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Ahhh … Ras Natango Gallery voted top shopping location

Published:Saturday | January 11, 2014 | 12:00 AM
From left: Marcia Eulit, Tensie Eulit, Ayale Williams, Ian Reid, Maurice Barnett, and Jamar Watkin all celebrate Ahhh … Ras Natango Gallery and Garden being the best in the Shopping category in Montego Bay from TripAdvisor.-Contributed

The year 2013 was a good one for community-tourism attraction Ahhh … Ras Natango Gallery and Garden as USA Today's 10 Best travel site recently listed the attraction as the No. 1 shopping location in Jamaica, beating even the prestigious Half Moon Shopping Village, which had to settle for ninth spot.

Things Jamaican was ranked at No. 2. Harmony Hall came in third, Devon House fourth, followed by Gallery of West Indian Art, Taj Mahal's, Island Village, and the Old Fort Craft Park. Tuff Gong copped 10th place.

Co-owner Tamika Williams said the success of the St James- based attraction is a result of the collective efforts of the residents in the community who have come together to make the attraction a beacon for travellers to tourism capital.

"It's been an amazing year for Ahhh … Ras Natango. In addition to the USA Today affirmation, we also received a certificate of excellence from TripAdvisor, among several other international recognitions. But the thing we are most pleased about is the fact that Camrose district has become safer, united, and stronger because we decided to be part of the change we wanted to see in the community," Williams said.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

From lobbying to refurbish the roads leading to the community and regular garbage collection, to developing and sustaining the art programme at the Buckingham Primary School in the community, the team at Ahhh … Ras Natango has successfully advocated and participated in community development despite its meagre resources and limited government input.

"To think that some three years ago, Camrose was a pariah to surrounding communities due to crime and violence, but we are now a model for other communities. All it takes is for us to believe in the residents and give them an opportunity to realise the best in themselves," Williams added.

In addition to the botanical appeal of Ahhh … Ras Natango, its collection of art, the handiwork of co-owner Ian Williams (popularly known as Ras Natango) has made the location a sanctuary for return visitors. The location is also excellent for field trips for schools as students can have an innovative learning experience using nature and art.