Early morning walk - Folly Great house-Port Antonio jamaica-siteseeing

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Updated 9 years ago

This morning I woke up quite early, earlier than usual. The sun was budding through the horizon in the east and that portion of the sky was blood red.The light that reflected off the red ball was as blinding as is was entrancing. I drew a deep breath of fresh air, I knew all too well that today would be a special day for me in Port Antonio. The sun had brought with it the energy and motivation I needed to revisit one my childhood days stomping-ground. I had heard so many stories about the great house when I was a child and had just accepted them as the truth.

I loved that place. It was a place I would run to in order to escape the township to obtain solitude. I was since then, entranced with nature and the peace and quiet it brings when one finds the right place. Folly was the right place for me and I would spend every hour of free time there. Sometimes I would get lost in the beauty and magnificence of the place and would be caught absentmindedly gazing out to sea. I didn't worry too much about the consequence whatever it was, visiting this place made the subsequent punishment seem like nothing compared to the heartfelt joy of feeling one with nature.

That was over forty years ago and those memories are indelibly etched in my mind. I spent some wild summer days on the beach just lazing on the sand with the sun on my back and the cool Northeastern trade winds overhead listening to artists like Issac Hayes, and the Bee gees on my portable record player, The beach is now gone leaving hanging cliffs and a stony coastline. I boarded the car with great anticipation and when I finally reached I jumped out of it and headed straight for the Great House.

A call from my husband halted my steps, just before I got to the entrance. I stood outside looking on the same magnificent structure that I played in years ago. In my eyes the house had not deteriorated much in the last forty years but the government agency in Port Antonio thoughts was contrary to my assumption and had it fenced for public safety. That fence has been torn down by people in the community and the house is now exposed for all to see.

I took some photographs mesmerized for a few moments and continued on to the lighthouse path.

I travelled for a while on foot down a well-trodden path (lower right) and was able to capture some awesome sights. Lush Green grass, blue sea water, beautiful wild flowers and lovely overhanging vegetation.

In as many times as I have been to this place, I never visited the lighthouse. This was to bring me a new experience. It was not long before we reached the entrance to the lighthouse keepers house and the lighthouse in sight. He was busy pruning the lawn but took time out to greet us and welcome us in. As we walked up the walkway I could not believe that a structure that was built in 1888 could stand so tall and still display such magnificence.