Dear Editor,
Portland, birthplace of tourism in Jamaica, now lies as a dormant volcano.
The landscape is lush and one filled with scenic beauty. Some famous attractions and interests in the parish include the historic Titchfield Peninsula, the twin harbours, the Blue Mountain Range, Reich and Sommerset falls, Trident Castle - built with a royal family in mind - Trident Hotel, The Jamaica Palace Hotel, Rio Grande, Blue Lagoon, famous Boston Jerk Centre and the Winnifred and Frenchman's Cove beaches.
Rafting on the Rio Grande is a journey one has to definitely experience, as this will fill your blackboard of memories. While gliding down the ripples, one will hear the sweet birds singing and chirping as they flutter overhead among the trees. For the romantic at heart, the hanging limbs of the trees, forming arches, create a peaceful and calming ambience.
The new pier, one of the best in the Caribbean, is breathtaking, especially when picturesque vessels are docked in her harbour. Nearby, Navy Island -- where tourists used to frolic and once owned by famous American actor and lover of Portland Errol Flynn -- lies in ruins. To our great disbelief Portland now sleeps, and one would have to visit to see the conditions that our beloved parish is now faced with. We need action.
We are fortunate that we have a hard-working and visionary Mayor Benny Whyte to spearhead Portland's rise from the ashes. Portland has the potential to develop and come back to her former glory days. Improvements that are needed to bring back Portland to her former glory include:
* the renovation of the Musgrave Market, which is home to some of the most beautiful hand-crafted displays in the world
* the dredging of the harbour in order to accommodate larger ships will increase tourist arrival and in turn create more jobs for Portlanders
* the proper resurfacing of the major roadway east of Port Antonio leading to St Thomas for ease of traffic.
We need to put our hands and hearts together to rebuild Portland. Portland is a sleeping princess awaiting her prince to kiss her and awaken her. I am optimistic that this will happen in the future if we work hard to return her to her crown of glory.
Ruby Dixon Piskacek
Town Talk Store
Portland
rubypiskacek@gmail.com
Beautiful Portland awaits the awakening kiss of a prince
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Portland, birthplace of tourism in Jamaica, now lies as a dormant volcano.
The landscape is lush and one filled with scenic beauty. Some famous attractions and interests in the parish include the historic Titchfield Peninsula, the twin harbours, the Blue Mountain Range, Reich and Sommerset falls, Trident Castle - built with a royal family in mind - Trident Hotel, The Jamaica Palace Hotel, Rio Grande, Blue Lagoon, famous Boston Jerk Centre and the Winnifred and Frenchman's Cove beaches.
Rafting on the Rio Grande is a journey one has to definitely experience, as this will fill your blackboard of memories. While gliding down the ripples, one will hear the sweet birds singing and chirping as they flutter overhead among the trees. For the romantic at heart, the hanging limbs of the trees, forming arches, create a peaceful and calming ambience.
The new pier, one of the best in the Caribbean, is breathtaking, especially when picturesque vessels are docked in her harbour. Nearby, Navy Island -- where tourists used to frolic and once owned by famous American actor and lover of Portland Errol Flynn -- lies in ruins. To our great disbelief Portland now sleeps, and one would have to visit to see the conditions that our beloved parish is now faced with. We need action.
We are fortunate that we have a hard-working and visionary Mayor Benny Whyte to spearhead Portland's rise from the ashes. Portland has the potential to develop and come back to her former glory days. Improvements that are needed to bring back Portland to her former glory include:
* the renovation of the Musgrave Market, which is home to some of the most beautiful hand-crafted displays in the world
* the dredging of the harbour in order to accommodate larger ships will increase tourist arrival and in turn create more jobs for Portlanders
* the proper resurfacing of the major roadway east of Port Antonio leading to St Thomas for ease of traffic.
We need to put our hands and hearts together to rebuild Portland. Portland is a sleeping princess awaiting her prince to kiss her and awaken her. I am optimistic that this will happen in the future if we work hard to return her to her crown of glory.
Ruby Dixon Piskacek
Town Talk Store
Portland
rubypiskacek@gmail.com
Beautiful Portland awaits the awakening kiss of a prince
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