By the third day of our cruise, we had finally reached our first port-of-call -- Ochos Rios, Jamaica. My high school band teacher raved about Jamaica, but I wasn't sure what to expect. I don't drink rum, I'm not into ganja, so I wondered, "Just what in the heck is there to see?" Well, it turned out my travel partner solved that problem for me -- she wanted to visit a plantation and learn more about slave culture. She booked a full day tour exploring two sites on the island.
The plantation welcomed us with free samples of Blue Mountain coffee. Soon, the tour guide greeted us and escorted us to our tour "bus" -- a hard-workin' Ford tractor hitched to a series of wooden benches attached to a flatbed. I felt like I had become a member of the Ingall family, a la Little House on the Prairie.
Various scenes from the plantation tour:
The tour snaked its way through the grounds, passing fields of sugarcane, pineapple, and various other fruits. At the halfway point, we stopped to enjoy a coconut husking demonstration, as well as sample raw coconut slices and juice.
Our tour continued to the plantation's main house -- a sprawling white home tucked at the top of the hill, amidst a sea of mahogany, and other trees.
Scenes from the plantation's main house:
I was surprised to hear the plantation owner welcomed many famous guests over the years -- Winston Churchill, former Canadian Prime Minister, Pierre Trudeau, and more. The inside rooms of the home were preserved well.
We had to wrap up our tour, as the late afternoon would be spent at a second location. More on that soon!
Happy travels!
Information:
I cannot remember the name of this plantation; however, the Sun Valley Plantation Tour is quite famous in Ochos Rios. Trip Advisor site is HERE.
Tour includes: free coffee, some fruit & juice tasting, guided tour of the plantation.
Optional tour: camel rides, ATV & mini jeep rides.
What to wear:
Bug spray, rubber boots/ rubber flip flops (if it's raining, as the pathways are very muddy)
Other:
Souvenir shop is very limited; packets of Blue Mountain coffee are cheap to buy. About $5. (USD)
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