Leaving Out

  Kingston, Jamaica
Monday, November 10, 2008

So I decided, mainly by intuition, that Vacation 08 would be in Port Antonio, Jamaica.  I got on the internet and tried to find a good hotel that was giving me what i wanted and would not bleed me dry.  I decided on Hotel Mockingbird Hill - and I'm glad I did.  I'm writing this blog as if you might be interested in going to Port Antonio.

Leaving Out

Nationality: Jamaican
Starting Point: Kingston, Jamaica
Departure time: 8:20am
Left with a full tank of gas and a clean car (owned)
Estimated drive time: 3.0 hours

Decided to leave early morning, so that I could reach at a decent time- but not so early that I would catch traffic. 

TIP:  Let the hotel know you may be an early check-in - my place was accommodating.

Took my time and drove slowly going through St. Andrew hills, St. Mary (using the A3) and hitting a right at Grey's Inn (thereby taking the A4)  Lot's of nice scenery to make this a lovely scenic route and I suggest you have the camera out and ready should you decide to stop and take a shot.

Suggested Pit Stops:

Reasons:  You have the time (you on vacation, right?!)
                Given early departure time it lengthens trip and delays check-in
                Cause the places really too good to just go by.

1.  Boone Hall Oasis
     A lovely little hideaway.  Beautiful flora, nice river at back of property and helpful staff.  Nice pathways that lead to quiet spots so you can do some thinking, meditation or just enjoy the sights, or just get cozy with that someone.  If u started out late, like 10-ish, then u can probably catch breakfast.  Hang a right when you get to Stony Hill Square and follow the signs - or ask.   4 River Road, Stony Hill,  942-3064, Entry: free

2.  Castleton Botanical Gardens
     A very special place for me.  Lots of walking space.  Good for a picnic - so skip breakfast at home and pack it and eat it here if you wish.  Or bring the daily papers if you can't leave the world behind.  But a good book is better.  Nice river at back of compound on the right side of road.  Yup, the compound is on both sides - so wander a bit.  Entry: free

Both these places are nature's paradise so - take only photos, leave only footprints.
 
Continue your journey through the village of Devon Pen.  Near there you may see a nice looking entrance to a place called Tapioca Villas.  Mi faas - so me turn in dere.  They are just starting a little villa/retreat centre thingy.  Good environment - but not yet ready and definitely not worth the $4500 per night they are charging.

Onward.

Go through Broadgate, Chovey, pass by the turn off for Aqualta Vale.  St. Mary Banana Estate, given it's

Road: St. Mary Banana Estate

commercial aspect, makes that passage way a very lovely tree-lined way to drive through.  Come to the Shell gas station.  They're turning that fork into a round about it seems.  So never mind the dust and confusion (and the fact that the gas sation looks like it's sinking) - just go right.
 
Now you start seeing the Caribbean Sea.

Typical sea view

Pass through Annotto Bay and the little towns along the sea side.

St. Margaret's Anglican Church

At Windsor Castle (Hart Hill), if you are a history buff (or just plain interested in old Jamaica) - look up when you pass the Windsor Castle Primary School.  In the bushes an impressive fort-looking structure peeps out.  If you adventurous like me, use your geography and find the back road that leads you all the way to the structure - it's an old sugar mill!  Original parts lying around, rusting away.  Property is owned by Devon who is quite enthusiastic with his plans to have it as an attraction.  There is the remains of the great house nearby - a bit difficult to get to: it too going to rot or loss at the hands of those who don't care.

Old Sugar Mill

Head on into Buff Bay.

Note:  Had you taken the B1 over the Blue Mountains you would have come out here.  You would have passed by and maybe opted to stop at: The Coffee Estate, Hollywell Recreational Park and Old Tavern Estate.  But this road is unpredictable in the rainy season where passge is concerned (landslides and all).

From here on the journey slows down - they doing some major road construction/maintenance all the way into Port Antonio.  Big trucks and equipment, detours, unpaved roads, dust, traffic and a few stand still moments.  Nonetheless, they have good flagwomen out - who direct you safely, detours are within sight of the normal route, and road signs are more than adequate (like "Paved road ends here", "Singlelane starts here", "Slow")  My humble advice: follow all the commands.

Stand Still

Somerset Falls is two minutes into Hope Bay - and I suggest you stop.  (Did so on return journey, so more about that later).  Head on into Port Antonio.  Gawk at the new courthouse just before town.

Port Anotnio Court House

Stop at the Errol Flynn Marina - it is a BEAUTIFUL centre.  I was proud to see something like that in Jamaica.  It seh one!

Cruise Ship in Port

Errol Flynn Marina

Yachts in dock

Continue to your hotel of choice. 





End Point: Hotel Mockingbird Hill
Arrival Time: ~12:26pm
Tank: Still saying full!
Car: Dirty


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