Manchester: high and cool...

Coming from Clarendon the road runs parallel with the Milk River and the border between Clarendon and Manchester for some time. Climbing steadily the heat of the lowlands changes slowly in the coolness of the highlands.
That's why the British settled down here so willingly. During the summer season the average temperature in Mandeville is 21 dgs C, about 6 degrees less than, for instance, in Montego Bay.
A main part of Manchester is situated on a plateau ample 600 m. above sea level and is flanked by the Don Figuerrero Mountains.

Mandeville
Manchester has to offer plenty things to the visitor, on historical domains as well as in nature.
Mandeville is the capital of this parish and a relief for those who want to escape the busy beach-life. The town was born as a place of refuge for rich plantation-owners in the 18th century and is named after Lord Mandeville, son of the Duke of Manchester, governor of Jamaica from 1808 up to 1827. In the 19th century the town became a tourist destination for the rich from Kingston. Mandeville is extensively described in the Mandeville section and we therefore leave this town rest now.

In the hills around the town many coffee-plantations can be found. This area is the birthplace of the Ortanique. This fruit, a crossbreed of the orange and the mandarin, was discovered here and was cultivated here for the first time. This citrus fruit looks somewhat strange but is very tasty and healthy.


Not far from Mandeville, at the foot of Shooter's Hill along the B4, looms an enormous bauxite-deposit up. The huge red plain looks almost science fictional and is in fact nothing more than an enormous open mine. The bauxite is found rather close to the surface and therefore deep shafts are superfluous. Kirkvine Works is the development company here and this firm can be visited.

Shooter's Hill it self is worth a trip. It is one of the most beautiful observation posts of Jamaica with on top of the mountain the tomb of Alexander Woodburn Heron, once landowner here. Shooter's Hill is owned by Alcan (amongst others owner of Kikvine Works) and they are responsible for the maintenance of Shooter's Hill. Once you are upon the top you have a marvelous sight. When the weather permits a bright sight you can even see Blue Mountain Peak.

Fruit sauce
Nearby Shooter's Hill we find a place for gourmands. Where the B4, B5 and B6 come together the Pickapeppa Factory is situated. Pickapeppa is sold all over the world and is an ingredient that makes many dishes a tidbit. The sauce looks like the English Worcestershire sauce but has, according to the Jamaicans, a more specific taste. Visitors are heartily welcome.

Further to the north and deep in the hills is Christiana situated, known because of the production of ginger and "Irish potatoes". A bit to the west of this town and some 240 m. lower is Christiana Bottom situated, a valley with crystal-clear river-water and a fall. The place is overgrown with bamboo and is beloved for a pick nick or a refreshing dive.

Via Mile Gully you can go back again direction Mandeville. Here you can pay a visit to the Oxford Caves with an extensive collection stalagmites and stalactites. Do not enter on your own, guides are available and it is easy to lose your way.
Two churches are worth a visit: the Bethany Moravian Church in Bethany is situated fantastically on the top of a hill and has an imposing organ and the St. Simon's Anglican Church in Comfort Castle surrounded by trees, overgrown with "Old men's Beard" (also see St. Elizabeth and Westmoreland). Just east of Mile Gully is Ripon Nature Park with many kinds of flowers and plants.

Chocolate
Almost back in Mandeville you will first pass Williamsfield. The Williams Great House truly is an example how it should not be done. During the restoration they built on the old house a new modern piece that does not make the building more beautiful.
Lovers of sweet stuff have to visit the Pioneer Chocolate Factory. You can see here how the cocoa bean is conjured in bars of chocolate, which can of course be tasted.
Just outside Williamsfield is the High Mountain Coffee Factory, a relatively small factory where (of course) coffee and liquors are produced.


After Mandeville we follow the A2 to the west. From Spur Tree you have an excellent sight over Essex Valley, the eastern part of the parish of St. Elizabeth. You are now on the flanks of the Don Figuerero Mountains that are forming the edge of the plateau where, amongst others, Mandeville is situated.
From the top of the hill you see how the road in tearing pace goes down to Gutters, on the border of both parishes. The difference in height amounts 610 m. and the hairpins in the road betray that this is a bluffly road.
Along the route much Curried Goat is offered, a typical Jamaican tidbit.

Alligator Pond
South of Mandeville the hills extend almost to the coast and beaches can hardly be found. From Gutters you can follow the road up to the coast till Alligator Pond. This fishing- village is passed by the tourist completely and exactly that's why it is worth a visit. The fishing-market is kept early in the morning and gives an enormous variation. The road from Alligator Pond to the east direction Gut River really is not more than a path and can only be driven over by a four-wheel-driven car. Most striking on this coastal-route is the fact that the vegetation exists of cactuses. In this terrain many Awarak objects has been found. After Gut River you will come in Long Bay, the domain of the manatee (sea-cow).
Under accompaniment you can go to an observation post in Canoe Valley where, when you are lucky, you can see these animals. The manatee appeared often in former times but their number is diminished drastically because of the hunting. Members of milieu- activity groups try to upkeep the terrain around Canoe Valley as good as possible and devoting themselves for the status of National Park.
Driving further to the east finally you will come out near Milk River Bath in Clarendon again.

Manchester is very much different from the other parishes. Not just because of the nice temperature but also the English atmosphere of Mandeville and the rest in the always-green hills make Manchester a welcome supplement to the busy beach-life on the beaches.
Good places for overnight staying and for enjoying culinary highlights are plenty available.