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Somerset Falls. Jewel of Portland
Tuesday, October 09, 2007
Somerset Falls. a beautiful, serene paradise. Just past Hope Bay on the A4 main road near Port Antonio, is a hidden, well-kept jewel that sits in the lush environs of the Portland rainforest, where the scenery is absolutely magnificent.
The first thing you notice as you enter the shaded riverside walkway of Somerset Falls is the wide array of exotic plants and animals that populate the surroundings. The welcoming staff and informative tour guides are more than happy to be at your service, whether you are there just to sit back and relax with the family on the upper decks, or to take in the fascinating tour of the grounds that climaxes with a boat ride to the hidden waterfalls, known as the Bridal Veil Falls.
The Riverside patio all decked out in the Jamaican Bandana colours for Heritage Week 2007.
There, you can take a dive into the cool waters of the rock pool below, maybe take a seat on the rocks beneath the falls, or just sit back in the boat and aim your camera at the breathtaking view as you can capture images of the hidden falls and the flora and fauna. The spacious swimming area, with its clear, light blue waters looked inviting to the dozens of patrons who were contemplating whether, to take the plunge.
Besides the tour, there are loads of things to do. The restaurant and bar area is ideal to sit and enjoy some good company while listening to the live mento band known as "Hurricane Mento". Choose anything from the menu and watch as it appears before your eyes in almost an instant. If that isn't satisfying enough, just take a stroll to the games area, in close proximity, to play a round of pool, table tennis, dominoes or pocket football, as the music reverberates off the walls.
Then you can opt to visit the coastline on horseback, just a few minutes away. There is also a gift shop if you refuse to leave empty-handed. Take your pick from a range of clothing: hoodies, tank-tops, trunks, flip-flops or fitted hats, and there's a table full of accessories. There are also rooms available should you feel compelled to stay a while longer.
The only fault we here at TEENage found with the place was the fact that there was nothing for pre-TEENs to do.
One of the many cascading falls that lead from the swimming area.
However, when we voiced our disappointment to Winston Cottrell, manager, and Andrew Azan, owner of Somerset Falls, we were shown the ongoing construction where they are presently building a play park for the children. It will be equipped with boat rides and a fish pond among other attractions. This construction is expected to be finished by the end of October. Also to be constructed is a natural juice bar, as well as a food centre where patrons can buy foods, such as roast yam, breadfruit, sweet potato, etc.
What also appealed to us was the patriotism that was displayed in anticipation of the upcoming Heroes Weekend. The dining area was decked out in the colours of the Jamaican flag, and the stylishly made bamboo tables were adorned with the Jamaican bandana.
When TEENage spoke to Cottrell and asked him about the reasons for the development of Somerset Falls, this is what he had to say, "We want to have a great spot where people can have fun after work and get some good jerk because Boston is so far away."
He went on to further state that Somerset Falls is a good place to be developed because Portland is free of harrassment and crime and so it appeals to the tourists.
The Rainforest Restaurant where 'Hurricane Mento' treats the diners to some old-fashioned mento music.
Cottrell says that his destiny is to make people happy and satisfied and he intends to do this by having festivities like a Miss Somerset Falls Competition and a Somerset Falls Seafood Festival. He also plans on entering the exquisite Observer Food Awards in the future.
The admission to Somerset Falls is a mere $500 per person for total access to the grounds for the entire day. Three square meals are provided on a daily basis at an additional cost.
Fret not, all groups of 20 or more persons are given a 20% discount, so each person will pay $400 and the same privileges apply.
So, for this Heroes Weekend holiday, make Somerset Falls one of your stops.
TEENage gives this holiday venue five stars.
Tuesday, October 09, 2007
Somerset Falls. a beautiful, serene paradise. Just past Hope Bay on the A4 main road near Port Antonio, is a hidden, well-kept jewel that sits in the lush environs of the Portland rainforest, where the scenery is absolutely magnificent.
The first thing you notice as you enter the shaded riverside walkway of Somerset Falls is the wide array of exotic plants and animals that populate the surroundings. The welcoming staff and informative tour guides are more than happy to be at your service, whether you are there just to sit back and relax with the family on the upper decks, or to take in the fascinating tour of the grounds that climaxes with a boat ride to the hidden waterfalls, known as the Bridal Veil Falls.
The Riverside patio all decked out in the Jamaican Bandana colours for Heritage Week 2007. There, you can take a dive into the cool waters of the rock pool below, maybe take a seat on the rocks beneath the falls, or just sit back in the boat and aim your camera at the breathtaking view as you can capture images of the hidden falls and the flora and fauna. The spacious swimming area, with its clear, light blue waters looked inviting to the dozens of patrons who were contemplating whether, to take the plunge.
Besides the tour, there are loads of things to do. The restaurant and bar area is ideal to sit and enjoy some good company while listening to the live mento band known as "Hurricane Mento". Choose anything from the menu and watch as it appears before your eyes in almost an instant. If that isn't satisfying enough, just take a stroll to the games area, in close proximity, to play a round of pool, table tennis, dominoes or pocket football, as the music reverberates off the walls.
Then you can opt to visit the coastline on horseback, just a few minutes away. There is also a gift shop if you refuse to leave empty-handed. Take your pick from a range of clothing: hoodies, tank-tops, trunks, flip-flops or fitted hats, and there's a table full of accessories. There are also rooms available should you feel compelled to stay a while longer.
The only fault we here at TEENage found with the place was the fact that there was nothing for pre-TEENs to do.
One of the many cascading falls that lead from the swimming area. However, when we voiced our disappointment to Winston Cottrell, manager, and Andrew Azan, owner of Somerset Falls, we were shown the ongoing construction where they are presently building a play park for the children. It will be equipped with boat rides and a fish pond among other attractions. This construction is expected to be finished by the end of October. Also to be constructed is a natural juice bar, as well as a food centre where patrons can buy foods, such as roast yam, breadfruit, sweet potato, etc.
What also appealed to us was the patriotism that was displayed in anticipation of the upcoming Heroes Weekend. The dining area was decked out in the colours of the Jamaican flag, and the stylishly made bamboo tables were adorned with the Jamaican bandana.
When TEENage spoke to Cottrell and asked him about the reasons for the development of Somerset Falls, this is what he had to say, "We want to have a great spot where people can have fun after work and get some good jerk because Boston is so far away."
He went on to further state that Somerset Falls is a good place to be developed because Portland is free of harrassment and crime and so it appeals to the tourists.
The Rainforest Restaurant where 'Hurricane Mento' treats the diners to some old-fashioned mento music. Cottrell says that his destiny is to make people happy and satisfied and he intends to do this by having festivities like a Miss Somerset Falls Competition and a Somerset Falls Seafood Festival. He also plans on entering the exquisite Observer Food Awards in the future.
The admission to Somerset Falls is a mere $500 per person for total access to the grounds for the entire day. Three square meals are provided on a daily basis at an additional cost.
Fret not, all groups of 20 or more persons are given a 20% discount, so each person will pay $400 and the same privileges apply.
So, for this Heroes Weekend holiday, make Somerset Falls one of your stops.
TEENage gives this holiday venue five stars.
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