My experiences at Benta River Falls in Williamsfield, Westmoreland.

I have just returned from a 40+ day stay in rural Westmoreland near Williamsfield off the Principal Road. I went for rest, relaxation and some therapy from a caretaker lady whom I met three years ago in Negril. She convinced me last year that I should just stay at her house with her family instead of her commuting back and forth to Negril. It was a little bit of a "leap of faith" as I didn't really know what to expect but I will be eternally grateful to her and her extended family for the experience. More about this later in a separate post. Now, I just want to recommend a wonderful river experience that was part of my therapy. Benta River Falls.

Benta River Falls is on the way to Mayfield Falls on the left side just before Williamsfield. There is a sign at the entrance.
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Here is a link to their Web Site for those who are interested. https://bentariverfallsjamaica.com/

There is a confluence of three rivers although not everyone can seem to remember all three. One comes from Mayfield Falls and is locally called the Mayfield River. Another is the Cabarita River and a third, I can't seem to recall but it has a local name which is long and hard to spell! If anyone knows the name and spelling, I will be interested to know. This confluence is collectively known as the Benta River by locals.

It was at least a twice a week practice to go to a local's spot outside the park where I was given therapy for my legs in the form of muscle exercise and a mud bath to clear up a skin condition on both legs. I must admit that my skin now is softer and less dry which could also be the result of the very cold water that my therapist insisted I sit in each session for nearly an hour. A picture of an example of the yellowish mud bath is on their web page.

The most intriguing thing about this experience was listening to folklore stories about mermaids in the river and an outrageous story of a golden table that came up from the depths and a farmer tied a cow to it only to have the table go back down into the river dragging the wildly mooing cow down with it. Separating facts from fiction has always been part of my digging into the history of any spot in Jamaica and this was more challenging than most.

I went to the park at Benta River Falls a couple of times with the brother of my caretaker to enjoy the jacuzzi effect of the pools below the numerous waterfalls. At one particular spot, I was surprised and delighted to learn there was a cavern behind one particular fall that traversed the width of the river. The opening was too small for me to enter but a small person who was there during one visit did go across the expanse.
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Sundays are the days to go if you want to enjoy a party atmosphere with music and dancing which I could hear over a mile away at the caretaker's house. I enjoy the solitude of nature and made it a point not to go when a lot of people were at the park. There are several good, clean bathrooms and a refreshment stand for visitor's convenience.

Prices are on the Web Site but can be a little "flexible" depending on the day and time you visit and if a local well known to the owner and his manager accompanies you. Regardless of the price you pay, having unfettered access to such a beautiful spot for the day with easy access to the numerous waterfalls and pools makes it, in my opinion, a better or just as good experience as Mayfield Falls and is much closer.
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When I get the time and inclination, I might write another thread about my trip and experiences but since it doesn't include Negril, will post it elsewhere but leave a link to it here on this thread.
I recommend you choose Benta River Falls for a future daytrip out on the island.

Peace and Guidance

This looks like a good place to check out on our next visit. Do they have a restaurant there?
Regards,
Bob

Accompong, Over the years, I have always enjoyed your posts. I always find them interesting.

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Originally Posted by rjonsun

This looks like a good place to check out on our next visit. Do they have a restaurant there?
Regards,
Bob

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Bob, I have always enjoyed your posts and especially your pictures even though I rarely comment on them. I think this would be a perfect place for you and your camera. I just have a simple Coolpix camera and an aversion to taking pictures anyways so I couldn't do the place justice. If you do decided to go at some later date, I might be able to recommend a local to the area driver who could help you "possibly" shave a few dollars off the entrance fee. No promises though.

There are no restaurants in Williamsfield as it is a very, small town. There is a guy who delivers a very good box fried chicken with rice and peas and a small amount of curly pasta on his motorcycle to wherever you want it delivered in the area for $400 Jamaican delivered. Everyone around there knows him and the phone number. Otherwise, I would suggest planning your meal somewhere between Negril and Sav.

Respect

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Originally Posted by yooper bill

Accompong, Over the years, I have always enjoyed your posts. I always find them interesting.

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As a former "yooper" myself. At least for two years in Kinross and Sault St. Marie while stationed at Kinchloe, I can assure you that the remoteness and virtual "untouched" feeling of nature here is very similar to the UP. Not as much pressure from locals to reside in your pocket along with your hard-earned money (if you get my drift).
Thanks for the kind words.
BONUS Picture of my neighbor's house.
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Respect

Question Rob. If I do decide to post a thread about my trip to Williamsfield and Accompong Town, where should I post it? Should I just post it here on the Negril Board? Let me know in case I get a writing urge but I am just not quite ready yet.

Peace and Guidance.

accompong very interesting .. i educated myself on yoopers. the article was discussing food. is it patsies that was mentioned?
how far a trip to the falls ballpark? thanks

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Originally Posted by Accompong

Question Rob. If I do decide to post a thread about my trip to Williamsfield and Accompong Town, where should I post it? Should I just post it here on the Negril Board? Let me know in case I get a writing urge but I am just not quite ready yet.

Peace and Guidance.

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Yes, post it in the Negril section.

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Originally Posted by original spanky

accompong very interesting .. i educated myself on yoopers. the article was discussing food. is it patsies that was mentioned?
how far a trip to the falls ballpark? thanks

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Original Spanky. I am confused. BTW, thanks that you found the trip to Benta Rivers Falls interesting. I don't have a clue what

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i educated myself on yoopers. the article was discussing food. is it patsies that was mentioned?

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is referring to. What article discussing food and (I assume) you meant to write "Patties" and not "Patsies", correct? Maybe a better explanation would help me answer that question.

If you are asking "how far a trip to the Benta River Falls?" (ballpark). I took that first picture of the falls from standing next to our car. However, they did let me drive down there and might not otherwise let every visitor drive down there. The short hike down this secondary road/path is only about a quarter of a mile from the main parking area. Short answer. The falls are very accessible from the parking lot.

Otherwise the distance from Negril to Williamsfield can be found https://www.distancesfrom.com/jm/how.../34457414.aspx

Peace and Guidance

Pasties in the UP, and patties in Jamaica are similar. Way back when Cornish miners brought pasties to the UP. They are a meat pie that the miners packed to have for lunch down in the mines. They are quite large though. A meal in itself. Every town up here has one pasty shop.

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Originally Posted by yooper bill

Pasties in the UP, and patties in Jamaica are similar. Way back when Cornish miners brought pasties to the UP. They are a meat pie that the miners packed to have for lunch down in the mines. They are quite large though. A meal in itself. Every town up here has one pasty shop.

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Well, that certainly sheds some light on what Original Spanky was asking but....
I had no clue about any article discussing food and...he said "patsies" which only confused me further.

I do know about "pasties" and you are right about how many shops in the UP sell them. I didn't want to end up being anyone's "patsy" ;)

BTW. Any good Jamaican driver can get to Benta River Falls from Negril in around 1 and a half hours.

Respect

it was pasties mentioned in the article

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Originally Posted by original spanky

it was pasties mentioned in the article

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Thanks for the clarification, Original Spanky. I just don't know what article. Was it mentioned here somewhere?

I was in Puerto Rico for a couple of years in '69 and '70 and I had a craving for the empanadillas which are basically the same thing as both the Jamaican Patty and the UP pastie.

Respect

in haiti, they're called paté. the ones with herring are so good!

Nice post, Accompong. I know Williamsfield. It's really nice up there. The views when you get to the top of the mountain are amazing.

For whoever asked about restaurants: A nice restaurant on the way, just outside Sav, is Guangos Jerk https://www.facebook.com/pages/categ...5347042026275/

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Originally Posted by Accompong

As a former "yooper" myself. At least for two years in Kinross and Sault St. Marie while stationed at Kinchloe, I can assure you that the remoteness and virtual "untouched" feeling of nature here is very similar to the UP. Not as much pressure from locals to reside in your pocket along with your hard-earned money (if you get my drift).
Thanks for the kind words.
BONUS Picture of my neighbor's house.
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Respect

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Who are all Yoopers here?

I am an NMU graduate. It's a Great Day to be a Wildcat!

I forgot to add a picture of a breadfruit tree. Just thought I would show it as it was right in front of me when I sat in my chair on the verandah.

Peace and Guidance
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