Jamaica's lush Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park (BJCMNP), one of Neita's Nest's recommended tour destinations for our B&B guests, has become our island's first UNESCO World Heritage site for natural and cultural heritage.
The Park covers the Blue Mountain Forest reserve which is over 78,000 hectares of forested area within the eastern parishes of St Andrew, St Thomas, Portland and St Mary. It is one of the few pristine areas of forest remaining, records Olive Senior in her extremely useful tome, Encyclopedia of Jamaican Heritage. She goes on to add that the park area, "is the most biologically diverse in the island, with a range of climate and a variety of vegetation from tropical to near temperate".
In a Daily Gleaner report last year leading up to this historic designation, we are reminded that in addition to the region's protected flora and fauna, there is great heritage value here, as it consists of indegenous Maroon communities, and Nanny, our National Heroine, lived and fought the British there.
We often recommend this area to persons interested in birdwatching or to those eager to walk the plantations of our world-famous coffee. For others, it beckons for the historic, social or environmental value of the region. Whatever the attraction, the significant feature of this region is the marked reduction in temperatures as you begin its swift ascent from Kingston, the lush vegetation and the amazing views.
Expect a strong embrace as this mountainscape takes your breath away. You will find no compelling reason to rush your return to the city. Dotted with options for delish dining experiences, vitalising vistas, rushing waterfalls, farming communities, historic landmarks telling long, interesting tales, there is enough in this area on which to feast and refresh your eyes, ears, your whole body and soul as you linger.
So, as reported in today's Daily Gleaner, Jamaica now joins the list of iconic sites, such as the Great Wall of China, the Pyramids of Giza, Egypt, the Taj Mahal of India, Acropolis of Athens, Great Barrier Reef of Australia, as well as the Pitons in St Lucia. World Heritage status is given to natural and cultural sites across the globe which are considered to be of outstanding universal value, that is, they possess cultural and natural significance so exceptional as to transcend national boundaries and are of common importance for present and future generations.
The Blue and John Crow Mountains, another real reason to leave your boundaries and visit ours. And while here, ask for a copy of Hartley Neita's The Search, a riveting account of five audacious Jamaica College school boys lost in the Blue Mountains in 1939.
The Park covers the Blue Mountain Forest reserve which is over 78,000 hectares of forested area within the eastern parishes of St Andrew, St Thomas, Portland and St Mary. It is one of the few pristine areas of forest remaining, records Olive Senior in her extremely useful tome, Encyclopedia of Jamaican Heritage. She goes on to add that the park area, "is the most biologically diverse in the island, with a range of climate and a variety of vegetation from tropical to near temperate".
In a Daily Gleaner report last year leading up to this historic designation, we are reminded that in addition to the region's protected flora and fauna, there is great heritage value here, as it consists of indegenous Maroon communities, and Nanny, our National Heroine, lived and fought the British there.
We often recommend this area to persons interested in birdwatching or to those eager to walk the plantations of our world-famous coffee. For others, it beckons for the historic, social or environmental value of the region. Whatever the attraction, the significant feature of this region is the marked reduction in temperatures as you begin its swift ascent from Kingston, the lush vegetation and the amazing views.
Expect a strong embrace as this mountainscape takes your breath away. You will find no compelling reason to rush your return to the city. Dotted with options for delish dining experiences, vitalising vistas, rushing waterfalls, farming communities, historic landmarks telling long, interesting tales, there is enough in this area on which to feast and refresh your eyes, ears, your whole body and soul as you linger.
So, as reported in today's Daily Gleaner, Jamaica now joins the list of iconic sites, such as the Great Wall of China, the Pyramids of Giza, Egypt, the Taj Mahal of India, Acropolis of Athens, Great Barrier Reef of Australia, as well as the Pitons in St Lucia. World Heritage status is given to natural and cultural sites across the globe which are considered to be of outstanding universal value, that is, they possess cultural and natural significance so exceptional as to transcend national boundaries and are of common importance for present and future generations.
The Blue and John Crow Mountains, another real reason to leave your boundaries and visit ours. And while here, ask for a copy of Hartley Neita's The Search, a riveting account of five audacious Jamaica College school boys lost in the Blue Mountains in 1939.
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