We recently interviewed managers Shireen Aga and Barbara Walker about the unique property.
Q. How would you describe Hotel Mocking Bird Hill’s environmental approach? What is the hotel’s mission?
The hotel is situated in an area that is an ideal base for many activities. Experiences can range from birding, butterfly watching, hiking, biking down the Blue Mountains, visiting plantations and community projects. We can also arrange meetings with specialists in a particular field of interest, such as naturopathy, the Rastafarian religion or the role of women in Jamaican society. Many people are interested in socio-cultural aspects and we connect them with our neighbors and other members of the community. There is a Maroon community here in Moore Town, the holdout of the Maroons during their civil war with the British in their fight for independence. One can visit the Colonel (head of the community) there and learn about Maroon history and hear tales of Nanny, who led them triumphantly to victory against the British.
The management is involved in various community projects and has a partnership with a school. Guests interested in contributing, visiting and sharing their skills are welcomed. To this extent the hotel sends out information about the E.N.O.U.G.H. program that they have initiated (see following page for full details).
Q. What awaits adventure travelers at Hotel Mockingbird Hill and Port Antonio? What types of eco-tourism and eco-cultural experiences are available for your guests?
A. Jamaica is home to over 800 species of plants found nowhere else on earth and to 220 birds, of which 25 are endemic, the largest number of any Caribbean island. The guests can see approximately 40 different types of birds right on property, of which two are on the international endangered list and two on the rare list. See list of birds sighted at Hotel Mocking Bird Hill (page 191).
Also, the best preserved reefs with the most marine life in Jamaica are here. There are many opportunities for snorkeling and one diving station. This area is home to a diversity of sea life that makes learning to dive well worthwhile. One of the few areas in Jamaica where one can sight the endangered manatee is the bay at the bottom of the hill where the hotel is located, namely Turtle Crawl Bay.
Q. Can you tell us more about your role with the Portland Environment Protection Association?
A. One of the managers was a Director for two years. She conducted training for hotel staff about environmentally friendly operations. The other manager is now part of a committee/ delegation that is conducting dialogue with the Parish council to enforce improvements in many areas. The hotel is a member of the association and one of the managers was co-author of a handbook published by the hotel association on environmentally friendly practices in hotels. We are members of the Hotel Association’s Environmental Committee and participating in another committee that is being established to determine environmental standards for tourism in Jamaica.
It was the work of the managers in conjunction with the Ministry for Tourism and other related bodies that organized a major environmental seminar in Portland two years ago. As a result, a Green Committee for Jamaica was established.
Finally, the hotel was one of the first four hotels worldwide to be certified as a “Green Globe” hotel. USAID has funded a project to audit other properties and provide consultancy services to help prepare themselves for the certification process. The hotel was also recognized as the most environmentally friendly small hotel in the Caribbean by the CHA (Caribbean Hotel Association) as well as the most environmentally friendly business in Jamaica by the Trafalgar Development Bank.
Q. Describe the experience that awaits travelers who get off the beaten path and enjoy unique properties such as Hotel Mocking Bird Hill?
A. A vacation at Hotel Mocking Bird Hill is more than just a holiday relaxing at some beach and enjoying cocktails by the pool. By all means, these can be enjoyed here as well, but the options offered to combine volunteer vacation and adventure holiday is far more rewarding. Actually helping with some projects, performing community services, assisting directly, hands-on, is more rewarding than just signing a check to an environmental organization. Adventure vacations can make traveling a memorable experience, not only for the excitement of discovery against a tropical background, but for the positive emotional landscape as well. Guests leave with a new sense of vision. It is the intangibles gained – such as cultural appreciation and overall personal growth – that are unique.
In terms of the location, Hotel Mocking Bird Hill offers the best of both worlds. It sits up in the foothills overlooking the Blue Mountains, the Caribbean Sea and the harbor of Port Antonio and guests can enjoy the wonderful panoramic vistas and the cool breezes while having access to one of Jamaica’s most famous beaches, Frenchman’s Cove, which is just a five-minute drive down the hill. The hotel provides a free shuttle service.
Also, Barbara Walker, one of the managers, is an artist. An art gallery has been built on-site, where the guests can view the works of various local artists, including Barbara’s. In addition, they can take lessons under the guidance of Barbara Walker. It’s a wonderful experience to take a rough piece of stone or wood and see a new shape emerge. Charcoal and pastel drawing are the other media in which she can instruct new aspiring artists.
E.N.O.U.G.H.
“The objective of the E.N.O.U.G.H. program is to galvanize support for better quality education in Port Antonio’s schools. Poor education currently puts a large number of our community members at a disadvantage and makes it almost impossible for them to achieve a higher quality of life.
It is not our intention to take over the job of educating, but to support those who are trained to do so by providing books and learning material through the program. We want to cooperate with schools and facilitate experiences that will enhance and complement the basic framework of the curriculum by inviting classes to Gallery Carriacou. Barbara Walker has committed herself to introducing children to art.
In addition to financial contributions towards this goal, the donation of any books or other educational toys or learning materials, be they used or new, will be most appreciated. Please gather any items from your friends and family before you come to Jamaica on holiday and bring whatever you can.”
To assist the E.N.O.U.G.H. Program, send money or materials to Hotel Mocking Bird Hill, 876-993-7134 or 876-993-7267, fax 876-993-7133; mockbrd@cwjamaica.com, www.hotelmock- ingbirdhill.com.
