Our first trip to Jamaica was on a Caribbean Cruise for our wedding anniversary which meant we only had one day in this enigmatic Country... but there was only one place I wanted to see – above everything else – it had to be Bob Marley’s home!
We found a company that combined a tour of Bob Marley's birthplace at “Nine Mile” with Dunn’s River Falls – the latter being the No. 1 tourist attraction for a visit to Ocho Rios. The company we used no longer runs this as a tour but there are many companies who do and, due to the ever-changing tourist industry, I would advise you find one through reviews on Trip Advisor – that is how we found ours.
Out of the entire two-week cruise, Jamaica was the place I was most excited to visit! I had heard so much about the beautiful landscape and its people and I couldn’t wait to experience it for myself.
It didn’t disappoint!
We found a company that combined a tour of Bob Marley's birthplace at “Nine Mile” with Dunn’s River Falls – the latter being the No. 1 tourist attraction for a visit to Ocho Rios. The company we used no longer runs this as a tour but there are many companies who do and, due to the ever-changing tourist industry, I would advise you find one through reviews on Trip Advisor – that is how we found ours.
Out of the entire two-week cruise, Jamaica was the place I was most excited to visit! I had heard so much about the beautiful landscape and its people and I couldn’t wait to experience it for myself.
It didn’t disappoint!
Nine Mile
Lush lanscape of Jamaica
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We both love reggae, and the king of this genre is, of course, the legendary Bob Marley who sadly left this world on 11 May 1981 leaving a massive void in the music industry.
Robert Nesta Marley was born in Nine Mile, a village in the Saint Ann Parish of Jamaica on 6 February 1945 where he lived until he was 13 years old, it is also his final resting place. Today, it’s a mausoleum dedicated to the legend. Our driver took us through various parishes and a series of narrow yet scenic rural windy roads which provided fantastic views of the lush green landscape. |
To break up the journey, we stopped at the local school which Bob attended when he was a child. At first we felt as though we were disturbing the children from their alphabet lesson, but they were happy and willing to show us how they read and learn. Like most kids, they were probably just pleased to have a little break from their books and have a chat.
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The teachers and pupils posed for photographs with us, in return for a tip of course but we didn’t mind – we knew this was a poor parish and we were happy to support the school and local economy.
There were some fantastic characters here which is what you would expect from a Jamaican school… big Usain Bolt personalities in the making!
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When we arrived at Nine Mile, there were plenty of touts selling “interesting smelling” cigarettes, some were children who would poke their nose and fingers through any gap they could find in the purple metal gates to try and grab your attention. |
We were allocated a Rastafarian guide at the ticket office who entertained us as we strolled around Bob’s boyhood home. It is now a photo gallery and museum dedicated to his life and music. He talked to us about Bob’s childhood, life and rise in his music career providing little-known tit-bits of information – all with hazy smiley eyes.
Our awesome tour guide - behind those glasses his eyes tell a story!
We purchased our entrance tickets, then walked through a square where musician’s played Bob’s music, it most definitely set the scene for our tour!
Whilst walking up a tree-lined path towards Bob’s house, we felt very relaxed in this tranquil setting, you could almost forget there were hundreds of people buzzing around.
One of the most photographed parts of the tour was “Mount Zion”. That was a bit of a surprise - It is actually a rock on the floor where Bob would sit and meditate, it was also the inspiration for some of his songs.
Mount Zion ... yep, it's a small rock!
The entrance to Bob's mausoleum
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Then all of a sudden, we were at the mausoleum and Bob’s final resting place. It’s a sacred place so we needed to remove our shoes; candles can be lit in remembrance of him and there are photos and album covers documenting his career. We had plenty of time to stroll around, take it all in but also listen and learn more about The Legend. If you wanted to buy some Bob memorabilia, there is a gift shop selling t-shirts, CD’s, hats, mugs etc. |
There is something very spiritual about this place and you definitely leave here feeling closer to Bob than when you first entered. We loved Bob’s music before but since our visit, we continue to play his music whenever the sun is shining and we want to relax. When we listen to him now, we think of our time at Nine Mile and the amazing Jamaican people.
In our opinion, this is a must-see if you are in the area, fan or no fan!
In our opinion, this is a must-see if you are in the area, fan or no fan!
Dunn’s River Falls
About 45 minutes away from Nine Mile is Dunn’s River Falls – a 600 feet cascading terrace waterfall ending up on a beach.
About 45 minutes away from Nine Mile is Dunn’s River Falls – a 600 feet cascading terrace waterfall ending up on a beach.
As we looked up, we saw a winding chain of people holding onto one another’s hand all the way to the top – they were all helping one another to climb, at least that filled me with more confidence.
Now this isn’t usually my thing, I am a bit of a wuss when it comes to water and slippery rocks, I am a bit of a klutz and rather unsteady of my feet, so the thought of walking up rocks into the path of running water in just a bikini did make me think twice. Until Sy told me “stop being so daft, get on with it, you will love it”.
He was right!
We chose to start the walk from the beach at the bottom or you can choose to enter at an easy-access point a little way up. Guides will offer their assistance (for a fee of course) and they will also take photos and video. We opted to do it ourselves as we had a waterproof camera! Some people take water shoes because it’s slippery but we were happy with our webbed feet! (NB: the rules may now have changed since our visit as I have since read reviews that you will have to buy water shoes).
The chain of people walked slowly and carefully all helping one another; man, woman and child (yes I had a child help me up – how embarrassing!!). The person behind or in front of you started off as a stranger but quickly became your friend, but I guess holding someone’s hand and looking up at people’s bottoms will do that for a relationship!
He was right!
We chose to start the walk from the beach at the bottom or you can choose to enter at an easy-access point a little way up. Guides will offer their assistance (for a fee of course) and they will also take photos and video. We opted to do it ourselves as we had a waterproof camera! Some people take water shoes because it’s slippery but we were happy with our webbed feet! (NB: the rules may now have changed since our visit as I have since read reviews that you will have to buy water shoes).
The chain of people walked slowly and carefully all helping one another; man, woman and child (yes I had a child help me up – how embarrassing!!). The person behind or in front of you started off as a stranger but quickly became your friend, but I guess holding someone’s hand and looking up at people’s bottoms will do that for a relationship!
There were rock pools you could stop at along the way should you want to just sit and chill, after all, there is nothing wrong with taking a break to appreciate where you are and the amazing surroundings. You are in the middle of a waterfall after all!
When we reached the top, I was elated! I had only gone and bloomin’ well walked up a flowing waterfall to the very top… and survived! I do have to admit though that at times, it was a little challenging in places, but this was part of the thrill! The feeling of actually walking up a waterfall gave me a huge sense of achievement and I was grinning from ear to ear! We both had a huge amount of fun!
What Dunn’s River Falls did for me was show that sometimes in life, you have to push yourself out of your comfort zone, and you may just surprise yourself!
This post is to remember Bob Marley's birthday on 6 February 1945, and commemorate his passing on 11 May 1981.
Have you visited Nine Mile or Dunn’s River Falls? If so, what did you enjoy most about it and if not, is this something you wish to do? We want to know what you think so tell us in the comments below.
What Dunn’s River Falls did for me was show that sometimes in life, you have to push yourself out of your comfort zone, and you may just surprise yourself!
This post is to remember Bob Marley's birthday on 6 February 1945, and commemorate his passing on 11 May 1981.
Have you visited Nine Mile or Dunn’s River Falls? If so, what did you enjoy most about it and if not, is this something you wish to do? We want to know what you think so tell us in the comments below.
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We are proud to host the #FollowMeFriday blog Linkup. If you have a blog post you would like to share, feel free to click on the picture below which will take you through to our Facebook Community and drop your link there. The link-up is open NOW and will close 8pm UK time Sunday. We are a fun and loyal group who are more than happy to comment, share and reciprocate! Happy Travelling Feet Fans!
