Woke up to the docking procedure underway at Falmouth. From our room, looks like a beautiful, modern cruise ship facility!
We had to be ready to find our shore excursion by 8:30. The weather appears to be perfect - sunny, warm and humid.
Our tour bus left right on time on the way to the Greenwood Great House. Our guide was a young Jamaican lady named "Nicky" who had lots of useful information but never stopped talking. Favorite word is the Jamaican phrase "ya'man", instead of "Yes" "OK" or "I get you". It got a bit tiring!
We drove through Falmouth and out into the country side, past your typical island impoverished villages, a few stately homes, and some bumpy roads and lots of litter. The Greenwood Great House, a National Monument, is up on a hill with a spectacular view of the ocean. It was built in the 1700s as a guest entertainment home by Richard Barret, an incredibly wealthy landowner (84,000 acres here and 2000 slaves). His granddaugher is the famous Poetress Elizabeth Barret Browning (who never lived here, although she inherited it).
What makes this house special is the incredible collection of antiques from the 16 and 1700s. Those people were very clever! Furniture made from rosewood and mahogeny; music players; secretary desks with hidden compartments. Much of it had been imported from England, Spain and Germany.
The top economic driver in Jamaica is, of course, tourism. Second is Bauxite, which is mined and exported for use in making Aluminum. The country gained its independence from Britain in 1964. That's why they drive on the left! Its also known for its Olympic Bobsled team and Usain Bolt! We stopped along the road to be shown the National Fruit, the Ackee with interesting seed pods.
We returned to the cruise port around 1:00 and found lunch at a little cafe called "Jamaica Me Happy". I enjoyed a Red Stripe beer, the local brew, with my taco of Jerk Chicken. The plaza is full of sourvenir shops and diamond stores; live Reggae music in the bandstand. It appears to be very slow today; must be off season. Wait until Spring Break when there are three cruise ships here!
Dinner in the Main Dining Room; a hysterical comedian on the World Stage, then NFL football in our room. Tomorrow is a "sea day".
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| Note the hanging lamp! |
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| Ackee fruit |
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