Phil Parent

The Scene: Montego Bay and Dr Michael Manley

Montego Bay was abuzz, Dr Michael Manley, Jamaica’s high-profile, high-flying Prime Minister, would be addressing the adoring masses at the football stadium at 11am. The entire town was stoked.

Blue Mountain Ganja – Port Antonio, Jamaica

In Port Antonio, everybody had a cousin who grew world-class ganja in the bush. Ganja was virtually free. Everyone had a stash. The herb from the Blue Mountains, grown in the same climate and elevation that produces the legendary coffee, had the reputation of being the best.

Panama Red, Sal Si Puedes, Panama City

Buying weed in the back alleys of Panama City is not for the faint hearted. But the fabled Panama Red, one of the first ‘name brands’ of dope, beckoned. So the first thing you do in Panama City is look to score.

The Scene: West End, Roatan, Honduras

Dazzling white beaches, colorful reefs, cool people, rainforest backdrop. West End was the tropical paradise I was looking for.

Bush Weed – West End, Roatan

All my new-found friends around West End had copious amounts of dope and kept me well supplied with big fat reefers, didn’t even want any money. Where did they get it? “Mon, I grow it” said Michael. “We all do. I’ll take you tomorrow to see.”

Spears across the border

It was too good a deal to pass up. I had met two American gringos, clean-cut types actually, at the zocolo and they had a problem. They were due to leave San Cristobal de las Casas in the morning and said they had a quarter pound of marijuana they didn’t get a chance to smoke. Could I help them out?

Oaxacan Spears – San Cristobal Las Casas, Chiapas

I had to ride up into to the highlands of Chiapas to track down the fabled Oaxacan Spears. The spears are entire flower tops, or collas, maybe 8 – 10 inches long and as thick as a sausage. Kind of like giant Thai sticks. The color can vary between green (fresher) through light brown (cured). Each spear would weigh in at around 10 – 20 grams. These were the real deal.

Magic Mushrooms – Palenque, Chiapas

Magic Mushrooms (Psilocybe cubensis) thrive in the lush pastures around Palenque. Creole cattle graze the rich grasses and transform the fodder into nutrient-rich soft, squishy manure. Every morning, especially after a rain, a fresh crop of Magic Mushrooms blooms out of the shit.

The Scene: Palenque

A bit more cerebral than Tulum, Palenque sits in an upland basin at the edge of the primeval Lacondon rainforest with the Usumacinta valley far below. Cooler and wetter than the coast, the village of Palenque was an emerging destination with just enough basic bar/comedors and lodgings to cater to the tastes of adventurous travellers.

The Scene: Tulum

Crystal clear diving. Dazzling white sand beaches. Tanned and toned travellers from around the world. Hip bar/comidas facing the surf. The perfect first stop on the gringo trail. What took me so long to get here?