More visitor attractions for Jamaica

Lance Neita, Contributor

A RECENT letter to the editor, in response to the prime minister's call for the development of more visitor attractions to enhance the tourism landscape, pointed to the Denbigh Showgrounds, Milk River Bath, and the Bull Head Mountains in Clarendon as potential sites for tourism development.

The letter writer is correct to say that Jamaica's real beauty and natural wonders are to be found off the beaten path. They say an island without mountains gives up all its secrets immediately. We have managed to keep some of ours, but still boast some of the finest tours and excursions to mysterious and beautiful places that other resorts would die for.

Some adventurers like the Chukka Cove operators have wandered off into the mountains to give visitors a daring look at our hidden waterfalls, rainforest foliage, caves, rivers, and other sites where only the brave-hearted can set foot.

Natural spots like Dunn's River and Mayfield falls, Doctor's Cave, and created settings like Mystic Mountain, the Black River safari, rafting, horseback riding, Cranbrook, Dolphin Cove, are among the many attractions that are bringing visitors in droves to our shores.

Not so true

But the need for more attractions was raised by the prime minister when it was realised that even with the nearby Outameni Experience and the Rose Hall Great House, activities for the expected cruise-ship passengers in and around Falmouth are limited, and that visitors may have to trek far and wide to get a taste of the real Jamaica. Or simply stay onboard.

Not so fast. Falmouth is one of the most architecturally beautiful towns in the Caribbean with history and lure in almost every street corner. It boomed in the 18th and 19th centuries with sugar and rum exports from over 88 nearby sugar estates. It was one of the wealthiest towns in the hemisphere, and home to the famous Barrett family (Elizabeth Barrett Browning of poetic fame), while the town hall (now the Court House) was the social centre for some of the grandest balls in Jamaica during its time.

It was here that William Knibb, the abolitionist, preached to thousands of slaves at midnight July 31, 1838, declaring that "the monster is dead, the negro is free." His tomb can be seen in the William Knibb Baptist Church.

And passengers may be interested to learn that Falmouth got piped water ahead of New York.

Some of our projects have been staring us in the face for years. It remains a mystery how the aforementioned Milk River Bath, the world's most radioactive spa, remains in its undone, derelict state. In most other countries that depend on tourism, Milk River would be a world- class attraction.

The view from the 3,600-foot Bull Head mountain peak in the centre of Jamaica is simply magnificent. From east to west and north to south a vista of hills and valleys unroll across the countryside with five parishes, Manchester, St Catherine, St Mary, St Ann and Trelawny, within sight.

Rail system

We can look to other ideas. The trains may not be running now but would be a fascinating point of interest for the thousands of Railway Society fans around the world who would be tickled to learn that Jamaica's rail system built in 1845 is the second oldest outside of Europe (yes, Cuba beat us to the punch.)

The Old Harbour Station seen from the south coast highway seems to me to lend itself to a Jamaica Railway museum stop. Conjure up in the mind one of the old engines (transported from Barry Street) parked beside the 19th century building which still stands as among the most picturesque station buildings along the line. Imagine a replica of the waiting room, ticket office, and platform with photos and legends of our colourful railroad history, the engine cranking up on the parking track, uniformed conductors, and the fried fish and bammy vendors with their offers for sale, and you could recreate an experience for visitors and Jamaicans to see what the railway was like in earlier days.

Twenty minutes' drive from Kingston and off the beaten tourist track. An idea in the waiting room. Your seats please.

Comments to columns@gleanerjm.com or lanceneita@hotmail.com.