Jamaica's Majestic Mountains

Blue Mountain Peaks

Jamaica is mountainous from one end of the island to the next, her two most well know mountains are the John Crow Mountains and the Blue Mountains well known for its daily climbs to its summit by visitors and nationals alike. These climbs are guided tours by organised and certified climbers or individuals who do this as a private business.

A return trip to the blue mountain peak from St Andrew could take as little as 8 hours for the avid climber usually starting at the early am with a quick turn around you could be back to Kingston by late afternoon. For visitors interested in exploring other vacation spots such as the blue mountain  in jamaica your trip to the blue mountain would be worth at it least a 2 day climb.

Holiday cabins Blue Mountain range

Your Jamaica vacation packages could include family vacation packages to the blue mountain peaks staying at exotic log cabins one of Jamaica's hidden vacation places on the blue mountain range.  

   

Places to stay in Jamaica

Winnifred Beach near Port Antonio Villas

Your beach vacation is never affected in any way as many beach vacation spots are just a few steps from your hotel room on the beach. Places to stay in jamaica is never an issue from hotels in montego bay jamaica, or one of jamaica adult all inclusive, the villas of the Blue Lagoon in Port antonio or a cheap beach getaways there are affordable beach rentals available in most of jamaica's resorts.

When you make plans for your trip to Jamaica one of the easiest question to answer is what are the things to do in Jamaica. Unlike most other vacation spots in the world Jamaica offer a diverse holiday opportunities depending on the purpose of your holiday. The temperature in Jamaica averages about 85 degrees all year round with the November checking in around 79 degrees this time of the year begin the busiest time of the year with visitors arriving to escape the cold temperatures up north. 

Ride the Blue Mountain Range

If backpacking in Jamaica's various mountains including the Blue Mountain Peaks and John Crow mountain Peaks or riding the Blue mountain bicycle tours Jamaica offer an array of things to do on your vacation on this scenic mountainous island. Most all inclusive hotels offer these tours at their front desks and can be included in your Jamaica holiday package.

Luxury Villas in Jamaica

All inclusive Villas along the Blue Lagoon

There’s plenty to see and little you have to do on an all inclusive vacation in Jamaica, we will not fault you if you just want to relax and take in the Jamaican scenery or spend your time on the beach. Enjoy an on-site spa service to help you relax each day or course your all inclusive vacation give you the choice of not being bothered by guest service managers to plan your day. 

To do List Jamaica Vacation

Swim the Blue Lagoon

Jamaica has its mysteries foremost its every day 85 degree year round temperature a presumptive laid back population notwithstanding the daily hustles of the communities to make end meet. This proud population is always eager to charm its guests foreign or local to embrace some of the most scenic vacation spots in the world. The Parish of Portland boasts the top 5 destination in Jamaica with the Blue Lagoon #1 and one of the top ten wonders in the world, Blue hole with its natural vegetation unexplained the changes of the water temperature as you swim from one end of the Lagoon to the next the color of the water and mineral springs are just some of the Blue Lagoon Experience.
  
01) "Blue Hole or the Blue Lagoon" Near Port Antonio! Undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places in the world #1 on your vacation, "to do list in Jamaica".

Camp and Ride, Cinchona Botanical Gardens Jamaica

Cinchona Botanical Gardens 

Cinchona Botanical Gardens, located at 5000 feet above sea level in Jamaica's Blue Mountains, is surely a suburb of heaven. The gardens is home to several types of orchids as well as other rare flowers Plants and trees, all set among well-kept lawns or gardens or just along the main roads.The views from Cinchona are spectacular, including both Blue Mountain Peak, Catherine's Peak and the Yallahs River valley leading down to the St. Thomas coastline. Cinchona gardens is one of many places to see while backpacking in jamaica, cheap accommodation in the vicinity of the Gardens allow backpackers to spend the overnight. 

Ocho Rios-Jamaica Beach and Waterfalls

Ocho Rios, Dunns River Falls

Ocho Rios (Spanish for "Eight Rivers") is a town in the parish of Saint Ann on the north coast of Jamaica. Although he landed in many spots along the Jamaican coast, many believe that Christopher Columbus first set foot on land in Ocho Rios. Just outside the city, travelers and residents can visit Columbus Park, where Columbus supposedly first came on land, and see maritime artifacts and Spanish colonial buildings.

Once a fishing village Ocho Rios now well known as the second of Jamaica's tourism communities. It is a port of call for cruise ships hosting several of Carnival Cruise lines and other cruises weekly as well as cargo ships loading sugar, limestone, and in the past, bauxite.

The name "Ocho Rios" is a misnomer because there are not eight rivers in the area. It is most likely a British corruption of the original Spanish name "Las Chorreras" ("the waterfalls"), a name given to the village because of the nearby Dunn's River Falls.

The north coast highway from the international airport at Montego Bay to Ocho Rios has been improved since 2000 and the journey is now an hour and forty five minutes drive. On 26 August 2011, Jamaicas government announced a $21 million revitalization plan for the resort area.

The town has restaurants, night clubs in Margaritaville and Dolphin Cove, where tourists swim and interact with dolphins. Scuba diving and other water sports are offered in the town's vicinity.

Mystic Mountain, Ocho Rios, Jamaica

The Rainforest Adventures park at Mystic Mountain in Ocho Rios is the heart and soul of the Jamaicas ecotourism and rain forest activities! You’ll have ample opportunities to put on your explorer’s hat and take your camera on a photo safari, the park take you all the way from the seashore to 700 feet above sea level at the top of the mountain, stretching over 100 acres of the Saint Ann and Jamaicas coastline. This is one rain forest tour in Jamaica that will give your memory chip a workout it won’t soon forget! The development of Mystic Mountain in Ocho Rios adds its many attractions. 

Bowden Pen Maroons

Ambassabeth Cabins 

During the Summer of 2011 the Carr/Allen reunion visited Bowden Pen in the foot hills of the John Crow Mountain in Portland Jamaica. It was August 1st the day the Maroons (Aborigines) in Jamaica Celebrate their Emancipation from the British Colonialism.

 In the New World, as early as 1512, black slaves had escaped from Spanish and Portuguese captors and either joined indigenous peoples or eked out a living on their own.Sir Francis Drake enlisted several 'cimaroons' during his raids on the Spanish.As early as 1655, runaway slaves had formed their own communities in inland Jamaica, and by the 18th century, Nanny Town and other villages began to fight for independent recognition.

"Remembering of the past an antidote for the future". 

Ndyuka Maroon women with washing. Suriname River. 1955

When runaway slaves banded together and subsisted independently they were called Maroons. On the Caribbean islands, runaway slaves formed bands and on some islands formed armed camps. Maroon communities faced great odds to survive against white attackers, obtain food for subsistence living, and to reproduce and increase their numbers. As the planters took over more land for crops, the Maroons began to vanish on the small islands. Only on some of the larger islands were organized Maroon communities able to thrive by growing crops and hunting. Here they grew in number as more slaves escaped from plantations and joined their bands. Seeking to separate themselves from whites, the Maroons gained in power and amid increasing hostilities, they raided and pillaged plantations and harassed planters until the planters began to fear a mass slave revolt.

The early Maroon communities were usually displaced. By 1700, Maroons had disappeared from the smaller islands. Survival was always difficult as the Maroons had to fight off attackers as well as attempt to grow food.One of the most influential Maroons was Francois Mackandal, a houngan, or voodoo priest, who led a six year rebellion against the white plantation owners in Haiti that preceded the Haitian Revolution.

Emancipation Day is celebrated in many former British colonies in the Caribbean and areas of the United States on various dates in observance of the emancipation of slaves of African origin. It is also observed in other areas in regard to the abolition of serfdom or other forms of servitude.

Emancipation Park Kingston, Jamaica

On midnight of July 31, 1838 it was reported with great pride that many slaves journeyed to the hilltops to greet the sunrise of Friday, August 1, 1838 that symbolized a new beginning in their lives. When morning broke, large congregations joined in thanksgiving services held in several chapels and churches across the island.

Today, Jamaicans continue to celebrate Emancipation Day through the reenactment of the reading of the Emancipation Declaration in town centers particularly, Spanish Town, St. Catherine which was the seat of Parliament when the Emancipation Act was passed in 1838. The day is also widely observed as a national public holiday when all schools and public buildings are closed.

Gov.of Jamaica

Boating at the Jamaica Yacht Club Kingston

Clipper 2014 in Port Antonio

The Jamaica Yacht Club was formed in 1884 by a group of enthusiastic sailors. On the 29th of November 1889, the Club was granted a Royal Charter by Queen Victoria following a visit by Prince Edward, then the Prince of Wales, who later became Edward VII. Until 1962, when Jamaica became an independent nation within the Commonwealth, the Commodores were all Governors of Jamaica, whether or not they were yachtsmen. In 1963 the Commodore was chosen for the first time from the membership of the Club.

To establish, maintain, and conduct a yacht club and marina for the accommodation of the members of the Club and their friends, and generally to afford to them all the usual privileges, advantages, and accommodation of a Club.

                     Royal Jamaica Yacht Club  

 The Clubhouse has a bar and restaurant, with a beautiful view of Kingston and the Blue Mountains; is open for lunches and snacks seven days a week and depending on the occasion, breakfast and dinner are also available.

We accept credit cards, cheques and cash. The Club has its own private label credit card for use by members. Value added tax obtains to all purchases from the restaurant or bar. Our Quarterdeck accommodates 250 persons, and we cater for member's private parties. Casual apparel and beachwear are offered for sale by the Club.

There is a large swimming pool in close proximity to the restaurant and bar. Meals can be taken in the dining room, on the veranda, at the bar or poolside... or on board! 



The RJYC Club is 2 mins of the Norman Manley Intl. Airport.

Through the tunnel of Love

Tunnel of Love

Rafting on the Rio Grande

Tunnel of Love, "Passing  through is the memory of a lifetime".

Rafting in Jamaica like so much else, is largely chill. You are taken on a trip of a lifetime serenely downstream on the same kind of 30-foot-long, bamboo-lashed rafts that Farmers once used for transporting their sugarcane and bananas to market. This ride enchanting gives you a chance to loose your mind in the vegetation that surrounds and wonders that surrounds you.

The Beautiful Tropical Bamboo Palms bunched as they Grow to 40 ft- 60 ft and clustered on the side of the mountain.The Sky that always seem to be blue with the yellow sun piercing at your body baking it to a golden tan. With birdlike whisper the water rippling over the uneven smothered riverbed rocks. The experience does not lend itself to verbal conversation but an  imagination a selfish ride through another of natures true experience.

Tropical Bamboo 

Beautiful rocks carved by the ferocious river into monuments that changes over time. There's the," lovers rock", once a huge solid Rock over time Hew through by the ferocity of the Rio Grande River now called the Tunnel of Love the story told by your Raft Captain who remain silent throughout trip only to answer questions or point out wonders you may may have missed, "Passing  through this Tunnel is the memory of a lifetime".  The Rio Grande River Experience is like none other of the four River rafting trips you can take in Jamaica.

This Rio Grande River ride should not end without a break at the midpoint to enjoy a swim in this Natural tropical water pouring from the Blue mountains of Jamaica twirling its way through the John Crow Mountains into the Rio Grande Valley and finally into this awesome lifetime experience. What feels like cold water as you enter will embrace and clench your body into a romantic fervor, relaxing and refreshing. After a 30 minute swim and frolic, your body would have absorbed natural minerals that makes the skin like velvet.

The final leg of this trip 2 miles to Rafters Rest in St. Margaret's Bay, Portland, a slow ride into the Sunset, (best time to start Rafting 2:00 pm with stop and 4:00 pm without stop) as your trip ends so does the day as the amazing sun sink into the western skies and into the Caribbean sea.

The Rio Grande Rafting experience is like none other of the four rafting opportunities in Jamaica. Rio Grande rafting begins 8 miles out of Port Antonio and can be booked through River Raft Ltd.Tel: 876 952 0889, the Jamaica Tourist board and Rafters rest in St. Margaret's Bay.

"Passing  through is the memory of a lifetime".

Patrice Wymore Flynn her Biography

Blue Lagoon, Errol Flynn made Famous 

Biography

Patrice Wymore Flynn was born in Miltonvale, Kansas, and at the age of six she began touring with her family, who were vaudeville performers. By the time she reached adulthood, she was pretty and had a good singing voice. She auditioned in New York City for a part in Up in Central Park, in which she performed in 1947. She then performed in the Broadway musical Hold It!, for which she won a Theater World Award for "Promising Actress". Following her performance in All for Love in 1949, she was contacted by Warner Bros., and she moved to Hollywood.

Patrice Wymore's first film appearance was in the 1950 film Tea for Two, starring Doris Day and Gordon Mac Rae. That same year she starred in Rocky Mountain opposite Hollywood legend Errol Flynn, with whom she would become romantically involved. The two married in October 1950. They moved to Jamaica, and had a daughter, Arnella Flynn, born in 1953. Their daughter would later become a fashion model in Europe. Arnella Flynn died in the Errol Flynn Mansion at Castle Comfort under suspicious circumstances. There was never a Public declaration as to her cause of death, it is alleged Arnella Flynn was seen that afternoon prior to her death in good health friends report, she was reluctant to attend dinner with her mother and friends that night. It is Publicly known Arnella Flynn has always had a difficult relationship with her Mother and would often refuse to appear with her at Public events.

Errol Flynn great house Castle Comfort 

• The Errol Flynn Property is located at Priestman's River between on Lands known as Castle Comfort, Between Fair Prospect and Boston Bay in Portland, Jamaica.    

Wymore continued to act, appearing in several films over the next few years, to include I'll See You in My Dreams, her second film alongside Doris Day. She also guest starred as herself in the 1951 film Star-lift, performing the song "Liza (All the Clouds'll Roll Away)." In 1953, she appeared alongside Virginia Mayo in She's Back on Broadway, and that same year she starred opposite Randolph Scott in The Man Behind the Gun. In 1955 she appeared with her husband Errol Flynn and Anna Neagle in the film version of King's Rhapsody. Flynn was already in a physical and mental decline by the time they had married.

Arnella Flynn

 Later career and personal life

Following King's Rhapsody, Wymore took a break from acting to care for her now ailing husband, and to better raise their daughter. However, due to Flynn's alcohol and drug addictions, the couple separated. They never divorced, however, and were still married at the time of his death in October 1959.

Following Flynn's death, Wymore returned to acting, mostly in stock musicals. She appeared in the musicals Carnival!, Guys and Dolls, Irma La Douche, and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes during this period. She had a minor role in the original Ocean's Eleven in 1960. In 1965, she was cast in the short-lived soap opera Never Too Young, and in 1966 she appeared in the film Chamber of Horrors. Her last appearance was on the television series F Troop in 1967.

Flynn had left her a 2,000-acre property (8.1 km²) coconut plantation in Castle Comfort Priestman's River Portland Jamaica, as well as a mansion and a cattle ranch. After her retirement she returned to Jamaica, where she opened a boutique and wicker furniture manufacturing business. She continues to be active on Errol Flynn's estate at Castle Comfort, and often appears at dedications in his honor.

Blowing of the Abeng

Abeng, Bull Horn Primed with liquid for Sound.

Blowing of the Abeng, Ambassabeth Cabins in Bowden Pen, Portland The blowing of the Abeng, the traditional "war horn" of the maroons and the beating of the Gumbay drum, highlighted activities at the annual celebrations of the maroons in observance of Emancipation day 2011.

"The Emancipation Act was read to the slaves on the 31st of July in 1838, so there was a Proclamation which was read at midnight by the then Governor, which said to slaves: 'you are now free' and so the vigil is a re-enactment of that day,"

With 176 years since slavery was officially abolished in Jamaica, the celebratory atmosphere that existed, in the hours leading up to Emancipation Day (August 1) is still kept alive through the yearly staging of Emancipation anniversary vigils island-wide.

 Come out and visit our recreational areas in Blue and John Crow Mountains, National Park such as Holywell, Blue Mountain Peak Trail and Portland Gap as well as Upper Rio Grande Valley. Deeply rich in both natural and cultural heritage, a visit to BJCMNP will allow you to experience the true beauty of Jamaica's natural flora and fauna as well as reflect on the unique traditions and cultural practices of the communities who live and work around the park.

Indulge in a number of different activities including guided tours, hiking trails, bird watching, camp grounds and even picnicking spots to learn about Jamaica's wildlife and understand what it is that we strive so hard to protect!

Bowden Penn is at the foot Hills of the John Crow mountains between Portland and St Thomas.The Ambassabeth Cabins is a privately owned Bed and Breakfast or long term accommodation. Cabins are made of Authentic wood and Bamboo designed to replicate the original huts of the Maroons but with some modern facilities.

Chris Blackwell Jamaica

The view  Blue Mountain Peaks from Strawberry Hill.

Blackwell currently runs Island Outpost, which he set up to operate and market a group of elite resorts in Jamaica and the Bahamas, including Strawberry Hill in the Blue Mountains (where Marley recovered after being shot in 1976), Jake's in

Treasure Beach, The Caves in Negril, and the recording studio and private hotel Gee-jam near Port Antonio, where artists such as Gwen Stefanie and No Doubt, Drake and Gorillaz have recorded. Island Outpost also owns The Tides and The Marlin in Miami Beach, Florida.

Blackwell has long owned Goldeneye in Oracabessa, the previous home of Ian Fleming, where the author wrote all the James Bond books. Until his death, Fleming was the longtime lover of Blackwell's mother, Blanche.Blackwell developed the property into a community of villas and beach cottages, each with its own private access to the sea, and Golden eye is considered the most exclusive of the Island Outpost resorts.

Blackwell is involved in a number of philanthropic organizations. Among these are Island ACTS, the Oracabessa Foundation, the Mary Vinson Blackwell Foundation, and the Jamaican Conservation Trust.
In 2003, Blackwell launched the Golden eye Film Festival, which continues to be held annually at the resort.

In September that year, Blackwell received the coveted Jamaican Musgrave Medal, awarded to Jamaicans who excel in the arts, music and public service. In 2004, the Order of Jamaica was bestowed upon Blackwell for philanthropy and outstanding contribution to the entertainment industry.

In April 2009, the UK magazine Music Week named Blackwell the most influential figure in the last 50 years of the British music industry.

  From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Lovers Leap St. Elizabeth Jamaica

Peaks of the Blue Mountains Jamaica 

The legend of Lovers Leap is based around the romance of two slaves who to prevent separation from each other jumped from a 1700′ cliff to escape their English Masters.

The cliff, the spot and the view are all part of the story told daily from their balcony their tour guides. This view is one of the most spectacular on the island, offer visitors a panoramic view of the coastline from Rocky Point, Clarendon in the east, to Pedro Bluff, Treasure Beach in the west and the mountains with Alumina Partners Jamaica. With a unique view of Santa Cruz and the Main Town Black River Below acts as a backdrop to complete the view of the Parish of St Elizabeth.

The view from the balcony is clear and the tranquility that one feels become tangible as birds slowly float by on warm air currents.By night a breath taking splendor of the lit Al-Part mining facilities at Nain seem like a Ship surrounded by darkness.

Feeling thirsty at this point? Step into our Toby Bar where the famous “lovers punch” will stimulate the senses.With a variety of other natural Jamaican flavors including various Appleton Jamaican Rum distilled at the Appleton Estates Holland Bamboo Grove not far from Lovers Leap.

Order your meal at the Chardley Restaurant while you take a tour of the property visiting our collection of local Cacti in our Cactus Garden; The mini farm where our guide will demonstrate “The Dry Farming Technique” which is unique to this area; or browse in our museum as you smell wafts of southern cooking coming from our kitchen.

Bringing the children along? Don’t worry the play area and gardens will keep them occupied for hours.

Lovers Leap is 90 minutes from Kingston on the south Coast through St Catherine, Clarendon,Manchester then to Spur tree. From Montego Bay or Negril through Savannah-la-mar the north western main road then south East through Blue fields by passing Boarder into St Elizabeth.

Carr/Allen Family Re-Union