The Caves of Jamaica...

When I heard there was a cave in Westmoreland worthy of a visit, I seriously wondered. After all, I've been in caves before... so WTF?

Well, TF is... slaves.

Back when slavery was practiced in Jamaica, the Jamaicans would watch for the "masters" to come looking for them, and when approached, would run to the caves, where they'd not only hide, but travel to other villages on the other side of the cave complex. Smart, right? These caves were not even discovered until the 1960's, and no one is sure when they started or ended the usage. 

I got to visit them. 

The innermost part of the cave was pretty huge, and looked a lot like the picture next to the word "cavernous" in any online search. But, there were twists and turns, all navigable, that yielded interesting sights, treasured rooms, and a profound sense of gravitas. You could feel the anxiety of having to run to the cave for protection, hoping it never got found. And it didn't.

Lloyd, my cave tour guide, ushered me  to 2 adjoining pools of healing waters found deep within the cave. There's even an alcove where you can lean back against a rock opening, smoothed away by the rushing waters of time, and get a wonderful neck and shoulder massage. The water is the perfect temperature, year round, and feels absolutely amazing. I was skeptical about the healing thing but have to happily admit my back did not bother me for the rest of the trip, which it usually doesn't, but had been, a lot. Could be something to it, eh?

Outside, witness the Roaring Rapids, where pure water gushes from a series of bottomless blue holes. Take time to breathe the absolutely pure air surrounding this magical region, and appreciate the spotless, rich countryside, dotted with farms and the happiest looking livestock anywhere.

I didn't think this would be a "wow" adventure- but it was. And, I'd do it again. Just next time, I'll take a a nicer camera, and some clothes for the locals, who always need them. There's no Walmart nearby, and town is a bit of a drive away. So, take some clothes, grab a camera, and tell Lloyd I said hello.  

This add-on touched my soul, and I will never forget it.