This is a follow-up to my first Port Royal post about GIDDY HOUSE at Fort Charles. This post highlights the rest of my tour around Port Royal, a town that totally intrigued me even though I was only there a couple hours and you can walk around the whole place in no time. I want to go back!
As the sign says, Port Royal used to be known as “The Wickedest City on Earth” because this is where the pirates landed in Jamaica and pillaged the place! Not that I want to be raped and pillaged but I so wish I could be alive in those days just to see what actually went down here.
Port Royal was founded in the year 1518 and was the center of shipping in the Caribbean sea. Only Boston, Massachusetts, rivaled Port Royal in size and importance. Unfortunately it was destroyed by an earthquake in 1692 and subsequent fires, hurricanes, flooding, epidemics and another earthquake in 1907. They say 66% of the city of Port Royal lies under the sea now and that 2000 people went down with it.
I’m absolutely fascinated by the stories of Port Royal. I love pirate stories – REAL pirate stories! And walking around the place on a stormy, ominous day like we did just added spice to the whole adventure. The guided tour around the ruins and old armories only costs $200 JMD, that’s rougly $3.00 USD. It’s loaded with historical information cool facts you wouldn’t know if you didn’t go with the guide. We were so intrigued that when the storm blew in and the downpour started, we didn’t even run for cover. There was just too much to see and hear.
It’s funny how interested I am in Jamaica’s history. Tonight at my dinner table I was discussing that I couldn’t even tell you what year Canada (where I’m from) became independent but I know Jamaica’s independence and all this other historical information. It just seems so much more interesting and fascinating to me.
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Comments
8 responses to “Port Royal Tour”
hey JC,it is definately trippy when you think of the days of pirates there in port royal,the same island now and then!would be mind blowing to see what went on there then,looking forward to your next post,keep up the good work!
Thanks Shane! You’re becoming one of my greatest fans!
Yah I’d really love to have experienced the pirate days even for one day just to see what a gwaan.
IRIE,have a good night,one love
where do you find these random tour guides?? Its like you got people all over every nook and cranny of the island!
Well this tour guide actually works there. The place was kinda slow that day and apparently we only got about half the tour for some reason, he said the full tour was unavailable.
Lovely photos!!! I really need to get there!!! The closest I’ve been is the ‘Little Port Royal’ lol Dolphins Cove knock off version … I know, I know …… it’s on y to do list!!
The nice Port Royal/ Red Stripe sign has sadly been painted over with a solid red. 🙁
OMG are you serious Tasha? WHY!!!! I hate how they change landmarks….like the Red Stripe sign on the hill in Mobay. God only knows why they took down that well known landmark and replaced it with a Keycard sign.