“Magic doesn’t require beauty,’ she said. ‘Easy magic is pretty. Great magic asks you trouble the waters. It requires a disruption, something new.” — Leigh Bardugo
After a refreshing trip to the community of Norwich, I spent the rest of my Friday at one of my favorite places in Portland—Frenchman’s Cove. This place feels like home to me. It has a special energy that always leaves me recharged and inspired.
I’d hoped to cook a beautiful meal there, but unfortunately, outside food isn’t allowed. I had been carrying around some mushrooms for two days, planning to roast them. At this point, I’m sure they were spoiled!
When I arrived in Port Antonio, I took a taxi to Frenchman’s Cove.
The driver almost missed my stop, but luckily, I was paying attention.
As I passed through the gates, a voice inside me said, “Welcome home.” That’s the exact feeling I get whenever I step into Frenchman’s Cove.
I paid the entrance fee—JMD2,000.00—and took a moment to capture a few photos behind the security booth.
As I walked onto the property, I felt an overwhelming urge to connect with the environment.
I’m in my tree-hugging era, and the coconut tree closest to me was the first to feel my love.
I hugged it as if it were an old friend, grateful to be back in a place that brings me such peace.
Continuing along, I stumbled upon a plaque that shared the history of Frenchman’s Cove.
The place felt like another dimension.
The more I explored, the more I felt transported to a different world, away from everything.
I even took a few pictures with my camping bag, which had some people thinking I was a tourist until I spoke patois.
The entrance to the beach felt like a portal to another planet.
Honestly, I could go on forever about how much I love Frenchman’s Cove.
I rented a chair to keep my bag out of the sand and immediately got to work, taking pictures and videos.
There weren’t many people on the beach, which I appreciated since I prefer solitude when I visit.
If you’re like me and avoid crowds, weekdays are the perfect time to experience Frenchman’s Cove—or any spot in Portland.
I took photos by the beach, on the swing, and even in the trees.
Then, disaster struck—my phone fell into the water, along with my Bluetooth remote!
That remote is how I take most of my pictures, so it really threw me off.
My phone stopped charging, and the remote stopped working.
It felt like the universe was telling me to take a break, so I did.
With my phone battery down to 20%, I recorded the final clip of my vlog and decided to wrap up my content for the day.
A little group arrived soon after, making quite a bit of noise, so I relocated to a quieter spot with an amazing ocean view. But before that, I took a dip in the river.
The water was so refreshing, I never wanted to leave.
I wish those noisy folks were more peaceful, but hey, it’s all part of the experience.
After my swim, I tried to charge my phone again, and thankfully, it started working.
But by then, I was too tired to take any more photos or videos, so I called my sister and shared the view with her.
Even though she was miles away at work, I felt the need to share the moment with her.
With time running out, I had to get back to Port Antonio to catch the coaster bus heading to Kingston.
If I missed that, it would be a series of mini-bus and taxi rides to make my way back.
If I missed it, my alternative was a complicated journey—taking a mini-bus to Buff Bay, then a taxi to Annotto Bay, and another taxi to Kingston
So I spent a few more minutes soaking in the beauty of the place before calling it a day.
Before I left, I had a brief chat with a guy who wanted to join me on a hiking trip.
We talked waterfalls—my favorite topic—before I said goodbye and headed out.
I made it to Port Antonio in time and caught my bus back to Kingston, saving myself time and hassle.
But I already know—I’ll be back at Frenchman’s Cove soon.
Next time, I’ll stay over in Portland so I can be the first one on the beach in the morning.
I can’t wait for that peaceful experience.
Have you been to Frenchman’s Cove? Do you love this place as much as I do? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below, and stay tuned for the next adventure!
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Whatta Gwaan!
You've discovered my blog. I'm delighted you're here. Maybe it's destiny. I'm Doreen Lillian Scarlett welcome to Nature's Sweet Escapes where I go on the far side of Instagram to document and share my adventures.