Friday, November 1, 2019 - Port Antonio, Jamaica

Friday, November 1, 2019 - Port Antonio, Jamaica

Port Antonio is the capital of the parish of Portland on the northeastern coast of Jamaica, about 60 miles from Kingston.  It is the island's third largest port, famous as a shipping point for bananas and coconuts, as well as one of its most important tourist attractions, tourism being a major contributor to the town's economy.  Port Antonio was a settlement first established in Spanish Jamaica, when it was known as Puerto Anton.  Portland formally became a parish in 1723 by order of the Duke of Portland, then Governor of Jamaica after whom it is named.  The existing port was to be called Port Antonio and was slated to become a naval stronghold.  To that end, by 1729, the British began to build Fort George on the peninsula separating the twin East and West harbors, known as the Titchfield promontory.  The fort was intended to protect settlers from attacks by the Spanish from the sea, and the Maroons (runaway slaves) who lived in the mountains.  

Port Antonio was a sleepy coastal town until the 1880s, when Lorenzo Dow Baker started the banana trade in Jamaica and successfully promoted Port Antonio as a destination for wealthy American travelers.  "Portie" became a boom town. The banana trade and the tourists who came in the banana boats was once so large that at one time, weekly saying from Port Antonio was greater than weekly sailing from the great English port of Liverpool.

The island was glamorized by Hollywood as a model of paradise in movies of the 1940s and 1950s, and in later movies such as Club Paradise and Cocktail.  This image was added to by the arrival of movie star Errol Flynn in 1946 when his yacht, the Zaca, washed ashore in bad weather.  He subsequently bought nearby Navy Island, part of historic Fort George in Port Antonio, as well as hundreds of acres of farmland along the Portland coast.

Last evening was invited to dine at a table hosted by the Environmental Officer,  but our host was a substitution because the EO was not feeling well.   She was seasick!!!  Yesterday was a little rocky.  Our host was the First Officer, who is on the bridge particularly when we are entering and leaving ports.  He told us that the Sojourn would be the first ship of this size to enter this small port.

On my first look out this morning, the area seems very pretty, heavily forested, lush and green, and again, a bit steamy!!!   Hope to go ashore in a little while for a walk around.  There are some ominous rain clouds overhead, but perhaps they will recede.

It has rained and appears to be clearing for a while, but now a new bank of clouds is appearing, really dark - will no doubt rain again.  

Went to guest services to see what there is to see off the ship - not much - can probably get a really good lay-of-the-land from the top deck of the ship.  Very picturesque port!

While at guest services thought to get some advice about where I could mail a box home when we dock in Miami on November 4.  The wonderful guy at the desk said they would mail a box for me, what size did I need, to come back in 30 minutes and he would have it for me.   That is so nice!   Will save me running around when we get to Miami.   Have to go get my box!!

Had lunch with the Kiwis and Aussies and they reported on a tour that was a bit depressing.
Lots of men doing nothing (because there's not that much to do!).   Perhaps if smaller cruise ships begin coming here, then some sort of industry or jobs might develop.   Most of the men were stoned - the smell of marijuana is everywhere.  Streets are dirty.  Definitely the Rastafarian culture in full bloom.

The photo below was taken by Jack Porus, one of the Kiwi/Aussie foursome that have made my trip so enjoyable . . . at the Blue Lagoon.

The flowers certainly are beautiful!

Some of the crew went to the beach where they filmed the movie, Blue Lagoon, and there were drugs aplenty - rather off putting for them.  A couple of the pretty girls on the crew didn't feel too safe and came right back to the ship.

Dined out on deck with Nina and Diana.  Nina is the mother of CNBC Foreign Correspondent, Richard Engel.  We were joined again, late in the meal, by Teresa, the Hotel Director.   Teresa is a really lovely woman, the first female HD for Seabourn - she is charming and well respected by the crew.

Our favorite waiter, Steve, found a bottle of the Valpolicella that I tasted the evening before, and in fact, at the end of the meal brought me an unopened bottle so that I could take it to my suite!   Lovely!