NEW LEVEL! - #DOWNDIROAD Season 1 Recap
"mi future brighter than sunshine, plus mi granny tell me this one time."Andre 'Popcaan' Sutherland - New Level
Waddup peeps?!?
The season finale of my #DownDiRoad series is finally here! I've been documenting my adventures across Jamaica and finally the first phase is complete! Season 1 is done and Episode 10 is here, which highlights a few of our favourite moments and also previews the theme of season two - FOOD & DRINK. Shot on location at Level 96 Bar and Lounge, check out #DownDiRoad Episode 10 below, but continue reading this blog post for a recap of #DownDiRoad Season 1 with ALL EPISODES and links to their accompanying articles
When I initially started downroad.com, it really was just a personal project to highlight a few of the places that I visit. I like to travel across Jamaica. This island is so intriguing, but I've realized that the more I put out travel pieces, is the more people are yearning for more information. I didn't want to define the #DownDiRoad video series as a weekly VLOG, but more of visual highlights which would accompany the articles on the website. Initially the aim was to write an article every week, giving as much detail as I could about the location, the journey and cost, as well as its offerings. Slowly I realized a fact that I had neglected. People don't always want to read, so I've slowly been tweaking the format of downdiroad.com, which is to continue posting travel articles, but with an increased focus on the media content I put out.
Based on feedback, I will continue tweaking #DownDiRoad series in Season 2. It's my aim to get a bit more informative with the videos, with some more feedback from owners, employees, and patrons of some of the locations and establishments I visit. It's finna be lit!
RECAP OF SEASON 1
#DOWNDIROAD - EPISODE 1 - DRONE FUN! (BLUE LAGOON & ST. MARGARET'S BAY)
Drone Fun really was the accidental start to the series.At this point I was in Portland once a week for three weeks straight trying to get to Monkey Island [AND I STILL HAVEN'T MADE IT YET!]KG rolled out on one of the trips with the drone, and we really were just messing around and got a few shots on the Blue Lagoon, then stopped by St. Margaret's Bay for some more shots.Check out CHASING MONKEY ISLAND – PART 1 – SAN SAN BEACH& CHASING MONKEY ISLAND – PART 2 – RAFTING ON THE BLUE LAGOON
#DownDiRoad - Episode 2 - Klouds & Kalooki (Our Holywell Blue Mountain Weekend)
I probably head up to Holywell once every month or every two months. It's my favourite place. Once a year for past 3 years my friends and I book a cabin or two for a weekend. Klouds & Kalooki was the literal name for this weekend. All you see around you are the clouds that cover Kingston city, and all we did was play a card game called kalooki. It's always a good time up at Holywell.
Check out KLOUDS & KALOOKI – A WEEKEND IN HOLYWELL
#DownDiRoad - Episode 3 - Man On The Moon (A Day at Moon Palace Jamaica Grande)
Fun Fact. Man on The Moon is my least favourite episode.
A bit of context.
First of all, I didn't know about this trip until the day before.
Secondly, I had already planned to be on the road the night before.
Third of all, don't mix dark & white liquors, the hangover is not pretty.
I went out the night before I went on this trip with Mums so I was so out of it for pretty much the entire day. I got the best of what I could, and I won't take anything away from the Moon Palace Jamaica Grande, it's one of the most modern hotels I've ever been to. I hope I can go back one day!
Check out MAN ON THE MOON – A DAY AT THE MOON PALACE JAMAICA GRANDE RESORT
#DownDiRoad - Episode 4 - Negril Weekend (Views From The Other Side)
Oh Negril! I couldn't wait to make my return to Negril I had only been there once and it was sooooo many years before. The drive was long, I got a busted tire and it was just so hot, but I can truly say it was worth it. RockHouse Hotel was a sight to see, and the jump into Blue Hole Mineral Spring might be my most memorable dive in life.
Check out NEGRIL WEEKEND – VIEWS FROM THE OTHER SIDE
#DownDiRoad - Episode 5 - Gut River (A Journey Into No Man's Land)
So on the way back from Negril there was no way I was just going back home. The Game of Thrones finale was gonna be on and I knew I'd probably miss it anyway so why not make it worthwhile? The journey to Gut River was longer than I expected after passing Alligator Pond, but I think it was so worth it. There have only ever been a few times before this that I've seen water so clear. The south coast sunset was also the best I've seen in many years.
Check out GUT RIVER – A JOURNEY INTO NO-MAN’S LAND
#DownDiRoad - Episode 6 - Boat Life (Water Weekend in Ocho Rios)
Another week, another weekend out of town. Couples Tower Isle Ocho Rios is a very nice hotel but I was barely in the room. I spent most of my time in the water. I went deep sea snorkelling for the first time ever and it was life changing. It's a whole new world under the ocean. If you can do it, I highly recommend it. The life jacket makes you float like you're in outer space!
Check out BOAT LIFE – A QUICK OCHI WEEKEND
#DownDiRoad - Episode 7 - Hidden Beauty (White River's Best Kept Secret)
Heading out from Ocho Rios back to Kingston I had to make an adventure out of it! The place was called Hidden Beauty but after hunting and trekking, I ended up finding it. I think Spanish Bridge and Hidden Beauty are vying for the top spot on the White River, but I have to give Hidden Beauty the edge. It's so secluded that the only people you see there are the river tubers passing by on their Chukka Tour. I promised the squad I'd take them so I might be back there real soon!
Check out HIDDEN BEAUTY – WHITE RIVER VALLEY’S BEST KEPT SECRET
#DownDiRoad - Episode 8 - It's A Ship! (A Tour of the Carnival Splendor Cruise Ship)
How often do you get to go on a cruise? I got a chance to go on a cruise ship and even though it was just a tour, I fully enjoyed it. Working in a business hotel, it's always good for me to see the other end of the hotel and resort spectrum. Cruise ships are literal floating hotels, and these guests have almost everything they need at their fingertips. #CruisePar2018 I need to make that happen!
Check out IT’S A SHIP! – A TOUR OF THE CARNIVAL SPLENDOR
#DownDiRoad - Episode 9 - Hy Altitude! (Day-Pass as Hyatt Ziva / Zilara)
So when the JamaicanAbroad hit me up for this link up I really thought to myself "what's the catch"? But as a fellow blogger, I eventually just appreciated the fact that he saw my work, liked it, and decided to reach out to me for this collab. We went to the Hyatt Ziva & Zilara for a day and man these hotels are sick! When you talk about luxury, just use the word Hyatt as a synonym!
Check out HY ALTITUDE! – A DAY AT THE HYATT ZIVA & ZILARA RESORTS
#DownDiRoad - Episode 10 - NEW LEVEL! (SEASON 1 FINALE)
Here's Episode 10 again for the culture!
Level 96 is a bar and lounge located at 96 Hope Road. It was originally called Medusa's and was pretty popular on a Wednesday night a few years ago, but they have recently changed ownership and rebranded. As a prelude to Season 2 we decided to have a mini link up and check it out. I like Level 96; the vibe there is really nice and it's not crowded at all. Also a big plus my favourite bartender from TGI Friday's now works there so even more reason to go again!So this was a little recap of Season 1 of #DownDiRoad. I really want to thank everyone who has tuned in and supported the movement. Look out for Season 2 in a few weeks, the break won't be too long!
Remember to like and share the videos, and subscribe to the @downdiroadja Youtube channel!
#SeasonTwoComingSoon
- Duane
