I love travelling to less popular places and finding the most beautiful waterfalls.
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I couldn't wait to share my latest adventure with you all! As I started writing this on the coaster back to Kingston, my excitement was still palpable. For years, I've had my eye on a particular waterfall, and with a potential hurricane on the horizon, I knew I had to seize the moment before the weather made it impossible.
My friend Emelio and I have been on a quest to uncover Jamaica’s hidden waterfalls.But the true hidden gem on this journey was Joy/Jaw "Battyhole" Waterfall in Wheelersfield. While many know about the renowned Reggae Falls, we've discovered several other stunning spots, including Fish Dunn at Bath Fountain, White Rock in the White Rock community, Allen/Allan Spring in Fonthill, Copper Hole in Georgia District, Norris Spring in Yallahs, and Richmond in Richmond Vale.
There was one before all the ones mentioned, Joy/Jaw “Battyhole” Waterfall in Wheelersfield. My friend Simone sent an old video on YouTube to me saying I should visit this spot and include it in my book. I was aware of the waterfall, but I had so many places to visit that it was further down on my list.. Determined to include it in my first book, I finally decided to visit. The journey began with a taxi ride to Morant Bay,
When I reached Morant Bay, it was a few minutes past seven, so the streets were sparsely populated with vendors. I stopped at the market to buy green Scotch Bonnet Pepper for the meatless soup I planned to cook.
Afterward, I made my way to South Street, where I admired the old Anglican churches.
From there, I continued to Paul Square and then to the taxi park.
I only had to wait a few minutes before getting a Wheelers taxi to Golden Grove. When I arrived in Golden Grove, I asked the pump attendant at the gas station where I could find a place to buy phone credit, and she directed me to a nearby location. Unfortunately, that place was closed. I then walked towards where the taxis to Wheelerfield park awaiting passengers
While waiting by the banks of the Gully, I noticed a road leading to the Morant Bay Lighthouse.
The experience was unforgettable and a bit frightening as we encountered many Johncrows on the ground, which was a first for me to see up close. Despite the overcast weather, it didn't dampen my adventurous spirit.
I waited a few minutes before I got a taxi. I was happy and surprised because at this rate, I knew I would reach Wheelersfield by 9:00 AM. I told the driver I was going to Joy/Jaw "Battyhole" Waterfall and if he could assist with directions. He said no worries since there was a Rasta man in the taxi was willing to assist me to the watefalls.
I told the driver I just started my YouTube journey and wanted to create unique content. He replied that he used to be a YouTuber but found it hard to achieve the goals set for monetization. He said he would return to YouTube soon and started giving me lessons on editing, which I was grateful for. He showed me his content on YouTube, and it was amazing. Check out his YouTube channel, Kxng Drake. He has loads of content about St. Thomas.
I finally arrived at Wheelersfield, knowing beautiful waterfalls awaited me. The driver told me to speak to a man in the community who knows the history of each swimming pool and the waterfalls. I decided that after exploring, I would find him for an interview.
The driver left us at Tun Tun Corner, and we said our goodbyes. The Rastaman and I went on a small trek to waterfalls heaven. I arrived at 8:39 AM, which was amazing. This meant I had the waterfalls to myself since Jamaicans are not morning people.
We saw a man picking some large breadfruit. I started asking the Rastaman about the history behind Joy/Jaw “Battyhole” Waterfall. He didn’t know much but enough to let my readers know the story behind the waterfall’s name. I will update you later. Stay tuned.
I said goodbye to the Rastaman and continued my journey.
I saw two pigs enjoying their muddy home.
The trail to the waterfalls is very beautiful, with many trees with different shades of green and beautiful blue holes along the trail.
I walked for approximately ten minutes, enjoying the sight of the crystal-clear blue water.
I felt drawn to sit in every blue hole I came across and capture their beauty in photographs.
The first waterfall I arrived at was called Perner/Perna, according to another Rastaman I had a telephone conversation with.
It was at this waterfall that I decided to cook my dinner and lunch, which was meatless pumpkin soup.
Perner /Perna Waterfall was very beautiful, and I had it all to myself. I didn’t know how long I was going to be alone with Perner, so I hurriedly took many photos for my blog and videos for my TikTok, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube channel.
I played in the water for a short while, then I started cooking.
I took out my gas stove and put the water to boil.
I began cutting up the pumpkin. It has a beautiful dark orange color, the loveliest I've ever seen. I know the soup will look and taste delicious.
I stated cooking the pumpkin first because I wanted the pumpkin to dissolve in the water since that’s the only way I eat it.
Then I peeled and cut up my Yellow Yam, Sweet Potato, Chayote, Carrots, and Okra.
I then added them to my pot with the pumpkin that was completely dissolved.
The pumpkin water was very orange as expected.
I added Red Peas, Sweet Corn, Dumplings, Green Onions, Thyme, Green Scotch Bonnet Pepper, Sea salt, Bay Leaf, Basil, and Pimento Seeds.
While cooking, I was eating the guineps. I bought them to make a fruit bowl with a mango, but I couldn’t wait because I didn’t have breakfast and I was hungry.
When the soup was finished, I made my way to explore the rest of the waterfalls.
The second waterfall, and the most famous, was Joy/Jaw "Battyhole" Waterfall.
This was where the community kept all the river parties.
There was a party the day before.
I saw loads of liquor bottles and decorations.
I cleaned up what I could. I was stunned by its beauty, regardless of the debris left behind.
I wish they hadn’t given it the name it’s called because it sounds horrible and make no sense
When people document the location, they leave off the “Battyhole” part of the name, but I’m not afraid to say it even though some might find it disgusting.
At least you know the real name of the place you are visiting.
I took lots of photos and videos here. I ate my mango and guinep here.
Then I made my way to waterfall number three, which I decided to photograph when I returned, so I continued to waterfall number four, which was pretty awesome.
It had a huge pool below it. I took loads of photos on the waterfall and danced.
I didn’t make it to waterfall number five to photograph it because I was tired, but I know I’ll regret it when I get home.
Well, waterfall number five will have its own story when I return.
I returned to waterfall number three, as promised, and got some beautiful shots.
The third waterfall was truly impressive.
I'm glad I made the decision to capture its beauty.
I had to remind myself that I would return because the full beauty of this place can't be captured in just a few hours.
Please note that getting to waterfalls number three, four, and five is no easy task, especially if you can’t swim.
I had to climb the hills to get to these waterfalls, holding onto tree limbs, stones, and inserting my hands into the earth for support.
Some of the rocks and trees were not stable'.
Luckily I tested them first before putting my body weight on them.
My mind was on the soup, so I hurried to Perner Waterfall.
I saw another waterfall above Perner on the right, but after cooking, recording, and climbing to four waterfalls, I didn’t have the strength to capture this one. I definitely have to return to Wheelersfield.
I started eating, then I relaxed. I couldn’t believe I had just climbed a flight of stairs made of waterfalls. This was my first time climbing a stair of waterfalls, and it was incredible. St. Thomas keeps surprising me with its beauty. I started packing my bags, washing the pot, spoon, and calabash, which is a plate. I fed the fishes the leftover food. I decided to always give offerings to mother nature when I visit. This was instilled in me after my second visit to Woodside in St. Mary. Then I took a bath at Perner Waterfall.
The Rasta who directed me to the waterfalls said a lady lived near the waterfall called Joy, but people pronounced her name Jaw, and the pool at the bottom of the waterfall is very deep, hence the ‘Battyhole’ . He also stated that each pool has a name. There was a section of the river called Cheeta Gully.
Tun Tun Corner was named after a lady they called Tun Tun. I started my journey at Tun Tun Corner. This information was given via a telephone conversation with another Rasta man that I got from a taxi driver who took me to Wheelersfield on my first visit yeas ago.
According to the minibus driver who took me back to Golden Grove, two of the many blue holes are Turna and Tun Tun Hole. I laughed so hard when I heard these names. He didn’t know much about the waterfalls and had never been to Joy Waterfall despite living in Wheelersfield all his life. He said he only bath and enjoyed the blue holes closer to him.
I had asked another member of the community before the minibus came, and he had no idea of the history behind the waterfalls and many blue holes. I hope on my return to Wheelersfield, I will meet someone who knows about the history of this magical community. Years later, people will find my blog and read about this beautiful part of Jamaica, Wheelerfield, and fall head over heels in love like I did.
I recommend visiting Wheelersfield for these reasons:
The area is ridiculously gorgeous and enchanting; you may not want to leave once you have been hypnotized by its beauty.
The waterfalls aren't recognized as a tourist destination like Dunns River Waterfalls but feel like a tourist destination.
Everyone should visit because the area is rich in history and is magical.
They make amazing backdrops for photos; you will leave with thousands of photos of them like I did.
The hospitality and friendliness of the community members made the journey even more enjoyable
Would you visit Wheelersfield after reading this blog post? Have you ever been to Wheelersfield before? Do you have any additional history about the waterfalls, blue holes, or the community to share? Let me know in the comments below!
I hope you enjoyed this recount of my adventure. Stay tuned for more updates and stories from my explorations around Jamaica!
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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.