Finding your way in the 'Wilderness' By Merrick Andrews, Staff Reporter THERE is nothing modern and posh about the Wilderness Resorts, nestled in the hills above Ocho Rios (near the borders of St. Ann and St. Mary). But the special thing about Wilderness, is its rustic simplicity - ranging from the various leisure equipment to the resort's environment. It's become an increasingly popular alternative to "modern" vacationing for hundreds of local and foreign visitors. JOURNEY TO 'WILDERNESS' At first, I thought Wilderness Resorts was a "Wild Resort". After travelling with the three-man news crew for winding miles without any sign of the resort, we began to feel nervous. The road surface got worse, the hills appeared to be getting higher for every mile we drove and signs of modern civilisation seemed to have totally disappeared. I then asked myself, "Who comes to this resort, and why did they put a tourist attraction so far in the hills?" Then we looked at each other and read the same expression on each face. "We are lost!!!" Shortly afterwards, a shirtless, middle-aged man with a machete, the first human being we saw after about five miles of driving, assured us that we were heading in the right direction. But to our dismay, he said we hadn't even covered half the journey! After 40 minutes of rough riding, we arrived at an old boarded shop, with two roads running on either side. The one to the right was made of marl, bumpy and muddy. The other was asphalted. Surely, it must be the one on the left. But to our disappointment, the men at the shop told us Wilderness Resorts was on the road to the right. Journeying on that bumpy marl road was horrific. But we kept up our spirit by imagining wonderful things about this Wilderness Resorts. The pastures we passed looked lush and green and birds chirped joyously. On reaching 'Wilderness', my fancy imaginations of a resort was dashed. It looked like a farm with several horses, large pastures, small bird coops and ponds. WILDERNESS Stashed away in the extreme countryside, Wilderness boasts a tranquil atmosphere. The only sounds you'll hear are the over 78 species of birds that roam the surroundings - and your own voice. The resort occupies more than 75 acres of the 477 acres of land, owned by the Lanigans. Eight years ago, Wilderness Resorts used to be a commercial fishing farm, until it branched off into sport fishing, said Alex Lanigan. According to his wife, Fay Lanigan, the idea of a resort was the brain child of friends and relatives who always stopped by the property to picnic and cook fish. "People came and liked the idea of catching their fish and having it cooked. It's just a place to come and cool out, relax, no interference," she said. Wilderness means an uncultivated and uninhabited area, and that definition is not in any way synonymous to the amenities of the Resort. But, Mrs. Lanigan said they named the resort, Wilderness, because of "where it is situated". Despite its simplicity, Wilderness boasts scores of worthy attractions. About 20 of the 37 ponds, well stocked with Tilapia fish, are in use. Guides will help you to bait your hook if you are squeamish about worms or if you're a novice. Fishing is done with the authentic bamboo pole; and baits and equipment are available at no extra cost. After fishing, your catch is cooked to your choice- fried, jerked, steamed, stuffed with vegetables and filtered, and served with festivals, bammy and salad. "Some children that come and don't eat fish, so they are served chicken. They also get bammy, festival, rice and peas, fries and fish soup," said Mrs. Lanigan. In addition to fishing, paddle boats and kayaks are available for rent. A special pond is also provided for boaters to glide around quietly or organise a race. HOW TO GET THERE From Prospect to Goshen is 10 miles: Going east over White River past Prospect proceed to the sign at Frankfort. Follow signs through Cascade, Labyrinth and Goshen. From Linstead to Goshen is 17 miles: On the Linstead Highway from Kingston, make a right turn at Rosehall onto the Devil's Race Course to Guy's Hill. Take left just after the Texaco station and go through Blackstoneedge, Whitehall, Halifax to Goshen.
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