Snowy Range Pass

Snowy Range Pass

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Jamaica

The one port we had not been to before on a cruise was Falmouth, Jamaica.  I have been to Jamaica once before over 40 years ago aboard a USCG ship but that time it was in the town of Ocho Rios.
   
Falmouth  was founded in the early 1700's.  During the colonial period England and Spain fought over possession of the island, with England prevailing in the end.   During this period sugar cane was the major crop and the island was covered with plantations growing this crop.  Once the Europeans arrived, the native population was forced into slavery for labor across the island.

The town of Falmouth has a brand new cruise terminal with fancy shops located on the dock premises. Jamaica continues to have some economic issues, but has a number of good natural resources and interest from some large countries for integrating it into the international trade route ports.





Our guide told us this is the only coffee served on Air Force one $$$



We chose to visit the Good Hope Plantation about 20 minutes from Falmouth in the hills. The plantation was started in 1774 when John Tharpe bought the property. At  one point it was the largest plantation on the island with over 9000 acres. Tharpe owned over 3000 slaves for the many properties he owned.  It has a fascinating and complicated history to lengthy to discuss.  But a primer can be read here.

What makes the plantation particularly interesting for the visitor is the fact  only five family since Colonel Williams purchased the property in 1742 have owned the property. All the buildings and most of the furnishings date back to at least 1774.

The gate house still has the original roof.









This also the original roof of the house.




The pool was added for the tourists.


All the plantation accounting was done in a separate building.

 
Colonel William's wife is buried in the house, where she died at the age of 24.  Colonel Williams died from unknown causes. Today, it is thought that he may have died from lead poisoning due to his frequent baths to relieve pain in his own designed bath tub lined with lead.





On the property is the remains of the sugar processing operation.








The guided tour gives you a insight into life here in the 1700's and the relationships between the Europeans and the natives of the island. For those interested in the history and culture of the island it is a must see.

Today the property is a tourist attraction and operates an adventure park.

Some views from the drive back to port.








8 comments:

Wanderin' said...

It's great that you're enjoying your cruise. There's so much to see and so much fun in doing it. enjoy!

Jim and Sandie said...

I just can't get over the size of your ship. We toured a plantation in Hawaii and I found it fascinating. Glad you're having such a good time.

Paul and Marti Dahl said...

Sweet! ;c)

Gypsy said...

I don't like boats of any size, but I've often thought that if I wanted to take a cruise, it would have to be on a riverboat - say, on the Mississippi or the Rhine. If I could still see land, and hope to float to it in case of emergency, is the only way I could do it. But your cruise sounds exciting and fun, and I hope you enjoy every minute.

Paul and Marsha Weaver OCT. 17, 2009 said...

The plantation looks amazing. The wife is buried IN the house! Not sure I could handle that one.

Sherry said...

Very interesting tour. That's amazing about the original roof. It's hard to believe that people owned that many other people.

Erin said...

Thanks for the tour ... not sure how I'd feel about living in a house if someone was buried in it :-o

Laura said...

Interesting tour. History was not sunshine and roses for the blacks. Imagine being buried IN the house!