Roaring River

Before its discovery by the Spanish, Jamaica was called “the land of wood and water” by its indigenous inhabitants. It has been told that explorers believed they had found the Garden of Eden when they landed here, and after visiting Roaring River I can understand why.

After nearly a week on Negril’s gorgeous rugged coast I finally stumbled upon a relatively secure ride up into the nearby mountains. The terrain gradually shifted from coral rock and rich ocean blues to lush greenery, crystal clear streams, and bright turquoise lagoons. Pulling into Roaring River, kids splashed around in the waters, cows grazed in the surrounding fields, and people just seemed to be chillin’ in paradise.
Alvin, a local Rasta offered to show me around his home; If you ever make it out here I recommend you ask for him. He gave a grand tour, as burning stoves puffed out sweet smelling smoke into the fresh mountain air, Alvin pointed out every kind of tropical fruit, flower and herb imaginable growing in the wild. He led us to refreshing spring water bubbling out of the ground ready to drink, showed us his favorite, enormous banyan tree with roots thicker than most tree trunks, and talked a bit about life in this place of unadulterated savage beauty. I could barely believe what I was witnessing. Tucked away in the shallow hills of this small island in the Caribbean Sea lies one of the most breathtaking landscapes I have ever laid eyes on.