RIVERS & REGGAE - JAMAICA TOURIST ISSUE 15
New and exciting tours have been appearing all over Jamaica and visitors have so many options that the most difficult thing is to choose! Zipline, bobsled, swim with dolphins, ride ATVs through the jungle or tube down rivers for that special thrill. Apart from the many ‘modern’ adventures, Jamaica also has some classic tours which continue to top every visitor’s ‘to do’ list. Jamaica Tours presents the all time favorites, including the ‘Dunn’s River Falls’ and the ‘Spirit of Reggae’ tours, which are available separately or as a combination tour.
THE ‘SPIRIT OF REGGAE’ TOUR
Jamaica = Reggae = Bob Marley. A pilgrimage to the ‘holy grounds’ of reggae, the tiny village of Nine Mile which is Bob Marley’s birth and final resting place, is a must for any reggae aficionado. With Bob Marley’s catchy tunes still playing in many places across the world, it is hard to fathom that this musical genius, walked his childhood steps in a teeny community in the hills of St. Ann.
Born in Nine Mile on February 6, 1945, Robert ‘Nesta’ Marley continued to find musical inspiration in his secluded birthplace from time to time throughout his life. Only 36 years old when he passed on in 1981, the beloved singer received a state funeral before being laid to rest at his birthplace.
Among the island’s Rastafari population, of which Marley was a devout follower, it is a widely accepted fact that the musical genius who grew up among them achieved eternal life and continues to live in Nine Mile. His final resting place has become a shrine to reggae fans from faraway places, who journey into the Jamaican mountains to feel the spirit of their idol first hand.
Upon arrival, visitors are brought to a waiting area with a nice bar and a TV screen, where a very informative Bob Marley documentary is shown. This creates the reggae groove setting before one of the Rastafari tour guides shows you the family house where it all began. Little known insights into his childhood and musical career are shared while walking through Bob’s grandmother’s house, where he lived as a young boy.
It is fascinating to see the place where the singer and songwriter lived and worked, and you get to see the small board house where Marley lay on the small bed while he wrote the lines, “We’ll be together with a roof right over our heads; we’ll share the shelter of my single bed” of his famous song Is This Love.
Fans will get that special feeling when standing on ‘Mount Zion Rock’ where Bob used to meditate and rest his head on ‘the pillow’, a flat round stone made famous through the lyrics of the song Talking Blues, “Cold ground was my bed last night; and rock was my pillow, too.”
Described as an extraordinary experience, most visitors are overcome by a sad, but curious feeling when walking though the mausoleum, the final resting place of the King of Reggae. The tomb is made of white Italian marble, with Bob’s head facing east, towards Ethiopia.
Visit the grounds which are full of memories to learn more about the reggae superstar known throughout the most remote places of the world and find out where the young Marley cooked the meals depicted in his song No Woman No Cry, “We would cook cornmeal porridge of which I share with you”.
DUNN’S RIVER FALLS
Located just outside of Ocho Rios, the world famous, 600 feet waterfalls of Dunn’s River is one of the Caribbean’s most beautiful natural attractions. Not only did the ‘Jamaican Niagara Falls’ pose as a backdrop for scenes in Hollywood blockbusters such as Dr. No, featuring Ursula Andress and Sean Connery and Cocktail, starring Tom Cruise and Elizabeth Shue frolicking in the famous cascades, they remain the island’s most visited attraction.
In the 1700’s, the Spaniards named the area ‘Las Chorreras’, on account of the area’s many waterfalls. Over the years the name changed to Ocho Rios, eight rivers. In fact, the area has only four rivers, one of which is the Dunn’s River with its unending, swiftly descending flow of water interspersed with rapid cascades pouring directly into the Caribbean Sea.
Dunn’s River’s cooling waters are bordered by a stunning, jungle-like park equipped with several wooden platforms from which visitors can take pictures or enjoy the lush tropical flora of ferns, bamboos, ginger lilies, crotons, orchids, breadfruit trees and a variety of palms. After enjoying the stroll along the tropical rainforest down to the beach and the beginning of the falls, you can embark on the climb up the falling waters of 600 feet of limestone steps. Experienced guides have climbers form a ‘human chain’ and lead the way up the falls, allowing patrons to pause at the waterfall basin “massage parlour” to experience the soothing effects of the water. Fabulous photo opportunities are abundant.
An array of delights ranging from spicy jerked chicken, pork, fish and curried goat are available at the park for hungry souls while shoppers can acquire local souvenirs including carvings, straw products and intuitive art at the craft fair grounds.
Don’t forget to bring or rent water shoes, swimsuit, towel and camera! You can have your memorable visit to Dunn’s River Falls captured on film or photos. www.dunnsriverfallsja.com.
Contact your JTL hotel tour desk for more information on these classic tours or call 953-3700, email jtladmin@jamaicatoursltd.com.
THE ‘SPIRIT OF REGGAE’ TOUR
Jamaica = Reggae = Bob Marley. A pilgrimage to the ‘holy grounds’ of reggae, the tiny village of Nine Mile which is Bob Marley’s birth and final resting place, is a must for any reggae aficionado. With Bob Marley’s catchy tunes still playing in many places across the world, it is hard to fathom that this musical genius, walked his childhood steps in a teeny community in the hills of St. Ann.
Born in Nine Mile on February 6, 1945, Robert ‘Nesta’ Marley continued to find musical inspiration in his secluded birthplace from time to time throughout his life. Only 36 years old when he passed on in 1981, the beloved singer received a state funeral before being laid to rest at his birthplace.
Among the island’s Rastafari population, of which Marley was a devout follower, it is a widely accepted fact that the musical genius who grew up among them achieved eternal life and continues to live in Nine Mile. His final resting place has become a shrine to reggae fans from faraway places, who journey into the Jamaican mountains to feel the spirit of their idol first hand.
Upon arrival, visitors are brought to a waiting area with a nice bar and a TV screen, where a very informative Bob Marley documentary is shown. This creates the reggae groove setting before one of the Rastafari tour guides shows you the family house where it all began. Little known insights into his childhood and musical career are shared while walking through Bob’s grandmother’s house, where he lived as a young boy.
It is fascinating to see the place where the singer and songwriter lived and worked, and you get to see the small board house where Marley lay on the small bed while he wrote the lines, “We’ll be together with a roof right over our heads; we’ll share the shelter of my single bed” of his famous song Is This Love.
Fans will get that special feeling when standing on ‘Mount Zion Rock’ where Bob used to meditate and rest his head on ‘the pillow’, a flat round stone made famous through the lyrics of the song Talking Blues, “Cold ground was my bed last night; and rock was my pillow, too.”
Described as an extraordinary experience, most visitors are overcome by a sad, but curious feeling when walking though the mausoleum, the final resting place of the King of Reggae. The tomb is made of white Italian marble, with Bob’s head facing east, towards Ethiopia.
Visit the grounds which are full of memories to learn more about the reggae superstar known throughout the most remote places of the world and find out where the young Marley cooked the meals depicted in his song No Woman No Cry, “We would cook cornmeal porridge of which I share with you”.
DUNN’S RIVER FALLS
Located just outside of Ocho Rios, the world famous, 600 feet waterfalls of Dunn’s River is one of the Caribbean’s most beautiful natural attractions. Not only did the ‘Jamaican Niagara Falls’ pose as a backdrop for scenes in Hollywood blockbusters such as Dr. No, featuring Ursula Andress and Sean Connery and Cocktail, starring Tom Cruise and Elizabeth Shue frolicking in the famous cascades, they remain the island’s most visited attraction.
In the 1700’s, the Spaniards named the area ‘Las Chorreras’, on account of the area’s many waterfalls. Over the years the name changed to Ocho Rios, eight rivers. In fact, the area has only four rivers, one of which is the Dunn’s River with its unending, swiftly descending flow of water interspersed with rapid cascades pouring directly into the Caribbean Sea.
Dunn’s River’s cooling waters are bordered by a stunning, jungle-like park equipped with several wooden platforms from which visitors can take pictures or enjoy the lush tropical flora of ferns, bamboos, ginger lilies, crotons, orchids, breadfruit trees and a variety of palms. After enjoying the stroll along the tropical rainforest down to the beach and the beginning of the falls, you can embark on the climb up the falling waters of 600 feet of limestone steps. Experienced guides have climbers form a ‘human chain’ and lead the way up the falls, allowing patrons to pause at the waterfall basin “massage parlour” to experience the soothing effects of the water. Fabulous photo opportunities are abundant.
An array of delights ranging from spicy jerked chicken, pork, fish and curried goat are available at the park for hungry souls while shoppers can acquire local souvenirs including carvings, straw products and intuitive art at the craft fair grounds.
Don’t forget to bring or rent water shoes, swimsuit, towel and camera! You can have your memorable visit to Dunn’s River Falls captured on film or photos. www.dunnsriverfallsja.com.
Contact your JTL hotel tour desk for more information on these classic tours or call 953-3700, email jtladmin@jamaicatoursltd.com.
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