What a month to be in Jamaica, and Tropical Island Retreats has among the best Tryall villas Jamaica has to offer!!
As this pretty island celebrated 50 years of independence, its best and brightest took the spotlight at the London Olympic Games with joy, style and most importantly, with unbelievable speed.
As the athletes headed off for London, hopes were high as the Games were happening right at the same time as this historic date for the country.
At home, people wrapped themselves in yellow, black and green. Flags hung from streetlights, and it seemed like every t-shirt said “JAMAICA” big and bold.
In Kingston on August 6th, thousands of Jamaicans gathered at the stadium to celebrate exactly 50 years of the best of the island. Of course there were dignitaries and military marches, but mostly there was music. The stadium jumped to the sounds of reggae, calypso, ska and rocksteady.
They were also celebrating Olympic gold! While hopes were high before the Games, the athletes themselves were aiming even higher, and boy, did they deliver!
For the second Olympics in a row, the title of fastest man in the world and fastest woman in the world went to Jamaicans. First, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce defended her medal in the woman’s 100 meters, kicking off the Olympics with a gold medal for her country. Right behind her in the same race, fellow Jamaican Veronica Campbell-Brown took home the bronze. Fraser-Pryce also took silver in the women’s 200 meters.
Then came the highly anticipated run by the great Usain Bolt. Bolt took gold again in the 100 meters with an Olympic record, while up-and-comer Yohan Blake was right on his heels for a silver medal.
As if Jamaica’s three million residents didn’t have enough to dance about, then came the men’s 200 meter and it was the moment the country had been waiting for. Bolt, Blake and 22-year-old Warren Weir from Trelawney. One, two and three. Gold, silver and bronze, all for Jamaica. As the three men stood on the podium, with three Jamaican flags flying, hearts on hands as the Jamaican national anthem played it seemed as if everyone on this island was weeping with joy.
Finally, Bolt closed out the Olympics with a third event, a third gold, and a world record in the 4×100-meter, running with his teammates Nesta Carter, Michael Frater and Yohan Blake.
Let’s not forget a bronze medal for Hansle Parchment in the men’s 110-meter hurdles, a silver medal for Jamaica’s women’s 4 x 100m relay team and a bronze medal for the women’s 4 x 400m relay team.
Twelve medals in total. Twelve more reasons for Jamaica to feel proud of itself on this wonderful anniversary of independence. The theme of the anniversary celebrations was “Out of Many, One People”, and that truth was visible across the island of Jamaica.
As Jamaicans celebrated their athletes and their country, they also celebrated their entire heritage, from its African roots to its Chinese and Indian influences.
This is a great time to start planning a Jamaica villa rental. There is so much to see and experience here and there is no better time than now, when the island is feeling sure of itself, and proud, and has found so much joy in being Jamaican. Come drink the coffee, taste the rum, and soak up the Jamaican sun.
As Bob Marley sang:
“Don’t worry about a thing. Every little thing is gonna be alright”
Come to Jamaica soon. We’re waiting for you!