Tweet
Mystic Mountain - An exciting new tourist attraction for Ocho Rios
published: Tuesday | February 12, 2008
Janet Silvera, Senior Gleaner [COLOR=orange! important][COLOR=orange! important]Writer[/COLOR][/COLOR]
This is part of the spectacular view of the Ocho Rios pier and coastline that [COLOR=orange! important][COLOR=orange! important]Mystic[/COLOR][/COLOR] Mountain offers. - Photos by Janet Silvera
WESTERN BUREAU
A semi-evergreen forest, boasting a canopy of trees, caressed by a small natural spring meandering through acres of unspoiled beauty, is the toast of Ocho Rios' newest attraction, 'Mystic Mountain'.
Located 700 feet above sea level, there is now a 'natural mystic blowing through the air', at this latest addition to the country's tourism product. The 360-degree view it offers of coastline, St. Mary's eastern shore, St. Ann's Bay in the west and the Murphy Hill mountain ridge, has given the [COLOR=orange! important][COLOR=orange! important]resort[/COLOR][/COLOR] town permission to claim the title, 'attraction capital of the Caribbean'.
Distinctly unique, the 100-acre attraction which will open in three months, will feature the rapture in rainforest adventure, heady bobsledding, eco-friendly aerial trams, rainforest Zip-line Canopy Tour, walking trails and sky explorers.
The experience
One of the rivers that go through the Mystic Mountain attraction, in Ocho Rios, forms part of the entrance to the property.
The attraction will sweep visitors through the lush seaside mountains of [COLOR=orange! important][COLOR=orange! important]Jamaica[/COLOR][/COLOR] with a variety of environmentally friendly soft adventure experiences for all ages, Michael Drakulich, co-founder, told The Gleaner.
"We have pinpointed something that is absolutely matchless and cannot be easily copied," said the Ocho Rios businessman, who is an [COLOR=orange! important][COLOR=orange! important]attorney[/COLOR][/COLOR] by profession.
He, along with former government minister Horace Clarke and the Rainforest Aerial Trams, is an equity partner who has pumped US$6.5 million ($460 million) into eco-friendly project that has transformed the landscape of the town that surpassed the tourism capital, Montego Bay, with more stopover visitors the first nine months of 2007.
They have received additional funding from the Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ) and Carnival Corporation, operators of Carnival Cruise Lines.
Environmentally friendly
On a recent visit to the attraction, which is still under construction, The Gleaner observed the care and precision being taken to ensure Mystic Mountain has minimum impact on the environment.
A Sikorsky helicopter (usually described as a workhorse) was seen flying 5,000-pound towers and pouring foundation into the pylons that will support the ski-lift. "This is to prevent the building of a road for heavy duty construction vehicles," stated Mr Drakulich.
"The pylons that will support the lift were specially designed to reduce the 'footprint' of the feature by half," he added, noting that sanitary conveniences will also have no adverse environmental impact, because of the composting toilets being built which will be paper, soap and chemical free.
Mystic Mountain boasts a population of 28,000 trees, 55 different species, with 33 of them endemic to Jamaica. This impressive flora is complemented by 33 species of birds, eight of which are on the endangered list.
Natural features
The natural spring that runs through the 100-acre Mystic Mountain attraction.
A number of captivating natural water features, including an infinity pool will lend added appeal to the attraction, but these are the things that will create the 'wow' factor at Mystic Mountain:
Bobsled Jamaica - A 10-minute 1,500-metre bobsled ride through the tropical terrain of Mystic Mountain at 45 kph (28 mph) downhill; the run will have a capacity of 45 one-person Jamaican-themed sleds.
Rainforest Sky Explorer - A 30-minute excursion on an open-air chairlift will take riders through 2.1 km (1.3 miles) of rainforest canopy. The 14-minute ride uphill from sea level to 700 feet will travel over the treetops and offload riders at the Bobsled Rail Station/Pavilion.
The return will take guests through and below the tropical forest canopy. Of note is the fact that installation will not harm a single tree - the aerial tram is being constructed utilising the helicopters to preserve the rainforest. And partners Rainforest Aerial Trams are the world wide pioneers of the concept.
Rainforest Zip-line Canopy Tour - this exhilarating adventure flies over the magnificent rainforest canopy and limestone cliffs. Consisting of 10 Zip-lines with nine platforms, it is constructed with a cable and a pulley system (the most secure system available).
Jamaican Railway Station and Mystic Pavillion - designed by acclaimed Jamaican heritage architect Ann Hodges, Mystic Mountain will feature a replica of an early 1900s Jamaican rail station. The station will serve as the boarding point for Bobsled Jamaica and the Rainforest Aerial Tram. With over 9,000 square feet of space, the station will include retail area for shopping and dining and a lookout tower.
The adjacent Mystic Pavilion will feature interactive displays, celebrating Jamaica's culture, maritime history, great moments in sport and the promotion of environmental awareness.
Mystic Mountain is situated in Ocho Rios, midway between the cruise ship terminal and Dunn's River Falls.
Stop watch Gamma and Mdmx go a casino.
Comment