Halloween, All Hallows Eve, Dia De Los Muertos, All Saint’s Day…a few of the many names for October 31st. This time of year means you’re probably busy deciding what costume you’ll wear or hoping to receive plenty of your favorite bite size candy this year. As the many names for this holiday illustrates, Halloween brings about lots of history and culture, especially in the Caribbean and Mexico. Here are a few spooky legends you might want to investigate the next time you’re visiting.
Atlantis: Lost or Found?
The Atlantis Paradise Island Royal Tower Hotel is a 4-star resort packed full of amenities, a Dolphin Cay, 141-acre water park, 11 gigantic pools and endless amounts of food and beverage options. But it’s been built and modeled after the supposed lost civilization of Atlantis.
As Plato, the great Greek philosopher, describes the legend, Atlantis was a beautiful continent-sized island that existed somewhere east of the Pyrenees and Morocco and as far west as the Yucatan. The actual location of this forgotten city has been controversial for years, with accounts saying it existed as far as Antarctica. And while there’s been so much mystery around the existence of this mysterious island, divers have discovered remnants of what could be considered Atlantis.
Exploring the new Atlantis is a great tribute to the forgotten city.
The mystery of this advanced civilization has never been solved but a trip of tribute to The Atlantis Paradise Island Royal Tower Hotel might be the perfect way to resurrect the legend of Atlantis and prove to be the ultimate family vacation.
Jamaica: White Witch of Rose Hall
Quite possibly one of the more recognizable stories of Jamaican spooks is the story of the White Witch of Rose Hall. Rose Hall is a massive Georgian-style mansion that was built in the 1770s, high on the hill overlooking the Caribbean waters. Sugar plantation owner, John Palmer owned the property and lived there with his Haitian wife, Annie.
Annie practiced voodoo and appeared to be a harsh mistress of the mansion and one that all the plantation workers strongly disliked because of her cruel and unusual mentality. In protest, the workers revolted against her and brought her to her fate in the Rose Hall mansion. A ritual was performed to rid the property of her soul but was not completed and is why her ghost is rumored to live on. It’s since been renovated after its demise during the great Jamaica slave revolution in the early 1800s.
Snoop around this spooky Caribbean house and see what trouble you can find.
Tours of the property are available daily and led by traditional Jamaican tour guides. They’ll take you through the great house, walk you through each bedroom, the myriad of secret passageways throughout the house and the basement – said to be the site of the dungeon she used for punishment. Make sure to stop by the bar serving cold drinks and a place to sit and take in the ambiance. And the tour will wrap up at the grave of Annie Palmer. Visitors of Rose Hall have taken pictures and swear they see images of Annie in their pictures, confirming that her tortured soul lives on.
Look out at the night horizon while you contemplate the day spent searching for White Witch of Rose Hall
A great place to stay located near this haunted tour is Hilton Rose Hall Resort & Spa. Don’t worry, you won’t find any lurking haunts here. Hilton Rose Hall Resort is all about luxury and making sure you can truly relax after your spooky day. After a trip to the swim up bar for a drink and a meal at one of the four restaurants, finish up the day with a nap on the sugar-sand beach. Whether you’re in for exploring the legend that is the White Witch of Rose Hall or just in the mood for a relaxing Jamaican vacation, there’s never been a better time to head out on a jet plane.
Barbados: The Chase Vault, open or closed?
Another Caribbean legend comes from the island of Barbados. In Christ Church Graveyard, a small parish’s cemetery stands The Chase Vault. This tomb is located at the entrance of the cemetery in Barbados and is built of large cemented blocks of coral. During the early 1800s, the Chase family bought the vault to bury the family in one place.
Over a period of about 15 years, each member was buried in the vault. The first was an infant, Mary Chase who was buried in 1808. In 1812, daughter Dorcas Chase was buried there due to a suicide and then Colonel Chase was placed in the vault the following month. The peculiar part is that upon adding each coffin, the coffins inside the vault were not in their original spot. Eventually six people would be put in the vault and each time it was opened to add a family member, the existing coffins would not be in their original spot.
In July of 1819, the governor of Barbados ordered a professional investigation. When the caskets had been put right and the tomb was resealed, the governor put impressions of his signet ring into the wet cement to ensure nobody could go into the crypt late at night and move things around. Additionally, sand was sprinkled on the floor to capture any evidence of trespassers. In April of 1820, the vault was opened for the last time. As the men tried opening the tomb, they had trouble opening it and had to call more people over to help get the tomb opened. Once the door was finally opened it revealed Colonel Chase’s casket blocking the door and the other coffins scattered around the room. The signet ring in the vault was still clearly showing and the sand showed no signs of trespassers. After this, the governor ordered the caskets be buried separately and the crypt has been empty ever since.
Enjoy a beautiful, tranquil view at Ocean Two where there's sure to be nothing lurking around.
While the story of the Chase Vault has and will most likely remain a mystery, that doesn’t mean a trip to Barbados to explore the island for yourself is a bad idea. The perfect place to stay amidst your Caribbean expedition is Ocean Two Barbados. This is a 4-star resort that’s tucked in the ancient arms of a secluded bay and surrounded by pearled, white sands. Ocean Two in Barbados is the perfect spot to relax after your days of exploration, whether it’s the hunt to solve the mystery or just to see some of this beautiful Caribbean island. There’s a large sun deck, a convenient swim-up bar and poolside cabanas that are the perfect way to spend your days. There are also great menu options and a roof deck that awaits you. Ocean Two is the compliment to a spooky expedition of this historic island.
Whether spooky Caribbean settings are calling your name or the crystal clear waters of these oceans are more your taste, a beach vacation is the perfect way to celebrate this iconic holiday. All of these Caribbean islands bring rich culture and mysterious history that’s unlike anywhere else, so the next time you’re on vacation be sure to embark on an unforgettable journey.
