Archive for the 'Jamaican News' Category

Traditional Boat Building

If we were looking for a small fishing boat, most of us would check Craigslist or the local marine store. Not so here in rural Robins Bay! Justice of the Peace Mr. Ben Smith (known hereabouts as Uncle Ben) and two friends traveled several miles down the coast where they felled a 65 foot silk cotton (Ceiba) tree, cut it into two sections, then roughly hollowed it out for transport back to Ben’s yard. Over the last few months, they have cut, axed, hoed, hatcheted, adged, and shaped the logs into two boats, 16 and 12 feet long respectively, which will be sealed with mastic and brightly painted. Launching is still weeks away but Uncle Ben knows he wants to christen his boat “Give Thanks;” his neighbor Clarke plans to name his 12 footer “Moby Dick.”

The Tradition of Taino Canoe Building

What Ben and Clarke are accomplishing is in the authentic Taino tradition of canoe building. The Taino Indians thrived in the Caribbean until they were challenged by the Caribs in the 1300s, then by the Spanish in the late 1400s. Ceiba trees make excellent canoes: the wood is light, the trunks straight and massive. Columbus was known to be impressed by the size and sophistication of the Taino canoes. The photo here does not do justice to the immensity of Ben and Clarke’s work!

When asked which fish he likes to catch, Uncle Ben once quipped “The one that sells the most!” Most local fishermen set fish pots or use hand lines to catch butterfish, parrotfish, and doctorfish though snapper, spiny lobster, and yellow-fin tuna bring a better price from the area higgler. When you come to Green Castle Estate, you might just see Ben and Clarke’s boats at sea. When they’re back on shore, check out their fine craftsmanship.

The Green Castle Estate Bird List is now at 119!

Greencastle Bird Checklist

http//www.gcjamica.com

Publication of a new field guide to a country’s birds is always a significant event and even more so if the book adds substantially to the general knowledge of an area’s birdlife. Such is the case with the new A Photographic Guide to the Birds of Jamaica (2009, Christopher Helm) by Dr. Ann Haynes-Sutton et al. This 300 page, pocket-sized guide is well printed and contains truly excellent color photos on almost every page.

Technically, the new guide is an update to Sutton and Downer’s 1990 Jamaica book, but what an update! The text and photos are entirely new and there are now range maps to accompany each of the species. Endemics are allotted more detailed textual treatment and often 3 or 4 excellent photos.

The opening chapters provide valuable information about Jamaica’s habitats, conservation challenges, origins of the Jamaican avifauna, and a history of Jamaican ornithology. That all of this information could be contained in a book sized for easy use in the field, and one so beautifully produced, is a real marvel. Of course, many birders prefer painted bird plates to photographs, as painted plates facilitate side-by-side comparison of similar species. Although that’s generally true, users will find that the quality and quantity of photos in this book are more than sufficient for identification of Jamaica’s birds. This is a must-have guide for birders visiting our island.

From my desk I have an unobstructed view of a snowy Mississippi river.  No eagles today, but the chickadees seem pleased with the sunflower seeds, and the mallards are keeping close to the dock.  Another day in Wisconsin,  I have Green Castle, Jamaica on my mind.  Let’s face it, winter is long, cold, and somewhat dreary.  It is exciting to think that I can get on a plane in my winter jacket and land in Montego Bay  and instantly walk into the green, lush tropical sunshine.  I am making my departure plans.  December 22nd, we head south, and not a moment too soon.

For the rest of you, what are you waiting for?  There isn’t a speck of snow in Jamaica.  It did rain a little this morning in Robins Bay.  But the sun came out leaving blue skies against the green hills and blue Caribbean Sea.   There are direct flights to Jamaica from major airports all over the US.  From the Midwest it is a reasonable 4 hour flight and you are guaranteed warm weather.

If you know you need a winter break, Jamaica is an excellent choice.  The winter weather is fabulous, food is delicious, people are friendly and the music and culture give you a sense that you have really been somewhere.  Jamaica is also beautiful.   Lots of coastline with mountains in the middle.  The highest peak in the Blue Mountains is over 7,000 feet offering dramatic views along the north coast.

My favorite type of Jamaican vacation is when you get off the beaten track, slow down, have a Red Stripe and relax.  Of course, Green Castle is my favorite place to vacation, www.gcjamaica.com.  For us, vacation has to be fun for the kids as well as the adults.  The less developed North Coast in St. Mary offers authentic activities without the crowds.  Fish lunch and snorkeling at Jacks Bay Beach, rafting on the Rio Grande, hiking to Kwaame falls, or a day by the pool at the Green Castle Estate House.  Not only are these activities fun and inexpensive, but you get to meet real Jamaicans without the hassle of the bigger resort areas.

I’m sure there isn’t any snow in Jamaica today.  As a matter of fact, it is currently 82 degrees, the weather looks fine.  I’m counting down to the 22nd.

http://www.gcjamaica.com

Early Saturday morning, November 21, a small party of GTSC members walked the 2 mile Waterfall Trail for a few hours of birding. This has been an exceptionally warm and dry year, so the cascade at Mingo Falls is quiet now, and the streambed has just a few remnant pools of water.

Waterfall Trail

But the birding more than compensated. In less than 3 hours, the group saw or heard 12 Jamaican endemics and 4 migrant warblers in addition to the usual assortment of Jamaican resident species. The best birds of the day were a pair of Jamaican Becards, not an easy species to find. Also seen were Loggerhead Kingbirds, Sad Flycatchers, a Rufous-tailed Flycatcher, and two Jamaican Elaenias—it was a pretty good morning for flycatchers!

The other endemics included Jamaican Vireo, Woodpecker, Euphonia, and Tody in addition to White-chinned Thrush and Orangequit.

Back at the Estate House the hummingbird show was in full swing, with Jamaican Mangos madly chasing Streamertails around the feeders. It was a pleasure to relax on the veranda with a cool drink, watch the hummingbirds, and contemplate a successful morning of birding.

Image by jikamajoja via Flickr

The Merriam-Webster On-Line Dictionary defines inclusive as:

1.  comprehending stated limits or extremes;
2.  broad in orientation or scope;
3.  covering or intended to cover all items, costs, or services.

In Jamaica, #3 certainly represents a vacation model known as the Jamaica all inclusive package.  Having lived in Jamaica for over 4 years, I would like to believe that a new inclusive model is beginning to catch on, one that is more about the definition outlined in #2.   Jamaica is an island with much to offer, so a broad orientation covers a lot of ground.  To experience even a little of Jamaica’s culture, music, natural beauty and people, you really need to have an inclusive orientation.   With all you could do in Jamaica, some of the best ways to achieve an inclusive experience are to be ‘cool,’ relax, get in some pool time, hang out at the beach, and eat delicious food, but you don’t have to do it with your fellow countrymen.  Jamaica is full of Jamaicans.  Most places you venture outside of the resorts you will find a warm friendly welcome and a truly memorable experience.

Andrea Sachs recently published a travel article in the Washington Post entitled, Face to Face with Jamaica. She writes,

“On my two previous visits to the Caribbean island, I had been no recluse. But I had been a shut-in. The all-inclusive resorts where most Americans stay encourage guests to remain on the property, shielded behind the guarded gate. If you wish to leave, you sign up for a tour, a bubble-wrapped view of the country. Most interactions are with your poolside neighbors, some of whom may share your area code.

But this time, it was going to be different. No fortress-style resorts; instead, I would overnight at low-key lodgings that were fully integrated into the community. No group shuttles; I would drive myself, so I could stop on a whim and lean on locals for directions and suggestions. And finally, no other American tourists-in-exile. Inspired by Jamaica’s motto — “Out of many, one people” — I was set to meet the many.”

Low Key Lodgings

Andrea’s article is about real people.  The faces in her pictures are my neighbors.  Those smiling school kids attended camp with my kids, and are the same ones that would greet you if you spend a day volunteering at the school.  The new inclusive model that I see taking hold is a chance to visit the “low key lodgings” that Andrea talks about and really experience an inclusive orientation, a whole new way to see a fantastic Caribbean Island.  Come to Jamaica ‘mon.

Andrea’s article can be viewed at the following Washington Post link:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/artsandliving/travel/international/caribbean/