By Neil Armstrong
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| Photo credit: Neil Armstrong The view from an elevated gazebo at UCC Blue Mountain Coffee Craighton Estate in Irish Town, St. Andrew |
Imagine being in Jamaica and visiting a verdant plantation and garden where the hummingbirds are called by their names and swoop in once summoned, or being within the reach of fruits such as coconut, tamarind, guava, jackfruit, breadfruit, bananas, mammee, pineapple, and more.
What if you could go clubbing at a nightclub on a Sunday where the dub vibes are so pulsating that you and others are moving in sync to the drum beat of the reggae music and viewing the glorious skyline of Kingston.
Add standing over 3,000 ft. above Kingston and looking at the marvellous landscape of the Blue Mountains after sipping coffee from the region.
These are just a few of the things Jamaicans in the diaspora and friends of the island can do when they visit, especially this year to celebrate Jamaica’s 60th anniversary of independence under the theme, “Re-igniting a Nation for Greatness.”
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| Photo credit: Neil Armstrong Lorna Binns of Sun Valley Plantation in Cresent, Oracabessa in St. Mary |
Sun Valley Plantation in Cresent, Oracabessa in St. Mary, 30 minutes east of Ocho Rios, is highly recommended by the Jamaica Tourist Board. Owned and operated by the Binns family — Lorna, Nolly and their son, Brian — the estate is steeped in history having produced a variety of tropical fruits for over 250 years. Historic dates and names of who brought the fruits to Jamaica easily roll off Lorna’s tongue as she gives visitors a tour.
She shows off the fruits, trees and herbs while emphasizing the therapeutic and medicinal values of some. The jelly coconut water is cool and refreshing and eating the jelly tops off a wonderful gastronomic experience, especially when followed by breadfruit fried straight from the tree (so no roasting needed before frying), ackee and saltfish on crackers, fried green plantains, a serving of fruits: mango, naseberry, mammee, sugar cane, guava, and a freshly-made fruit juice.
Lorna demonstrates the use of a sugarcane press on the property and while walking around the working plantation she calls out some names. When asked why, she says they are the names of hummingbirds in the trees — Andrew, Peter, Edward and others — one swooped in to drink water from a container in a visitor’s hand. Jamaica’s national tree, the blue mahoe, is there, so too is the country’s national flower, the lignum vitae. The property also has a waterfall.
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| Photo credit: Neil Armstrong From top to bottom: guava, cacao, a hummingbird drinking water, tamarind, fried plantains and breadfruit, ackee and sailfish on crackers, fried green plantains, breadfruit and ackee and saltfish at Sun Valley Plantation |
Blue Lagoon and Monkey Islands Boat Tour in Portland
If swimming and being on water is your preference, then there is the Blue Lagoon, a natural favourite for swimmers as the mix of fresh and salt water offers an unusual bathing experience. “They say the lagoon is bottomless but in reality Blue Lagoon is an enchanting spot with deep blue water fed by a fresh water mineral spring. Made famous by a certain Brooke Shields movie and the site of a well-publicised Jacques Cousteau dive, the 52m-deep (170.6ft) 'Blue Hole' (as locals call it) opens to the sea through a narrow funnel, but is fed by freshwater springs that come in at about 40m (131ft) deep,” notes a brochure.
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| Photo credit: Neil Armstrong Scenes from the Blue Lagoon and Monkey Islands boat tour |
It is here that you can buy something from a vendor before you get on a boat or leave the area. Norman ‘Boxer’ Livingston, a popular boater, seems to be a fountain of knowledge of all the movies shot near the Blue Lagoon and all the Hollywood celebrities that have been guests at suites in the area. He mentions Tom Cruise, Rihanna, Beyoncé among them and notes that Rihanna gave him one of her suitcases. The former boxer has many stories to share about the nearby Monkey Islands too.
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| Photo credit: Sophia Findlay Norman 'Boxer' Livingston |
The view from the UCC Blue Mountain Coffee Craighton Estate in Irish Town, St. Andrew
Lovers of coffee are in for a treat when they visit the UCC Blue Mountain Craighton Coffee Estate. The estate surrounding Craighton Great House was constructed in 1805 by George Craighton and has been linked to many notable figures in Jamaican history, including two governors general. Craighton Estate is now owned by the Japanese Ueshima Coffee Company which directly manages it and exports most of the coffee beans to Japan.
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| Photo credit: Sophia Findlay Tour guide Jerome Thomas talking about the Blue Mountain Coffee |
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| Photo credit: Sophia Findlay Coffee beans presentation by Jerome Thomas |
The tour by Jerome Thomas includes walking through coffee fields and learning how the plants grow and how the beans are reaped and processed. There is also a moment to sit and learn more about coffee while sipping on some of the world best and a slice of cake. Walking up further on the property will take a visitor to an elevated gazebo where they are over 3,000 ft. above Kingston and have a glorious panoramic view of the mountainscape. Thomas is adept at sharing the history of the property and product, including some punchlines too.
Photo credit: Neil Armstrong Kingston's skyline from the Kingston Dub Club in the hills of St. Andrew
Kingston Dub Club
Located in the hills of St. Andrew on Skyline Drive, overlooking Kingston, Dub Club is the leading spot for conscious roots reggae music and entertainment in Kingston. It offers a great view of the cityscape and food and liquor are readily available.
Independence Park
If you have never seen Jamaica’s great athletes such as Usain Bolt, Shelly-Ann Fraser Pryce, Asafa Powell, Herb McKenley, Arthur Wint and others up close and personal, this is the next best — a celebration of them in sculptures by renowned sculptors Alvin Marriott and Basil Watson in Independence Park. How many of us knew that the area is known as Independence Park, has been around since 1966, and includes the National Stadium. A statute of Bob Marley is just across the road from it at Celebrity Park, which is at the corner of Arthur Wint Drive and Herb McKenley Drive.
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| Photo credit: Neil Armstrong Bob Marley statue in Celebrity Park, across from Independence Park |
Bob Marley Museum
The Bob Marley Museum is the former home of the reggae legend. Bob’s home is filled with rich memories and treasured mementos, which seek to preserve the life and accomplishment of this great Jamaican and outstanding musician.
Emancipation Park
“The morning breeze ushers in dawn's new light as joggers commence the day's ever-changing cycle. A rare jewel in the heart of Kingston city, Emancipation Park is a refuge for many who seek solitude and a soothing ambience away from the hustle and bustle of daily living. It's an oasis where one can rejuvenate among its lush seven-acre landscape that symbolizes the legendary beauty of the island of Jamaica. Nature lovers can bask in the Park's scenery lined with tropical flowers and trees such as the majestic Royal Palm, its branches stretching outwards beckoning to the skies. Art lovers can appreciate the beautifully crafted 11ft. bronze sculpture "Redemption Song" by celebrated Jamaican artist, Laura Facey that graces the ceremonial entrance of the Park. The opening of Emancipation Park in July 2002 is a significant milestone in the journey of our nation. The Park was created to be a symbol of our Freedom to Hope, to Excel and to Be,” notes ‘Welcome to Emancipation Park: A Tribute to Our Freedom’ at emancipationpark.org.jm
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| Photo credit: Neil Armstrong Tour guide Barbara Beckford at Devon House |
Devon House tour and I-Scream
Devon House I-Scream, makers of Jamaica’s premier brand of ice cream has its flagship store at the location. Devon House is home to over 27 flavours including their famous bordeaux cherry, rocky river, strong back, mango, coconut, coffee and soursop and their most popular flavour, the Devon Stout. The ice cream at Devon House was voted the 4th best ice cream in the world by the National Geographic on its traveller's list of top places to eat ice cream in the world.
One of Jamaica’s most celebrated historic landmarks, the Devon House Mansion is the architectural dream of Jamaica’s first Black millionaire George Stiebel. He was among three wealthy Jamaicans who constructed elaborate homes during the late 19th century at the corner of Trafalgar Road and Hope Road which fittingly became known as the Millionaire’s Corner. Daniel Finzi and the Verleys were the other families that resided in the area, however, both homes were eventually demolished to make way for development ventures, including the construction of Abbey Court Apartments.
Stiebel’s legacy lives on with the beautifully maintained Devon House, which was declared a national monument in 1990 by the Jamaica National Heritage Trust. Tour guide Barbara Beckford meets visitors at the steps of the entrance and conducts a detailed history of the house and the property.
Harbour View Roundabout Street Food Experience
The Harbour View Roundabout has been a location for street food vending for over 30 years. The site has become a popular spot which excites the taste buds of many Jamaicans offering a wide variety of popular Jamaican foods such as conch stew, jerk chicken, jerk pork, festival, bammy, oysters, fried chicken and roast breadfruit to name a few. Street food in Jamaica is very popular and has been an important part of Jamaica’s culture.
Kingston Creative Art Walk
The first staging of the Kingston Creative Art Walk took place on May 27, 2018. Organized by Kingston Creative, a local organisation committed to the development of an art district and a creative entrepreneur hub in Downtown Kingston, the walk happens on the last Sunday of each month starting at 11:00 a.m. The Kingston Creative Facebook group has updates.
Kingston Creative Art Walk is a free, guided group walk which includes several downtown Kingston locations showcasing the work of artists in painting, dance, music, fashion and more. Participants get a chance to meet storytellers, singers and dancers and “visit unexpected and hidden places downtown,” notes their website. They also get the chance to buy art and craft from the creative entrepreneurs there.
Some other places you can visit in Kingston
The National Heroes Park
The site was officially renamed the National Heroes Park in 1973 and is now a permanent place for honouring our heroes whose monuments are erected in an area known as the Shrine.
Another section, reserved for prime ministers and outstanding patriots, adjoins the Shrine area, to the north, notes the Jamaica National Heritage Trust. This is where Louise Bennett-Coverley, affectionately known as “Miss Lou,’” and her husband, Eric “Chalktalk” Coverley; Ranny Williams, Dennis Brown, Mallica “Kapo” Reynolds, Toots Hibbert, Dennis Brown and some other distinguished Jamaicans are laid to rest.
Coronation Market
The largest and most vibrant market in Jamaica, Coronation Market, or 'Curry', accommodates between 6,000 to 8,000 persons per day. Peak days for business are Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, notes a story in the Gleaner in May 2010. On a hot day while downtown Kingston, it is a welcoming place to buy a jelly coconut and enjoy the cool coconut water and eat the jelly.
Gloria’s Seafood Port Royal
The name Gloria's is synonymous with good food and great vibes with friends. Located in the historic town of Port Royal, the team at Gloria’s has perfected the art of making Jamaican seafood dishes simply delicious, notes visitjamaica.com
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| Photo credit: Neil Armstrong Images at the entrance of the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston |
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