The Greenwood Great House

The Greenwood Great House was constructed 1790, by Richard Barrett, a British officer who were sent in the expedition commanded by Admiral Penn and General Venables. Unlike many of the original settlers the Barretts prospered and by the middle of the eighteenth century had become immensely wealthy, owning over 84,000 acres of land and over 2,000 slaves. The family also had a London house, the site of which is still known as Barrett Street, just north of the present day Selfridges. (Greenwood great house)

The Barrett family treated their slaves relatively well and provided them with education, this was unusual at the time. As a mark of respect, Greenwood Great House was spared from damage during the slave rebellion in Christmas 1831 which saw many plantation buildings burned to the ground.

The Folly Great House in Jamaica

The Folly Mansion was built in 1905 by a retired mining engineer, Alfred Mitchell for himself and his wife, the Tiffany heiress, Annie Tiffany. The Mansion was a grand structure in its heyday, styled on a Roman Villa with 60 rooms spread over 2 floors. 

         

           The mansion was equipped with all sorts of modern conveniences for it’s day, including a wind-powered generator which pumped seawater into an indoor swimming pool. In addition to this, the mansion also had its own power station, and independent water reservoir.

The Seville Great House and Heritage Park

The plantation's Great House is now used as a museum which was recently renovated and offers an insightful and informative tour of the period 650AD to late 19^thcentury Jamaica when the Taino Indians, Spanish, English and African inhabited the area.

Columbus Park Museum- Great Jamaican Attraction

   The town now known as Discovery Bay was originally named Puerto Seco ("Dry Harbour") by Christopher Columbus in 1494. It was named as such because Columbus could not find a source of fresh water close to this natural harbour. Columbus later found the fresh water he was looking for 5 miles to the west and named the area "Rio Bueno". In 1947 the town was renamed "Discovery Bay" to refer to the town's history as it was believed that this was the spot that Christopher Columbus first set foot on Jamaican soil. However, this claim hotly contested and two other towns also claim to be Columbus's first landing point, Rio Bueno and Seville.(Jis)

Columbus Park is an open-air historical and archaeological museum, set on 3 acres of Discovery Bay, overlooking the ocean. The museum features a wide range of artefacts which were excavated when the Kaiser Bauxite processing plant was developed. Artefacts include:

• A section of aqueduct from a sugar estate

•  A water wheel

• •      The engine carriage from a train which was used to transport sugar

•                                 Cannons

• •      An Arawak canoe

• •      A "tally" (the tool used to count bananas, made famous by the song "come Mr Tally-Man"

 
 

The museum has recently been remodeled and now includes a bar and a branch of the popular jerk restaurant "Scotchies". There are also ambitious plans to further develop the museum in the future.

Rick’s Café, Negril , Jamaica

The Rick's Café Adventure began in 1974 when Richard “Rick” Hershman bought this stony cliff-side one and a half acre property from Dr .Winston Campbell, son of Jamaica's first native Governor General, Sir Clifford Campbell. At this time Negril was pretty quiet with very few establishments, electricity, telephone or running water.  Negril was always known for the wonderful seven miles beach, however, Rick’s Cafe added another breathtaking attraction.  It was the first public bar and restaurant in the area that possessed such a magnificent view of the sunset.

In September 1988, Hurricane Gilbert completely destroyed Rick's Cafe. Waves in excess of 25 feet crashed over the cliffs and treetops. After rebuilding, Rick's Cafe came back more spectacular than ever. Sixteen years later, Hurricane Ivan destroyed Rick's on September 11, 2004. More destructive than Gilbert, waves in excess of 60-80 feet washed over the property. When the winds finally subsided, Rick’s Café had been blown across the road in bits and pieces. (Rick’s Café)

Over the years, despite two major setbacks due to extensive property damage by Hurricane Gilbert and Ivan, Rick’s was rebuilt again, bigger and better than before.

The popularity of Rick's Café is almost unparalleled. It is not uncommon to see 200 or 300 patrons on the property at any one time, nor for Rick's Café to cater to over 500 patrons for the day, especially during the tourist season. The tourists come on excursions from as far as Port Antonio, Ocho Rios, Montego Bay, as well as Negril itself, and the café is also well supported by returning Jamaican residents as well as the local populace. (The observer) 

Top Six Activities to Do at Chukka Caribbean Adventure, Jamaica

PLAY FOR A DAY on their 2000 acre Good Hope Estate Park. See and experience an amazing blend of nature adventure, fun-filled and adrenaline-packed activities, wrapped in a period of colonial history and culture. This property showcases 16 buildings of historical significance, highlighted by a 1700s Great House.

Buggy or ATV

Climb aboard your powerful ATV for an amazing tour of undiscovered Jamaica!  The ATV is easy to handle and gives you unparalleled access to the untouched hills and plains of this beautiful Caribbean island.  Journey around the rugged dirt trails of a colonial-era estate. Explore the scenic mountain terrain. Traverse through local communities and forests.

 

Zip Line Canopy

Fly through the forest with this breathtaking zip line canopy tour! Get a new perspective as you explore the heart of Jamaica! Starting in the heart of the jungle, you’ll fly along zip lines and rappel through the rainforest, over river canyons, and across mountains. Hear the rushing waters as you sail over the various rivers. Then enjoy the silence as you glide through a tunnel of tree leaves.

 

Tubing

What better way to kick off Jungle River Tubing than to drive through the untouched jungle terrain of Jamaica’s interior? Once you arrive you will be given an orientation complete with safety tips for the ride down the river. The adventure begins at the waters’ edge where you will be assigned your tube. This is your opportunity to sit back, relax, and enjoy Jamaica’s natural beauty go by.

Horse Back Riding

Combine trails and waves in this one-of-a-kind adventure, the Horseback Ride ‘N’ Swim! After riding horses through Jamaica’s backcountry trails, swim horseback in the Caribbean Sea! Your adventure begins when you saddle up for the original horseback ride and swim!  You will see spectacular views of cliffsides and the Caribbean Sea.  On their private beach, experience an unparalleled, exhilarating ride through the warm Caribbean waters.

 

The Flight of the White Witch Zipline Canopy tour

The Flight of the White Witch Zipline Canopy tour offers traverses that’s “criss cross” through a densely forested canyon from 1,200ft; above sea level to “Annie’s Web”, a mesmerizing suspended platform that overlooks the forest floor and out to the distant Caribbean coastline. 

4×4 off-road safari

Their 4×4 off-road safari will take you off the beaten path! They can access special places that regular buses can’t drive. Rides include informative and fun guides who will tell you all about the real Jamaica; they’ll share the stories and legends of Jamaica’s colorful colonial past.

THINGS TO DO AT MYSTIC MOUNTAIN JAMAICA

Sky Explore

Soar 700 feet above the rainforest riding the rainforest Sky Explorer chair lift tour. This is a state-of-the-art chairlift that is positioned prominently at the park’s entrance, giving you a chance to explore the treetops above Mystic Mountain.

 

Bobsled Jamaica

The park’s signature attraction, Rainforest Bobsled Jamaica, features a 1000m long gravity-drive through the rainforest on custom designed, high-tech sleds. Accessible via the SkyExplorer, the Bobsled is a thrilling ride through dense tropical landscapes and coastal features on sleds that evoke Jamaica’s Olympic team.

   

  

Usain Bolt 

Canopy Zip-line

 Secure Zip Line attraction whisks travelers through the verdant rainforest canopy, gliding from one platform to another.

 

TRANOPY PACKAGE

This three in one package offers: the Rainforest SkyExplorer, Rainforest Bobsled Jamaica, and the popular Zip Line. The SkyExplorer carries guests above the trees to the peak, then both the Bobsled and Zip line sends them speeding through the heart of the forest. For fun, safe adventure, this comprehensive package is the best way to experience all of Mystic Mountain Jamaica’s Rainforest wonders.