Joss's Jamaican Journey - November 2006

Getting to Jamaica

The flight was very good but they were very strict on the weight and m my sister had excess baggage. We left for the airport at 1.00 a.m. to check-in by 3.00 a.m. The plane took off for Manchester to pick up more passengers and then on to Jamaica. It was a ten-hour flight arriving in the afternoon Jamaican time. We were half asleep. We were picked up by coach and taken to our hotel. It started to rain when we got there and it rained continuously until we left so we had a good rest watching the rain fall. It was raining in our parish of St. Thomas but it was dry in the next parish. The heavy rain caused landslides and flooding.

Exploring the Island

We explored the island. We went to Blue Mountain, the highest place in Jamaica where coffee is grown. The high altitude and ocean fog make it an ideal climate to grow coffee, one of the finest coffees in the world. We took a tour around the factory where the coffee beans are processed. First, they are dried, sorted and bagged. Eighty percent is exported to China. Of the remaining twenty percent some is exported to the UK and sold in Harrods. Some is kept back in Jamaica. This was a very interesting tour.

We made an early start on the day we went to Black River, because it was the other side of the island. We stopped to have a meal before taking a small boat. The river trip lasted a couple of hours and the guide explained the history of the river. At one time there were various river animals and different fish but some were hunted to extinction.

The riverbanks were covered with plants and trees. Water lilies and reeds grow in the river and have to be cut back otherwise they would take over the river. We were surprised at how clear the water was.

There were lots of crocodiles in the river and the guide called them by name. They came around the boat and the guide let the people stroke them. Not everyone wanted to get that close - they were too scared. We were told about one crocodile called George, which was very friendly and followed the boat when the guide threw pieces of meat. We asked about one crocodile on the bank which looked very sick and were told that it was probably dying as it had been there a week. We asked about calling a vet and were told that there were so many that it was not worth their while. It was a very good day and a long journey back.

Shopping and Relatives

The exchange rate in Jamaica is very good, you get $1.28 to £1. We changed quite a bit of money and did some shopping for souvenirs to bring back as presents. There were boutiques owned by Indians selling antiques, jewellery and T-shirts. The cruise ships dock at Ocho Rios and the tourists disembark, heading for the shops. In the craft market you can buy lots of wood carvings of birds, animals and African figures. In the jerk centre they sell specialties of the local cuisine such as roasted breadfruit, fried bammy and steamed fish. The plaza is built in the shape of the Taj Mahal, one of the busiest shopping centres in the town.

Before I left I went to visit relatives in the parish where 1 was born. I had a look around and found my grandparents' graves. I stood in silence for awhile thinking of Grandmother Rebecca. I saw a few cousins and we exchanged a few words.

Fern Gully

Our last coach trip was to Fern Gully. The tour guide explained that there were over one hundred species of ferns growing on the steep hillsides. The road that runs through Fern Gully used to be a riverbed. The government want to close the road because the fumes from the traffic are killing the ferns.

Packing and Leaving

Saturday night before leaving on the Sunday we packed most of our stuff so that we didn't have much to do in the morning. When we woke up we made breakfast, tidied up, packed the rest of our stuff and took the luggage to Reception. We tipped the cleaners and the Reception staff and said goodbye. The coach arrived and we got on. On its way to the airport it stopped at other hotels to pick up more people. The ride from Ocho Rios to Montego Bay airport takes nearly two hours. At the airport we checked in, went to the duty free shop and then had something to eat.

We boarded the plane and took our seats and waited for the plane to take off. There was a long delay while we sat in our seats. Everyone was complaining that it was too hot and they wanted something to drink. After a long time the police came on the plane and took off a mixed-race couple. The rumour was that this couple had money falling out of their moneybelts as they went through Customs. The plane would not take off till they found out what was going on with the couple. Later on, they announced that they had been arrested so they had to take the luggage off. My nephew was all excited trying to find out what was happening. It was a relief when the plane started to head for the runway. Everyone clapped and cheered as they plane took off. It was nice to be in the air heading for England.

Joss