How to do ‘One Bag Ah Tings’ on Your Next Trip to Portland, Jamaica

LoveNotLikesJa and Those Creative People got up to one bag ah tings hosting a bunch of Jamaican creatives on the first micro-influencer trip to Portland.

Kesi Gardner (from LoveNotLikesJa) came up with the brilliant plan to explore the countryside through the eyes of Jamaica’s very own creative people. Kesi invited 18 vloggers, bloggers, videographers, photographers, entrepreneurs and other creatives for the excursion. Portland was the first trip.

LoveNotLikesJa set the itinerary for a full day of activities, instagram-worthy moments, laughter and fun on the beach. The lush scenes of Portland parish became the backdrop for us to flex our creative muscles. And I was fortunate enough to be a part of this trip of a lifetime!

So, what did we do? (And how can you do it too?)

One Bag Ah Tings on the Beach

If it’s your first time to Portland then make sure to visit Portland’s white sandy beaches, gorgeous lagoons and crystal clear waters. And even if this is your 27th trip to Portland…it’s always fun at the beach!

Before I get into the itinerary, here are some basics that you should have for your trip:

What You Need for Your Beach Trip

• Beach bag – Those Creative People gifted each of us with one of their iconic and playful cotton twill bags. The bags were high quality and roomy enough for us to store all our stuff. I packed so many things in my bag and it held together well. Note that it does not do well wet, so keep it as dry as possible. Other than that, these totes from Those Creative People really is one bag ah tings!

• It goes without saying but you of course also need towel, sunscreen, swimsuit, sunglasses.
• Flip-Flops – What’s the beach without a good pair of flip-flops? Usually I’m a water shoes kinda woman but the Ipanema flip-flops we received from Sun Factory Jamaica were so sturdy, comfortable and waterproof that I didn’t even remember I had water shoes in my bag.

• Change of clothes – or three (do it for the ‘gram) lol!
• Snacks and Water – Keep your energy up with some snacks. And it’s important to hydrate #PlaceHotB
• Cellphone data plan – Stay connected and update your friends, family and followers. Digicel Jamaica blessed us with a 28Day Social Plan so we could share our explorations in real time!

Camera – The scenery is too breathtaking to miss; grab your camera and capture all the refreshing moments of your trip. I brought my waterproof Olympus TG-5 camera and when I look back at all the footage, I’m so happy I took it along!

The Journey

IMAGINE missing your alarm, waking up to no water in the pipes (there was a mini-drought in Kingston), looking at your unpacked bag, and just thinking “crap!”. Well that’s how I kick-started the morning of our LoveNotLikesJa Micro-influencer trip. I rushed like mad to our meetup point and joined the crew on the bus.

We were taken around Portland by Harmony Tours Jamaica. Our tour guide, Michael, was nothing short of amazing!..kind, accommodating, good driver, friendly. If you’re a large group or just cant be bothered with driving around yourself then consider booking with Harmony Tours Jamaica.

Itinerary – One Bag Ah Tings in Portland

We made three major stops – Blue Lagoon, Frenchman’s Cove, and Monkey Island. This I call the “Blues Trio” because from the clearest blue to the deepest aquamarine, these 3 beaches highlight the breadth and beauty of the ocean.

First Stop: Blue Lagoon Portland

The mystical turquoise blue of the Blue Lagoon in Portland will draw you in as it changes colour throughout the day depending on the angle of the sun. So, locals believe that the lagoon was bottomless, but it has since been discovered that the depth is around 180-200 feet. We hopped on a boat and sailed along the lagoon. And while trying to see the bottom of the lagoon, we were visited by a friendly sea turtle. It even popped its head out of the water for a quick hello!

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Entrance to the Blue Lagoon is free but you’ll have to book a raft/canoe/boat ride to get on the water. This costs roughly JMD 1500 (there might be a different price for international travellers).

Next Up: Monkey Island

Twinned with the Blue Lagoon experience is the boat ride over to Monkey Island (aka Pellew Island). The waters are shallow enough for wading and relaxing with a drink in hand. The island is small with a few inlets in the canopy to rest your stuff on. Don’t expect beach chairs for lounging…the magic of Monkey Island is in its untouched nature.

Finally: Frenchman’s Cove

Then the last stop of the day is the world famous and beloved Frenchman’s Cove. We had a nice lunch of fish, festivals, rice, burgers and fries, at the restaurant, before heading out to play. The beach is set in a cove where cool freshwater from a river flows into the sea. This mix makes the water not too salty…but a little cold. The wide expanse of white sandy beach means there is no shortage of space to set down your beach towel and relax.

Local guests (with valid identification) are charged at a rate of about JMD800.

So, What’s It Like Hanging Out with Jamaican Creatives?

It was fulfilling to be surrounded by like-minded people who share the same objective. There was so much energy!