So, this what I’m doing… planting coconuts in the jungle on the side of a mountain in Jamaica.
In December, I met Brandon, Simi, Jesse, Ryan, Emmanuel, Bunny and the other farmers, friends & neighbours of The Living Daylights JA permaculture organic tropical fruit farm, guesthouse, and mountain view dub bar. I thought it would be fun to come back and volunteer on the farm for a while to learn more about the land, food, culture, and tropical farming techniques. I was not wrong…
Day one had me sweating through my shirt just hiking to the worksite, followed by four hours of hacking and slashing my machete through thick vines and weeds to free up a patch of coconut and soursop trees. Then we chopped down a massive bamboo stand to give more light to the trees, before transplanting a few 10ft banana suckers. We drank coconut jellies fresh-knocked off the tree, and splashed off in the ravine before facing the final challenge, the homeward hike back down one mountain and up another.
Day two, we transplanted 10 decorative palms to landscape a garden path. Then I spent the afternoon clinging to the side of this 60° slope, digging holes in rich, volcanic earth and planting coconut suckers between the plantin.
In the evenings, we retreat to the dub bar for a digital revolution rewind combined with whatever fresh-squeezed fruit juice fell from the tree that day, and mingle with locals, guests and other visitors.
Sound like fun? It’s exhilarating. If you’re into this – DM for deets. ☝️❤️🇯🇲