From The Silver Screen to Sochi: The Real Jamaican Bob Sled Team Is Back

In 1993, Walt Disney Studio’s released a feature film loosely based on a true story that went on to forever more win over audiences hearts. The success of ‘Cool Runnings’ brought international attention to the Jamaican Bob Sled Team, who’s 1988 debate in the Calgary games defied disbelief that the island nation with no natural snow could find a way to train to compete on an international Olympic level.

Fans of the story might like to know that the Hollywood adaptation was a completely fictionalized account with a largely different outlook the conditions that created the athletes interest, as the Business Insider suggests.

The original inspiration took flight from the passion of two American businessmen who after seeing a native pushcart derby, approached the Jamaican Olympic committee to inquire about the prospect of bob sledding which it so resembled.

Jamaican bob sled originals Devon Harris, Michael White, Dudley Stokes, and Nelson Stokes would comprise the pioneering roster in 1988, which 26 years later enjoys a tradition of continuing to show the world just what the spirit of the country is capable of. While early showings on the world stage produced lack luster competition results with their debut performance, this did nothing to weaken the team’s resolve, who found incredible encouragement in the support of their fellow Olympians. From offering the determined team technical advice to lending them equipment so that they could compete despite their sub-standard athletic support, the team would preserve. 

History would go on to happily record their 1994 Olympic run, where in the Jamaican bob sled team came in 14^th place, finishing ahead of the United States, Russia, Australia, and France.

What, then, does such a spirited group of athletes do with their off season? Enjoy their natural habitat, of course. It’s one teeming with possibility, where in a vibrant color and wide range of offerings are becoming increasingly attractive to the destination traveler who can plan on catching a piece of the positive vibe for themselves, such as the vibrant reggae scene alive in the region.

While Bob Marley’s Kingston tunes are a natural thought to the mainstream, other well regarded bands such as Black Zebra and Downstairs are acts which travelers can look forward to seeking out when making the great Jamaican pilgrimage. Those interested in more of the skinny on music acts to catch while visiting would do well to check out The Daily Source, a leading Jamaican news outlet.

Speaking of positive reggae vibes, in preparation for this year’s games, the team composed an original song set to a music video which aided audience awareness towards the aim of fundraising to cover their competition.

Despite enduring a low ranked performance in this year’s games, the Jamaican Bob Sled team has promised to make a triumphant return in the 2018 games and represent the spirit, soul, and determination of the proud island nation once more.

A recap of their exploits can be enjoyed by checking out ESPN’s coverage. So until the next winter games roll around, there’s plenty of time for you to consider a trip to experience one of the world’s most original destination spots, where a now booming network of vacation taxi services are waiting to help you enjoy the soul of the island.

About Jamaican Routes

Jamaican Routes was founded by Joel Richardson and Denton “Gabby” Martin to provide personalized taxi and tour services all over the Island.  Having shown visitors “His Island” for over 30 years, Gabby and his drivers are recognized as one of the most desired island transport companies.  More information can be found at www.jamaicanroutes.com

Jamaican Routes Tour Company and Jamaican Bobsled Team Both Capitalize On Social Media

The Jamaican Bobsled leveraged Facebook and Twitter to raise enough money so that they could participate in the Sochi Olympics. By engaging their audience to raise over $80,000.  They used many of the same strategies as Jamaican Routes, a Jamaican Tour company, run by Denton “Gabby” Martin that has quickly risen to the top of Google searches for Jamaican Tours and Jamaican Tour companies.

Both have shown that even in a country like Jamaica, social media can be used to achieve international results and recognition, even on a limited budget.

“The song is synched to their run, and is quite possibly the best use of social media I have ever seen” said Joel Richardson, Denton Gabby Martin’s co-founder and President of Jamaican Routes.

“Jamaica is a very special culture” says Joel and almost everyone is connected to social media via their phones. This is truly the testing ground for Google’s vision of a ‘mobile future’. Realizing that, we pursued an aggressive social media strategy for Jamaican Routes, which continues.  Our vision is to keep our fans, followers and customers, informed on local happenings and we have achieved tremendous results.

One of every three incoming contacts comes from a social media site or post says Richardson.

We started Jamaican Routes to provide a very personalized travel experience on this island and we have proved there is a demand for that. Gabby, who has been showing “his Island” to visitors for over 30 years, knows virtually everyone and his travelers soon realize what a comfortable and fortunate choice they have made when they travel with him.

Jamaican Routes has a tour package to visit Magic Mountain and the Jamaican Bobsled attraction for visitors to the South Coast Tours Jamaica.

To inquire about this and other tours or to just get advice on some of the hidden treasures of “his Island”, call Gabby at 855-246-7710

About Jamaican Routes

Jamaican Routes was founded by Joel Richardson and Denton “Gabby” Martin to provide personalized taxi and tour services all over the Island.  Having shown visitors “His Island” for over 30 years, Gabby and his drivers are recognized as one of the most desired island transport companies.  More information can be found at Jamaican Routes.

The Jamaican Advisor, Issue 1, Civic Awareness, Olympic Heritage, and Arts Culture Are Alive In Paradise

Any way you slice it, one of the most appealing international tropical destinations is showing its colors in brilliant ways. For those seeking out new vacation hotspots, there are many that might like to know about the revitalization of Jamaica now surging with a warming respect for life, the arts, and athletics alike.

Consider the Miss Jamaica pageant, whose appointment of the new Caribbean Queen has crowned native Lachoy Harris with praise for her talents in the way of music, dance, and civic minded debate on the nation’s future.

Harris, a student at the sophomore level attached to the Caribbean Student Association, wowed the judging panel with her unique performance of a Jason Mraz cover, thus tapping in the cultural music heritage of the proud island nation.

The young woman is a lovely example of potential future Jamaican music talent, a heritage which runs strong into the modern culture with indie artists such as reggae heavy artists Black Zebra and Downstairs, or the popular hip hop group Acematic.

Such soulful examples of where Jamaican arts meet with the civic consciousness of the region are likewise as warming. Visitors will find their stay left with quite the impression by taking a moment to consider the Sandals Foundation, who’s initiative to heal ailing children in the Montego Bay Excursion region of the nation contributed $200,000 CAD to renovate a medical facility in the St. Lucia to facilitate modern medicinal technological conferencing towards the aim of better serving the sick and in need of care.

Jamaica’s living culture has a cool heritage running strong beyond these mere matters of interest. While audiences the world over tune their attention towards the 2014 Olympic Games, it is perhaps under recognized that the Jamaican Bob Sled team is far more than just some 90’s era family Hollywood comedy.

The internationally respected sports team raised $80,000 in stride with an intelligent social media campaign dialed into the modern crowd funding avenues.
This original song is synched to their run, with a music video edit with actual footage from one of their competition runs. This year’s two man team is comprised of Jamaican natives Marvin Dixon and veteran Olympic Winston Watts, who debated at the 1988 Calgary games.

That’s it for now {but certainly not all} for this installment from your Jamaican Advisor. For folks still shopping for travel destination deals and the hook up on how to experience this island paradise for their selves, check out the growing list of classy services such as Jamaican Routes where entrepreneurs like Joel local’s like Denton Gabby Martin and his network of drivers are waiting to help you experience this lovely culture for yourself.

About Jamaican Routes

Jamaican Routes is operated by Denton “Gabby” Martin and his friend Joel Richardson is founder of Jamaican Routes a taxi and Tour Company providing transportation and Jamaican tour guide Island wide. He lives in Portland Maine and has been traveling to the Caribbean and South America for over 30 years.

Rasta Relaxation Tours: The Future of Cannabis and Jamaican Vacation Culture

Wine country travelers make destination plans for the likes France’s Alsace region and the sprawling experience of California’s Napa Valley. Now, a new guard of travel leisure patrons with like tastes for fine cannabis can look forward to a bright future.

Here in the U.S., destination adventure trips such as Colorado’s High Life Tours have stream lined into the growing state-to-state legalize it movement. This kind of European sentiment growing legs in America that cannabis is and should be a sanctioned extension of a class-experience is expanding, and there are signs that it’s headed to pleasing new places.

Take Jamaica. While its government sealed-and-dealed appeal is still being advocated for by legislative consideration, it is well known how welcoming the locals are to give travelers a taste of their natural heritage. Reports of tours of ganja farms reveal friendly vibes from locals towards this exact kind of hospitality such as Nine Mile, the home turf of Bob Marley himself.

It is little wonder as the nation’s Rastafari heritage is, like Mr. Marley, steeled in the collective consciousness. One can imagine the wading through the waters of Montego Bay by day, then making for an evening of relaxation, and if so desired, a personalized cannabis selection to enhance your stay. With sustainable tourism initiatives continuing to take flight, the likelihood of these kinds of avenues has all the right momentum. This is further aided by overseas investment capital that continues to reinforce the nation’s future.

An eco-based ganja tourist attraction, along with its organic minded dining market is one such prospective pairing that would please just about any traveler with taste.
Kingston, Montego Bay, and Negril have all been given high regards for their cuisine as evidenced by reviews such as The Travel Channel should you be intrigued by just what kind of meal might go with your herbal experience.

As far as Jamaican development, there is likewise the socioeconomic side to this argument for the future of legalized Rastaman relaxation tours, as the wider range of improved sustainability improves along with the hotel destinations and naturally stunning accessible wild life attractions such as Dolphin Cove.

Official ganja tours may have a bit of time to bid before we see this kind of progressive development realized. In the interim, there are a lovely number of eco-based tours, attractions, and taxi services to available to help you make the most of your time and negotiate the cultural waters. No matter what your interests are, what everyone can count on is the rise of such tour guide services in Jamaica who will have the latest and greatest on all manner of developments and things to do upon your arrival.

See also - Treasure Beach Jamaica | Airport Transfers Jamaica