Whether you decide to overnight at our Estate House or spend the day, our Estate Tour is a must-do.  Green Castle is located on a 1600 year old historical site where Jamaica’s first inhabitants, the Taino Indians, occupied some of the lands.  Archaeologists have discovered two Taino burial sites on the Estate………there is so much history here for all to learn.  Green Castle with it’s miles of farm roads and hiking trails is also perfect for birding while exercising.

In the 1600′s cacao growing started on Green Castle and over the years the trees have been maintained and the beans sold to the Hershey’s factory in Manchester, England.  For a period the price had been so low that Green Castle stopped investing to reduce costs and eventually stopped altogether.  With the increase in price of cacao, Green Castle is once again becoming a vibrant organically produced cacao plantation  as we are now investing in maintaining and harvesting the approximately 70 acres of cacao and will start selling again.

The Potoo, which is endemic to Jamaica. can be found perched on the fences of the cow pastures late at night or very early morning on Green Castle.  The iris is yellow, reflecting red in a spotlight at night.  They sit very erect, resembling a piece of wood and are very difficult to spot in the dark………..the avid birder gets very excited when they spot one.

With 1600 acres of forested land, Green Castle is one of the best locations in Jamaica for birding.  With over 150 different species found throughout the property, 24 of which are endemic to Jamaica, Green Castle offers so much.  Whether day or night, birding is very popular on this Estate.  At night it is exciting to walk the trails looking for the owls which can be found perched  on fence posts.  Owls feed mainly on rats and sometimes birds.   One of the best things about birding on Green Castle is that you can enjoy private accommodation, delicious Jamaican food, and experience the local culture of the Robin’s Bay community while enjoying your passion for birding.

The surviving windmill tower on Green Castle is different in construction details from all others found on the island.  In 1974 test results from the Institute of Geophysics at the University of California, U.S.A., showed that the wood dated from the 14th or early 15th century.  There has been speculation on the purpose of the windmill in those days and one is that it still stands on Green Castle because it was intended to be not only a mill but a stronghold to retire to in case of trouble.  The walls are six feet thick.

 

As you sit on the breezy verandah of the Estate House or around the pool you can observe the many hummingbirds who come to feed either from the nectar on the many flowers in the garden or the bird feeders hanging from the verandah ceiling.  The Red-billed Streamer tail is the most common in Jamaica and the most spectacular hummingbird of the West Indies.  The male has a red, black-tipped bill and the long streamers, which due to their shape produce a hum in flight.  When perched the streamers are usually crossed.  These birds feed on nectar and small insects.  Endemic to Jamaica, it’s a beauty to just sit and relax and observe the birds as they move around the garden on the Estate house – another reason to visit Green Castle.

Among the many things on Green Castle nestled among the many logwood trees on the Estate is an Apiary with thousands of bees producing logwood honey.  Honey has a unique taste and aroma and many cooking recipes use honey especially the ever popular honey-glazed baked ham.  Honey is far better for you as a sweetner than sugar, than many people perceive and researchers are finding more and more benefits for honey.  In Jamaica it is popularly used to soothe a sore throat or for coughs and colds mixed with white rum (for medicinal purposes only) and lime.  Honey bee products such as propolis, royal jelly, beeswax,  bee pollen, and some of the most common health problems have  traditionally been used as a natural cure or alternative medicine.

Jack’s Bay Beach, Green Castle’s own private beach was used in colonial times as a pier to ship commodity crops to England and the United States as well as a landing dock for slaves.  The beach is 100% natural and has not been physically altered like many of the beaches in Jamaica.  The sand at Jack’s Bay Beach is composed of small dark pebbles and the water is clean and clear, but not the turquoise most people think of when they think of the Caribbean.  However, Jack’s Bay harbors amazing flora and fauna in its nearby reef and people who go to the beach get to experience a natural beach with lots of history.  There is a bar that serves a variety of non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages, freshly prepared food and restroom facilities.  A small fee is charged in exchange for use of the beach and it’s amenities.  The beach can also be rented for functions day or night.   It’s a great place for locals and travelers  alike.

It’s Pimento season on Green Castle and as  you walk towards the Welcome Centre, the aroma of  pimento (allspice) drying on the barbecue fills the air. Pimento is the  major spice produced in Jamaica and Jamaica is still one of its’ chief producers.  The leaves and the wood of the pimento tree is popularly used for “jerking” meat, the berries are used for seasoning and also makes a fine liquer.

It’s Guinep season in Jamaica and on Green Castle Estate one can find at least one tree of every fruit in season and the guinep is no exception.  As you travel up the driveway many trees can now be found laden with guineps.  This fruit, with it’s thin green skin and salmon colour, gelatinous fruit clinging to an oval shaped seed is often sweet and somewhat stainy.  The trees grow to an enormous size and these tiny fruits are found in clusters or bunches.  As can be seen in this picture, here is Stacy-ann  picking a bunch to munch on.