Island Passport: Almond Tree Restaurant & Bar

Whilst traversing the roadways in St. Elizabeth, at some point, one will get to Shrimp Country aka Swims Country. Shrimp Country is located in Middle Quarters and once you get to Middle Quarters and/ or Shrimp Country, its peppered shrimp galore all different sizes for all different prices.

There are several vendors lining the square with their wares and several stalls and shops offering the same. Middle Quarters and/ or Shrimp Country is the home of Peppered Shrimp. My favourite location in Shrimp Country is Almond Tree Restaurant & Bar, a great kool out spot. This gem is a family operated business, that fills the needs of its customers.

 

Most vendors, shops, and stalls mainly focus on peppered shrimp, however, at Almond Tree Restaurant & Bar they have a variety of foods available such as Fried Fish, Steam and Brown Stew Fish, Fried Chicken, Rice and Peas, Boiled and Roast Corn, Corn Soup, Shrimp and/ or Janga Soup, Festival, Bammy, Fritters and best of all Peppered Shrimp. 

 

Not only are you enjoying clean facilities (bathroom is on point), but the ambiance is perfectly laidback and if one is a nature lover then one will enjoy spending time at the pond. Make sure that you put Almond Tree Restaurant & Bar on your bucket list. Make sure to stop by and have fun, I know that we did!

 

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Island Passport: Bamboo Avenue

St. Elizabeth otherwise known as the "breadbasket parish" of our island paradise has many hidden treasures and gems. Some of these hidden treasures and gems are not even hidden, but, oft times our eyes are open wide shut i.e. even though the beauty is around us, we don't necessarily see it. One such treasure is Bamboo Avenue located in the district of Holland. 

Bamboo Avenue is located between Lacovia and Middle Quarters, its approximately two and a half miles long. This avenue of bamboos runs through the now defunct Holland Estate. The bamboos were planted somewhere in the 19th century and there are several theories about the planting of bamboos such as to prevent soil erosion, to provide shade for travellers and to provide fibre to the Lacovia Manufacturing Company to make vehicle lubricants. 

 There are quite a few rest stops located in Bamboo Avenue, some where you can get a full meal, have a cold jelly coconut, fresh fruits, or a cold Red Stripe Beer. Each rest stop has lots of character for one to enjoy. Due to weather such as hurricanes, drought and persons cutting and burning out the bamboos the coverage of is not as thick as it once was. However, several organizations such as Bank of Nova Scotia NEPA and TPDCO have banded together in rehabilitating Bamboo Avenue. 

Whatever the reason that they were planted, these towering bamboo plants create a beautiful canopy and/ or tunnel for travellers to enjoy.... Make sure to stop and visit. I know that we had fun!

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Island Passport: Y.S. Falls

Another hidden gem located in the humid Maggotty Valley is Y.S. Falls. Y.S. Falls is located on the Y.S. Estate which was once a cane and logwood farm with a factory. Currently, the Y.S. Estate operates as a working horse and cattle farm. The property dates back it's operations to the 17th Century and the falls was opened to the public as a tourist attraction in the 1990's and continues it's operations to date by accepting limited guests yearly to preserve the attraction.

The name of the estate has two meanings first is that its the surname initials of the property's first two owners John Yates and Colonel Richard Scott and the second is that is from the Gaelic word "Wyess" which means winding.

 To start the journey, once arriving at the property, and after paying the entry fee, one will board a tractor pulled jitney to get to the falls. Man, what a wild ride it was! Once the jitney starts moving nd the humid breeze starts blowing on  one, there is feeling of excitement and adventure in the air. As the jitney approaches the drop off point one will pass through lush green cattle and horse pastures. there are several giant logwood and guango trees still found on the property. Upon reaching the drop off point one will be greeted by the majestic falls surrounded by lush vegetation. The falls rise to a magnificent height of 120 ft, the water cascades over seven tiers and at the bottom of each tier, one will find small pools for swimming.

There is a boardwalk located alongside the falls for those who only want to view it without getting wet. There are several lifeguards on deck to take you on the falls and at one of the pools one will find a rope swing that will allow one to swing from it in a "Tarzanesque" style. There is a small 4ft deep pool that is fed by natural springs for those who don't want to climb the falls.

Other things to be done on property are the canopy and/ or zipline tour where one zips along a sturdy line above the towering falls, if the water levels are right one is able to take part in the river tubing. There is a gift shop on property as well as a picnic area, kids playground, or lazing around watching the hummingbirds.

 All in all, Y.S. Falls is the place to be to have a a day away from the maddening crowd. Make sure to visit and have lots of fun. I know that we did!

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