I am thinking of taking a trip into St. Elizabeth when I reach next month. I would love to backpack into Accompong Town - any suggestions?
Printable View
I am thinking of taking a trip into St. Elizabeth when I reach next month. I would love to backpack into Accompong Town - any suggestions?
obaygirl13,Quote:
Originally Posted by obaygirl13
I live in Accompong Town, however I am in the US as I reply here, and I can help you with some suggestions. You can PM me or ask me any questions here on the board and I will be glad to answer. We have tents, guides, rooms to rent etc. in Accompong Town and there are many trails where you can start from town and hike to another town or start at that town and hike into Accompong Town.
Once I get an idea of what you are looking for, I can be more precise in my suggestions.
Peace and Guidance
Bill Evans
Thank you! I have sent you a PM
I responded in two messages due to length. Get back to me and we can start designing a plan to suit your needs.Quote:
Originally Posted by obaygirl13
Peace and Guidance
For the hikers, explorers and spelunkers among us, I thought I would post a link to some information. This is for the Maroons in Accompong Town and I benefit in no way from this. I just help them get seen by the outside world.
http://www.jamaicanmaroons.com/cavehikesafari/
A few years ago we took a day trip into St. Elizabeth and it is a beautiful parish. Farmland for miles, great views and vistas, and although we didn't visit the Accompong town (we got as close as the cut off in Maggoty), we saw enough to make us marvel at how beautiful it was.
Visited a working farm and the Rasta farmer let us taste all the different fruit that was grown there.
obaygirl13, sent you an email.
Accompong Town has always been a special place for me and for many others that have taken the time to go there and experience it for themselves. This thread was making me think about my first visit so I thought I would share it again for the new people on the board because I published my travels here on the Archives in 2010. Hope you enjoy.
1988 MY FIRST VISIT TO ACCOMPONG TOWN
June 1988, my arrival at Norman Manley; wild taxi ride through Kingston and dealing with the Jamaican Railway Corporation Station Master was behind me and I was now on my way from Kingston to Montego Bay. I wasn't taking the complete six hour one way trip today, for a full fare of about $4.00 US, as I was stopping at Maggotty and traveling into the unknown....The Cockpit Country!
Attachment 37285
The train was violently pitching from side to side as higglers were hawking their wares from car to car hardly noticing the movements that would knock a novice off their feet. The shouts of "Bammy, fresh Bammy!" came from a large lady with a wash tub full of the delicious treat balanced firmly on her head, mixed with others shouting, "Box Juice!", "Peanuts!" and "Red Stripe!" as they were competing for the passengers business. I was sitting on the hard bench seat looking out the half-open, hand-smeared window absently thinking about today’s final destination: Accompong- Home of the Maroons. I decided to thumb through my well-worn travel book to read up on the area. Right there, on page 120, next to a picture of Colonel Martin Luther Wright in a red military uniform were the words that sent me here in the first place. "You can not visit Accompong or the surrounding Cockpit Country without the permission of the Colonel of the Maroons!" I closed the book and mused, "Well, Colonel Wright, I will be seeing you soon!"
Attachment 37286
About two hours into the trip, we were just chugging out of the Porus Station and starting to ascend the winding track through the Santa Cruz Mountains. I stopped the conductor on his journey through the car and asked, "How much longer to Maggotty?” He patiently smiled and said, "Soon Come!" "Excuse me", I continued, "How did Maggotty get its name?" "Well, my friend", he continued as he sat down on the hard bench across from me with the twinkle of a storyteller in his eye, "Once there was a likkle pickney who used to board the train at that stop and, when the conductor asked her for her ticket, she would respond, "Ma Got Ticky!" I screwed up my face and shook my head in disbelief as the car became silent for a few seconds then nearby passengers began to laugh and snicker at the "possible", yet "implausible" explanation which was cleverly delivered.
The conductor stood up and looked out the open door up towards the engine and shouted, "Maggotty! Next stop, Maggotty!” I grabbed my backpack and exited when the train pulled into the Maggotty Station. "Have an Irie trip, mon!" I heard from behind me as I turned to see the conductor wave and smile. I returned his wave and smiled, "Yes this 'Irie' trip was just beginning!" At the station a local resident directed me to the Sweet Bakery in town where they would help arrange my transport into the Cockpit Country. It was becoming very apparent that few travelers ventured into this area as most everyone stopped what they were doing and stared inquisitively as I passed.
While crossing the bridge over the Black River, I noticed the beautiful recreation park being built next to the river. It was to be called Apple Valley Park. A 550 acre paradise with six swimming pools, two lakes, several waterfalls and some of the friendliest people I have ever met. The Lees, who own the Sweet Bakery, also own the park. They are my closest friends to this day. They directed one of the bakery workers, Blacka, to help me secure a transport to Accompong. More stares ensued as Blacka and I made our way to the transport area in downtown Maggotty. Maggotty, once a "BoomTown" during the heyday of Bauxite mining, has been reduced to a sleepy town of about a quarter of its original size and I think all of her residents were on the street watching this strange traveler who was in their midst.
A feeling of dread was welling up inside but my constant smiling and saying, "Hello!" that quickly elicited warm greetings in return. The sun was very hot and the weather humid as I stood and waited for the transport when a storekeeper invited me into the store to sit and wait. When inside, she produced a tall glass of ice water and rejected every offer as payment for her generosity.
I heard a strange sound approaching from up the road. It was a 1953 GMC 9-passenger Panel Truck painted red on top, white around the middle and blue on the bottom. I stared in amazement as 14 adults and school children emerged as if from a clown's car at the circus. I was given the honored "ShotGun" seat and 11 other riders piled into the seats behind me. Bob Marley was blasting on the radio and the constant Patois chatter from behind made the 20 mile trip over winding mountain roads seem surreal.
Accompong, a sleepy little town of about 200 residents seemed a contradiction in time. There were modern stores and dwellings along side buildings over 100 years old. Rastafarians in tattered clothes were walking side by side with residents in coats and ties. One thing not a contradiction was the warmth, respect and "Joy of Life" that was prevalent throughout the village. These current day Maroons are the direct descendants of the first freed slaves in the Western Hemisphere having signed a Peace Treaty in 1739 with England obtaining freedom after three long and exhausting Maroon Wars. Their forefathers were originally enslaved by the Spanish landowners that brought them to Jamaica from the Coromantee and Ashanti tribes in Africa. Their fierceness in battle is noted in their name: Maroon (Spanish: from "Cimarron" meaning "wild" or "fierce").
As I exited the transport, a young, neatly dressed youth asked me to accompany him to see the Colonel. As we walked towards the Colonel's Office a large crowd of residents, mostly children, began to follow at a respectful distance while giggling and chattering excitedly in a Patois that I had not heard before on my trips. I began to think that this was all a huge mistake as I started to anxiously look around for the transport that would take me back to Maggotty when permission would certainly be denied to enter this region. Upon entering the Colonel's Office, I noticed an elderly gentleman behind a desk dressed in a white shirt and tie. I recognized him from Page 120, without the red military uniform, and he seemed friendlier and more accessible dressed this way. There were three rows of six metal folding chairs each facing the desk whose back row was occupied by three heavy-set ladies dressed in their Sunday finest fanning themselves absently while intently watching the proceedings.
I was directed to take a seat directly across from the Colonel, Martin Luther Wright. The Office of Colonel of the Maroons was, at this time, an elected-for-life position. The Maroons decided to change this practice during the late 80's and the Colonel is now elected for 5 years at a time until new elections are called. Colonel Wright has since passed on but remained very active in Maroon Politics until the end. Many Maroons live to be over 100 years old due to their healthy diet, genes and active lifestyle. The Colonel began our visit with a history lesson. I listened intently with a sense of awe and reverence. I was amazed at his extensive knowledge of history, geography and world affairs.
We chatted for about an hour when Colonel Wright opened the Official Visitors Log and invited me to sign for permission to enter Accompong and the surrounding cockpit Country. He then requested my Passport where he entered the embossed imprint of the Official Seal of the Accompong Maroons and affixed his signature. While he was stamping my Passport, I turned back the twenty or so pages in the log showing names and comments of the 200 (or so) visitors who preceded me into this magical place since the early 1950's. There were names of returning Maroons who came from "A foreign", dignitaries from various nations around the world and a few Jamaican Citizens who visited out of curiosity. Most of the dates entered where around January 6th during the yearly Maroon Celebration.
Attachment 37287
Colonel Wright and the ladies rose to signify the end of my official greeting and Colonel Wright shook my hand vigorously while telling the youth who brought me there that I was free to stay in Accompong as long as I desired and to assist me in anyway I asked. I bowed slightly, showing my respect, and officially entered the village. That young man is my best friend today! During that visit, I was invited to "N'Yam" (eat) with a family, go to Christian Church, hike to the Peace Cave (where the Peace Treaty ending the Maroon Wars was signed)
Attachment 37288
and to stay overnight in the community. I have since made the move and live in the village for much of the year! On Monday morning I started my short walk to the transport area for my trip back to Maggotty and, eventually, home. From all over the community came shouts of "Goodbye!", "God Bless!" and "JAH be with you!" and warm smiles and waves from my new found friends. The three-hour train trip to Montego Bay and then on to my flight, gave me ample time to reflect on this experience. How wonderful these strangers had treated me expecting only "Respect" in return! Whenever I feel down or overwhelmed by my day to day life, I close my eyes and remember...........ACCOMPONG!
OK. Accompong gets my vote for best trip report ever! Awesome. I really enjoyed reading that!
Thanks for that recap of your first visit....I could feel the pride and joy you have for Accompong Town! Sounds like a very healing place for you....
Awesome is the only word I can think of - thanks for "re sharing" that with us :)
wonderful story..i stay on the north .side of the cockpits near bunkers hill/deeside..I know theres one road that goes over to the s.side of the mts... Accompong how long you think it would take to drive myside to your area? (when the roads are decent-not rained out)
What a wonderful experience!
What a nice report! I'm glad this thread was brought back up to the top, as I hadn't read it previously. :)