Green Grottos

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Trip Start Nov 18, 2008 Trip End Nov 18, 2008

  Runaway Bay, Jamaica
Thursday, November 20, 2008

I decided to go and experience Mobay Undersea.  It's suppose to be a submarine trip from Pier One, Montego Bay.  However, the torrential rainfalls put an end to this plan.  So we regathered and went to the Green Grotto Caves.  (It too was on my list of things to do.)

Place of Departure: Kingston
Time of Departure: 7:30am
Tank: Full

To get to Runaway Bay, St. Ann (cave location) is fairly easy once you are out of Spanish Town - it's getting out of Spanish Town that I loathe.  I hereby ask the Jamaican Government to put PROPER signs that let you know which way to take on the round about, where to go from a highway exit and town labels.  It was a little confusing to find our way out.  I know for the well-travelled it would be a no-brainer.

We thought we would take the Highway 2000 leg to see if it was worth it.  It leads of the A3 and the driving is nice, roads are good and speed limit is 110kph.  The toll for that leg of the journey (so watch for the exit, stay in the left lane) is J$70 for a car.  Worth it? -ahmm...guess so.  When you exit you may become confused where to go - bwoy all I can say is go straight.

Once you on the good road west stay on the A3.  When you hit Moneague, make a decision: Adventure or Travelled.  The Adventure way takes you into          , the Travelled way takes you through the town of Ocho Rios.  Enjoy the Fern Gully leg, but know that the roads get bad, with some sections made into a one-lane.  You are going through Ochi (Ocho Rios) but do not go into the town directly, just keep to the main road and continue onwards.

Good country breeze, quite villages, turny roads, lovely pastures and wide open spaces make for a nice little journey.  I saw a wonderful house on the hill and couldn't resist, so I turned in - turned out to be private property but it was so beautiful.  Here's a pic - but of course won't tell you where it is located.

Walkerwood Jerk Centre is along the road and I think it would be a solid decision to stop at their Jerk Tour.  Didn't do it this leg, but will definitely do it another time.

Green Grotto Cave is located, map wise, between Discovery and Runaway Bay.  You CANNOT miss the place.(not from MoBay end either)  Good signs, good road, clearly marked lanes and a big jerk centre across the road from it, make you know that you have arrived.

Grounds are well maintained and the parking lot is large and has parking lanes that are specially large for buses. 

We got out and bam! - there was a staff member saying Hi and Welcome.  He enquired as to our nationality (while in the parking lot) and that was odd but proved useful.

The reception area is surrounded by trimmed foliage, old anchors (look properly) and a good looking calabash tree with gourds on the branches.  You are directed to the cashier.

Cost:  Jamaicans: J$500 (J$200 for children), prrof of nationality required (you know, the stuff you would have left in the car, but not if the staff met you out there, Aha!)
Non-Jamaicans: US$20 (US$10 for children)

Accepted proof: Drivers' Liscence, J'can workplace ID

Recommended attire: sneakers (or non-slip shoes), jeans

Allowed: Cameras

Not allowed: touching, breaking, sitting on cave formations, smoking in caves, littering

You are transported to the entrance and given disposable head wraps and reusable hard hats.  Wear them.

Then you enter the caves and the most breathtaking sights start.  Beautiful formations are everywhere.  Quiet, except for the tour guides' voice.  Yes, there are bats.  And also roaches, rats, Jamaican yellow snakes and a few other creatures. The 45 minute tour is a wonderful experience.  And you actually do two caves.  You may even get the chance to traverse an unpaved route that was used by slavesand the English!  My words cannot do justice - so here are the pics.

But the most lovely thing was the subterranean lake.  Transparant, beautiful and with life - shrimp, small fishes.  Ask the guide, while you are by the lake, how high the lake can go!  The stroll outside, between caves, is also good.

The thing that made me wonder was seeing roots of trees so far down - fig trees will send roots up to mile in search of water.  And if you look you'll see the roots snaking through the caverns. 

Head on back up and get a quick drink and snack at the refreshment counter.  If you left your camera, you may purchase a disposable there.  Restrooms are clean and wheelchair accessible. 

Ok, for those of you concerned about safety within the caves, there are: clear, lighted chiseled stone pathways, sensor lights, sturdy board bridges with heavy weight twisted rope as holds and all stairways have handle rails.  The lake is fenced.  The guide is VERY careful to tell you to watch your heads, mind especially slippery spots etc.

If you bringing a child, giving them their own little light is not a bad idea.  Control them.

They plan to open a fishing hole soon at a lake above ground on the property.  When you finish the tour and you get hungry, go across the road to the bar and jerk centre.

They are Green Globe Certified.

Lovely day trip and very recommended.

Tank: half full

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