Frank Lohmann of both Shafston Tours and the Shafston Greathouse offers his guests and tour participants a look at the quiet sites of the South Coast. We recently interviewed Frank Lohmann about his tour company and the South Coast.
Q. How do your tours differ from other guided tours in Jamaica?
A. Our tours are not found on the agenda of any other tour company. We take guests to caves which are very beautiful, full of stalactites, but are generally unknown. We visit a house that Bob Marley lived in with his girlfriend Esther Anderson. We travel by boat to find deserted beaches where we have picnics. Or we go to see manatees in the swamps near Alligator Pond. The biggest difference is that we can make last-minute changes due to weather and tailor our tours to suit the preferences of our guests.
Q. What would you say to encourage travelers to get out and see more of Jamaica during their stay?
A. My guests go out a lot by themselves anyway. Bluefields is like Negril was 30 years ago, and crime is rare. If my guests want to go to tourist areas I give them the general advice to be very cautious if somebody talks to them. I try and encourage them to initiate conversation.
Q. Can you describe some of the eco-tourism and historic experiences on your tours that might appeal to adventure travelers?
A. By boat they can see dolphins, giant sea turtles, stingrays, barracudas and even sharks. The other day we saw a fish chasing and catching a sea snake. They can also pass the mangrove swamps, see pelicans diving for fish, watch man of war egrets and all the other seabirds. On land it is the crocodiles, and the beautiful landscapes of Jamaica with their individual character that appeals. Staying at our historic great house is an experience in itself. The setting gives an idea of how people lived in the old days. We have reopened the old kitchen with its historic fireplace, which we use for barbecues.
Q. What would you tell travelers awaits them by getting off the beaten path and enjoying historic properties such as Shafston Great House?
A. Well, visitors can experience the real Jamaica, they can enjoy nature, people and the historic atmosphere that they cannot enjoy in a all-inclusive lock-up. They get great value for money.
