“Actually, the best gift you could have given her was a lifetime of adventures.” –Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland

Toni-ann sent me a picture of a beautiful location in St. Ann known as Cranbrook Flower Forest. I became obsessed, dying for the weekend to arrive to venture off into the unknown.

Toni, I am counting down the days until we get the opportunity to explore these hidden gems together.

My visit to call Cranbrook Flower Forest made the third River Head I have visited. Dornoch in Trelawny being the first and Blue River in St. Elizabeth the second.

My dad is from St. Ann, hence it has a special place in my heart. I don’t visit often because it’s very touristy. So when I heard about Cranbrook, immediately I wanted to visit because is off the beaten path. I found another Nature’s Sweet Escapes.

I took a taxi to downtown Kingston costing JMD 100.00. My regular route to Ocho Rios in St.Ann would be to walk to Darling Street. This is where rural buses are located.

For this trip, I wanted to reach my destination extra earlier so I walked to Curry Nation Market where I took a May Pen coaster bus to Spanish Town Hospital. Across from the hospital is a gas station where buses and taxi going to St.Ann are parked.

I had to wait about fifteen minutes before the journey to Ocho Rio began. These buses will not leave until they are at their maximum capacity. The drive is two hours long. It will not be profitable to drive with a half-empty bus. I sat and watched as the passengers trickled in.

The minibus drove along the North-South High way through Moneague, Walkers Wood, Colegate, Breadnut Hill and Fern Gully which is form by soaring of ferns of various species, back on Breadnut Hill then Mill Ford Road for JMD 500.00.

I asked for at the bus stop before reaching the stoplight across from Turtle River Garden just before turning on Main Street. I charted a taxi going to Discovery Bay for JMD1,000.00. The walk to Cranbrook on the dirt road after turning of Llandovery road was not long. I will wait for the taxi or a bus going to Browns Town on my next visit.

We passed Mystic Mountains, Dunns River, St.Ann’s Bay, Priory and my final destination, Laughlands, Llandovery. I arrived on the property at 8:45 AM. I saw none of the workers so I started exploring until they arrive. Five minutes later I saw an elderly man who said he works on the property as a tour guide. He said the cashier was running late.

I told him I wanted a tour of the River Head and he was ready to start the tour which made me pretty happy. He said I can pay the entrance fee which was 1,250.00 when we return. He was willing to be my photographer for the day .

I had the proper hiking shoe, medication, mosquito repellent, rubbing alcohol, snacks, water shoe and extra clothing.

As we left the chairs, tables and lawn behind to venture on the River Head Adventure Trail, the sound of the hastening water followed us. I got a jungle vibe seeing giant cotton trees.

We stop at a few scenic spots along the river to take a few photos. I must say, it was challenging for him and myself. It was my first time having such difficulties teaching someone how to take photos but he got it right eventually.

When we got to the River Head, it was spectacular. From the colour and sound of the river sounded by lush vegetation, birds in the distance sing away and the fresh air made it heavenly. I fell in love for the umpteen time.

I river was flowing harf because a lot of rain had fallen. I had to proceed with caution. The river felt amazing as always. I had all that magic all to myself.

I had a great conversation with my tour guide about his three daughters, his ex-girlfriend, his full-time job as a morgue attendant and how he loved his part-time job as a tour guide.

The property was well-kept. The restrooms were clean, parking available and a huge lawn for picnics and other events. Continue scrolling for more epic photos.

Have you ever been to Cranbrook Flower Forest?

More Adventures

Follow me on Instagram @naturessweetescapes