Day 2: Plant Tour and Sunset in Negril

Everyone was very excited after spending our very first night in Jamaica. The warm Caribbean breeze gave us a peaceful sleep and energized us for what the next day had in store for us. Richard Wright, the resort owner, had a tour of the grounds planned to show and explain some of the plant life that Jamaica has to offer. He explained to us over breakfast that living in Jamaica was like “living in your own laboratory”. 

Owner/Manager, Richard Wright talks about custard apples.

Aloe Vera plant

Poinsettia

The beginning of the tour started at the entrance of the resort where many plants that we had heard of but never seen were located. Richard has different varieties of guava trees, pineapple plants, almond trees as well as aloe and poinsettia growing all over the property. Some of the trees and shrubs we had not seen before were the ackee tree, which is Jamaica’s national fruit. If not ripe or not prepared properly, ackee can be poisonous. 

Ackee

Richard explained to us that many of the flowers and plants held medicinal properties as well. For example, cerasee is a vine that bears a fruit, and if you boil the fruit it acts as a natural blood cleanser. The plant from which Coumadin - a commonly taken blood thinner medication- is derived grows locally. Many of the plants and flowers shown to us had cancer fighting properties as well. 

Periwinkle, source of Coumadin

After the entertaining and educational tour, the group got a chance to cool off and relax on the white sands of the 7 Mile Beach in Negril. While many of us were tired after the long day, we all agreed that staying to watch the sunset was something we couldn't miss. When we returned to Millbrooks later that night dinner was waiting for us on the table. We all sat and enjoyed peppered steak, coconut curry fish, and mixed vegetables. Once dinner was over we sat around once again watching the beautiful, clear, and starry skies of Jamaica.

 

Sunset in Negril

Written by Clare Johnston