Just outside of Port Antonio, on a 180-acre coconut plantation, is a lovely example of the caves of Jamaica. This fascinating place, called the Caves of Nonesuch, is 1.5 million years old and contains many wonders. Well lit, with walkways, stairs and railings, this multi-chambered underground site is perfect for the casual cave enthusiast, though even the experienced caver – while smiling a bit at the ease of the half hour walk – will find sights of interest, as will those interested in geology and native history. Admission is $8 for those aged 12 and up, and $3 for children 11 and under. The admission price, in addition to a guided tour of the caves, also included a guided tour of the beautiful gardens found nearby.

Among the many wonders to be found inside of the Caves of Nonesuch are fossils that some say date back to the very birth of Jamaica, including fossilized marine life, leading some researchers to conclude that the land itself was formed underground and then pushed to the surface by underwater volcanic activity. There are stalagmites and stalactites, as well as numerous other geological formations. There are even traces of ancient Arawak civilization. It is truly a fascinating place.

Not all the caves in Jamaica, however, are so easy to explore. Those found in Cockpit Country are not for the inexperienced caver, and should only be explored with a guide. Among the more well known of the more than 70 caves in the wild expanse of Cockpit Country are the Windsor Caves, home to a variety of wildlife, including bats, in addition to a variety of geological formations of interest.

Cockpit Country Adventure Tours offers guided exploration of the region’s caves, with tours designed for specific skill levels. The Rock Spring Cave is for explorers of most skill levels, and goes downwards gradually for 1 1/2 miles. Some, such as the Quashie River Sink Cave, are provided only to experienced spelunkers. Cavers will lower themselves by rope, deep into the ground to explore a vast area featuring fossils from a far distant past. 

Peace Cave, also found in Cockpit County, in addition to containing beautiful quartz and limestone formations, hold a very special place in the social history of Jamaica. This cave was one of many that sheltered the legendary Maroons, fierce freedom fighters who demanded and received concessions from the British, securing their right to autonomy by signed treaties. Peace Cave is the site of annual rituals to honor the achievements of these brave people.

 Because Jamaica is formed primarily of limestone, there are numerous caves and underground rivers. Underneath Jamaica, deep inside of the caves, geological links to the earliest days and life forms of this island nation can be found. There are as many adventures to be found below Jamaica as there are above

The Meet The People Program is one of these interesting, non-typical experiences. It is run by the Jamaican Tourist Board, and has more than 500 local participants. These local volunteers come from a variety of socio-economic backgrounds, and their interests and skills are listed in a database. Tourists who sign up for the program provide the same types of information, and then locals and tourists are matched up. Amazingly, this is a free program and provides unparalleled social and cultural exchange. Aside from social engagements, such as family style meals in the local host’s home, the matched groups together explore their shared interests in Jamaica.    

Country Style is a similar program, bring tourists and residents together for more natural interaction than would happen in the usual tourist scene. After all, spending time with someone on an equal footing, as opposed to with someone who is paid to see to your comfort, is a different experience all together. Based in Mandeville, Jamaica, visits are arranged with interested and interesting residents throughout the island.

Jamaica For Real is the creation of Oliver Foot. His family has been in Jamaica for generations. In fact, he is the son of the last British governor to rule Jamaica. He provides what could be called reality tours of Jamaica. His goal is to share his love for Jamaica, a love that includes those qualities that may not be attractive to those who treasure Jamaica for the tropical pleasures of the island, for the stunning array of creature comforts and entertainment, and for its majestic beauty.

With his Jamaica For Real tours, Foot shares the special beauty to be found in struggle, the social struggles against oppression that resulted in the rich ‘real’ culture of Jamaica. Visiting such sites as the Borderline, once a highly charged area between two politicized neighborhoods during the social unrest of the 1980’s. He tours Trenchtown, an area notorious for its poverty, one that received international attention through the reggae music that spoke of the desperate conditions to be found there. He shows the beauty of the countryside and its people, and offers a vision of the beauty to be found in the ordinary life. He presents an amazing and enlightening vision of Jamaica in a tour that shouldn’t be missed.

These types of experiences are a wonderful way to explore Jamaica. Aside from the wonderful people you’ll meet, you’ll gain an insight into Jamaica that few outsiders rarely acquire. Once you have a view of the ‘real’ Jamaica, the island will never look the same again.

The Hermitage is a bit of an historical oddity, fascinating and strange. The hike up to see this religious site will take visitors through small villages along beautiful trails, full of island flora and fauna.  It is located at the top of Mt. Alvernia, which is 206 feet above the sea and the highest point in the Bahamas. The Hermitage itself is made from the limestone of the cliffs, with each piece painstakingly extracted, shaped and set by hand by the Canadian mule-skinner turned Anglican turned Roman Catholic priest known as Father Jerome. The Father built the structure to scale, designed it to fit his rather diminutive form. Beloved by the island people, the priest passed away in 1956 after reaching the ripe age of 80.

Other historical sites include an Arawak cave, found at Columbus point, and plantation ruins, left over from the islands efforts at joining the worlds cotton growers. Deveaux mansion was once the residence of Andrew Deveaux of the US Navy, who participated in the 1873 battles to get Nassau back from Spain. Another well known ruins is the remains of the Ambrister plantation, near Port Howe.

For those interested in water sports, the Cat Island Dive Center is the place to contact. They operate out of the Greenwood Beach Resort and have a variety of diving and snorkeling packages available, and there are many fine areas to explore, offering a wealth of marine life and fascinating geological formations. They also have water sport equipment to rent.

Cat Island is the sixth largest island in the Bahamas, and boasts extraordinary beaches. There are literally miles and miles of virtually undisturbed beaches, where swimming and relaxing can be done in near complete privacy.

Fine meals can be had at several locations on Cat Island. Hawk’s Nest Resort and Marina serves a variety of dishes, but among the best are the fresh, grilled fish and the roasted rack of lamb. Fernandez Bay Village is the place to go for creative and delicious native dishes, served either in the dining room or a patio table by the beach. Greenwood Beach Resort’s Bahaman cuisine is complemented by their marvelous breads, which are baked every day.

Cat Island is an excellent choice for vacationers who are seeking a natural beach experience, and enjoy a peaceful and very laid-back atmosphere. The island can be explored at a leisurely pace, which is a much better way to enjoy the local flora and fauna, as well as to enjoy the local culture. Because it is so much smaller in population than many of the other islands, it’s easier to get a real feel for the people and their way of life. Cat Island is an interesting place that will make a lasting impression on its guests.

Andros is an eco-tourist’s paradise. The fifth largest landmass in the Caribbean, it is an ancient island, gradually emerging from the sea with each layer of coral limestone. There are as many fascinating sights to be seen below sea level as there are to be seen above. Underwater explorers will see a wide variety of marine life, so varied and diverse that Andros attracts researchers from all over the world. On the top side of the island, there is an abundance of flora and fauna, including species and varieties found nowhere else on earth.

Small Hope Bay Lodge Eco-Tours is a wonderful way to explore these many natural wonders. Environmentally concerned and conscious, Small Hope Bay Lodge has been offering a variety of eco-tours for more than 40 years – long before the word or concept of eco-tour came into vogue. Their caring and knowledgeable staff make wonderful guides to accompany visitors through this largely unexplored island. In fact, Andros remains one of the largest tracts of unexplored land in its hemisphere.

Among the nature activities available through Small Hope Bay Lodge is the Snorkel Safari on Fresh Creek, in which participants travel along Fresh Creek in a dive boat. Occasionally, visitors are able to snorkel with dolphins, however this is not a guaranteed activity, because these are wild creatures, not the tamed and trained dolphins usually featured at dolphin swims. It is a different experience all together. As the boat glides along, visitors will view a wide variety of plant and animal life. The fee is $45 for adults and children 12 and older. The rate for children under 12 is $25.

Small Hope Bay Lodge also does a Shark Observation Dive. This allows close observation of sharks and their behaviors. This activity takes place a few times a week and costs $85 per diver and $45 per snorkeler. 

 They offer a variety of dive programs, of varying skill levels. Some explore the many underwater blue holes found on Andros. Others explore the barrier reefs that are plentiful around the island.

One of the more intriguing of the sights to be seen on Andros is Red Village. Just over 25 years ago, a fascinating indigenous tribe ruled by a chief, organized in the traditional native style and still adhering firmly to the ways of their ancestors, was found to be living in the area of the village. Tourists do visit the area, and of course, that has changed some things for this indigenous group, but the ways of their ancestors still reign supreme.

Andros definitely offers a unique travel experience. It is one of the great wilds of the region, a haven for birds and animal, as well as a place in which breathtakingly beautiful wildflowers are free to blossom at will. This is a Bahamas vacation spot that will offer experiences and memories that will last a lifetime.

Have you ever wondered were friendships are going. Did you ever think about friends you had in school and what ever happened to them? Maybe they are dead or have moved far away like I did. I was borne in Norway and all my childhood friends are or was there as far as I know. What ever happened to them? I’m talking about a small Norwegian town called Sandefjord; about 1.5 hours drive southwest from the capitol of Oslo. Growing up in this small town in Norway was a very comfortable life as a child. All you needed for you well being and fun was easily within reach for a young boy on his bike. I could go swimming in the sea during the summer. I could go fishing in the lakes. I could go horseback riding and hiking anytime after school. During the winter there was always lots of skiing available just around the corner. I used to go on my skis to school during the winter months. So where did my friends go? When I was there for a visit last winter during the Holidays I had the opportunity to visit one of them. After 20 some years since last time we met I could not recognize him at all. If we had met on the street I would have walked right by without a clue who it was for sure. This time I was lucky as my brother was present and could introduce me again. What a surprise it was. The skinny long haired boy I remembered was long gone and in place was a adult man with a pot belly and nearly bold, smoking cigars and enjoying life working on his hobby that had become his full time work. Fixing old cars. The man had become a crafts man and had gained a reputation for his excellent work. It goes to show that life deals us card that we have to make do with the best we can. He did very well in his choice and really enjoyed his life as a family man with solid work to go to every day. He had his own shop after all so being the boss made for a flexible lifestyle.  

Anyhow why would someone read what silly me is writing. I have a few things to say and lot’s of living experience behind me from all over the world. When you love to write you just write anything that comes to mid sometimes. Before you know it a page is written and so on. I can sit and do this for hours at the time – most of the time. That is, if my wife let’s me. I think that you have to have a hobby or interest in life or all becomes just a big days work. How is the saying, all work and no play makes for a dull life or something like that. It just so happen to be my favorite pass time hobby and interest. I just love to write. I think living in a large vibrant city like Montreal also makes for a lot of good things to write about. Just the other day while driving to work listening to the radio I was thinking that my blog about writing has to have a voice of sort. What should I concentrate on writing about? Should it be local stuff from this area or should I write about things that has happened or places that I have been or something like that. Maybe just stay general. I think that travel will definitely stay with me as a subject to write about. I also think that day-to-day living should be a part of it. Becoming a blog of interest maybe there will be some comments one day and a conversation can start.

Last night as I went for a drive around I could see that people have started to put up Christmas decoration outside their houses. It’s still a bit early in my mind, we haven’t finished that month of November yet and already people are in full swing. Don’t do like the stores around in the shopping centers, preparing for the big Christmas rush of customers that never comes. Wake up and see the Canadian dollar value! Most people will go south of the border and do their stuff and as a matter of fact it has been going on for a while already. How about that deal that was announced a while ago, buy a car in the USA and save a bundle. Don’t’ you think people will be doing the same for Christmas?

I would if I had the time and could afford to do it. One of my friends told me that the savings on buying a Subaru station wagon south of the border, including the modifications to make it road compliant in Canada was about  $18000. That is one serious amount of savings. Maybe the Canadian dealers are taking notice of this trend?

Time will show.