DR. No Bauxite Mine Visit Jamaica
Gebruder Gumbold
San FranciscoPosts: 541MI6 Agent
Cheers All,
Just returned from a vacation in Jamaica, and no trip to the Caribbean would be complete without a visit to "Dr. No's Lair," or, more correctly, the Jamaica Bauxite Mining Limited site.
So, there we were, on the bus to Sandals Resort in Ocho Rios, and through the trees comes a vision of this wonderful, incongruous, eye sore that evokes such wonderful emotion to Bond collectors like us, that everyone on the bus, like it or not, got a full rundown of Bond lore and sites from yours truly!
So, we hire a taxi after ignoring the beckoning pools and beach, high tail it back to the gate of the mine, which, by the way, is run "like a concentration camp..."
With ever indulgent girlfriend in tow, two American tourists present themselves at the gate, and after a few minutes, the Manager, a Mr. George Williams emerges from his air conditioned office to welcome us, and even escorted us on a guided tour of the plant. He said that some other Bond fans had visited the site, but none dressed in a blue Sea Island shirt and pants, like myself.
When we shared that Amanda and I spend our holidays recreating Bond moments around the world he laughed a knowing laugh, shook his head, and proceeded to regail us with facts about the mine, which now only does sugar and limestone.
I must tell you all that there is something so special about actually visiting a Bond movie set. My heart was pounding, and I felt such a thrill, after watching these films for 40 years, and they are now a huge part of my life. I remember the same feeling driving through the gates of Stoke Poges, or walking up to the College of Arms, or finally finding the Lazenby Lampost!
Please reply and tell me what emotions you felt and what site you went to...
Great fun in sweltering Jamaica...will post again soon with pics from James Bond Beach.
Thanks to Dave Zaritsky, we visited the Dezer Collection in Florida, and the Foutainebleau Hotel.
Pics coming soon.
Enjoy.....
GG
First photo shows our guide, Mr Williams
Just returned from a vacation in Jamaica, and no trip to the Caribbean would be complete without a visit to "Dr. No's Lair," or, more correctly, the Jamaica Bauxite Mining Limited site.
So, there we were, on the bus to Sandals Resort in Ocho Rios, and through the trees comes a vision of this wonderful, incongruous, eye sore that evokes such wonderful emotion to Bond collectors like us, that everyone on the bus, like it or not, got a full rundown of Bond lore and sites from yours truly!
So, we hire a taxi after ignoring the beckoning pools and beach, high tail it back to the gate of the mine, which, by the way, is run "like a concentration camp..."
With ever indulgent girlfriend in tow, two American tourists present themselves at the gate, and after a few minutes, the Manager, a Mr. George Williams emerges from his air conditioned office to welcome us, and even escorted us on a guided tour of the plant. He said that some other Bond fans had visited the site, but none dressed in a blue Sea Island shirt and pants, like myself.
When we shared that Amanda and I spend our holidays recreating Bond moments around the world he laughed a knowing laugh, shook his head, and proceeded to regail us with facts about the mine, which now only does sugar and limestone.
I must tell you all that there is something so special about actually visiting a Bond movie set. My heart was pounding, and I felt such a thrill, after watching these films for 40 years, and they are now a huge part of my life. I remember the same feeling driving through the gates of Stoke Poges, or walking up to the College of Arms, or finally finding the Lazenby Lampost!
Please reply and tell me what emotions you felt and what site you went to...
Great fun in sweltering Jamaica...will post again soon with pics from James Bond Beach.
Thanks to Dave Zaritsky, we visited the Dezer Collection in Florida, and the Foutainebleau Hotel.
Pics coming soon.
Enjoy.....
GG
First photo shows our guide, Mr Williams
Comments
Awesome. I've been on site and it ranks up there with Largo's home for being "on set" in a villain's lair. If you cruise Ocho Rios, you dock adjacent to the site. I'm a travel agent if anyone wants guidance with visiting Bond sites worldwide, by the way.
Thanks.
Bond’s Beretta
The Handguns of Ian Fleming's James Bond
To 7289, it is so odd how, all of a sudden, you are right in front of some major monument in London...without even knowing it.
Last trip there, I wandered over to an ice cream stand, started talking to some Russian girls who worked at our hotel (ok, no jokes about buying them ice creams...), and stupidly asked what park we were in...(I was between Lock Hatters and Swain Addley Brigg), and right across the way was Buckingham and the Changing of the Guard....
To Always Shaken> sorry for that, my friend. Don't bus drivers know they MUST stop at Bond sites?
I once faked an illness so we had to stop right in front of an Aston Martin dealer on a bus trip when I was 15.... got photos though! Got in trouble with the tour guide later...
Bond...Weekend...Yrs, I would like to go back to the Bahamas and see Largo's house Palmyra. Saw it on the way to Atlantis, but then never got the chance to go back- hell, it is right off Bay Road...but we were late for the plane...
Will be in touch with you next vacation..
Cheers, GG
We could all write books on the subject!
So, the mine is down the road from Sandals in Ocho Rios.
Jamaica Bauxite Mining Ltd
Mr. George Williams, Port Manager
tel 974-2603
PO Box 33
Ocho Rios, Jamaica
jawilli2007@yahoo.com
Sorry, didnt get the addy of the actual mine, however, ALL drivers who we spoke to knwe where it was. Near the Zip Line and Bobsleigh park.
Bon Voyage,
Tom
ps look elsewhere for our Bond Beach photos...
Will post soon.
We have a running joke that she draws the line on putting on Elven ears if we visit New Zealand!
She even gave me a birthday gift of 3 hours of feigned interest at a hobby and train shop!
She is wonderful, and watches the films with me, and enthusiastically points out wardrobe and styles that she likes.
We even are planning an OHMSS wedding. She loves Tracy's dress! To find the material will be a huge challenge, may have to have it made.
At concours, when we show the DBS, she is an excellent presenter, and she even spoke to Jay Leno and presented the car to him, whilst I had stepped away (after over 3 hours on my feet answering questions and giving press tours of the car).
I am very lucky to have a such a lovely and enthusiastic girlfriend.
Now for the ring...
Oh, and the location...
Oh, yes, and to save some money....
Dragging her to LA to the Hollywood hat shop to have my custom made Trilby to OHMSS spec in Sept.
A chum of mine is getting married in the Japanese Garden there. I know, I know, I already suggested Barry's "The Wedding" from YOLT as music.
Hope is bride doesn't have a "face like a pig!"
Cheers, Tom
GG