Foto: View of Kingston from the Blue Mountains (bron: Ronald van der Veer)
Jamaica - The alarm goes off. I quickly open the curtains. It’s a bright sunny day. In the mountains above Kingston, clouds are gathering. Will it stay dry in the mountains? Today I’m visiting the Blue Mountains. Yesterday there was still a flood flash warning for the mountain roads—completely inaccessible. Fortunately, during breakfast, I hear that the road is passable again today. I quickly set off by bus. In Kingston, I switch buses. The one I’ve been traveling in over the past days is too big for the winding mountain roads. Today I travel in a smaller vehicle. Mr. Brown is my driver. As soon as we leave Kingston, the road starts to wind uphill. Hairpin bend after hairpin bend. I gain altitude quickly. The driver honks carefully at every curve to warn oncoming traffic. From this height, I have a beautiful view of the capital. I can see the peninsula and Port Royal in the distance. Above me, I see clouds hanging. I pass Fort Newcastle, an army barracks at about 600 meters altitude. It’s noticeably cooler up here. The main road passes through the training grounds. Just past the barracks, we enter the clouds. It begins to rain lightly. At the Holywell National Park Visitor Center, it’s also misty. The clouds hang low among the trees. I leave my backpack in the bus and put on my rain jacket just in case. Jeremy welcomes me and guides me through the nature park. The park lies in the Blue Mountains, which are part of the UNESCO World Heritage list. I follow Jeremy on a walking tour through the park. He explains that the region is known for Blue Mountain coffee. The beans are grown above 600 meters and have a distinct flavor. Most of the coffee is exported to Japan. Jeremy also explains that the park management generally avoids interfering with nature. Still, they make exceptions for invasive non-native plants, which they try to control. I follow the Waterfall Trail, a narrow and slippery path due to the rain. I need to watch my step carefully. The low-hanging clouds and mist give the forest a magical feeling. I accept the rain as part of the experience. The waterfall is a stream of water about five meters high—nice to see. From here, I walk back to the visitor center.
Cliff jumper at Ricks Cafe in Negril
Jamaica - For lunch, I walk a bit along the beach. At a small stand, they sell patties. I order a chicken patty and a cola. After lunch, I walk to Rick’s Café, located on a cliff about five kilometers away. It’s said to be one of the most beautifully located ...
The Bob Marley Centre and Mausoleum
Jamaica - Tucked deep into the mountains of Jamaica lies the birthplace and final resting place of one of the greatest musicians of all time: Bob Marley. Robert Nesta (Bob) Marley was a Jamaican reggae artist. He is also known as The King of Reggae. He played a ...
The Pelican Bar
Jamaica - After lunch, I drive back to Black River. From there, I take a small fishing boat to the Pelican Bar—a bar built on stilts about 500 meters off the coast, out at sea. I sip my beer on the rickety-looking dock as the sea breeze blows through my hair. ...
The YS Waterfall
Jamaica - A little further ahead lie the YS Falls. At the entrance, I have to switch to a small vehicle. A tractor pulls a trailer with seats. The tractor takes me close to the waterfall. I quickly change into my swimwear and head toward the falls. The YS Falls ...