Travelling Into Self

By Marshelle Haseley | Photos courtesy of  Tara Bradshaw

In the process of traveling and interacting with places, spaces and faces- we discover and rediscover ourselves- unearthing some of the deepest parts of our inner beings. From climbing Dunn’s River Falls here in Jamaica with friends, traveling to Paris with a lover- or taking a solo “Cafe crawl through Amsterdam” there may be some built-in knowledge that without a doubt, apart from being in awe at what we may see each time we travel- our soul feels the enriching value of each journey. From departure to destination there is a knowing that the experience of these new spaces and views, people, food, fragrances in the winds, and trees- will be golden soul food.
Panache Magazine had a quick talk with Tara Bradshaw, a soul so fed by the thrill and wonder of travel that she works as the E-Commerce & Business Development Manager at Trafalgar Travel Limited.

When asked about when Tara realized she was a wanderer, she exclaimed “From birth!”  She explained that her mother was a flight attendant for over 30 years, and quite a few of her family members are in the travel industry.  “I was on a plane before I could walk.”  As life always has it, people of like minds seem to always find each other- so Bradshaw finds herself surrounded by people who are just as passionate about travel as she is.
Difficult as it was to choose, Tara had to tell us three of her all time favourite places.  “I’ve loved almost everywhere I’ve visited.  The perfect trip to me involves great food, beautiful architecture and scenery, walkable or easy transportation options, and a variety of things to do. If I had to choose based on those, I’d say my current top three favourites are Rome, Italy, Ho Chi Minh/ Saigon in Vietnam and Budapest. Each location clearly had its own charm and entangled impact on her soul- she was torn by not including “Bangkok, Barcelona, and Hong Kong. And and and…(haha)”.

Finally, we got to the most powerful question- which defines the concept of Traveling into Self. We asked Bradshaw to tell us about one magical experience she had that impacted her soul in a profound way. One that she probably would not have had if she did not travel to that specific place, at that specific time.  Something that seemed almost serendipitous. She could immediately tell which trip gave her that experience and stated- “I follow several travel accounts on Instagram, and one night I happened to see a post about a mistake fare to Beijing.  I immediately opened my browser, went to the airline site and booked my flight without even knowing if I had the vacation time to go.  I ended up taking my very first solo trip, all the way to China. It was an absolutely incredible trip and it totally opened my eyes to the joys of solo travel.  It came at a point in my life where I really needed something like that, to reinforce that I was self-reliant and capable. It was a chance to challenge myself in a completely unfamiliar country, to not let fear stop me, to soak in a new culture, and to truly appreciate the journey.
Every aspect of that trip lined up perfectly from start to finish, and I am constantly grateful for the opportunity.  I’m also now addicted to solo trips!”
The experience described by Tara exemplifies how experiences such as travel can highlight or solidify things we always knew about ourselves- and sometimes helps us find where we truly belong.
When wrapping up my chat with her, I inquired about her next destination- “I’m headed to Toronto and Montreal in a few hours!  I love Toronto (despite the cold).  It’s a city that’s so diverse, with fantastic food, friendly people, and vibrant neighbourhoods.  There’s always something new to discover there.  I’ve always wanted to visit Montreal as it seems to tick so many of my required travel boxes as well!  Canada is also celebrating their 150th anniversary this year, so I’m sure there will be lots of activities going on.”
Mark Twain renowned writer expressed that “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bow-lines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails…
Explore. Dream. Discover.”|P

Sea Cliff Resort & Restaurant

by Latoya Jones | Photography by Sea Cliff Restaurant and Resort

Perched on a cliffside in Portland is the most picturesque little restaurant and hotel you probably have ever seen this side of the island, aptly called “Sea Cliff Restaurant and Resort.”
It is about 10 minutes outside of Portland Town and both the scenery to get there and the view once you have gotten there are to die for.  Truthfully, from the street, it doesn’t look like much, but a walk around to the back of the property that houses the restaurant is where the magic happens.

A Hidden Gem In Portland

There are these little wooden benches and tables that allows the weary wanderer the simple pleasure of just gazing off into the horizon as they overlook the sea. After a few minutes of just sitting there, and allowing myself to be still, I toyed with the idea of quitting my job back in busy Kingston and moving to Portland to become a writer. If J.K Rowling could drum up the Harry Potter books whilst on a delayed train, the possibilities of what I could produce sitting at this sweet little spot with a bar, less than 5 feet away were endless.

It was quite by chance that I happened upon this locale. I was in Portland for a work trip as a part of a very large group and we were in need of a pocket friendly eatery that could satisfy the cravings of a highly diverse team.

Seacliff came to our rescue. In one word, the menu is eclectic. On it, one can find something for even the pickiest eater. The food ranges from Jamaican, to Mediterranean to Japanese, with its Sushi offerings.  The food was tasty and overall, to our liking. The oohs and aahs came when dessert was served-a mixture of cake and ice cream that turned the composed party of adults into giddy children upon sight. After dinner, we got a tour of the Seacliff Resort, which has a farm to table concept and is a complex (of sorts) with a set of about 15 rooms per building. The rooms are tastefully designed and decorated and have balconies that overlook the sea. It is the kind of place you go to to unplug and recharge so you can return to the world a better person.

All in all, the food and the service is good, the proprietor- Mr. Brett Hannah was very accommodating of our large and sometimes demanding party.  I would definitely recommend this spot to anyone passing through Portland or looking for something different to do.
They are located at Ross Craig, Long Bay P.O, Portland and may be contacted at 876.860-1394-5 |P|

Godaido – Divinity Personified

by Amitabh Sharma

The land of the rising sun has distinct nuances that permeates in the air and meets the eye – humility, meticulousness, precision and spirituality. Each intertwined by threads of unequivocal faith, woven by the invisible hands of the Supreme Being.
Godiado, an icon of that city, sits on a small island off the coast of Matsushima in north Japan. It is one of the country’s most scenic spots and also famous for cultivation of oysters.
There is something magnetic about this temple, which attracts scores of visitors, who cross a wooden bridge that connects the island where Godiado stands with the mainland.
Walking on this bright red painted, arched channel, one can see the sea waters splashing on the rocky edifice.
The wooden building has distinct architecture, arched roof, lattice façade, the work is intricate yet simple and minimalist – incorporating the inherent Japanese characteristics.
The present building, which was built by local ruler Date (pronounced Da –Tay) Masamune in 1604, has aged over the centuries. The surface of the building bearing the distinct hues etched by Mother Nature – saline water, sunshine, rain and snow.
Visitors make a beeline to the shrine, their steps crackling on the gravel surface, as the waves splash on the island’s rocky surface, and the sounds of the seagulls in the distant permeates in the air.
The sanctum sanctorum is abode to five Nyorai statues (derived from Sanskrit, ancient language of India, and used in reference to Buddha, the enlightened and the omnipresent one), installed in 828 AD.
These statues are opened for public viewing once in 33 years, the last time it was in 2006.
Devotees, light incense sticks, fold their hands and say their solemn prayers before bowing and placing the incense sticks on a wooden container before taking a walk around the temple. The wooden container bears small carvings of the twelve creatures of the zodiac.
Godiado is a living example of the influence of Buddhism in Japanese culture and society. Nothing ostentatious, devoid of any flamboyant rituals, the recognition of the divine forces of the universe is in the fabric of life and being in Japan. Through this harmony, the country has withstood natural calamities that have struck, with Zen as their saviour and guiding light. (Zen is a derivative from ancient India, Dhyan, which means deep in meditation, abject concentration and synergies of one’s positive energies).
The date March 11, 2011, is etched in living memory, when the world sat transfixed as video feed of the devastating Tsunami, which engulfed the region, hit.
In Matsushima, mother nature’s fury was minimal, Matsushima locals attributed it to the divine presence and intervention, that looked upon the people, which saved them from the catastrophic waves.
“It is the power of Jizo (Buddhist deity, who is protector of the vulnerable, especially children, travellers, and expectant mothers) and the god of Shiyogama that saved us,” Yuasa Tsunoda, a tour guide, said.
Godiado was unscathed; the power of Zen, the serenity it exudes, perhaps calmed the fury of the Tsunami waves that stopped at the gate of Zuigan-ji temple, which is walking distance away.
Mystery of the unexplained for many, perhaps, but the presence of the forces of divinity reaffirmed faith of the people of Matsushima, and God’s abundant blessings.
As one walks away from this shrine, one is blessed by the calm, soothing, serene energies; feelings that are hard to explain, but resonate in one’s mind, body and spirit. |P|

The Miami Broward Carnival

By Tricia Williamson | Photography by Craig Harley

Traditional Carnival is a festive season which occurs immediately before Lent, usually in February or March. In South Florida, Miami Broward One Carnival (MBOC) celebrations begin the week before Columbus Day in October. It kicks off with the MBOC Junior Carnival on the Sunday before Carnival Sunday, followed by the Kings, Queens and Individuals Show and Competition and the Steelband Panorama competition on Friday of Columbus Day weekend. The official MBOC J’Ouvert is held on Saturday morning of Columbus Day weekend and the carnival celebrations peak with the parade and concert on Carnival Sunday, the day before the 2nd Monday of October.