The gushing water of Mayfield Falls is heavenly.
Denise Clarke, Staff Reporter
WESTERN BUREAU:
WHEN THE office trip planned for Boxing Day fell through, I was left with nothing to do for a whole day. Frantically, I scanned through the attractions section of the phone book, and my finger landed on Mayfield Falls in the hills of Hanover, or Westmoreland, depending on where you are coming from.
On Boxing Day I left the family home at Petersfield in Westmoreland, accompanied by my sister, brother and sister-in-law, and my baby niece, Denique. Our chauffeur for the day was Charles, a family friend. I must admit that I wasn't expecting anything special I just didn't want to spend the holiday at home submerged in boredom.
Coming from Petersfield, we drove to Williamsfield, Westmoreland, and followed the straight road to Mayfield Falls. Now I must interrupt here to say that Mayfield Falls is operated by two different persons, believe it or not one on either side of the falls, with both offering tours. We visited the property operated by a Rastafarian known as 'House-a-Dread'.
The first thing you ought to know is that this trip is not for the faint-hearted. After descending what seemed like a hundred steps, we crossed a treacherous bamboo bridge suspended about 100 feet above the river. After crossing the makeshift bridge and trekking through whistling bamboo, the stone walkway opens up to a huge thatch bar perched on the edge of a lush green lawn. Here, you pay the entry fee of $150 per person, which entitles you to your personal thatch hut, furnished with bamboo benches and a wooden table of sorts, use of the changing rooms, a tour guide and a whole day of frolicking.
Our tour guide was Marty, a knowledgeable Rastafarian with a warm personality. He guided us to the changing rooms, and offered to keep our valuables in his waterproof bag, which he carried on the tour so we could see that they were safe.
Before we began our adventure, Marty informed us that we could order lunch from the restaurant on the property. We had a choice of fish, chicken or vegetables cooked any style, which would be waiting for us when we returned. Anxious to get wet, we declined Marty's offer, a decision we would later regret.
We descended a few steps into the waiting water. It was cool at first icy in fact for the first few minutes. Under the guidance of Marty, we swam and waded, climbed steep rocks and descended again into the gushing water. Displaying his exhaustive knowledge of the falls, Marty led us around danger spots, and through the several 'jacuzzis' where the water jetted with staggering force. One by one, Marty guided us towards the ideal spots in these so-called jacuzzis, where we could have our bodies massaged and rejuvenated by the powerful currents.
We went under the 'Kissing Rock' which has a large space underneath where, according to Marty, couples usually stop to kiss. The water rushes on the rocks overhead, leaving a dry space underneath big enough to accommodate several people. The flowing water also helps to block any rendezvous from public view. Hmmm!
The swim-through-cave is really a large rock on the river floor that has an opening right through the middle. Marty was quick to demonstrate his agility, as he disappeared into one end and appeared a few seconds later out the other. We swam and climbed some more until we came to the diving pool. Here, locals and tourists climbed out of the water onto the river banks, and took the 50-foot plunge into the pool below. Interestingly, this activity was taking place beside a small sign painted in bright green neon, which warned, 'Dive at your own risk'.
We decided to bypass the dive pool and walked onto the banks around it. We climbed a few steps and followed Marty on the grass trail to the last bit of cascading waterfall, near the head of the river.
Five minutes later, we descended into the water again and skipped carefully on the rocks to the waterfall. I was the first in, and as I approached the water thundering down the high rocks above, a voice in my head reminded me that I am aquatically-challenged. I can't swim!
However, I was not about to back down. I positioned myself carefully in the perfect spot where a thousand jets crashed directly onto me as they came off the rocks. I was caught up in a whirlwind of pure, liquid pleasure, as I zapped in the last bit of invigorating juice from the falls. It took some prodding to get me to leave the water that, and the look of hunger in my brother's eyes.
After we left the falls, the spirited Marty gave us an added treat with a brief nature tour, pointing out the 'Chin-Chin' tree, (I'm sure it has a proper name), which is a tall tree with small leaves and bright red flowers. As told by Marty, the tree never bears fruit and one having sex under that tree will not get pregnant. (Hmmm! Mental note to self.)
As we walked back to our hut, Marty stopped us under some bamboo shades. "I'm going to the shop for you," he said before running off into the bushes. He returned a minute later with a ginger plant, and 'soap bush'.
"This is soap," he said, holding up the small green leaves. "This is no Irish Spring or Dove." We watched in marvel as he wet the leaves and vigorously rubbed them to a rich lather in his hand. Reluctantly, we walked back to our hut and bade Marty goodbye. Our tour had lasted almost three hours.
HOW TO GET THERE
Mayfield Falls is located on the border of Hanover and Westmoreland. The falls flow out of the Hill property in Hanover. It can easily be reached from Hertford in Westmoreland.
From Savanna-La-Mar ask for directions to the Hertford main road. (Hertford is just below Petersfield.) Go through Hertford, Williamsfield and look for signs to the falls.
