The Connek Trip

A curated, in-person trip for international guests to connect with the queer Jamaican community through activities, excursions, and engagement with local queer activists, artists, and organizations. The trip fosters deep, lasting connections between visitors and the queer Jamaican community. This program is a one in a kind experience for queer and/or Caribbean individuals from outside Jamaica who are interested in connecting with the queer reality in Jamaica to move beyond is said about Jamaica’s queer life in Western media.

Interested in getting your own custom Connek trip with group of friends, your organization or co workers? Email us at connekja@gmail.com

2021 CONNEK TRIP

Connek 2.0 COVID/Lockdown edition was one of the most rigorous things we have ever done. With the COVID-19 pandemic hitting the globe as hard as it did, we had to postpone our 2020 trip to April 2021—and even then, a week before the trip we had to work with the Jamaican Prime Minister’s announcement to close the country, essentially canceling many plans we had arranged. However, we still made it happen in what we are calling “the pivot of the century” and everyone got through the trip Covid free!

We are forever grateful to the team: Connek staff, our partners like @mikuzi876 @one32ja, our ambassadors, our beautiful attendees and YOU, our supporters for making this dream come true! Through the many emails, many plan changes, and challenges you have stood by us. This project we don't profit from is close to our hearts and is really us trying to bring the international family closer together as the powers that be try to draw us apart. We know the beauty of queer family and allies coming together, and want to remember that we are stronger together—especially now. So thank you! Thank you for believing in us and what we are trying to build with Connek.

The itinerary was as follows:
DAY 1: AMBASSADOR LINK UP
“Connek Circle”: On our 1st Connek trip we came together to center ourselves, and ambassadors led a short ceremony for us to give thanks for a safe arrival. This was to highlight just how blessed we were as a group and newly formed family to be together, safe, queer and empowered on this land for this project. We gave praises to our ancestors and the ones who have come before us. To continue the tradition, we started the trip off right with this same practice at Jade’s (One32 Guest House). Then we started the programming off easy with some pool time, games at One32 Guest House and lunch. One32 Guest House has an outdoor swimming pool, hot tub, garden, bar and shared lounge all in a secure, gated part of Kingston. We then had an official CONNEK family toast to kick off the evening and dinner by the Connek staff. Connek ambassadors showed up, and we had our Dj set by Dj Anash. Then we wrapped it up before curfew began at 8pm.

DAY 2: RESORT LIFE
The Jamaican federal lockdown made it so that only tourist and essential workers can move about in the country, and the only “free zones” were resorts. As such, our team had to pivot to other hotels where we would still be able to enjoy the weekend.

Early that morning we got our luggage and headed to Riu Resort in Ocho Rios! Located at the edge of the beach, Hotel Riu Ocho Rios is the perfect place to enjoy an unforgettable holiday in Jamaica with the best all-inclusive service. This all-inclusive hotel in Jamaica is equipped with everything needed to offer you maximum comfort.

As a group we got some beach time, played a volleyball game in teams, got lunch, then headed over to the swim up bar! Some much needed group time in the sun! After dinner we went to experience the live shows and music that the resort had as a group! The live shows/music acts/DJs are great and feature local artists as well!

DAY 3: RESORT/VILLA LIFE
We had breakfast together and headed straight to the beach and pool with a swim up bar! We did some windsurfing, catamaran riding, kayaking (not included in the Connek package). Then we grabbed lunch before going to check out the daytime live music.

After lunch we headed over to Ocean Palms Villa. Ocean Palms is nested in the heart of Ocho Rios on James Avenue—a street with historical ties to the early Reggae music scene of the 70's and 80's—where tourists and locals alike would flock to experience thrilling live performances by local artists. We dropped our luggage rest and had some down time before dinner and family time at the bar/pool.  

DAY 4: VILLA LIFE PT.2
We met for light breakfast. During breakfast we had our Connek co-founders give a presentation about Connek, and open up the conversation about what an “international family” truly means. They dove into the Connek mission to talk extensively about how this project ties into queer history and liberation at large, and highlighted other organizations in Jamaica doing this work. 

Then we head to the private beach for some down time and sun!

After lunch we had our 2nd Ambassador Showcase, featuring the artist Puffa. Pufffa is an amazing queer artist based in Kingston who showed us their work and talked about their experience and process. We as a group then checked out the activities that Ocean Palms had (not included in the Connek): Bar, Free Private Pool, Snorkeling and Boat Adventures. 

To close out the weekend, we had our “Connek Circle Closing Ceremony”, a moment to set intention for individual growth, talk as a group again about the need for queer synergy, and share our experiences. That evening we left the Villa to head back to One32 Guest House and Mikuzi in Kingston.

DAY 5: CHECK OUT
We checked out of One32 Guest House/ Mikuzi, and headed to the airport at least 4 hours before the flight for COVID-19 testing, and departure. Kingston was still on heavy lock down, so we arrived early to get everyone tested with time to spare for breakfast and/or lunch at the airport (not included in the Connek package).

2019 CONNEK TRIP

An extended weekend in April that was magical and a dream come true. Thank you to all the amazing Jamaican talent, Jade for the lodging safe space, CONNEK ambassadors, CONNEK production team, all the donors and supporters abroad and RAGGA NYC family for helping campaign for this project launch! Get into the pictures from our last voyage:

The itinerary was as follows:
DAY 1: FLEWED OUT - participants came to Kingston, met the CONNEK shuttle bus, and get settled into the group house or their chosen hotel. Welcome dinner was at a local Jamaican restaurant where all CONNEK participants got to meet each other and the CONNEK team.

DAY 2: BEACH FLEX - We headed out for a beach day at Lime Cay, Jamaica. Our own private paradise for the day which is a 20 minute boat ride to the private island from main land. Ocean canyon rides, snorkeling, water exploration and more! CONNEK will brought lunch for the squad followed by a night on the town in Kingston to celebrate Carnival month at a bacchanal function with CONNEK ambassadors.

DAY 3: BRUK OUT - The day was spent day shopping, eating, drinking and about town with the CONNEK team in Kingston. From the National Museum Jamaica, to the uptown market, to the Kingston weed dispensary we will spend the day all over the city. We also made a visit to the J-Flag headquarters. That night we went to the RAGGA NYC x JAMSTERDAM CONNEK bashment at our special venue hosted by CONNEK ambassadors, with musical ministry by Musical Savage Wixard, DJ Ear Audigy and more!

DAY 4: THE BLUE MOUNTAINS - After sleeping in (but not too much!) we headed up into the Blue Mountains to Hollywell Park, Jamaica. We hiked to the waterfall to swim, ate fresh fruits, smoked and chilled. The CONNEK team supplied lunch for the excursion. That night, we had a big CONNEK family dinner catered by a local chef at the CONNEK guest house.

DAY 5: Slept in, exchanged numbers, laid by the pool and checked out.

Connek JA Trip Feedback:

Check out our post trip interviews with attendees here on our IGTV channel! Click here!: