So long as you have food in your mouth, you have solved all questions for the time being.
Preparedness is key when embarking on an adventure, especially when exploring hidden gems like Fern Fever Waterfall. Join me as I recount a journey filled with scenic wonders, unexpected challenges, and the joy of capturing it all in the perfect swimwear.
I’ve never been one to celebrate my birthday traditionally. Growing up, it wasn’t a big deal, and I justified it by saying I celebrate every day I wake up. My adventures are my celebrations. But Jess insisted I change my mentality and celebrate doing what I love most.
So, we packed our bags and headed to one of our favorite places in St. Andrew—Pretty Close. I’ve written a lot about this location, which shows how much I love being there. With its four waterfalls, this spot holds a special place in my heart, and there was still one I hadn’t seen. Despite our tour guide falling ill, we visited Fern Fever Waterfall instead.
Although the location wasn’t open for business, we had informed the owner, Ramo, of our visit. We told him we were hiking to Fern Fever Waterfall, which isn’t as popular as Orchid or Governor Waterfalls. Lion Waterfall is the least popular but the most unique. Seeing Pretty Close felt like the first time. It was beautiful.
Pretty Close felt as enchanting as ever, with the river running downstream and trees providing ample shade. We spent a few minutes at the entrance, capturing the beauty before starting our hike to Governor Waterfall. Along the way, we picked mint herbs for tea, and I lagged, taking photos and videos for the blog and vlog—content creation is fun but hard work.
We hiked through lush surroundings, hearing birds and passing coffee plants, herbs, and trees bearing ackee, breadfruit, bananas, and pineapples. Walking through the river and hiking to the waterfalls provided the perfect mix of exercise and relaxation.
Navigating through the river and climbing huge rocks, we faced the challenge of no clear path to Fern Fever Waterfall. I showed Jess how to use tree ropes and stones for balance, and we forced our way up above Governor Waterfall.
Jess made the climb look easy, but at 5’2”, it was a struggle for me on previous hikes alone.
Despite the spider webs along the path, we pressed on.
We continued through many spider webs.
Few people visit this waterfall, so spiders create homes along the path.
I took so many clips that Jess had to wait for me on some stones, anticipating my arrival. Check out our YouTube video; it’s fun, trust me.
Eventually, I caught up with her after hearing her call me in the distance.
Minutes later, we finally arrived at Fern Fever Waterfall.
It was Jess’s first time there, and she loved it.
I always love Fern Fever for its seclusion, uniqueness, and beauty.
We took a few photos and then started cooking our roast salmon.
I packed more than one swimsuit—ready for any photo opportunity that might arise amidst the breathtaking scenery of St. Andrew's lush landscapes.
It was my first-time eating salmon.
We had it with roast sweet corn, string beans/green beans, sweet peppers, potatoes, and ripe plantains.
We had a problem: the fire wasn’t catching, and we had left the kerosene oil. Jess decided to use the gas from the lighter, smashing it on the rocks that supported the coal, sticks, and dry leaves.
The stove finally caught fire, although Jess almost set herself on fire out of frustration.
She had tried for a good while, but smashing the lighter was the key, and the stove stayed lit until we finished cooking.
I made mint tea with honey, which was perfect since the waterfall was freezing cold. I fried the plantains while Jess prepared the roast corn and salmon.
When the meal was finished, it was time to taste salmon for the first time.
It was amazing. I couldn’t stop raving about it, and Jess laughed hard because I became a new person, acting all fancy eating salmon in the bush at a waterfall.
The roast corn was chef’s kiss, especially with the ripe plantains.
I crowned Jess as the queen chef of the mountains, hills, rivers, and valleys.
The food was that good. She then surprised me with a mini cake and beer, which was so sweet and kind. No one had ever done that for me before.
If I were to celebrate my birthday yearly, this is how I would do it—not at a club or restaurant, but in the bush.
We had to hurry and pack since night was near.
By the time we were ready to leave, it was dark, and we had to hike back without lights. Somehow, we made it quickly without falling on the rocks.
When we reached the entrance of the property, we took a quick dip in the ice-cold water in the dark. We said our goodbyes to Ramo and then headed home.
As we bid farewell to Fern Fever Waterfall, our hearts full of memories and our cameras full of captures, I reflected on the joy of being prepared for every moment of this unforgettable journey.
Adventure isn't just about the destination—it's about embracing the unexpected and celebrating life's moments in style.
Would you visit Fern Fever Waterfall? Have you ever been? What was your experience like? Let me know in the comments below!
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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.