Rose Hall, Jamaica

Reigning as the most impressive Great House in Jamaica, Rose Hall rises up from the hills just east of Montego Bay. The mammoth limestone house was once home of the owners of the plantation. The house had fallen into disrepair but was restored by a wealthy American. Though most of the original furnishing had either been lost or taken to new homes so the house was fitted with replicas and other antiques. They are no less lovely and pay tribute to the house's past grandeur.

The house is surrounded by gardens that have degraded somewhat with the passing years but still are worth a few photos. The view out to the blue Caribbean is superb. In the basement in a pleasantly dark and cool pub. Its a great place to sit and sip on an icy drink after a hot day outside.

The sordid story that goes along with Rose Hall is touted as fact by the locals and even the tour guides but is really just a myth. The story goes as such: A young Irish woman named Annie was taught voodoo as a child by a Haitian priestess. She goes on to marry the owner of Rose Hall, John Palmer. He dies mysteriously three years later. The sex-crazed murderess kills two more husbands before the third escapes. She then kills several slave lovers before she is strangled in her bed during a slave uprising. Her restless spirit is supposed to haunt the house now.

Whatever the tale, Rose Hall is a beauty. Please take note, the hands of admirers have ruined the imported silk tapestries and dulled the woodwork. Please keep your hands to yourself for the sake of preservation.