jamaicanescapades
@JA_Escapades Around & About Jamaica
Sharing years of exploring Jamaica: hop on for the ride.
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St. Thomas- Who we met along the way.
Our adventurers!
People along our path in St. Thomas
Timothy who assured us about the fish being cooked-“it fresh & eat nice”: translation - freshly caught and was just cooked and flavorful.
Vicky, the chef, offered up what she had, and it was good. Crispy, delish fried snapper & butterfish with fried green plantain, breadfruit and rice and peas.
The brew in this gentleman flask was opaque so we got a lesson on its contents: homemade alcohol from sugar cane🤔 or was it pineapple?
We enjoyed our lunchtime convo and the sea breeze was delightful.
Meanwhile we ate and drank, this fisherman was quietly constructing his fishnet in the shade of the sea grape trees.
Timothy took us on a walk along the beach and regaled us with tales and folklore. See my previous post, St. Thomas- Pera Old & New.
So many more pics could have been taken of the people we interacted with- next time!
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St. Thomas- from Pera through Cane Fields to the Lighthouse
Exploring and driving through the green cane fields, we found this canoe moored at this waterway: the sea must be close by.
Looking out from higher points on the drive we could see over the cane beyond to the mangroves then out to the blues of the Caribbean Sea.
Success: We found the intersection that pointed to the lighthouse.
Driving 30 minutes more through cane fields, we passed only 3 motorbikes with 2 men on each bike, with their spear guns and catch of the day. As we do, a quick exchange with each group was had seeing what they had caught. A small barracuda was one.
We transitioned from driving through desolate cane fields to a desolate “road” well cleared between the mangrove swamps, where we interrupted the peaceful families of cows dotted along the way.
During the rainy season it could be difficult to negotiate parts of this road. Perhaps you’d even spot a crocodile or 2😉
We got to the large bay and spotted the lighthouse on the other side. We were there!
“The Morant Point Lighthouse built in 1841 is listed by the Jamaica National Heritage Trust as a National Monument. It is the oldest lighthouse in the island. Built of cast iron tube, cast in London, it is 100 feet long with a diameter of 5 feet at the base, and 3 feet at the cap. It is located in the most easterly point of the Island. The labour used in erecting the Lighthouse was supplied by kru-men from Africa. They were among the free Africans who were brought to Jamaica.” See Jamaica Heritage Trust.
It is the oldest lighthouse on the island and the first cast iron lighthouse built in the Western Hemisphere. Wikipedia
Height: 29 m
Time to head back to Kingston, but our curiosity made us stop where we spotted, what we fantasized, would have been a Manor before it fell to ruin. Those cut stones were impressive.
A 45 minute drive back through the swamp road and cane fields we arrived at the Duckenfield Sugar Factory.
We headed back to the main road, confirming along the way that we are on the right route: google was testing my faith in the directions given by the people because it showed a hypotenuse route which appeared shorter, of course. A route taxi driver insisted not to go the hypotenuse route because that was into the villages, on bad road. We were done with off road for the day!
Thirsty, we stopped along the way for an ice cold Red Stripe, which was served to us in the car. Only in JA!
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St. Thomas- to Pera: Old & New
Loose plan in mind, spontaneity the goal. Touring pardy and a newbie on board, we headed out to find the ruin of the windmill on the Pera estate, a beach we were told about and fried fish from a seaside joint.
There was a fork in the road and we diverted to check out Bowden Wharf. It was of huge commercial value in its heyday where tons of bananas and coconuts were shipped out to the UK. Now it’s a Coast Guard base. We had a brief chat with one of the coast guards who told us about their role on the base and the happenings in the area. The yatch in the background was seized for illegal fishing several months ago.
We continued our Escapade on narrow, canopied roads that were so peaceful. We kept seeing this guy on a motorbike passing in different directions and we figured he was a bike taxi. We flagged him down and he grinned and said $100 a ride.
🇯🇲 Village “Country” life in Old Pera. This was an “ aaaaawww” moment capturing these kids with their brilliant smiles.
This goat, one of so many we saw along the way, had this grassy knoll to himself. Lucky guy.
Now a goat herder in the cane fields moving his lot who wouldn’t move out the road! Did I use the word road loosely??
Imagine this Windmill in its prime in the late 1700’s.
Oooh, BEACH! Then, oh no, covered in seaweed. As the story goes, told to us by 2 different guys from the area, when the full moon comes out the seaweed goes back out to sea. Who is to tell, folklore or fact,
We pulled up in this fishing village, ordered our fried fish and fried green plantain from Nicky, chatted with the others, were treated like royalty & looked out for the next boat to come in with fish. We devoured our meal and had some wine from our basket! No corkage charge here. Lol
Timothy our self appointed “host” showed us around and told us the swamp, right on the edge of the beach, at times after heavy rain, opens up to the sea. His tale of catching crabs at night in the swamp then the light from his flashlight catching the red eyes of the crocodiles peering at him was quite horrifying to us. He said however, crocs don’t attack unless you threaten their young. We surely were not going to test the tale! The structure as seen in the water, was landlocked until the last hurricane passed through and the sea claimed a lot of the land, so it was now in the sea. Perhaps over time the sea will receded and the land will be reclaimed.
To be continued.
Wikipedia:
Old Pera Windmill
Pera Estate ownership from 1750
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St. Elizabeth
Having left the beach, we stopped to check out a restaurant with a panoramic view. That it was.
We continued to Treasure Beach for a late lunch & had delicious fresh snapper with all the accompaniments.
Just up the rise from Treasure Beach we spotted a beetroot patch & with our good fortune the farmer was just stepping onto the road.
Immediately we were told to turn down the lane so we could get some beets. How good are beets, let me count the ways!
The character of this little house at the end of the lane had to be shared. The farmer came to greet us & we hopped out to go & reap beetroots.
So as we pulled up beets, the farmer offered us sweet sops. He dashed off, climbed several trees & gathered up a dozen or more for us.
Only in JA- spontaneity & great experiences.
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St. Elizabeth
All good things do come to an end, so we climbed the hill, leaving the beach behind.
Or one experience leads to another —
It’s Guinep season- and on the hill climb, there’s a bunch right above our heads. Reach up, yes success, taste them, small but sweet. 🇯🇲Guinep. Some places the fruit is known as Spanish lime. #liveauthentic #liveunscripted #experiencejamaica @jamaicanescapades
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Roll out to the South Coast- Fort Charles, St.Elizabeth.
I ❤️ when “maybe a drive out” becomes a message at 830am- link up at 945 for departure to the North Coast to a recently renovated property 🤔 SWITCH* Brainwave, then flash- NOPE, we’ll head to the South Coast to a private beach. We 2 Escapaders are on: then it was 3 to soon become 5 experience junkies! YES! All on board.
As always, snacks, drinks & beach towels are the basics. Beach, here we come!
We are all foodies, which meant we couldn’t pass the food huts on Melrose Hill.
The pro in the group chose the piece of roasted yellow yam, which came with a piece of roasted salt fish ( salted cod, a Jamaican staple)
It was delicious- perfect texture and taste. I reached over to get the now required liquid to complete the experience. 🍷Cheers to a great day so far!
1 1/2 hrs after our foodie stop, having passed through various small towns, bustling with Saturday commerce, beautiful & peaceful country scapes of the bread basket of Jamaica - the St. Elizabeth small farms- we arrived at Treasure Beach.
We headed away from the madding crowd through a few sleepy fishing villages.
Excitement was bubbling over now. The weather was perfect- blue skies with a few whisps of white, a light breeze, and the shades of blue of the sea with tiny white caps was beckoning.
What can I say? Peaceful & rejuvenating. Good friends & family.
@jamaicanescapades
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🇯🇲Emanciptaion Day - at Holywell Recreational Park in the Blue Mountains.
Emanciptaion Day in Jamaica is celebrated as a national holiday on August 1 each year. It is to commemorate the full emancipation of slavery on the island in 1838.
https://jis.gov.jm/information/emancipation/
A short flurry of phone calls, decision made! We were off up to the hills in quest of some cool, fresh mountain air!
Welcome to Holywell Recreational Park.
The Park was buzzing, hardly a spot to park and all gazebos occupied.
We found a spot, spread the picnic mats & made ourselves comfortable. With a sip of wine accompanied by some tasty cheese, crackers & fruit, engaging conversation, all was idyllic.
Along came this lady tempting us with her fare- coconut drops, bananas, bags of coffee beans & passion fruit. She got us with the coconut drops that were delicious. She spoke in perfect English, and in her graciousness treated us to a song A cappella.
Experiences that just unfold make each moment special. We now are connected for an off the beaten track river & waterfall experience in the future.
What a great way to pass a day - 3 hours later we headed down off the mountain
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St. Thomas- Morant Bay
“Enter” a voice says as we spot this driveway.
WOW - These majestic TREES on the property have been around for a while. If only they could talk.
The clicking of camera - so much to see and save.
#travelmoments #visitjamaica #jamaica #experiencejamaica #liveauthentic #liveunscripted @jamaicanescapades
Bee boxes
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St. Thomas- Botany Bay
St. Thomas pull up for 🛑#1.
We took the couple steps to the edge of the cliff and were blown away by the boulders we saw.
Those BOULDERS must have a story. What is it?
Panning to the other side of the bay, the “white cliff” of St Thomas beckoned to us!
We left the site of the boulders & found our way into the property on the white cliff, being warned not to go to the edge. Good call! Erosion is threatening that house with a beautiful & fruitful garden.
#liveauthentic #liveunscripted #jamaica #visitjamaica #jamaicansbelike @jamaicanescapades
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Sunday drive on Orange St. to Parade, Downtown Kingston
Sunday drive out downtown Kingston. From Port Royal Street heading north on Orange Street.
Turning east along North Parade around the park that was once Victoria Park now called Saint William Grant Park, towards the east, with Ward Theatre, the pale blue building on the left
The Ward Theatre was originally built in the 1700’s was damaged and restored several times. It continuously hosted shows from England typically enroute to New York in those days.
#liveunscripted #experiencejamaica #visitjamaica #jamaicalife #jamaicanheritage
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The Old City- downtown Kingston
Buildings seem from my car, downtown Kingston.
Imagining them in their heyday. Gentrification, Restoration, Life is happening in the old city.
#visitjamaica #jamaica #jamaicablog #experiencejamaica #jamaicanhistory #jamaicanheritagematters #restoration #lifeintheoldcity @jamaicanescapades
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Strawberry Fields 🐾 mid week Escapade.
The view on our arrival confirmed why we selected this spot for today.☀️
Feeling that soothing sea breeze as it brushed over my face, deeply inhaling the fresh air, and visually being stimulated by all the colours, what more could one ask for?
Time to plunge into that beautiful water.
We walked across the lawn, which was more like walking on a thick pile carpet. We headed down the stone steps to plunge into that clear, azure water.
The water was just what we wanted - perfect.
The cove is protected by a reef which breaks the turbulent waves down to gentle swells.
There has to be underwater fresh water springs because sporadically really cold water would swirl around us.
“Look at this!”- She found a perfect mini sea fan. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cnidaria
From the soak in the sea, to the bench on the deck sitting on the reef. Dotted along the property are all these picnic tables for guests to use.
How peaceful it is just watching the movement of the sea.
View from my spot with sweet reggae music floating down from the “sound system”.
#caribbeansea #beachday #jamaica #reggaemusic #jamaicanlifestyle #jamaicans #leavetheworldbehind #experiencejamaica #liveunscripted @jamaicanescapades
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Downtown Kingston- Saturday afternoon
BARRY STREET, downtown KINGSTON on a wet Saturday afternoon.
Destination: CORONATION MARKET.
Sights, Sounds, Smells.
Music for hire on the move!
The visual cacophony of the farmed produce is spectacular.
Driving takes skill, negotiating around all the activity on this street a buzz with people & their handcarts.
To Coronation Market to receive some prized, out of season lemons, 🍋 as a special delivery to my car when I pull up outside.
#onlyinjamaica #experiencejamaica #jamaica #jamaicalife #jamaicablog #coronationmarket @jamaicanescapades
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St. Thomas - view from the Yallahs Bridge
Bridge over Yallahs River.
Once upon a time a daunting crossing, once there had been heavy rain.
Some pics to tell the story.
The fording was flooded & destroyed ( Septemeber 2002) A Bailey Bridge was erected (October 2002), but was taken down due to bridge abutment washed away (2003),
A bit more on the area https://en.m.wikipedia. org/wiki/Yallahs_River.
The Yallahs Bridge was completed in 2008.
#liveauthentic #liveunscripted #sundaydriveout #experiencejamaica #visitjamaica #jamaica #jamaicablog #jamaicalife #jamaicanhistory @jamaicanescapades
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▪️Paul Bogle▪️ Judgement Cliff▪️
🇯🇲Easington, St. Thomas🇯🇲
▪️Paul Bogle▪️
🇯🇲Easington, St. Thomas🇯🇲 As the Capital of St. David Parish from 1836 to 1867, it was quite an important little town during the Early to Mid 19th Century, with a Court House, Gaol, Stores, Taverns and Houses. Who knew this bit of history?
🇯🇲Judgement Cliff🇯🇲 Is located looming high above the Mount Sinai community in St Thomas.
The great earthquake of 1692 caused a large section of this part of the mountain range to break away. As the story goes, a whole plantation was destroyed by the landslide, killing a number of people including the unpopular plantation owner. As legend has it only a man, his bull and dog survived.
The scarp refers to the landslide scar we see as the vertical bare face. The deposit refers to the hill like formation below the scarp.
The scarp became known as Judgement Cliff.
#liveauthentic #experiencejamaica #jamaicanheritage #liveunscripted #sundaydriveout #visitjamaica #jamaicanheritagematters #visitjamaica #nationalhero @jamaicanescapades
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The Historical Abutments at Easington, St. Thomas
On the Historical Escapade we soon arrive at the imposing cut stone abutments on either side of the Yallahs river that are the only things that remain of the Easington Bridge, which was a suspension bridge that was an early 19th century structure. Easington was actually the capital of the former parish of St. David from 1836 - 1867, now St. Thomas.
The abutments on either side seen with the newer bridge just behind
On the west side of the river.
Let’s take a peek through the arch
Break the corner, beer left and head over the current bridge.
#sundaydriveout #experiencejamaica #jamaicanhistory #jamaicanheritage #jamaicanheritagematters #liveunscripted @jamaicanescapades
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Escapade to Albion & Easington, St. Thomas ctd.
Turn left heading to the foothills of the Blue Mountain range, the Yallahs river flowing down on the right.
🛑What’s that ruin❓
Interrupting the cows peaceful spot❗️ What was ➖What is❗️ The remains of what once was one of the largest sugar estates in the east, Albion Estate. It was in the then named parish of St. David, circa 1880, now known as St. Thomas.
🔺The Trash House was where the cane trash, (Bagasse) once the juice was extracted, was stored & dried. 🔻Bagasse was then used as fuel to fire the copper cauldrons in the Boiling House. #jamaicanhistory #jamaicaheritage #JamaicanHeritageMatters #sundaydriveout #liveauthentic #liveunscripted @jamaicanescapades
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