Little Bay is a fishing village about half-way between Negril & Sav. Crossing the island is the usual route to/from MoBay. As of Feb/05, the roads were still eaten up, and the trip takes a bit longer ... but it's a wonderful way to decompress.
Last year, one of the largest (Coconuts Cottages-by-the-Sea/10 cottages) hospitality employers closed, leaving 12 or so people without steady jobs, and suppliers lost a reliable customer. Several small craft shops closed. Then came Ivan ... and many jobs in the construction industry followed.
The bay itself is beautiful; clear, calm water protected by a reef. Snorkelers like the reef, as do people who saw 'Jaws' too many times. Fishing boats are pulled on to shore. All are wood, and many,
but not all, have small trolling motors. Those that don't, have oars ... or
one paddle. For night fishing, a lantern is hung on a pole. Blows me away. Fish pots are used by those that can afford the materials to build them. Ivan mashed most of them, so they're starting over. The fish (and lobster) haven't recovered from Ivan, and what is caught isn't of usual size.
Houses have cisterns, water is trucked in and is solar heated.
It's a rugged topography with rocky hills, sink holes, and at least one large domed cave where Full Moon parties happen. The bats
leave well before the revelers arrive. Soil, such as it is, is thin but supports an amazing variety of plants that are thriving --- ackee, agaves, bromeliads, aloe, palms, and who knows what else. For planting yards and making beds, black soil is trucked in. Hibiscus, bougainvillea, pothos, crotons, etc., had been replanted. RichieB (next door neighbor and groundskeeper) is a plant wholesaler and has a real love for growing things. Riding his (125cc) bike to New London, we stopped to deliver an order to a 'garden store' --- basically, a block home with open/shaded patio areas. She had an
amazing gravity fed water collection/storage/distribution system! One time I wish I had my camera.
More later ... keep tuning in!