I almost am embarrassed to admit it, but we actually set an alarm while on vacation. We wanted to get on the road early since we really had no idea where we were going. So we got up, packed a backpack, went and had our breakfast at the hotel, and got on our way. Our semi-plan was to head into the interior of the island to try and find some waterfalls and caves that we saw on the map. We were really trying to just get off the beaten path and hit some non-touristy places. This is the part of the trip (any trip) that I love, the unknown. I could read 20 tour books, and plan every trip to the last minute, but it's what is not in the tour books that makes a vacation.
Years ago when I was in Jamaica I visited the famous Dunns River Falls in Ocho Rios. Although beautiful, it was overcome with people from resorts and cruisers. Jamaica is a large island with beautiful coasts and mountains, and many more waterfalls to be visited, and me being a romantic, I couldn't wait. We were hoping to have time to hit a couple of falls, and then head to the Black River for some rafting. So with only an idea, and a tourist road map we headed out.
We followed the coast to a town called Savanna-La-Mar. From there we were going to head inland, however like a couple days before, we got lost. We were trying to find Mayfield Falls, and just like getting lost before, a Rasta on a bike pulls up beside us and tells us to follow him. Knowing how this works we told him we were fine and didn't need his help. He informed us that the Mayfield Falls was closed due to a drowning the day before (really don't know if he was telling the truth) and that we should check out the Roaring River Caves instead. He was very persistent about us following him even going so far as to tell us his Grandmother lived by the caves and he was on his way there anyway. So in the end he won, and we followed him to the cave.
We arrived early and no one was there. This time we only gave the guy on the bike $ 5.00. Then another Rasta appeared and told us that he would be our tour guide. We tried to convince him that we didn't need a guide, but to find out that the locals actually lock up the entrance to the caves and only a few of them have keys, so we got ourselves a tour guide. Again nothing in this country is free. Instead of going straight to the cave, the Rasta (who claimed to be the medicine man or Doctor of the village) gave us a tour around the mountain before entering the cave. This is a Jamaica that many don't get to experience. Along the way we came across children bathing in a creek, a new born goat standing for the first time, and almonds, apples, pineapple, and cocoa all growing in the wild (and we were able to taste everything.)
Then we entered the cave. The caves are dark, and the only light is the lighter that our guide had to light his . . .medicine. To me once you've seen one cave you've seen them all, but this one was a little different as there were swimming holes where the water would pour into from somewhere. Our guide allowed us to swim in a couple different places, and even showed us some small cubby holes to twist ourselves into to experience the rushing waters. Now this was awesome. The caves themselves were not that large, but the experience of walking through an actual village, and swimming in pitch black caves was priceless.
When we were done, my husband gave our guide a substantial tip (some of the best money we spent) and we headed back to the car only to find the guy on the bike was still there. He wanted more money. I reminded him that he was supposed to be at his grandmothers, and we did not ask him to wait. I was getting very irritated and angry, and I had to walk away. My husband gave him another $ 5.00 just so he would quit harassing us and we left.
Next on our list was YS Falls. The drive between the caves and the falls was full of surprises, one being bamboo lane. Basically it is a strip of road that is covered on both sides with enormous bamboos. It was beautiful and I asked mu hubby to pull over. I jumped out and tried to get some pictures before the cars came flying past.
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