Portland: rain forests, plantations and Blue Mountains...

Unperceived we march into the east of Jamaica. We find ourselves in Portland, the parish that is dominated by the Blue Mountains and the tropical rain forests. The parish of the aromatic Blue Mountain coffee. And, again, the parish of bananas.

Fruit
That last is striking you at once, immediately after driving into Portland the banana-plantations loom up on the right side of the main road. The Boston Fruit Company was one of those companies that cultivated large areas and "rebuilt" them into banana-plantations with Port Antonio as most important harbor of exportation. Although those glorious days are over (the Panama-disease, a mould that destroyed the plantation during the thirties) bananas is still today the most agricultural product of Jamaica.

Even more than St. Mary Portland is compared to the paradise on earth. Driving into Portland near Windsor Castle you will immediately understand why: on your right side you see the green plantations behind which the Blue Mountains rise highly and on the left side you see the everlasting turquoise sea breaking up against the rocks.


The first village of any importance we meet is Buff Bay. Almost every tourist leaves this place on the left. This village has a fusty image that is underlined by the ruinous houses and streets too. The most interesting are perhaps the small beaches just west of the village.
Just after Buff Bay you can turn to the right to Crystal Springs, natural scenery that accommodates fierce-colored birds and orchids. For the naturalist a nice trip and you can stay overnight in cottages and a small museum completes the park.
Having past Orange Bay (with a splendid beach) and Hope Bay are the Summerset Falls situated. Certainly these falls in Daniels river are spectacular and the region around is an excellent area to take a walk. And a boat trip to the "hidden falls" in the caves is one of the possibilities too.

Pauline
In Hope Bay itself you will see a sign with the text: "It's Ital, It's Vital". Following this you will come at the shop of Pauline, named Sundial. Any product for your good health can be bought here, no medicinal herb is unused. Besides that you will find African clothes and other stuff here too.

On our way to Port Antonio we cross the Rio Grande, a river rising in the Blue Mountains and flowing into the sea near Rafters Restaurant, which is a fine place for a short trip with a bamboo raft on the Rio Grande. If you have some time left, than drive from Port Antonio into the interior up to Berridale. From here you can make an exotic trip via villages, plantations and rapids. The Rio Grande rafting is considered the best of entire Jamaica.
Upstream you will enter the property of the Maroons.


Maroons
When the English invaded Jamaica in 1655 The Spaniards set their slaves at liberty. Many of them escaped into the Rio Grande Valley and in the jungle they kept the English at arm's length. These slaves, who became known as "Winward Maroons" who built their own existence and their descendants still live in the region around Moore Town (see also a brief history).

They lead an isolated existence in the middle of the jungle.
Moore Town does not differ much from an average Jamaican village but nevertheless it is special, just because of the history. The Sam Streete Museum, the tomb of Nanny, the important leader during the slave-revolts and the stories of the Maroons themselves make a visit to Moore Town a special experience.

The Maroons are people of traditions. They are open to visitors but it will be appreciated when you announce your visit on beforehand.
This can be done via the Jamaica Tourist Board in Port Antonio or by reporting yourself to the chief after arriving in Moore Town. If you do respect the traditions in this way you are very welcome.