In the month of July 2009, my grandson Shadrach visited me in Jamaica and we had a wonderful healthy vacation, but Ai will only tell you about one truip today. We went to an all inclusive hotel in Runaway Bay and it was absolutely fabulous.
While there we took time out to drive a few miles to take a tour of the Green Grotto Caves. This cave has a fascinating history dating back to when the British and Spanish were fighting for control of our beautiful isle. It is the second largest cave in Jamaica spanning some 28 square miles.As it is in close proximity to where Columbus landed, later settled for a year and the Spanish brought the slaves, it provided an excellent place for runaway slaves to hide.
When the British arrived in the 1600's, the Spaniards promised the slaves freedom if they helped them to defeat the latest invaders. The slaves took the Spanish governor to hide in the Green Grotto Cave, but unfortunately the British won the war and he surrendered so the slaves never got their freedom.
In the early 70's the Green Grotto Cave was developed as a tourist attraction and was leased to a member of the private sector for operation. Unfortunately the lessee, being totally ignorant about environmental issues, went merrily on his way to destroy many of the stalagmites and stalagtites in order to convert the front section of the cave into a nightclub. Can you believe the destruction this has caused considering the number of years it takes stalagmites and stalagtites to grow?
However the inner section of the cave is preserved and it is most educational to take the tour. Years ago when I first went on a tour in those caves, we used to get a boat tour on the underground lake (The James Bond Movie Live and Let die had its submarine scene in filmed in that lake) but because of drownings and near drowning mishaps, that segment of the tour is no longer offered. Anyway we walked to the mouth of the lake and the waster is so crystal clear and still that all that is underwater can be easily viewed.
The most fascinating thing about that tour (apart from the practical lessons about rat bats!) was the formations inside the caves depicting various easily identified objects. For example, there is a clearly defined map of South America, the map of Jamaica, batman in his cape etc.
That tour is well worth the time.
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