Weekend Escape: Reach in Portland: An experience awaiting everyone

A bonfire at dusk and games reminiscent of old church socials in the thick Montane Forest of Reach, Portland, underscore that to have fun in Jamaica, one doesn’t always need a party or stage show. Much awaits visitors, local and overseas, in communities across the country, Reach being no exception.

The community, famous for its cool, inviting river with its blue holes and gushing falls, became the site for an adventure organised by three sisters from Westmoreland under the banner of their small tour operation, Taylor Trio Tours, recently.

On arrival, the group of adventurers from Kingston were fed freshly baked toto, a coconut cake whose history perhaps dates back to slavery, with chilled coconut water drunk from the husk to authenticate the experience and set the tone for the journey ahead through the rocky but inviting green-blue waters of the Reach River bed.

Carefully dancing around rocks and cavities carved by the rapid waters, patrons trekked up to the foot of the falls, where they frolicked and a swam in the cool waters, while others simply relaxed on the rocks, watching and listening to the gushing falls thunder down the rocks into the natural blue pools below.

A shout from the hillside forming the banks of the river signalled the end of the river tour and an invitation to partake in more home-cooked delights. Fried fish, rice and peas, and jerked chicken, served with stewed vegetables, filled the hungry stomachs of the more than 40 adventurers from Kingston, topped with more toto and coconut water, as well as home-made fruit drinks to complete a hearty meal. And conversations with residents, even those obviously politicking for their candidates for the just-concluded by-election in East Portland, was enough to entertain.

Later, the bonfire under the stars, with a pot of boiling chicken soup, completed the experience as the adventurers played games and roasted treats over the open flames.

This is Reach in Portland, Jamaica – an experience awaiting everyone.