A Walking Tour of Falmouth Jamaica, Part II
The quiet charm of Falmouth Jamaica lies in its commercial buildings as well as its residences. Modest or grand, they offer a glimpse into a bygone period, a time when sugar was king. In first part of the tour, we looked at some of Falmouth's commercial buildings. For the second part, we'll view some of the private homes that are located on Trelawny and King Streets. Both parts of the tour can be done together and will take about 2-3…
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A Walking Tour of Falmouth Jamaica, Part I
Falmouth Jamaica is one of the best towns on the island to do a walking tour. It's compact, well laid out (on a grid), and pedestrian-friendly - no cars are allowed in the center of town. Most importantly, the Georgian buildings for which Falmouth is well-known are almost all storyboarded and within a few minutes of the pier and the center of town. A Little Intro to Falmouth Falmouth, the capital of Trelawny, was established after the original capital, which…
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A Jamaican Georgian Inspired Building
This building has captured my interest for about a year. At first, I thought it was a restored Georgian because it's near Half Way Tree in Kingston where a few other Georgian buildings, like the St. Andrew Parish Courthouse, the St. Andrew Parish Church and the Oakton House are located. I consulted friends and family in Kingston, heritage and restoration professionals and architects but months later, I was no further along than when I started. Finally, after posting it on Facebook, I got a…
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Last Lobster Meal Before Close Season
Lobster lovers, take note: if you visit Jamaica between today and June 30th, there will not be an ounce of lobster on any menu anywhere on the island. The close season started officially on April 1st and coincides with the peak breeding period. If you’re lucky enough to arrive before April 21st, you might be able to find some lobster as the government allows businesses to register by March 31st any stocks they might have. That stock can be used…
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The Jamaican Cherry
The Jamaican Cherry has red, sometimes yellow skin, is yellow inside and has two to three small oval seeds. It is slightly sweet, slightly tart and juicy, and is used to make juices, or washed and eaten just picked from the tree. The cherries are low in carbohydrates and are packed with vitamin C, vitamin A and folate. [caption id="attachment_11411" align="aligncenter" width="477"] Jamaican Cherry[/caption] The Jamaican Cherry is native to the Caribbean, southern Mexico, Central America and south to Peru and…
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It’s Mango Season in Jamaica
Jamaicans have a passion for mango and during mango season, everyone gets to indulge, sometimes eating enough of the fruit to replace a meal. Mangoes are so loved here, there’s even a folk song, called appropriately, Mango Time, that celebrates the delicious fruit, and up to a few years ago, there was a mango festival in the parish of Westmoreland. Mango season starts around April or May and ends about July, though there is at least one variety, the Tommy…
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5 Places I’ve Never Been (and Why I Want to Go)
Like most people who love to travel, I have a list of places I’ve never been. And I add to the list each time I read or hear about another place that fascinates me. Most of the places I’ve never been are historic. This surprises me because I was never interested in history. Some are sacred, and that surprises me too. All have been designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and each resonates with me in ways I can’t explain. As…
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The Jamaican Pineapple
I've been eating pineapples all my life but it wasn't until about a year ago that I discovered that there are different varieties. On a recent visit to Croydon Plantation (more on that later), I tasted the Cowboy, Ripley and Sugar Loaf.** [caption id="attachment_11350" align="aligncenter" width="491"] The Ripley[/caption] Some Pineapple Facts The pineapple was brought to Jamaica from South America by the Tainos, the island's first inhabitants. The Spanish took it to Spain, then to Hawaii and the Philippines, and other…
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Good Hope Great House and Plantation, Jamaica
Good Hope Great House is as stately and unique as any of Jamaica's great houses. It sits atop a slight elevation which offers it sweeping views of the surrounding Queen of Spain Valley clear out to where the imposing Cockpit Mountains rise majestically in the distance. [caption id="attachment_11320" align="aligncenter" width="478"] Current owner, Blaise Hart leading a tour of Good Hope[/caption] This view is unparalleled as the 2,000-acre estate, which is located about 8 miles from Falmouth, the capital of the…
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A Tour of Falmouth Pier
If I had my way, there wouldn't be a Falmouth Pier. Heck, there wouldn't have been even one cruise ship pier in Jamaica, period. But of course, no one asked me - they never ask the people, the ones who really matter. Anyway, it's here now but believe me, there are more than a few disgruntled residents in Falmouth. [caption id="attachment_11287" align="aligncenter" width="533"] Entering the pier at Falmouth[/caption] Falmouth, capital of the parish of Trelawny, is located on Jamaica’s north…
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