember the name!) 

I remember going to loads of beautiful beaches and playing in the ocean and hunting for crabs by the rocks. Back in the good old days the littlest of things kept me entertained and content. This holiday will always be one I'll hold close to my heart.♥

Young Gena - Helping my uncle make fresh coconut juice!
90's babies, my sister Yasmin and me loving life in the swimming pool.

15 years later, Jamaica we meet again...๐Ÿ•˜

2014 - I had to go back for many reasons. I always knew my father dreamed of going back, unfortunately he never got the chance too.๐Ÿ˜ž
So when the opportunity came about, I had to go, not just for myself, but for him too. Even better too my sister was joining me! #sistergoals  ๐Ÿ‘ญ
I couldn't wait to experience Jamaica as an young adult. Two weeks of sun, sea, over indulgence and everything Jamaican. HEAVEN!

OMG as soon as we landed, the humidity was on a next level, lets just say the travel makeup didn't help nor was necessary. but if you know me, you know I had to have the basics applied on fleek  
We finally arrived at the RIU hotel, located in Montego bay. Even though I looked at images beforehand, I was jaw dropped when I seen it in real life, it was everything and SO MUCH MORE...simply stunning!

RIU Hotel Montego Bay, Private Beach.
It was the biggest hotel I stayed in at this point of my travels, when I entered, I remember being greeted with a rum punch cocktail and my luggage whisked away by the porters, I knew from that point, this holiday was going to be AMAZING. Once we were all checked in, we went to our room, it was another OMG moment, I felt like royalty.

There were two king-size beds, a gigantic flat screen TV, private balcony, a hot tub bath, sparkling marble floors and do you know the best bit? we had our own alcohol dispenser, which involved Jamaican rum, brandy, vodka and gin. I took full advantage of course

My own alcohol dispenser in my bedroom.

The first morning waking up in Jamaica, to be greeted by the sunrise was the prettiest sight ever,to feel the heat first thing in the morning is what I live for.
Going to breakfast, the food hall was FOOD HEAVEN and I'm not just saying this. Anything you fancied it was there from English, Jamaican, American, European etc, they catered to your every desire and taste buds.

The RIU hotel grounds, was every vacationers dream. There were 2 mega swimming pools with loungers, Jacuzzi and a bar in it. A private beach which provided water activities, endless restaurants from all you can eat, a steakhouse, Chinese and Italian cuisine and the famous jerk chicken hut.

It also featured a string of incredible bars and retail shops to splurge out on. The hotel had there own nightclub too, called Pacha, you really didn't really need to leave the hotel and explore if your boring that is The entertainment was on a next level of FUN VIBES, from learning patois in the day to learning how to shake your ass in a dance off at night! (of course I had to try that out, I did pretty well to be honest!)
 
The staff were so energetic, funny and charming, not like anything I have experienced before; from the reception desk, reservations team, bar staff, waiters, lifeguards and the entertainers, they definitely knew how to have a good time, Jamaican stylie.

I explored these places: Dunn's river, Dolphin Cove, Reggae Falls, Bob Marley's House, Doctor Cave Beach, Margaritaville Monetgo Bay.
& spent some a few days here: Kingston, St Thomas, Ochio Rios
(L-R) Yasmin, myself and our lovely friend Sherraine who flew out and joined us.
Me, loving life in the country side of St Thomas.
The 2 weeks spent was unreal and to date is my best holiday! I created and experienced memories which I'll save for a lifetime and met some incredible people, who I still keep in touch with until this day. It was so nice to be back in the country my dad was from, his energy was definitely felt throughout. He was always so proud of his heritage. He used to always share so many entertaining stories from his his childhood. I'm blessed, I can now do the same and tell my children one day.

Thursday 12 January 2017

I LIVE BY THIS QUOTE!


This quote is the motto that I live by, literally! Everything about it, is oh so definitely TRUE and how I view things! I'm not even 25 years old yet and I feel as if I have already jet setted around some FABULOUS destinations across the world, that some people my age and older haven't been fortunate enough yet to do so. To which I am forever thankful for the opportunities I have had and of course I bloody worked hard for them, since the age of 16. (Work hard, travel harder I say) What I LOVE about travelling is that it opens up your eyes to meeting new people from different backgrounds, tasting new cuisine, being exposed to new surroundings and better off just soaking up the culture and lively atmosphere.

The most common excuses for people who don't travel or often is that they can't afford it. My answer to this is....Another quote alert "Where there's a will, there's a way" How I see it is, there's always a way to do what you truly desire in life, as long as you don't go about it illegally!

You have options whether that means working over time, getting a second job, finding a good deal or even just throwing it on a credit card #YOLO (make sure to pay it off, don't be foolish)
Just make it work people!

As humans we live for experiences, well I sure do anyway. Like come on, I haven't been put on this earth, just to watch life fly past me. Travelling makes me see life in a whole new concept whilst being 100% worry free! It makes me want to live more in the moment, act crazy, talk to random people, try new things, take endless pictures of whats around me and of course a few hundreds of selfies, as am just so fascinated with everything and myself.

But that's the excitement feeling travelling gives you, its a new adventure, where your a small fish in a big pond and when you return from your travels back home it turns you into an AMAZING storyteller! That's what life is really about...

"I would rather be poor and have had experienced the world, then be rich and not experienced the world at all" ❤✈

Sunday 8 January 2017

NEW YEAR. NEW DESTINATIONS

NEW YEAR. NEW DESTINATIONS. Happy New Year Guys, A bit late I know.
Who's in need of a holiday already? I sure am. January is a month where I like to start planning/booking my travels for the forthcoming months. I have already got two potential destinations I would love to try and visit this year, such as Mexico and Iceland!

I know what your thinking already....how random! There very opposite regards to the type of holiday vibes you'd have, but I like that, as they appeal to me for different reasons.

When I think of Mexico, I vision strong sunrays beaming down on my skin, walking along on white-sparkly sandy beaches, swimming with dolphins, partying up a storm at spring break or if you want to explore the historical side of Mexico you can attend the Day of the Dead Festival! If your brave enough But I can't forget the delicious Mexican delicacies from sipping on a chilled Margarita and of course having a plate of enchiladas beside me. Sounds like the ultimate tropical dream holiday right?

On the flipside Iceland gives me all things nature, but nature at it's finest! Iceland is way more exclusive, appears super-chilled 24/7, has got the most refreshing scenic views such as Volcanoes, Glaciers, The Northern Lights and Blue Lagoons. It's artic dรฉcor, stunning water features and very natural spa habitats is the perfect excuse for a girls holiday. BECAUSE GIRLS DO HAVE MORE FUN!  I'm a sucker for a spa day, last year I slightly overdosed on them! I can totally picture myself in a 5* spa luxury retreat in Iceland already. If you know me, you know I cant do things by basic measures Diva.



Sometimes  I like to fully indulge when it comes to booking my next getaways. Is it just me who just loves that feeling of counting down the days until I'm out of my day to day surroundings. There's just no better feeling of slapping down a deposit on a holiday and hearing the words "all booked"
Anything from a cheeky city break to an exotic holiday in the Caribbean, I'm there.

Let me tell you about my travels in 2013, that's when I first fell in LOVE with exploring the world as a young adult, but don't be fooled I have been jet setting around the world since the tender age of 6 months old, my first trip being Paris with my family.

⬇   ⬇   ⬇   ⬇   ⬇   ⬇   ⬇   ⬇   ⬇   ⬇   ⬇   ⬇   ⬇   ⬇   ⬇   ⬇   ⬇   ⬇   ⬇   ⬇   ⬇   ⬇   ⬇   ⬇   ⬇   ⬇   ⬇   ⬇   ⬇   ⬇
2012 was such life changing year for me, I wanted to really make the most out of my year ahead and live life to the full; one of the first things on my to do list was to TRAVEL more.

The year 2013 I visited some amazing places ↓
  1. Tunisia
  2. Greece
  3. New York
  4. Bulgaria
  5. Belfast [City Break]
  6. Paris [City Break]
2013 was literally the year where my 'holiday obsession disorder' was activated

Thursday 5 January 2017

Welcome Aboard,

 So my travel blog is finally here guys, shocking right? I know there has been a little delay on getting it up and running but it's finally here hallelujah! My blog will give you a better insight on my travels, which will give you ideas on what to do/where to go if you have recently booked the same vacation or feel to take a spontaneous last minute trip somewhere.
 
My blog will show you my past trips and will give you an exclusive update on where I would like to travel to next....
I'll be reviewing, storytelling, giving tips/advice, basically ALL things related to travel I'll be discussing! 
 
My blog is going to be, so much more than just a travel guide or a trip advisor type feel, it's going to be my real life travel experiences/views documented MY WAY. Anyways I don't want to give too much away and spoil the surprises to come.
 
Before I fnish, I would like to say, I am VERY, VERY, VERY excited to start blogging and sharing it with you all. Let's just say its been a VERY LONG time coming!
 
- Gena xoxo

 
Please keep up to date with #GenaExplores online, feedback/ideas hugely appreciated:
 
Facebook: Gena Explores
Twitter: @GenaExpores
Instagram: @GenaExplores