Nestled on one of the Caribbean's most spectacular bays, Port Antonio is
encircled by the Blue Mountains. It goes back to the 16th century, and is
encircled by waters rich in game fish. Sights worth seeing include include
Mitchell's Folly, a two-story structure erected by the American millionaire Dan
Mitchell in 1905, and the ruins of the 60-room Great House. Rafting is available
on the Rio Grande, consisting of two-hour trips on two passenger bamboo rafts,
which commence at Blue Mountains at Berrydale, sail past plantations of bananas
and sugar cane, and conclude at Margaret's Bay. The picturesque Somerset Falls
nearby are a much sought after picnic spot. Beaches in the Port Antonio area
include San San , while the Blue Lagoon is a breathtakingly beautiful salt-water
cove replete with several activities including fishing, swimming and
water-skiing, and is known to be one the best coves in the Caribbean.
From Ocho Rios, drive east along Highway A4/A3, which takes you through
some sleepy fishing villages, including Port Maria, until you reach Port
Antonio. Situated on the coast just north of the Blue Mountains, the town is
surrounded by some of the most rugged and beautiful scenery in Jamaica. Many
visitors prefer to visit the mountains and highlands from a base here, rather
than starting in Kingston, to avoid the capital's urban sprawl.
This is the parish of Portland. It's the rainiest, greenest parish in
Jamaica, known for its many rivers and waterfalls. Once the cradle of Jamaican
tourism, the region has since been eclipsed by Montego Bay, Ocho Rios, and
Negril. It remains a preferred hideaway, however, for a chic and elegant crowd
that comes for a handful of posh hotels.
Port Antonio itself is a verdant and sleepy seaport 97km (60 miles)
northeast of Kingston. You may have seen it in the 1988 Hollywood film Cocktail
(still talked about here as if it were shot yesterday). Here you can still catch
a glimpse of the Jamaica of old. This small, bustling town is like many in
Jamaica: clean though ramshackle, its sidewalks surrounding a market filled with
vendors, tin-roofed shacks compete with old Georgian and modern brick and
concrete buildings. Locals busily shop, talk, and laugh, while others sit and
play dominoes (loudly banging the pieces on the table, which is very much part
of the game).
Go to the colorful markets to browse for local craftworks, spices, and
fruits -- or just to listen to conversations, negotiations, and the news of the
day.
Navy Island and the long-gone Titchfield Hotel were owned for a short time
by film star Errol Flynn, who was much loved and admired by Jamaicans and
totally integrated into his community. Locals still talk of Flynn in Port
Antonio, especially the men, who speak of his legendary womanizing and drinking
in almost reverent tones.
We find Port Antonio an elite retreat, a virtual Shangri-La when compared
to busier Ocho Rios or Montego Bay. It also has some of the finest beaches in
Jamaica, and has long been a center for some of the Caribbean's best deep-sea
fishing. Some of the most expensive yachts sailing the Caribbean can be seen
here with the opening of the first-class Port Antonio Marina. It's a good place
to go to get away from it all.
Cruise Port Location
The few smaller size cruise ships visiting Port Antonio Jamaica Cruise Port
tie up at the Ken Wright Pier in West harbor. The heart of Port Antonio is an
exciting 15-minute walk east. Montego Bay are the primary ports of call for
cruise ships. There is a reliable bus service in Kingston and Montego Bay; less
reliable for trans-island travel. Coach and minibus tours can be reserved at
most resorts. Taxis are the cheapest and fastest way of getting around the
island. Most significant towns, as well as airports, have rental car facilities.
A major improvement to the infrastructure of Port Antonio, the Errol Flynn
Marina (tel. 876/715-6044; www.errolflynnmarina.com) opened in
stages beginning in 2003. It takes the form of a fenced-in compound dotted with
shops, gazebos, and waterfront diversions specifically built with cruise ship
passengers in mind. There is dock and wharf space for small and medium-size
cruise ships, berths for up to 32 private yachts, a restaurant (Norma's at the
Marina), a scattering of lawns and ornamental gazebos, an outdoor swimming pool
reserved for use by yacht owners and cruise ship passengers, and a very limited
handful of boutiques. Completed in 2005 at an overall cost of US$50 million, its
aim is to increase the visibility of Port Antonio as a colorful option for
cruise ship stopovers.
Sightseeing
The wharf area is fenced and totally off limits to vendors and unlicensed
taxis. There is no bus service from the piers to town. Tourist information is
available from the Tourism Product Development Company office at Errol Flynn
Marina and the Jamaica Tourist Board office in City center Plaza on harbor
Street. Open Monday-Friday 8:30 am-5:30 pm.
Port Antonio 68 miles east of Ocho Rios, has been the capital of Portland
since the 18th century. It was Jamaica's main banana port. Melancholic Port
Antonio still has the rakish air and tropical lassitude of a maritime harbor,
and there is little of the hustle of Montego Bay or Ocho Rios.
Tours/Excursions/Transportation
Don’t be wary of the Jamaican local buses. They are much cheaper than
tourist taxis. Don't let the tourist taxi drivers rip you. Local taxis are an
interesting way to get around and far cheaper than tourist taxis.
Things to See and Do
Consider signing up for the sightseeing offered by your ship. This may not
be the cheapest way to see the area, but you won't have to waste your limited
time making arrangements yourself-and you won't have to worry about missing the
ship. Shore trips and their prices-vary from cruise line to cruise line. Typical
excursions include swimming and snorkeling, riding down the Rio Grande on a
bamboo raft, discovering the fossilized sea life in Nonsuch Cave or visiting the
famous Athenry Gardens, a tropical paradise with spectacular vistas.
Somerset Falls
Between Hope Bay and Port Antonio, Somerset Falls sits behind a hedge of bright red ginger lilies and green bottlebrush plants. Once an old sugar plantation that extended from the mountains to the sea, today Somerset is a 97-acre property with a breathtaking garden, complete with ponds and waterfalls. Overflowing with crotons, bamboos, ferns, cocoa plants, indigo and moss-covered trees (to name only a few), the garden grows on the banks of the Daniel River.
Between Hope Bay and Port Antonio, Somerset Falls sits behind a hedge of bright red ginger lilies and green bottlebrush plants. Once an old sugar plantation that extended from the mountains to the sea, today Somerset is a 97-acre property with a breathtaking garden, complete with ponds and waterfalls. Overflowing with crotons, bamboos, ferns, cocoa plants, indigo and moss-covered trees (to name only a few), the garden grows on the banks of the Daniel River.
A concrete path leads up the gurgling river to the back of the property.
Along the way, small waterfalls trickle down the bushy hillsides and shady
benches, where visitors enjoy a moment of tranquillity. The path ends at a deep
river pond that entices you to take a plunge into its invigorating clear,
turquoise water. There, a guide is waiting to take you on a rowboat ride through
a narrow tributary, encircled by limestone caverns to the spectacular main
attraction - the "Hidden Falls." Here, you can cool off in the 20-foot-deep pool
or snap away at the falls. Some advice for photographers: to best capture this
cascading shower and luminous pool, turn off your flash. You won’t be
disappointed!
And when the ride is over, enjoy a meal of fine seafood or spicy jerk pork
at the Garden Restaurant or a cocktail at the Rhythm and Booze bar, which on
Sundays livens up with classic Reggae, dominoes and dancing. ( A4, Somerset
Falls, Portland Parish, Jamaica )-- Opening Times Every Day: 9:00 am - 5:00
pm
Reach Falls
Reach Falls was discovered by runaway slaves from plantations in the neighboring parish of St Thomas who sought refuge in the hills of the John Crow mountains. Reach Falls is a luxurious eco attraction hidden in the Montane Forrest on the John Crow Mountain Range.
Reach Falls was discovered by runaway slaves from plantations in the neighboring parish of St Thomas who sought refuge in the hills of the John Crow mountains. Reach Falls is a luxurious eco attraction hidden in the Montane Forrest on the John Crow Mountain Range.
The attraction offers a unique blend of comfort, relaxation, and adventure.
Reach Falls is centred on an exotic waterfall cascading down a rock face into an
emerald river pool. The lush greenery from the Montane Forrest and the
refreshing pool beneath the cascading waterfall promises a memorable experience.
Reach Falls offers the opportunity to enjoy the cascading waterfall, a picnic
area, and a guided tour upstream the Driver’s River (which feeds the waterfall)
featuring a visit inside our legendary underwater cave.
Local Flavor:
Reach Falls has over 23 species of ferns and it is nestled in the Montane Forrest of the John Crow Mountains which is home to a variety of birds, including the black, and yellow-billed parrots.
Famous For:
Reach Falls has been featured in Hollywood films including Tom Cruise's Cocktails and the remake of Lord of the Flies.
Don't Miss:
If visitors are lucky they may catch a glimpse of a wild pig trotting across the mountain. Reach Falls features a natural heart-shaped jacuzzi which invigorates the body with every stroke from the water rushing through the channel.
Local Flavor:
Reach Falls has over 23 species of ferns and it is nestled in the Montane Forrest of the John Crow Mountains which is home to a variety of birds, including the black, and yellow-billed parrots.
Famous For:
Reach Falls has been featured in Hollywood films including Tom Cruise's Cocktails and the remake of Lord of the Flies.
Don't Miss:
If visitors are lucky they may catch a glimpse of a wild pig trotting across the mountain. Reach Falls features a natural heart-shaped jacuzzi which invigorates the body with every stroke from the water rushing through the channel.
What to bring: swim wear, water shoes, towel, camera, and credit
card/cash
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 8:30 - 4:30 - Also open on
public holidays Tel: (876) 993-6606Fax: (876) 993-6512 Email: reachfalls@udcja.com Website: http://www.udcja.com/attractions/reach-falls
YS Falls, Saint Elizabeth Parish, Jamaica
Boasting a magnificent seven-tiered cascading waterfall, an expansive wading pool fed by underground springs, exciting canopy rides which careen you down the alley high above the falls, river tube rides and spectacular views, adventure waits for you in the jungle!
Swimming and tubing are subject to river conditions. No discounts due to
inclement weather. Tel: 876-997-6360/383-7159 Fax: 876-965-2076 Email: ysfalls@cwjamaica.comWebsite: http://www.ysfalls.com
Tuesday - Sunday: 9:30 am - 3:30pm Children: 5 - 14 years; under 5 yrs. are
free. No group rates. No groups over 25 persons. Closed on Mondays and public
holidays.
The Fi Wi Sinting Foundation
The Fi Wi Sinting Foundation continues their priority to bring the celebration of African heritage in Jamaica to the masses. We recognize and acknowledge the importance of preserving vital and living elements of our cultural heritage as well as the positive effect creative activity has on individuals; providing enjoyment, enlivening spaces and enriching lives
The Fi Wi Sinting Foundation continues their priority to bring the celebration of African heritage in Jamaica to the masses. We recognize and acknowledge the importance of preserving vital and living elements of our cultural heritage as well as the positive effect creative activity has on individuals; providing enjoyment, enlivening spaces and enriching lives
The 25th staging of the Annual Fi Wi Sinting Festival will be held in
February 2015 at Somerset Falls Water Park, Hope Bay Portland.
The only one of its kind, each year people attend the festival from as far
away as Europe, Africa North America and the Caribbean and is a family filled
day of live African and traditional Jamaican dance, drumming, African
marketplace, storytelling, poetry and more.
Festival activities center on preserving and presenting the links that
currently exist between Jamaica and Africa, such as Jonkunoo, Kumina, Anancy
story telling all brought from Africa along with Mento and Nyabinghi chanting
both of which originated in Jamaica. Completing the day is the pouring of
libation, a lecture delivered by an invited guest speaker, poets, fashion show,
a dance party where only African music is played and special performances by a
renowned drum/dance company. Our sponsors include The Jamaica Tourist Board and
The Jamaica National Foundation. located at (Tucker Road, Hope Bay P.O. Box 9,
Portland, Jamaica) Tel: 876-913-0103Fax: 876-913-0103Email: info@fiwisinting.com Website: http://www.fiwisinting.com
Winnifred Beach, Portland Parish, jamaica
Just a mile on from the closed beach where Tom Cruise once juggled bottles
in Cocktail, Winnifred Beach is one of the most appealing beaches in all of
Jamaica. Located in the Fairy Hill community, Winnifred Beach is home to a
delightful reef just offshore that’s not only perfect for snorkeling, but for
its clear, calm, bright-blue water justly popular with locals.
A long, unpaved road leads to the wide, white-sand beach that stretches
along a sheltered bay. Thick groups of trees and vines act as a backdrop to the
aquamarine water filling the foreground. At the base of the hill, large trees
shade a flat strip of land, where several food and drink-vendors prepare fresh
fish dishes and jerk delights, a specialty of Portland. There’s also a
mini-field, perfect for a game of football. And on weekends, there are horseback
riding tours down the beach and boat trips to nearby Monkey Island.
Port Antonio Walking Tour
At the close of the 19th century, Port Antonio burst onto the international
stage as the banana capital of the world. The boats that came to collect the
“green gold” also brought hundreds of visitors to the scenic port. Quickly, the
town became a revered vacation spot for the world’s rich and famous and a haven
for wealthy merchants, many of whom built “winter homes” throughout the town.
Although the banana trade waned in the early decades of the new century, this
charming town was soon rediscovered and glamorized by the Hollywood stars of the
1940s and 50s. Still frequented by movie stars and visitors looking for a quiet
escape, the Port Antonio of today is a low-key, peaceful spot, cradled by
nature’s profuse beauty. In and around the town center, elegant old buildings
beckon, silently reminding us of the town’s celebrated history, while new
developments promise to reposition “Portie” in the limelight once more.
Start: Musgrave Market on West Street Finish: Folly Point Lighthouse
Distance: 2.5km
West Street And Market Square
The center of life in Port Antonio, West Street is always abuzz with
activity as locals navigate its narrow sidewalks, sometimes spilling into the
middle of the road. West Street runs along the northern side of Market Square.
In the middle of the square stands a white cenotaph, forever expressing
Jamaica’s gratitude to the sons of Portland who died during World War I and II.
Musgrave Market faces the cenotaph. Shops and stores, offering a cornucopia of
items for sale, including fresh produce and straw items, surround the market.
Directions: Travel east along West Street, to the intersection with Harbour Street, and you will see a Victorian clock tower facing a two-storey, red brick building, which is the:
Directions: Travel east along West Street, to the intersection with Harbour Street, and you will see a Victorian clock tower facing a two-storey, red brick building, which is the:
Parish Counsil Building And Corthouse
Erected in 1895 on the order of the Colonial secretary, this Georgian
building houses the parish courthouse, offices of the parish council and the
post office. There are ornate metal verandas both at the front and back of the
building. Atop of its pyramidal roof sits a white octagonal cupola. Inside the
graceful structure is a plaque, dated November 16, 1918, given to the governor
from the Secretary of State for the British Colonies.
Directions: To your left you’ll see a colorful building with fantastic murals, painted on its outside walls. This is the Village of St George, now known as the Port Mall. It lies in front of the main entrance to the Port Antonio Marina.
Directions: To your left you’ll see a colorful building with fantastic murals, painted on its outside walls. This is the Village of St George, now known as the Port Mall. It lies in front of the main entrance to the Port Antonio Marina.
Port Mall
This astounding complex will live on in your memory as a fabulous melange
of architectural trends. Its design is a delightful combination of Elizabethan,
Renaissance Tudor, Art Deco and Postmodern architectural styles with palladian
columns, decorated cornices, gothic arches, and domed and vaulted ceilings. The
mall also has lively mosaic patterns inlaid in its floors and walls, which are
made from marble, red brick or stone. At the mall’s center, you’ll find a
covered courtyard with impressive columns and an imposing statue of the Madonna.
Built between 1995 and 1997, the four-story building features a collection of
small local shops, a café, lounge and nightclub.
Directions: Climb the spiral, wrought-iron staircase to the second floor where you’ll find The Gallery Café, a bright spacious spot that offers a bird's-eye view of the Marina.
After you’ve explored the Port Mall, walk across to the entrance of the:
Directions: Climb the spiral, wrought-iron staircase to the second floor where you’ll find The Gallery Café, a bright spacious spot that offers a bird's-eye view of the Marina.
After you’ve explored the Port Mall, walk across to the entrance of the:
Port Antonio Marina
This "brand spanking new" marina stretches for half a kilometre [one-third
mile] along the southern side of the West Harbour, and houses the Ken Wright
Cruise Ship Pier, the Marine Police and Coast Guard stations, and the customs
and immigration offices of Port Antonio. It also has berthing facilities for
small yachts. Attractively landscaped with gazebos and a beautiful wooden
promenade, the Marina is set to have a host of recreational activities,
including boutiques and souvenir shops, a restaurant and bar, as well as a few
swimming pools.
Directions: From the Marina, you may hire a boat to the picturesque Navy
Island. Originally called Lynch’s Island, after a former governor of Jamaica,
the island was used by the British Navy in the 1700s as a place to careen and
repair their ships. Once owned by Errol Flynn, Hollywood star and renowned
playboy, Navy Island now belongs to the Port Authority of Jamaica.
Exit the Marina’s main entrance and turn left onto Fort George Street,
heading uphill. This area is known as the Titchfield Peninsula, named after the
former Duke of Portland, Marquis of Titchfield and Governor of Jamaica in 1723.
Rising between Port Antonio’s twin harbors, the peninsula was once home to the
town’s most wealthy residents. The Titchfield Hotel, the Caribbean’s first “big”
resort with 400 luxury rooms, crowned the peninsula’s landscape until the 1930s,
when it was destroyed by fire. Today, many tattered buildings still stand on the
peninsula, reminders of its glory days. As you walk along, look out for old
wooden houses with delicate fretwork and charming balconies, reflecting
architecture of a bygone era. About midway up the hill, you will see a
wonderfully restored three-storey, red brick building with intricate white iron
work. This is the:
DeMontevin Lodge
Built in the early 1900s, this Victorian-style building was home to the
then custos of Portland, David Gideon. It is thought that Gideon brought the
elaborate ironwork, barley columns and veranda rails, which adorn the exterior
of the house, from America. In recent years, DeMontevin Lodge has been
extensively renovated and refurbished and has been declared a National Heritage
site. The lodge operates as a guesthouse and restaurant, and is widely
recognized for its comfortable accommodations and scrumptious local fares. On
the ground floor, you’ll encounter numerous antique pieces, some of which are
approximately 100 years old.
Directions: Continue heading north along Fort George Street. At the tip of
the of the peninsula, you’ll find the:
The Portland Parish Church (Christ Church)
Built during the late Georgian Period (in 1837-1840), this impressive red
brick structure boasts a high, vaulted ceiling and a bell tower with a clock.
From the church grounds, you are treated to a stunning view of the East Harbour,
while inside the building, you’ll discover memorial plaques that offer an
insight into 19th-century Jamaican life.
Directions: You may end your walking tour here, or if you are feeling
energetic continue to the Folly Estate, which lies about 1km from the church.
Although it is a very pleasant walk along the harbor, you may opt to hire a
taxicab to take you to Folly.
If you decide to continue on foot, from the church’s entrance gate, turn
right, toward the harbor, onto Allan Avenue. Head east along Allan Avenue, away
from the town center, keeping the sea to your left. Along the way, you may pass
fishermen tending their nets and canoes, or cleaning their latest catch. You may
also stop and grab a bit to eat or a cool drink at one of the colorful shops and
restaurants that line the seaward side of the road. Continuing on your walk, you
will eventually see a large field, called the Folly Oval. If you’re in luck, you
may find local men, donning white uniforms, playing cricket. Should you see a
match being played, stop to catch your breath and watch the entertaining game!
Just before the field, there is a stone gate leading to a dirt road. Head north
along this road, following it as it curves to the right. At the end of the road,
you’ll see the remnants of:
Folly Mansion
Alfred Mitchell, an American millionaire, visited Port Antonio and fell
under the town’s spell. In 1901, he bought a 90-acre estate and began
constructing a grand two-story mansion with 60 rooms, Doric columns, inner
courtyards and impressive stairways. Mitchell reportedly built the mansion as a
home for his family. Some years after its construction, the mansion began to
crumble and many fantastic stories now surround the house. Some Jamaicans will
tell you that Mitchell’s wife, for whom he built the house, broke his heart and
so the symbol of their love, the mansion, fell to pieces. Others may say that in
his haste to build the house, Mitchell allowed saltwater (or sea-sand) to be
used in the cement mixture, which compromised its strength. The most logical
theory is, however, that the use of an ill-proportioned mixture of marl and
cement, as well as the position of the house, facing the full brunt of the ocean
breeze, caused it to fall into ruin. Today, what remains of the Folly Mansion
offers a great tale of wealth, love and loss.
Directions: Beside the mansion stands the Folly Point Lighthouse. To get to
the lighthouse, retrace your steps along the dirt road. At the fork, continue
north to the point or you may cut across the fields to the northwest of the
mansion.
Foll Point Lighthouse
This Port Antonio landmark has lit the shoreline of the East Harbour since
1885. About 40 feet high, the red-and-white striped lighthouse stands proudly
atop honeycombed limestone, overlooking the sparkling Caribbean Sea. Coconut
trees, their bases uniformly painted white, adorn the immaculately manicured
grounds, surrounding the lighthouse. Check in with the lighthouse keeper, and
spend some time exploring the limestone rocks and lawn around the tower. From
these vantage points, you’ll see picturesque views of Port Antonio, Navy Island
and Folly Mansion.
Deep-Sea Fishing
Northern Jamaican waters are world-renowned for their game fish, including
dolphin fish (mahimahi), wahoo, blue and white marlin, sailfish, tarpon,
barracuda, and bonito. The Port Antonio International Marlin Tournament is held
at Port Antonio every September or October, depending on the phases of the moon
(and presumably, the migration patterns of the marlin) for that particular year.
Most major hotels from Port Antonio to Montego Bay have deep-sea-fishing
facilities, and there are many charter boats. For more information on this
loosely organized annual event, contact the Sir Henry Morgan Angling
Association, c/o Dr. Ronald Duquesnay (tel. 876/909-8818; or e-mail him at rondq@mail.infochan.com).
Nadine, a 12m-long (40-ft.) sportfishing boat (tel. 876/993-3209 or
876/909-9552; www.jamaicascene.com),
with a tournament rig, is available for charter rental. Designed for up to six
passengers at a time, it charges US$1,000 per half-day or US$2,000 per full day,
with crew, bait, tackle, and soft drinks included. It docks at Port Antonio's
Marina, off West Palm Avenue, in the center of town. Call Captain Paul, or a
member of his crew for bookings.
Golf
Port Antonio may never rival Montego Bay as a golfing mecca, but the 9-hole
San San Golf Course & Bird Sanctuary (tel. 876/993-7645), lying 6km (3 3/4
miles) east of San San Beach, offers dramatic scenery, with a backdrop of lush
vegetation on one side and the ocean on the other. A round of 9 holes costs
US$50. You can also play the course twice for US$70. Caddies cost US$12 with
pull carts going for US$5. Clubs are rented at the pro shop for US$10. Birders
often flock to the area to see the many species here.
Hiking
The Rio Grande Valley is one of the lushest places in the Caribbean to go
on hiking jaunts. Hiking trails often follow paths blazed decades ago by hunters
seeking wild pigs.
If you're not a serious hiker and want only an easy preview of this
luxuriant valley, you can take the 30-minute hike to the Scatter Waterfalls from
Berridale, 10km (6 1/4 miles) southwest of Port Antonio. Here bamboo rafts will
transport you across the Rio Grande, where you can walk to the falls in about 20
minutes. There you'll find pools for cooling off and a little bar serving fresh
tropical punches.
Most other hikes are far more strenuous. One of the most difficult is the
19km (12-mile), 2-day hike to Nanny Town, named after Queen Nanny, the
Amazon-like warrior goddess of the Maroons. One of the most remote places in all
of Jamaica, this was the legendary hideout of the Maroons in the 1700s, who came
here to escape from the British and went undiscovered for years. A campsite can
be found along the Makunnu River. This hike is only for the seriously in-shape
and valiantly stout of heart who are intrigued by, rather than daunted by, some
of the roughest terrain within the Blue Mountains.
Less difficult is the 5-hour hike to Watch Hill, a former lookout point for
the Maroons. You'll pass miles of banana groves and the decaying ruins of an
18th-century sugar plantation. This hike is graded moderate.
Our favorite trail is the 6km (3.75-mile), 7-hour White River Falls ? hike
starting at Millbank, a hamlet south of the Maroon stronghold of Moore Town.
Know before you embark on this hike that the drive from Port Antonio to the
debut of the hiking trail, because of horribly maintained roads, will require up
to 2 bone-bruising hours of transit time, each way. This hike takes you along
the White River, and you can also go upstream to the Seven Falls. After a swim
in the first one or two falls, you may decide not to press on, as the going gets
rough and the trail is slippery. If you're lucky, you'll see colonies of the
rare swallowtail butterfly. These beautiful insects are enormous, and make for
one of the most memorable sights nature has to offer in Jamaica.
Shorter and easier hikes in the Lower River Valley can also be arranged,
including a 4-hour hike, rated medium grade, along the Darley Trail.
One final trail, also difficult, is the 7-hour, 11km (6.75-mile) Guava
River Trail, starting in the hamlet of Bellevue. The trail goes along the Guava
River in the heart of the Blue Mountains. You can swim in the river and continue
upstream until you come to some hot springs.
Rafting
Although it's not exactly adventurous (it's a tame and safe outing),
rafting the Rio Grande is the best rafting experience on the island, and the
most fun. Rafting started on the river as a means of transporting bananas from
plantations to waiting freighters. In 1871 a Yankee skipper named Lorenzo Dow
Baker decided that a seat on one of the rafts was better than walking, but it
was not until actor Errol Flynn arrived that the rafts became popular as a
tourist attraction. Flynn used to hire the rafts for his friends, and he
encouraged the rafters to race down the Rio Grande against one another, betting
on winners. Now that bananas are transported by road, the raft skipper makes
perhaps one or two trips a day down the waterway. If you want to take a trip,
contact the Rio Grande Experience, Berrydale (tel. 876/993-5778).
The rafts, some 10m (33 ft.) long and only 2m (6 ft.) wide, are propelled
by stout bamboo poles. There's a raised double seat about two-thirds of the way
back. The skipper stands in the front, trousers rolled up to his knees, the
water washing his feet, and guides the craft down the lively river, about 13km
(8 miles) between steep hills covered with coconut palms, banana plantations,
and flowers, through limestone cliffs pitted with caves, through the "Tunnel of
Love," a narrow cleft in the rocks, and then on to wider, gentler water.
Trips last 2 to 2 1/2 hours and are offered from 9am to 4pm daily at a cost
of US$72 per raft, which holds two passengers. A fully insured driver will take
you in your rented car to the starting point at Berrydale, where you board your
raft. If you feel like it, take a picnic lunch, but bring enough for the
skipper, too, who will regale you with lively stories of life on the
river.
Snorkeling & Scuba Diving
At a depth range of 24 to 27m (80-90 ft.), Alligator Long is one of the
most visited dive sites east of Port Antonio. Advanced divers come here. Divers
go along a narrow coral ridge 9m (30 ft.) high and peppered with sea fans,
sponges such as the azure vase sponge, soft gorgonians, and many coral heads.
Marine life includes the pork fish and several species of hamlets (the indigo
hamlet, for example). You'll see squirrelfish darting about, along with
stingrays, triggerfish, and spadefish.
The best outfitter, Lady Godiva's Dive Shop, lies within the Port Antonio
Marina (tel. 876/993-8988), 11km (6 3/4 miles) from Port Antonio. Full dive
equipment is available. Technically, you can snorkel off most of the beaches in
Port Antonio, but you're likely to see much more further offshore. The best spot
is at Winnifred Beach on the other side of Dragon Bay. The reef is extremely
active and full of a lot of exciting marine life. Lady Godiva offers two
excursions daily to this spot for US$21 to $30 per person including snorkeling
equipment for the day.
Dining
Mille Fleurs, Port Antonio,
Jamaica
Restaurant Mille Fleurs offers romantic dining on the verandah with
magnificent views overlooking Port Antonio, the Blue Mountains and the Caribbean
Sea. Enjoy the spectacular setting and savor the calm and serenity while
enjoying culinary delights, beautiful sunsets and candlelit dining. Discover
creative Caribbean cuisine breakfast, a light lunch or romantic dinner. Mille
Fleurs is also a perfect location for small weddings and celebrations. Tel: 876
993 7267 Email: reservations@hotelmockingbirdhill.com
Website: http://www.hotelmockingbirdhill.com/restaurant-mille-fleurs/
Shopping
Port Antonio is not a shopping bazaar like Montego Bay and Ocho Rios. Most
activity centers around Musgrave Market, on West Street, in the center of town.
This is one of our favorite markets in all of Jamaica. It evokes a movie set on
which the director is about to call, "Lights, camera, action!" The most active
market day is Saturday. To see the market at its most frenzied, go any day of
the week from 8am to noon.
The sprawling Fort George Village Shopping Arcade, which opened in 1997 to
immediate denunciations, is not a mirage. To call it an architectural
monstrosity would be too kind; this three-floor structure looks like some of the
world's major architectural ideas, thrown into a blender -- baroque, English
Tudor, French Gothic, with hints of Syria and Iraq thrown in for spice -- and
spat out. In theory, at least, the arcade was designed to represent various
architectures from around the world.
Regardless of what you think of its design, the arcade is fun for a
shopping jaunt, thanks to outlets for jewelry, antiques/junk, CDs, computers,
and more. the center of town across from the courthouse, en route to Titchfield
Hill.
On Harbour Street, you'll come to the City Centre Plaza, but it's rather
dull. As for its crafts, we've seen better. Still, it might come in handy for
souvenirs and those things visitors always need: postcards for the ones you left
behind, suntan lotion, and that Nora Roberts paperback for the beach.
At the Gallery Carriacou, on the grounds of Hotel Mocking Bird Hill, on
Mocking Bird Hill (tel. 876/993-7267), you can view the sensuous and evocative
paintings and sculptures of Barbara Walker, who is one of the partners in the
hotel. Her works, and those of other noted Jamaican artists, make up the finest
collection of art for sale in the area. Walker also conducts classes, on
request, in sculpture and painting.
At the Errol Flynn Marina, you'll find space for up to 32 different shops
and boutiques, even though only some of those spaces will be occupied by the
time of your visit. The most appealing of the lot is Things Jamaican (tel.
876/715-5347), where gift items, fashion accessories, and housewares -- each
made in or pertaining to Jamaica -- are lined up for easy-on-the-eyes shopping.


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