Denever Forbes (left), 45, and Daniel McLennon, 23, stand in front of the Pelican Bar, which they constructed. It is only accessible by boat and is the hotspot for tourists and locals in Parottee, near Black River in St. Elizabeth.

From north to south and east to west there is so much to be discovered on this idyllic rock we call home, Jamaica. Today we highlight two attractions on opposite ends of the island that make Jamaica what it is; the perfect blend of sand, sea, sun, fun,...

Noel Thompson, Freelance Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

Rocks and shoes off, trousers rolled up; now hop into the boat. You are about to sail one mile out to sea.

Destination? Floyd's Pelican Bar and Restaurant.

It is a sunny day in Parottee, St. Elizabeth, a community where the potential for tourism growth is fast becoming a reality.

To get there it costs US$10 (J$683) per person for a boat ride from Basil Bennett, who operates Basil's Bar and Restaurant, and is the self-acclaimed gateway to The Pelican.

From a distance, the Pelican looks inviting. As theboat gets closer the revelation becomes clearer. The Pelican Bar and Restaurant is a rustic but unique structure, made from sticks (wattles), undressed slabs, and pieces of wood which firmly line the staircase and flooring. At the far end stretches a wooden sundeck decorated with flowerpots.

Daniel McLennon is 23. He is one of the owners who constructed the water-based Pelican Bar. He is lying on the deck in the middle of a sunbath. Denever Forbes, 45, is the main proprietor. He welcomes visitors aboard.

"I was sleeping one night when I got the vision to erect the structure in the water. In 2001, I put up the structure. Business was going good until Hurricane Ivan destroyed it, but a smaller structure I had built was spared," says Forbes.

"I am a fisherman and never built anything before," he explained.

Forbes says he initially built the structure to use as a 'chill-out area', but the operators of Jakes Hotel in Treasure Beach saw its potential, and placed it on their website, as part of their tour package.

"Guests started coming to visit from all over the world and business just started from there," he added.

The Pelican Bar has no electricity, but business commences at 9:30 a.m. and continues till the last customer leaves. Lanterns provide light at nights and when the moon shines brightly, there is a full-moon party. Pelican Bar can accommodate up to 60 persons at a time. The menu consists mainly of seafood but other meals can be done to order.