Gran’s Farm is latest attraction for tourists
With our traditional long stay tourists being granted preferred access to Caracol, the question remains of where to send those day trippers off the increasing number of cruise ships that anchor in the Belize City harbour. This morning News 5’s Patrick Jones received a tour of a new attraction that should prove to be extremely popular.
Patrick Jones, Reporting
From the outside it looks like just another well-developed property; but beyond the façade of neatly tended fruit trees lies the newest addition to the country’s rapidly improving tourism product.
Dr. Osbert Usher, Managing Director, Gran’s Farm
“Gran’s Farm is an eco, agro tourism based establishment where we have been utilising the entire environment that nature has granted us. We use our ecological aspect where we have our creek, our low land rainforest we call it, our agricultural aspect where we have planted out like fifty different species of fruit trees. We have adorned the place with like six hundred different species of ornamental plants, nursery plants.”
And this plethora of colours, sights, and sounds, the proprietor says, is enough to keep the visitor refreshingly occupied for hours, just a short hop from Belize City.
Dr. Osbert Usher
“Spend the day here and I guess all the stress that happens in wherever you live will be considerably reduced.”
And it’s not hard to see why Usher can offer that guarantee. With over thirty-three acres of well planned, landscaped real estate, Gran’s Farm, named in honour of Usher’s grandmother, is open to everyone, especially those who love the out doors.
Dr. Osbert Usher
“We believe that it is for the world. It is for Belize firstly, it is for the world. It is for everybody that wants to come and touch base with nature. Everybody that wants to come and enjoy themselves in a comfortable, relaxing atmosphere where once you come here there is so many activities to do that you can enjoy yourself. You will be able to do activities that are not necessarily available close to the city.”
But particularly impressive is the leisurely canoe ride on the Hector Creek, which runs through the property.
Patrick Jones
“For over thirteen years, the Ushers have been enjoying the peace and serenity of this part of the country. And with the recent upgrades at Gran’s Farm, fourteen and one half miles on the Western Highway, they are ready to share it all, with the rest of the world.”
Dr. Osbert Usher
“We launch from about a mile from here an we canoe down stream. It’s a thirty-minute canoe experience, a leisurely canoeing experience. Relatively effortless as we’re coming down stream, and then once we land here, you can eventually take the tour as you so desire, however you so desire.”
The nature trails allows hiking along the wooded areas of the creek, emerging in the well kept orchards of exotic tropical fruits, and where ducks and iguanas can sunbathe along the edge of the pond without a care in the world. Usher says the decision to venture into tourism was made about a year ago. Thousands of dollars later, Gran’s Farm is open and ready for business.
Dr. Osbert Usher
“We believe that tourism is one of the major industries in our country and if we can get as many as we can, then certainly it will be an endeavour that will be successful. I believe we have the amenities to provide that level of relaxation comfort, spreading the knowledge of nature, of Belize to the world. So certainly tourism is our main objective and we’re talking Belizean, resident in Belize and our visitors that comes to Belize.”
A five thousand square foot deck with restaurant, bar, and a swimming pool allow visitors to enjoy Belizean cuisine in a tranquil atmosphere, all to the accompaniment of local performers and musicians. Usher says that with a staff of fourteen, the establishment can adequately accommodate around three hundred and fifty guests daily without compromising quality and disturbing the natural ambience of the area. And here’s how he plans to get the customers in by the busloads.
Dr. Osbert Usher
“We will keep it a secret, but we’ll tell the world about it.”
Patrick Jones, for News 5.
Admission to Gran’s Farm is ten dollars Belize for locals, ten U.S. for foreigners. That fee does not include boats and tours.
