Clarendon: agriculture and horticulture...

Driving into Clarendon near Freetown it immediately attracts attention that the landscape is relatively flat.
On the right side in the distance the hills are looming up again, on the left side we see one big plain where many agricultural activities take place. The main part of the coastal strip exists of swamp. It is considered to make this swamp a National Park and it is rumored that crocodiles still living wild there.

May Pen
Most important and capital of Clarendon is May Pen. This town with some 45.000 inhabitants is a real passage on the route between Spanish Town and Mandeville. It plays an important role in the regional trade. There is not much to see for the tourist except an old railway station that is recalling days gone by and some remainders of an old fort near Main Square. Obvious the village is busy and there is an active trade in vegetables and fruits.
However most of the sights are situated to the north and south of May Pen.

North of May Pen we can take the B3, a route via Brown's Town that finally comes out near Runaway Bay on the north coast. The route follows the Rio Minho Valley through the hills direction the central highlands and is forgotten by most of the visitors. That is a pity as this route presents many beautiful sights over the lower lands and some facetious villages.

Although you will not notice this always, the Rio Minho is a river. Most of the times the river looks like an innocent stream. If there is some water in the bed at all. Because regularly this bed is dry. However, after heavy rainfall in the highlands the river changes very fast in a furious current where swimming is not recommendable. One of the villages you meet on your way north is Chapleton. This village looks picturesque and English.
The English domination is recalled by the Paul's Parish Church and the old bell-tower.

Bauxite and fruits
The Mocho Mountains are situated west of Chapleton, an important area for bauxite- exploitation. Somewhat further on you come in Trout Hall, center of fruit culture. The culture of citrus still is the most important source of income in this area and plantations of the Citrus Company of Jamaica Ltd. surround the village. The plantations can be visited by whom who is interested.
Going in Trout Hall to the left via the B4 you come in Frankfield, a sleepy village where people are looking up when a tourist stops. After Frankfield the B4 becomes poor and turns further on to come via Spaldings in Christiana in the parish of Manchester at least.

South of May Pen you can follow the road direction Portland Ridge, the peninsular that "dangles" on the lower side of Jamaica. The road is flat and practicable and leads via the aluminum refinery of Jamalcan and the endless looking sugarcane plantations to the village of Lionel Town.
You can make a stop near Halse Hall, a Great House of colonial times. On the top of the hill the Spaniards built the Hato de Buena Vista (Ranch of the Beautiful View) that in 1655 was rebuilt to Great House by Major Thomas Halse, then the owner of the land. Today the Great House is owned by the bauxite firms and can be visited after making an arrangement.


And sugar
Lionel Town is surrounded by the plantations of the Moneymusk Sugar Factory and a busy trade takes place here. Worth visiting is the organ of St. Peter's Church next to the sugar factory. Nearby a sugar-mill of the 18th century, now serving as a library, is situated.
From Lionel Town you can drive up the peninsular to the Portland Lighthouse. The lighthouse still is in function and visitors are welcome. East of Portland Ridge the swampy coastal area, which can be well observed from the lighthouse, is situated. In the middle of the swamp is Salt River situated, once an important harbor of exportation of sugar.

The coastal strip west of Portland Ridge shows some caves with mural paintings of the Awaraks.
The biggest is Jackson Bay Cave where even some underground lakes can be seen. Jackson Bay itself has an excellent beach with before the coast an impressive reef that is a fine place for sports diving. In Rocky Point, one kilometer west of Jackson Bay is a diving-club where you can hire equipment and/or obtain your PADI-certificate.
Further to the west there are possibilities to relax in Milk River Bath. The hot-water-springs are considered the most radioactive in the world and have a beneficial effect. Only 15 minutes bathing once a time is allowed but it is a relief for people with rheumatism.
In the mouth of the river is a fine beach in case you look for some cooling.

Agriculture-show
Back in May Pen we continue our way to the west. We pass Denbigh where a big agriculture-show takes place every year. This show is recommended when you are interested in the products that are brought forth by this fruitful land. It is kept in the beginning of August. Apart from that you can enjoy in plenty of fresh fruit during the other months too. The many booths along the road offer a selection of bright colored fruit for reasonable prices.
Slow and sure the road crawls on high. We are on our way to the cool Mandeville, high up in the hills.

Clarendon is, just like St. Catherine, a parish that certainly not is buried under mass tourism.
However it gives a good look at the "normal" Jamaica.
Several possibilities for overnight-staying make a longer stay suitable.