A Tale of Two Chrises
Christopher Tafari Rookwood
Sunrise 21 June, 1971 — Sunset 10 June, 2021
“Chris flew away in June 2021 leaving a gaping hole in the lives of all who knew him. I will particularly miss our swashbuckling adventures around the bars of Ochi and Salem. To my best friend, brother-in-projects, and one of the kindest people I ever met — now you know The Great Unknown, shine eternally.” — Chris Wilson
The Guava Jelly Guide concept was dreamt up by Chris Wilson, a stranger in paradise and graphic designer from the UK, who discovered a whole new love of adventure as the sun came up on his very first Ocho Rios morn.
In what proved to be quite a turnaround from a planned five weeks’ holiday, an instant affinity with the place necessitated an extension of stay; an eventful year of immersion into the Jamaican lifestyle which by turns involved living at all points of the social spectrum and marrying a Jamaican girl — well you have to squeeze out every last drop of the experience haven’t you.
After much quality time spent acclimatising to the folk and goings-on of a way of life more steamy than a peanut cart whistle, Wilson wondered: could a shrewd eye for design and a burning love for this glistening island be channelled into an enterprise worthwhile?
Enter the like-minded Chris Rookwood, a son of Jamaica with a similar vision, a JTB Team Jamaica certification under his belt, and the project’s essential word on the street.
Though the ‘Two Chrises’ first met in Ochi in 2012, many years later after a long spell of other places to go, other things to do, Guava Jelly Guide Online is the result of their collaboration, with added input from several Jamaican friends and associates.
UPDATE, JULY 2024…
The abridged, new-format print version of Guava Jelly Guide is being prepared with updated listings and info. Extortionate (tripled!) print prices on the island have necessitated a slimmed-down booklet; however it all looks terrific and will of course be fully supplemented by this website.
