Reich Falls in Portland -Ian AllenBy Petulia Clarke,
Freelance Writer
ONE hundred and fifty dollars.
That's all it takes to buy you an afternoon of heaven - or close to it.
It's one of the best earthly experiences you'll ever have. Orgasmic. Wet. Cool. Wet, then cool again. It's dark, sometimes dusky with a musky scent that drives you wild. It's the height of romance.
And after the experience, Frank Clarke is eager to fetch you whatever you desire to get your blood racing again.
He slices two hunks of harddough bread and offers it to the eager tourist and his lady who have just found nirvana in the cascading waters of the Reich Falls. Tired and totally sated, the Alabama couple takes the $50 meal of bread and Lucozade and heads back, to relax in one of the many jade coloured pools. After lunch, they'll take their lifeguard, Clarke's advice, and go beyond the waterfalls to the cave underneath where they can test Clarke's thesis that it's "one of the most erotic places in Portland."
Afterwards they relate the experience: "You should try it," Bob grins. "Pity you have to be working, we swam a quarter mile up to the beautiful pools, jumped the falls and had the most amatory massage under the cascading water. This is a great relief from the summer heat."
Clarke, the caretaker who conducts tours will tell you that he helped name this piece of paradise that was once referred to only as Drivers River. For 35 years he's been a part of the archaic paradise, "keeping it natural", building railings from bamboo, creating dirt steps, metal railings and several buildings including a bathroom on the property. He uses one of the shops to sell food slices of bread, Lucozade, Chubby soft drinks and bulla. If that doesn't tickle your fancy, just a few feet away, a group of women sell corn and soup, and there's a souvenir stall.
FAMOUS FOR THE LOVE SCENE IN THE TOM CRUISE MOVIE 'COCKTAILS'
In Reich Falls, one of Portland's best attractions, one can find solace and ultimate comfort in the cool, clear waters under the watchful gaze of the Blue Mountains. The falls are famous for their place in the love scene in the 1980 Tom Cruise movie 'Cocktails'.
The spot is exquisitely peaceful as it is surrounded by rain forest and a series of waterfalls that tumble over limestone rocks as they lead from one pool to another. There are three caves under the falls where lovers often go for 'quiet time'. One cave, the Mandingo Cave has a whirlpool.
A bit of caution is necessary though. The peaceful caves can be deceptive. Clarke says the waters run up to 25 feet deep and that he saves between 10 and 12 people from drowning daily. Sneakers aren't choice footwear. Most of the place is damp and dark and, in some cases, very slippery, something our photographer experienced when he tumbled and had to hang on to the rails for dear life.
There is no electricity and Clarke says, that although it adds to the general archaic nature of the place, they crave the commodity.
Surrounded by the quiet community of Reich, the journey begins as soon as you enter Portland. Greeted by the cool atmosphere and the cleanest smells you'll ever breathe, the attraction begins long before you've driven the length of the winding roads that lead to paradise.
It's perfect for a one-day excursion.
