Travel expands the mind and fills the gap. – Sheda Savage
Storytime courtesy of Simone Kist. If I had any intention at all to stop exploring, she wouldn't let me. I love you to the moon and back Simone. You understand my love for exploring hidden gems and I hope one day we can explore the jungles of Jamaica together.
Simone sent me a YouTube video of Swift River. The men found a beautiful waterfall. I immediately fell in love.
My final stop in Hope Bay from Half Way Tree
Mind you, I’ve never been to Swift River and after seeing this clip, I had to visit. The video didn't provide any information apart from the parish and the name of the river in which the waterfall was found.
My first trip to Swift River was on a Sunday and that was the worst day to travel for me since I travel via public transportation. Sunday in Jamaica is typically for family time hence transportation is limited.
Where I got the Taxi to Chelsea in Swift River
She was concerned about why I'm traveling alone. I told her it's what made me happy, persons found it risky; hence they are not willing to accompany me on my trips and my style of traveling is not the most popular choice.
Journey to Swift River
Upon reaching Hope Bay, it took forever to get a Swift River taxi. My new friend waited with me for just about an hour and I was so grateful, I wanted to kiss her on her cheeks.
I told the taxi driver I wanted a stop at Swift River not knowing Swift River had many districts. I told him I wanted a stop where Bawda Cat did a Youtube video.
He said that the community is called Chelsea. Upon reaching Chelsea, it was minutes to noon therefore hiking to the waterfall was not an option.
We stopped at the exact location where the YouTube video was done and waited for a few men. The driver called one of them asking about waterfalls in the area and the man replied saying he knew a few. I felt shivers when he said a few because I was only expecting one. I took his number immediately.
A few months later, I decided to return to Swift River. It was the wrong timing because there was a lot of rainfall and I didn't know that Swift River was a powerful river.
When I got to Chelsea, the tour guide said that it was impossible to do a tour because of the heavy rainfall being experienced in the community.
My second trip to Swift River
I told him let's just take a few pictures at the bridge. I asked him about the waterfalls and the cost to do the tour. I didn't tell him when I was returning which was in a few months.
I made a trip to Hope bay. It was to visit call Fruitful Vale . I saw this community to I paused my search for the waterfalls in Swift River.
I finally decided to make the trip to Swift River to search for love at first sight.
Views from the bridge on om second trip visit to Swift River
I packed all the necessities that included, including shoes (I walk in the water when crossing the river) clothes, just in case the rain fell, mosquito repellent, my hat, a first aid kit, and my bottled water. I would pack my swimwear but I wore it under my clothes because of the lack of restrooms in these areas. I don't drive so the option of changing into my swimwear was not an option.
I took an Annotto Bay Taxi in Half Way Tree. The taxi was parked on the Burger King property that was adjacent to the transport center.
We passed this property before heading into the bush
I took a Portland bus in Half Way Tree to Hope Bay. The Portland buses are parked along the transport center adjacent the Burger King.
When I got to Hope Bay, I took a taxi to the district called Chelsea in the Swift River community.
This was the perfect hike
I was trying to call the guy that I met on the first two trips to Swift River My calls were going to voicemail.
Hence, I had to find another tour guide. I saw three elderly men and I asked them about the waterfall. They were not familiar with it based on the limited amount of information I was supplying them.
Into the thick of it
One of the men looked at the video I had and said he knew the waterfall. He called a young guy that was nearby and I asked if he was available to do the tour. He said his big toe was injured but I insisted. Well more like begged him for his assistance in finding this waterfall I had been waiting months to visit.
He accepted my plea and off we went to discover what lies beyond Swift River.
Shane picking apples before my epic faint
During the hike, we introduced ourselves. My amazing, caring, and considerate tour guide's name is Shane and you can contact him at (876) 895-8302. You can find him on Instagram @sterlworl_klam
I was walking so fast, Shane thought I was a professional hiker but I was eager to meet the unknown.
My Holland Bamboo Monment
I saw a fruit thinking it was guava and to my surprise, Shane told me it was Rose Apple. It was my first time eating a rose apple and I must say it tasted like sugar. We continued on our journey and I saw a Jamaican apple tree. Shane picked a few and I devoured some of them myself. A few minutes later, we came upon a path that looked like Holland Bamboo Avenue in the Parish of St. Elizabeth.
The path was naturally decorated with small beautiful red flowers. This was a photo-shoot moment for me; I started to give Shane lessons on photography to make sure the shots come out perfect.
I showed him how the burst shot featured on my note 8 and he knew what to do immediately. After taking a few steps to get ready for my shoot I got dizzy and fell to the ground.
Shane got scared, shaking me and asking if I was okay. My chest got most of the damage. Luckily I was wearing my raw cut citrine crystal necklace when I fell on my chest.
The trek was serious at time so please be prepared.
I felt the pressure of the stone on my chest and I instantly turned over. If it wasn't for my crystal, my face would be damaged. I was so excited to finally explore upstream Swift River; I wasn't paying attention to my body.
Shane got a burst shot of me falling. His hands went into picture-taking mode as soon as I started walking. He didn’t even realize that his fingers pierced the phone because he was shocked to me faint.
This hike is no joke but I loved every moment of it.
After a few minutes of resting, Shane wanted to discontinue the trip but I refused. I told him I was okay. I told him the moment I'm not feeling well I will let him know. He wasn’t convinced but he continues the trip paying keen attention to me.
We continued to hike when I started to have diarrhea symptoms. My stomach was moving in all directions. We stopped at the Scenic stop where I rested.
The breeze said high and kissed me all over my body. It was so romantic; I couldn't stop blushing while in pain. Luckily the pain went away after 15 minutes.
Shane being concerned asked repeatedly if I was okay and my answer was always yes.
A moment of incline and decline
This was where I started feeling sick
I decided to rest at the feelings got worst
waiting for my bad feeling dissappear.
The view was amazing. I had a romantic moment a this spot.
please do not attempt to do this hike alone.
Views from the mountain. Shane said there is a Blue Hole where the arrow is pointing.
Another sexy view. i must say I saw many.
Another beautiful moment in the hills of Portland
Arriving at Big River Waterfall
We continued the hike while we talked about why I fainted. I was convinced a ghost pushed me since I had never fainted before on a trip. I've always done my research, pay my tour guide, am respectful, full and vibes and fun when I decide to visit a community I am not a part of. If I don't feel welcome, I just go home.
Persistent is key. I never stopped until I found this gem. My third visit to Swift River.
I did my research on Rose Apple so I started to assume my blood pressure was low after eating the fruit and I only had fruits to eat before the hike.
look for all the spots to take the best photos.
I felt alive during this waterfall trek. Lots of kilometers, crossing rivers, incline and decline on many occasions. It reminded me how much fun it was to explore waterfalls. Feeling the burn in my legs from hiking and I was rewarded with two of the most beautiful waterfalls in Portland.
One of my favorite picture. Well, to be honest most of them are.
I was expecting one but Shane said there was another waterfall on the right. I wasn't interested because I was caught up in the beauty of Big Spring Waterfall.
All the pain from hiking went away; we were in the middle of nowhere experiencing the mystical powers Big Spring Waterfall possessed.
I see why it's called Swift River. We were to a point where two rivers collided with Swift River. A beautiful moment it was indeed.
I see why it's called Swift River. We were to a point where two rivers collided with Swift River. A beautiful moment it was indeed.
I rushed to capture every moment because nature can change her behavior at any moment. I took lots of photos; Shane was the perfect tour guide. He was patient every step of the way.
Continue scroll to see the awesomeness of swift River
Would you hike to Swift River to visit Big Spring waterfall? Let me know in the comments below!
Click here to the journey to Warisha Awterfall
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Whatta Gwaan!
You've discovered my blog. I'm delighted you're here. Maybe it's destiny. I'm Doreen Lillian Scarlett welcome to Nature's Sweet Escapes where I go on the far side of Instagram to document and share my adventures.