My Slideshow

Tunnel of Love

Tunnel of Love when you raft on the Rio Grande  in Jamaica one of the many opportunities is passing through the "Tunnel of Love" the tunnel is a path hewn through once solid rocks by the ferocious activities of the Rio grande river during tropical activities 30ft bamboo rafts now passes with its guests. Raft captains believe passing through the tunnel of love a great achievement in addition to the rafting on the Rio Grande experience they encourage their guests before entering the tunnel to make a wish, The folklore follows with the "the kiss" as you pass through the tunnel is an affirmation of love, affection and dedication to friendship and your wish will come true.      

Rafting on the Rio Grande

Lovers Rock along the Rio Grande

When Errol Flynn visited Jamaica on vacation he visited the Parish of Portland, the natural beauty its vegetation, Beaches, the common life of its people captivated Flynn. He spent some time visiting various popular spots in Jamaica the North Coast including Discovery Bay, an undeveloped Ocho Rios and Montego Bay. Errol Flynn returned to Port Antonio and was taken to the Rio Grande Valley where ground provision was transported to market on Bamboo Rafts with great imagination Errol thought if Bamboo Rafts could transport Banana's to the Market those same Rafts could take tourists on the most amazing ride into sunset and the Caribbean Sea. Rafting on the Rio Grande was born and Rafters Rest established, 

Americas Diminishing Influence

Chinese and Jamaica Government Financing.

The new Rio Grange Bridge being Built in Port Antonio, Portland , Jamaica will be two lanes State of the art with side walks morphed into Board walks. Visitors Local residents will be able to comfortably View Bamboo Rafts with Tourists as they complete their Trip down the Rio Grande River into the sunset as they enter the Caribbean Sea and arrive at Rafters Rest.

 This Bridge replaces the one 108 year old one lane Bridge Called the St. Margaret s Bay Bridge, a major infrastructure improvement to this area of Jamaica. Creating the opportunity for Local and Foreign  investment. Existing adjoining Lands will be made available for new Shops and Stores to be constructed including new Gift Shops, Restaurants other indoor and outdoor entertainment and a rest stop. These businesses and the jobs that come with them would not have been earlier possible, giving new Economic energy to this community.

The Major difference, this Bridge is being Financed and Constructed by the Chinese Government and the government of Jamaica. Am sure the financing through Chinese Banks and its Government is as welcomed as was the many Projects over many years Financed by United States Aid Programs and the United States Development Programs. What this does points out though, is the growing influence of of the Chinese Government in the Western Hemisphere and the diminishing role of the United States and its influence in developing Countries.

This is not the only Project in Jamaica that is now being financed by the Chinese Government, others include the expansion of the Highway to the Norman Manley Airport, and the construction of arterial roads infrastructure adjoining communities and creating commerce. The financing provided by the Chinese Government comes at more favorable terms than those traditionally provided by the United States through their Aid and Loan Programs, with Chinese investors given the same Tax incentives given to American investors in Jamaica.

Rio Grande Bridge, Port Antonio, Portland

Jamaica like most developing Countries remains grateful to the United States for years of support through their Aid programs but, wonders how the Politicians in Washington is taking their eyes off the Ball and ignoring the spread of the Chinese Power. One of the Major concerns is that Law Makers who does not favor Foreign Aid Programs does not have a clue to what these Programs do in developing countries. Some members of Congress before they become Law Makers have never been to Washington DC. or traveled to a Foreign Country and see how America influence the world through Aid Programs.

In the future, individuals who run for congressional Office should be given a  Litmus Test that include, owning a Passport for at least five years, and have traveled to at least five foreign Countries and have a clear world view.Congress men should represent their districts needs but also know how the world works, or America's influence will continue to diminish.

Rio grande Bridge when complete

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".