Cafe Blue On The Mountain

Cafe Blue Irish Town

Recently I went up to Strawberry Hills on an assignment, however, I made a stop at Cafe Blue for a good cup of the original Blue Mountain Coffee. Being an avid coffee lover I could not let the opportunity to enjoy the taste of freshly brewed Blue Mountain coffee go by without firmly and eagerly seizing it. What better way to enjoy that flavour and aroma than to go to the Cafe Blue that's closest to the source, Cafe Blue Irish Town.

Cafe Blue located along the main road through Irish Town

The Irish Town location is quite a bit of a drive away from the hustle and bustle of the city of Kingston along very rough, narrow and winding roads. This location is definitely not the Cafe Blue to go to for a quick cup of Java, rather it's a must stop is you are heading up into the Blue Mountains. It's perched on a hillside along the main road running through the rural community called Irish Town.The original and first Cafe Blue location opened by the parent company Coffee Traders Ltd, carries a somewhat rustic charm and a relaxed atmosphere, qualities that befit its location in the hills of the Blue Mountains.

The interior of Cafe Blue Irish Town

Coffee machine used to brew fresh Blue Mountain coffee

This quaint coffee shop serves up several mixes of coffee beverages guaranteed to tantalize the tastebuds of any coffee lover. However, they are not just limited to coffee, but they offer tasty cakes and pastry that go well with the smooth taste of the world famous Blue Mountain coffee. It's definitely worth the stop if it's even for a few minutes, which might turn to a few hours on the terrace if you have good company. If you just can't satisfy with a cup or two of that wonderful Blue Mountain coffee you can take some with you as the Cafe Blue offers a wide variety of wonderfully packaged Blue Mountain coffe as well as coffee mugs for the true Blue Mountain coffe enthusiast.

My cup of coffee which I enjoyed on the terrace at Cafe Blue

Tasty pastry and cakes at cafe Blue

Several types of roasted coffee available for purchase

Coffee Mugs for the trie Blue Mountain Coffee lovers

So if you are in the area of Irish Town, going to Strawberry Hills or even to Holywell and you love coffee then Cafe Blue is a must stop for that Java craving!

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Blue Balloons for Autism

Blue ballons being released by the audience at Emancipation Park

Autism is a disorder of the neural development that manifests itself through impaired social interaction and communication as well as restrictive and repetitive behaviour. It is estimated that this disorder affects 1 in 88 children world wide. Autism no doubt robs a child of living a normal life and deprives them the opportunity to achieve their full potential in life. The effects of this condition also translates to the parents and caregivers who have to take special care in to attend to the needs of those affected by Autism. The plight of the persons affected by this condition and the emotional and financial strains of those family members who have to care for them. But how can the general public be sensitized bout Autism?

Autism Awareness banner at Emancipation Park

April has been selected as Autism Awareness Month with the purpose of sensitizing people worldwide about this condition that affects so many children and adults worldwide. The Jamaica Autism Support Association along with help from the Digicel Jamaica Foundation launched Autism Awareness Month on Sunday April 1, 2012 at the Emancipation Park with a ballon release ceremony. The ceremony featured a Prayer for Autism by Sarah Newland-Martin, a special poem for Autism written by a staff member of Digicel, musical entertainment by a drumming band comprising of Autistic children from Genesis Academy as well as songs from children of Promise Learning Centre, who are also affected my Autism. The ceremony culminated with the grand finale, the release of blue ballons that were handed out to the audience during the ceremony as well as balloons in the colours of our national flag. However, those who attended were not limited to only blue balloons as Dekal Wireless provided blue bulbs in support of Autism Awareness Month. I was there with my camera and took a few photos of the event to share with you all.

Child getting her face painted with pictures of blue balloons

Drumming being done by Autistic children from the Genesis Academy

Blue balloons being handed out to the audience by Digicel Jamaica Foundation volunteer Jodi Henry

A group of Autistic children from the Promise Learning Centre

A child in the audience receiving her balloon

Nicole Rochester reading Sarah Newland-Martin prayer for Autism

Kathy Chang Cofounder of Jamaica Autism Support Association

Christy Almeida member of the Jamaica Autism Support Association

Prof. Maureen Samms-Vaughn of the UHWI , Patron of JASA

Byron James Digicel employee reciting his poem for Autism

Samantha Cantrelle Executive Director of the Digicel Jamaica Foundation 

A member of the choir from the Promise Learning Centre signing during the song presentation

Member of the Audience enjoying the performance 

Audience member with blue balloons

A child with his blue balloon

Blue balloons being released by the crowd

Green, black and gold balloons being released

Another musical presentation from children of Promise Learning Centre

Audience member and her child at the ceremony

Blue light bulbs in support of Autism Awareness Month provided by Dekal Wireless

This ceremony was just the beginning of Autism Awareness month, as several buildings across the world, including Jamaica were lit in blue on April 2, 2012 in support of World Autism Awareness Day. Some of the local buildings and areas that were lit in blue included Emancipation Park, UWI Chapel, AZMART, Phillip Sherlock Centre UWI, the Digicel electronic message board as well as several homes across the island. There will aslo be other activities geared towards sensitizing the Jamaican public about Autism in a continued effort to gain support for those affected by Autism. Hopefully, this will result in an increase in the awareness as well as support for those who are directly and indirectly affected by this condition. For more information about Autism and how you can help you may contact the Jamaica Autism Support Association.

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EITS Cafe - Restaurant In The Hills

Small sign at the entrance of EITS

Nestled in the lush green hills of the Blue Mountains far away from the hustle and bustle of the city of Kingston is a small restaurant called EITS Cafe. The name EITS, I realized after a while, is an acronym for Europe In The Summer. This rustic little restaurant, perched on the side of one of the many steep valleys of Jamaica's highest mountain range is a real testament to what a country restaurant is. It's rustic board structure and the remote location is just what the doctor ordered to make one forget the stresses of city life!

View of the Blue Mountains from EITS Cafe

The journey to EITS is not the best as it involves driving along a very narrow, winding, rough road along steep mountain ranges. However, the journey does give you the opportunity to appreciate the lush, green majestic mountains that make up Jamaica's highest mountain range, the Blue Mountains. This unassuming restaurant was easy to miss as we navigated along the road way, despite the signs along the route and it close proximity to the roadside. After driving past what was perceived to be just a cabin along the roadside and making a U-turn at New Castle, several miles away, we made it back to the quaint little establishment called EITS Cafe. EITS Cafe is also a part of the mountain lodge called Mount Edge Guest House, an equally rustic cabin. But what would this place have to offer?

EITS Cafe and Mount Edge

Even before entering the restaurant itself you are embraced by the feeling of an old time country house. The atmosphere was rustic yet very relaxing as the peace and tranquility of this remote location permeated the air, only punctuated by the very rare sound of a vehicle passing by. The wooden structure of EITS and Mount Edge Guest House adds to the charm and feel of this rural establishment.

The entrance to EITS Cafe

A part of the ambiance of EITS and Mount Edge

One of the dining areas at EITS Cafe

A part of the "Old Time Jamaica" decor at EITS Cafe

The meals at EITS are prepared with farm fresh produce grown on their farm on the valley just below the restaurant. It just doesn't get get any fresher than that! I started off my meal with a vegetable soup garnished with freshly picked lettuce from the farm, just what was needed to open the appetite. This was quickly followed by the main course a chicken pasta dish accompanied by cooked vegetables as well as farm fresh lettuce. The chicken pasta meal was not what I was used having at the restaurants in Kingston to but was more reminiscent to real old time country style cooking. But that blends in well with the look and atmosphere of the restaurant and offered something different from the norm. I ended my dining experience with a cup of the world famous Blue Mountain Coffee.

Vegetable soup at EITS

Chicken Pasta

Blue Mountain Coffee

EITS is a nice getaway from the normal dining experience, especially for those of us who crave for new experiences and who are tired of the modern dining experiences.

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Joel Finnigen Civic 2012 Dream

As I mentioned in my previous blog, I had to do a test drive for the Win A Civic 2012 Competition. So I went down to ATL Motors recently and did just that, and as promised, I did a video. So here is the trailer for my Civic 2012 test drive. Hope you enjoy this teaser! And remember to VOTE!!!

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Campaigning For A Dream

2012 Honda Civic

In 2005 the newest shape of the well know Honda Civic was released and your boy Stunner immediately started to drool. Yes, This was the car I wanted, awesome sort shape, optional bigger engine rated at 1800cc, futuristic dashboard, yes all that I was looking for. But when it was time to sell my 1998 Honda Civic and buy the object of my obsession I was brought to reality! Yes, the cost of the new Civic certainly slapped me across my face like a brick of reality! I searched high and low, car lot to car lot and importer to importer but alas, the price was still out of my reach. I conceded and settled for the next best thing, a 2004 Honda Civic. It wasn't what I rally wanted, but it was close enough for my struggling pocket. But I continued to lust like a dog in heat every year that a new Civic came out. Wishing, and hoping. Would I ever be able to own a Civic, even more so that I was made redundant mid 2009?

Article on The Gleaner website

Jus when all seemed dismal and all hope had seemed to be dashed to pieces a glimmer of hope popped up just when I least expected it! There I was browsing The Gleaner online when I saw the article "Write to drive - 2012 Honda Civic Up For Grabs"! After reading the simple entry requirements I decided this was my ticket to fullfil my dreams to own the Civic I always wanted! How could I not give it a try! The timing of this competition could not be better as I am about to embark on my island photography tour! I immediately started to picture myself embarking on my journeys in comfort and style! Powerful 1800cc engine for when I need that extra kick, spacious interior to hold all my gear and controls on the steering wheel for even safer driving! Mi want it!!!

My entry page (in English)

For me to qualify to win I must be one of the top five contestants in Jamaica with the most points and I must test drive the 2012 Honda Civic! I gain points by getting votes on my entry page as well as from sharing my entry page and test driving the car. So I have embarked on a campaign to gain votes in a bid to rack up my points to ensure eligibility! I have also scheduled my appointment to test drive the 2012 Honda Civic at ATL and will be posting that experience in the form of a video for you all!

Hopefully all will go as planned and I will seize my chance to win the 2012 and realize my dream! However, hoping alone wont help, I need your help! Yes I need you all to help me to fullfil my dream by going to my entry page and cast your vote once per day, every day till March 31. It's so easy and takes less than 10 seconds. Jus click on the link below and click the "Vote for my entry button"

Go To My Entry Page*

*If the page is in Spanish, there is a link at the lower right hand corner of the page to change it to english.


Thank you all for your support and I will keep you all updated on the progress of the competition! So VOTE! VOTE! VOTE!

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Wyndham Wedding Spectacular

One of the Wedding Cake decorations on display

On Saturday I went to the recently held Wyndham Wedding Spectacular at the Wyndham Hotel in Kingston. I have never been to this wedding expo before and in fact this was the first I was hearing of it. However, I am more familiar with the Jamaica Pegasus Wedding Extravaganza which is normally held a little later in the year. So even though I had an idea of what a wedding expo is all about I wasn't sure of what to expect of this new on. Will it be the same as the Pegasus show?

A model showing off one one the wedding dresses at the expo

The first thing I noticed about the Wyndham Wedding Spectacular was that it was not as large as the one held at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, in fact it seems as small as a half the footprint. However, it had a similar theme, boothes setup throughout the venue featuring wedding photographers, wedding planners, makeup artists, decorators and even a somewhat new phenomenon wedding insurance. One thing that did stick out though as I entered the venue was the impressive Mercedes Benz that was on display in the centre of the wedding show. My, my, my, it certainly made me crave for some German engineering in my life!

One of the sample table decorations on display at the expo

Overall though, despite being a much smaller wedding show than the well known Jamaica Pegasus Wedding Extravaganza, it was pretty decent. It allowed me to get a feel of what's out there in the wedding business, in particular, wedding photography, a filed that I am very much a part of. I got to see what some of my competitors are offering and also helped me to network with a few potential allies in the wedding business. Hopefully it will grow and like the Pegasus' wedding show, give businesses an opportunity to display their products and services to potential clients who are considering making that big step in their lives. I did not go with the intention to take photographs per say, but I still walked with my camera... as all true photographers do... and took a few photographs to share. You can view the album on my facebook page in the album titles Wyndham Wedding Spectacular.

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