As Scotland strikes out again to try seize its freedom following the vote for independence parties in the Scottish election, your global traveller is flagging up one Scots-infused country of Empire which did… Jimmyaica.
No, Jimmyaica isn’t my lame efforts at Jamaican patois.
It’s more a recognition of the Scottish imprint on Jamaica (Scots are playfully known as Jimmys) and particularly its flag.
Jamaican flags will be flying even more proudly next year as the Caribbean Island celebrates 60 years of independence and some of you might wonder why it has that St Andrew’s Cross at its centre.
Flags are us
If some of you are tentatively wondering that it might have something to do with Scotland then go to the top of the class.
You may very well be a vexillologist, or somebody who loves flags and have found a link too between the Scottish flag and the Tenerife flag too.
I did when I went out to the Canary Island with CanariaWays and found that they have the exact same flag.
No, that one is in Tenerife
The initial suggestion for the flag was a Tricolour of green (agriculture and hope), black (the struggles of its people) and gold (sunlight).
But that was thought too similar to Tanganyika’s (now Tanzania).
But then you knew that already.
Scotland the Wave
Besides, a missionary from Glasgow, Rev. William McGhie (he’d obviously considered his ain Glaswegians well past saving!) had the ear of the Prime Minister Alexander Bustamante.
The Man of the Cloth persuaded him to embed Christian imagery into the flag.
And so the X of the St Andrew’s Cross found its way onto the flag to mark how the Apostle had lost his life.
Glasgow belongs to I and I
Glasgow Bar with owner Karl in Tobago
The Jamaican Glasgow on the west of the island is, of course, just one of a number of place names we both share.
Among the others are Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Inverness, Dundee, Greenock and ouch… Culloden!
So we’re off… with our official countdown to the 60th anniversary of Jamaica’s independence.
And I’m bringing you this in association with Flag Up Scotland Jamaica which helpfully also seems to want to promote Caledonian preserves – flagupscotjam.
Well, how about at Scotland’s lowest point, no not the aforementioned Culloden but Scotland’s failed attempt at an empire of its own, the Darien Expedition in Panama.
Darien’s loss
It could have been Scottish: The Darien
The Darien Expedition was the breaking point for the old independent Scotland.
The whole nation from king to pauper had put money into the project only to lose more than just their shirt.
Cap in hand a section of the Scottish Parliament approached England to bail them out in 1703…
And the price was union, all of which you can read the whole story of in historian Douglas Watt’s excellent The Price of Scotland.
So where does this take us in the Jimmyaica story?
The Campbells are coming
Rev it up: Rev. William McGhie
Well to Colonel John Campbell who refused to allow Darien to put him off making his fortune and who decamped to Jamaica in 1700 and set up a sugar plantation at Black River.
He was by no means the first Scot on the island though.
Oliver Cromwell banished 1,2000 Scots prisoners of war out here in the previous century where they worked as indentured servants.
Others to be exiled included those failed colonialists from Darien, Jacobite rebels, criminals and Covenanters.
Happy World Book Day… I’ve been turning over a new leaf by re-reading some old favourites from around the world.
Some will be yours, others I’d recommend as they namecheck places you’ll want to visit, and the people too.
Czech’s in post for this classic
On the King Charles Bridge in Prague
Franz Kafka’s The Metamorphosis: Or you can have The Trial.
OK, I’ve not read either, but I have checked out KafkaesquePrague, his home city.
And he’ll be glad to know that the Czechs still retain his take on the world around him and its leaders…
Bureaucracies overpowering people often in a surreal, nightmarish way.
Anne’sterdam
Can I be trusted on a bike? In Amsterdam
Anne Frank’s The Diary of a Young Girl: It’s chilling to listen to the audio of Anne‘s words in the diary she wrote in her family’s hideout in Amsterdam.
And I make no apologies in saying that I choked up.
When I heard that the vibrant young girl destined for Auschwitz had wanted to become a journalist.
Anne, of course, made a lasting impression, and has gone on to inspire generations of chlldren and adults alike.
Eastern Eden
Cool for cats… in the Eastern Cape, South Africa
Olive Schreiner’s The Story of An African Farm: Olive may not be on every, or any, schoolchildren’s radar in the Northern Hemisphere.
And athough its style is of its time, the 19th century, this chronicle of South African life in the Eastern Cape, is required reading.
A feminist and ahead of her time Olive railed against the prejudices around her .
And she also moved in some pretty famous circles. Required reading.
Crusoe in Tobago
Give ‘em rope: With Levi and Bandanaman the goat in Tobago
Daniel Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe, Tobago: And if you’re lucky enough you can even reprise the actions of some of your favourite literary characters.
Like in Tobago where Robinson Crusoe swept ashore and took years to get off.
For all his protestations I think he probably enjoyed it. And we know that he made some friends of the local goats.
The Odyssey
Spoiled and ruined at the Acropolis in Athens
Homer’s Odyssey: And this one I did read, or at least study, and then parts of it.
As a Classics scholar (or messer) at school.
I had my own odyssey trying to make my way through Munich Airport and on way to Greece and over to its islands.
There’s nothing like walking in the footsteps of your legend’s… so there’s an invitation to you.
And it’s been flagged up that I’ve been down this road before with this book collection. See if my choices have changed and tell me your faves.
Opricot: And just where you’d expect to find Princess Margaret and her set.
This four-bedroom villa in the Endeavour Hills with ocean views, and near The Tennis Club, the Cotton House and beach, has the option of a fifth bedroom.
The big selling point is the private swimming pool and large bar area.
And what’s more it’s fully staffed with housekeeper, chef, gardener and butler.
You’ll have to empty your piggy bank. It’s from £1505 per night, but you can share the costs.
The awe of Aurora
Dip your toe in
Aurora: Contemporary and colonial with views of both the Caribbean and Atlantic this can be rented as a three-bedroom villa.
Or along with Jasmine Cottage. So that’ll house five and will set you back £2,005 per night.
We were drawn in by the central courtyard, rock plunge pool and al fresco dining in the gazebo.
After all it’s all about the outdoor living in the Caribbean.
And you don’t have to lift a finger because it’s fully staffed.
Balinese luxury
Lie back and think of Mustique
Blackstone: A five-bedroom villa set on a ridge overlooking Britannia Bay and the Caribbean this is what you’ll get for your £2,173 per night…
We like the idea of the media and games room.
And the pebble-tiled pool which wraps around large, natural black stone, giving the property its name.
Robert Burns’s greatest creations Tam O’ Shanter and Soutar Johnny sit with their tankards in the Burns Monument Gardens.
Alongside them is a carved tabletop map of the world with mini-Burns statues depicting where the poet is celebrated.
On this his birthday it is worth considering that Burns is lauded by as vastly opposing cultures as America and in Russia.
Because he was an everyman, ‘a man’s a man for a’ that’ and all that.
Ode to the Caribbean
But also in the old countries of Empire.
My guys and Burns’ guys in Alloway
Burns, proud Scot though he was, had set his sights on the Caribbean.
And he had agreed to a position as a bookkeeper in Port Antonio in Jamaica.
You see Burns’s wild lifestyle was beginning to catch up with him.
A new start
A hard drinker, he was facing penury while he was impregnating women all over Scotland.
Robert Burns
Although there was one, Highland Mary, whom he wished to take to the Indies.
O sweet grows the lime and the orange, and the apple on the pine, but a’ the charms o’ the Indies, Can never equal thine – Will ye go to the Indies, my Mary
Only for his poetry to take off at home which made him change his mind.
And continue juggling his women.
All of which took its toll, of course, and he died, still beset by money worries, at just 36.
My bonnie lassie
Now if only there had been a digital work abroad scheme for Burns like we have today in the Caribbean.
Scots have left their mark all across the West Indies.
Scots in the Indies
The region of Scotland in Barbados being testament.
Glasgow Bar with owner Karl in Tobago
While any excuse to namecheck Glasgow Bar in Tobago.
Now for the day that’s in it, and your regular feature, Rainy Days and Songdays here’s a site with Burns in Jamaican patwa.
And check out this collaboration between Scots producer Kieran C Murray and Jamaican singerBrinathe 2015 Jamaica Sings Robert Burns.
Oh ye Jamaicans by name, lend an ear, lend an ear!
Universal is serving up a real treat with its International Flavors of Carnaval from February 6 to March 28.
Eat around the world
When it will showcase dishes from New Orleans, Puerto Rico, Trinidad & Tobago, Brazil, Spain and er Germany (who knew?)
Glasgow Bar with owner Karl in Tobago
Of course carnivals have long been choreographed to the minutest detail so you’ll not even notice social distancing.
There will be floats throughout the park and a Big Easy Bash.
Jambalaya mia my-oh
And from personal experience it is the done thing to start at breakfast time with Jambalaya, a Sazerac and a jazz brass band.
You want a taster of some of the other culinary delights.
Moe’s and Jimbo’s
Cajun cuisine from New Orleans, such as a Crawfish Boil, Jambalaya, Beignets and other Big Easy delights.
Classic Carnaval dishes from the islands, such as Pernil & Mofongo from Puerto Rico, a vegan Pholourie from Trinidad & Tobago and Jerk Chicken from the Bahamas.
Pork Schnitzel Sliders and Bavarian Pretzels from Germany, iconic Paella Mixta and Leche Frita from Spain and Belgium Liege Waffles from Belgium.
Other flavours from Brazil (Moqueca de Camarao), Canada (Beef Short Rib Poutine), Colombia (Carnitas Arepas), Cuba (Cuban Sandwiches), Italy (Caneloni), France Poached Pear Creme Brulee Crepe) and more.
And the last word is from Donald, a bit of a scoop from your favourite Travel blog.
While the rest of the world has been trying to talk to the Big Mouth we got him… well, we are old pals.
And Donald has a message for the world: ‘I love you all and I want you all to come and see me again soon in America.’
The Happiest Place on Earth is now also the Safest on Earth with reservations, social distancing, alternate rollercoast carts and new hospitality measures.
While Mickey, Minnie, Donald and the Gang aren’t about to let the virus turn their smile into a smell.
And are dancing, waving and welcoming us all in their own inimitable way.
Watch this space for new Disney features coming along soon.
I had all planned to take a whizz around the Florida Keys before the other Donald closed America off in March but hope to put that right when I get the chance.
And it’s those areas with natural distancing like the Keys and island nations (and yes a lesson here to the UK and Ireland too) who have an advantage.
Sail away in Croatia
Water wonderland
And when you’ve got 1200 islands then there’s ‘one for everyone in the audience.’
As they like to say in the world’s longest-running TV chat show, Ireland’s The Late Late Show, or whatever the Croatian equivalent is.
But here is a country which, as a Balkans state, dealt better than the rest of Europe with the virus.
And which is perfectly placed to host the tourist’s new requirements during and post-Covid.
One area is in small boat holidays and yachting around the islands, another adventure in the Great Outdoors.
Kayak attack: In Croatia
My go-to people in Ireland for Croatia are Croatia Tours, and I went on pilgrimage with them to neighbouring Bosnia & Herzegovina where I started out on the road to Dubrovnik.
They have a seven-days Rivers by the Sea package, making the most of where the area where the Krka River enters the Adriatic, on June 26 £1255pp.
Where you’ll get to sea kayak, cycle, canoe, rock climb, hike and raft.
The Tuscan Islands
And Firenze too
We’ll also be spreading our wings more next year even when we do visit our favourite cities.
And that’ll help hotspots like Firenze breathe as we explore greater Tuscany, its adventure trails, cycling opportunities and thermal waters.
And its seven islands, chief among them Elba, the first island of exile for Napoleon, and Montecristo, it of Alexandre Dumas’ Count.
Able was I ere I saw Elba.
As every schoolchild, well, at least those of certain age and lexical bent, will tell you.
And Tuscany was, and is, ere able to thrive in ‘il novo normal’.
And, of course, the Caribbean
Daddy’s Little Girl, as all our little girls do these days, is wont to show me amusing things she finds on the internetty thing.
And one we both find funny is a Jamaican tour guide who extols the benefits of inhaling the island’s plants.
I grab every chance to hook up with my Caribbean friends, Barbados,Tobago, Anguilla (heck, all of them) albeit these days over Zoom, if only to hope that I can draw some sun out from the screen.
And as usual their warmth came flowing us out as they reminded us that in their island their neighbourliness has helped them through this crisis and referred in passing to London where ‘people don’t know their neighbours but had been getting to know each other this year.’
Los Filipinos
For those of us too who in the second half of the century of years some of us are blessed to live, our cultural touchpoint for the Phillipines is the Thrilla in Manila, the nation’s capital which hosted Ali-Frazier III.
And of course the Philippines are knockout and our old friends at G Adventures are all over it.
Manila is on the island of Luzon, one of 7,641 in the archipelago.
And you’ll not be surprised to learn then that out of 7,641 islands that it should have boasted the world’s most beautiful island, courtesy of Conde Nast Traveler in 2016.
The exotically-named Atty. Maria Anthonette C.Velasco-Allones, the Tourism Promotions Board’s COO has an equally lyrical way about her.
As she described her islands and what they have to offer.
‘When the dark night is over and the sun rises, wake up in the Philippines.
Nylon Pool, Tobago
Robert Burns
Glasgow Bar with owner Karl in Tobago
Moe’s and Jimbo’s
Howzat: At the Kensington Oval Barbados Bridgetown
The Fun Five: My Barbados party
Taste of Barbados: Mount Gay
Hamper time: In Barbados
Soca star: Lewis Hamilton at Crop Over in Bridgetown
Cocktail o’clock in Barbados
