Driving from Negril to Ocho Rios

[Magician]

Re: Driving from Negril to Ocho Rios

Let us know how it went with Dunns please Paradise.

I've never climbed it since I get mixed reviews from people. You can gives us the 411/114. [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif[/img]

[paradiseplease88]

Re: Driving from Negril to Ocho Rios

Definately will do, I've been once but only saw the outside because I thought I wouldn't have enough money to tip the driver so I decided to turn around and go shopping in Ochi instead.

Later I found out that I over tipped him. [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif[/img] Oh well! At least I will get to visit it now.

[Q3210]

Re: Driving from Negril to Ocho Rios

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Magic</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Let us know how it went with Dunns please Paradise.

I've never climbed it since I get mixed reviews from people. You can gives us the 411/114. [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif[/img] </div></div>

Yo Magic! You let too many people influence your take on Dunn`s River Falls.
I am surprised that a Jamaican like you and I really mean Jamaican, because to me you`re a Jamaican, that you have yet to explore the Falls and the beach for that matter.

You keep hearing about detailed excursions to the place and I know what the detail is. It involves a herd of visitors descending the flight of stairs and walk-ways down to the beach and uniformly climbing the falls with a guide leading the pack.

I suggest that for anyone going to Dunns River Falls that they devote a day, if not a few hours to spend there. You can lock away your valuables in your car or pay for a locker on the beach.
The parking area is safe and your car is fine. If you wish to make sure that it will be fine, confide in one of the security personnel to recognize that no other person belongs near to or in your car. I have never had a problem with my car there.
I prefer to leave clothes, shoes even my towel in the car so as to have free hands to climb the falls.
If going with a group and someone will stay and give an eye on everyones personal effects on the beach , fine.

At Dunns River you must make time for yourself to relax on the beach and have a swim in the soothing sea-water. Climbing the falls can be done at your leisure. You do not have to queue up and join the human chain that is made when the visitors are herded in and up the falls.
One feature before climbing, is allowing the water to cascade down on your shoulders and back. It is like having a massage.

The actual climb up is a whole lot more interesting when you do it alone or in company of whom you`re with and not with whom the guides might suggest. By going up independently, you can pick your own path. You can stop and gaze around and enjoy the overhead canopy of tree cover. You can wade and rest in the many pools along the way up. You can plain and simply enjoy your Dunns River experience withhout being herded and over-treated by over-concerned guides.

The beach is a lovely place to swim and bask. The Falls is not the only thing good there.

So dont let who you want tell you foolishness about Dunn`s River.
The place is an experience unto itself.

btw. I have been going to Dunns River since I was a boy, long before it became commercialized and priced for admittance. I have been going there from when it was a place to go because we wanted to go there. I from time to time imagine myself there, when I am in the heat and bustle of my work in Kingston.
Trust me, Dunn`s River is one of the coolest places to hang out, especially when as you quite rightly say there is less of a crowd.
Where you mentioned the crowd that comes from cruise ships, you did not mention the crowd that comes when there is a local public holiday.
Visitors from cruise ships do not hang around for too long.
They come down to the beach and climb the falls and they`re out and thats it until another group comes along.
On public holidays, bus loads and car loads of Jamaicans from Kingston and all over Jamaica flock to Dunns River. They are the ones that will hang-out there the whole day until its closing time at 5pm and thats when there is competition for space.
Going to Dunns River on any day other than on cruise-ship arrivals and local public holidays is best.
Saturdays and Sundays are days too when lots of people go and hang-out all day, carrying pic-nic baskets and so on.
The quietest and roomiest days are normal week days.

[BND1999]

Re: Driving from Negril to Ocho Rios

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Magic</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: monk</div><div class="ubbcode-body">it's good to have because you can just put your finger down someplace and get 'lost.' </div></div>

When I was a kid I used to play a game where I close my eyes, spin the globe, stop it with a finger, and pretend to go where it lands.

I still play it. [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif[/img]

</div></div>

Oh my gosh Magic.. i used to play the same game with the globe.. and i still do it toooooo!!!!!!!!!! in fact i was just talking to a friend and saying i dont have a globe like i had as a kid growing up... i need one.....

i so relate to your getting lost.. and ending up in the unknown and it being the best find or time anyhow... i still like to have a map.. but i love getting lost..

as a child my grandfather used to say... everyone in the car.... lets go get lost......

i think ive had that in me since....

now dont rub it in.. getting lost in Tunis when im sitting right here... i want to do that too...... Grrrrrrrrrrr

[Q3210]

Re: Driving from Negril to Ocho Rios

You two baffle the asumption that Americans know very little on world geography.

Some folks do not know where Wyoming is.

Cant forget that line in Al Pacino`s movie, Dog Day Afternoon where his partner in crime was at a loss to what or where Wyoming is.

[Q3210]

Re: Driving from Negril to Ocho Rios

I notice how shifty you are on the Dunn`s River input.

I wrote all that from my heart. Dunn`s River is a part of me because of the attachment I have from my childhood.
The place might be a touristy place to some, but it is not to many.

[BND1999]

Re: Driving from Negril to Ocho Rios

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Q3210</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You two baffle the asumption that Americans know very little on world geography.

Some folks do not know where Wyoming is.

Cant forget that line in Al Pacino`s movie, Dog Day Afternoon where his partner in crime was at a loss to what or where Wyoming is. </div></div>

not sure what you are saying.. maybe you misunderstood what we are saying...

two people who love the idea of travel.. the grande world of possibilities... the innocence of childhood or even adulthood with the desire to travel....

as a child spinning the globe.. closing your eyes.. and seeing where you land.. was sooo much fun

but yes there are tons of people all over the world and in the US that have trouble knowing where certain countries are.. never mind states..

i have that problem too.. i cant always place every country.. which resides next to what.. etc...im sure magic does better as a pilot .. some wil know tunis is next to algeria... some wont..

[BND1999]

Re: Driving from Negril to Ocho Rios

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Q3210</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I notice how shifty you are on the Dunn`s River input.

I wrote all that from my heart. Dunn`s River is a part of me because of the attachment I have from my childhood.
The place might be a touristy place to some, but it is not to many. </div></div>

shifty??? maybe you didn't mean to quote me... i didnt even mention Dunns river..

i know what it means to you from childhood as you have told me that story before.. and i understand the sentimentality of the place.. esp before it was taken over by tourists and buses...

its stil a marvel to see those falls. and the beach is pretty nice.... but in general these places are not for me.. when they have been taken over by concrete and touristy concession stands..

i am sure if you can get in when no one is there.. its still wonderful..although dont think id climb the falls right now with my back

[Nylah]

Re: Driving from Negril to Ocho Rios



thanks for the personalized view of Dunn's River Q.

Given that my family is from Ochi, I have been to Dunn's River only once. And that was after hours for maybe an hour.

I always avoiding going b/c it seemed too touristy for my taste.

Now you have given me a renewed interest to visit.

[Q3210]

Re: Driving from Negril to Ocho Rios

what is there to misunderstand? You and Magic are a few who seem to know how to let your imaginations run by playing that game.
You better play it if you know your world that you live in.
I am saying that most americans dont know where Kingston nor Tunis is except people like you and Magic.
Actually Magic knows the globe inside out. He flies over it like an eagle.

[Q3210]

Re: Driving from Negril to Ocho Rios

That s just the point, you DIDN~T even mention Dunns River.

[Q3210]

Re: Driving from Negril to Ocho Rios

You made my day Empress Nylah. When you go there, go and spend some time and not just go because of the Falls alone.

[Nylah]

Re: Driving from Negril to Ocho Rios

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Q3210</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You made my day Empress Nylah. When you go there, go and spend some time and not just go because of the Falls alone.
</div></div>

[img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/70409-waytogo.gif[/img] definitely

[Magician]

Re: Driving from Negril to Ocho Rios

Well Q, now that you put it that way, I might jus join up with Nylah and go chill out at the Falls. [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif[/img]

See the image I had in my mind was of a human chain of hundreds of cruisers weh jus come offa di boat and now are dragging you up some slippery rocks and you don't even get a chance to enjoy yourself, take a refreshing swim in one of the pools on the way up, and marvel at the beauty of the place. [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/helpsmilie.gif[/img]

Now that you told me your story, I'll make it a point to go.
I almost went as a kid there with my parents. But when we pulled into the parking lot, and my mother saw the tourbusses and not one deggehdeggeh parking spot in sight she ordered my fadda to reverse back forward and were were gone! [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/eek2.gif[/img]

Me and modda don't like sharing nice places with too much ppl unless it's with friends. [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/blush.gif[/img]

[Magician]

Re: Driving from Negril to Ocho Rios

Most people in the world are clueless about the outside world. [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/dizzy.gif[/img] Those who don't travel, especially.

Now some countries place a high value on education about geography and other cultures, and those people will be familiar with foreign lands and cultures. The US education system (thru which I went) unfortunately doesn't teach you anything about geography or culture outside of the 'lower-48', and even then nobody knows where Wyoming is. [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/rolleyes.gif[/img]

I was lucky that travel is in my family's blood. Mother, father and one granny were mountaineers and spend every free minute scaling some peaks in far away countries. Grandpa was in the merchant marine and a letter would arrive every week from places like Abidjan, Recife or Adelaide.

So at the age of 6, my mother tought me all the countries and all their capitals! [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/70392-silly.gif[/img]

Last month we had a bit of a family reunion. Don't ask me why but my sister decided to quiz the family on the capitals of the world one evening after dinner. Shame to say we didn't know at least 25% of them. (mostly the new countries that formed in the last 10 years).

So my mother gets vex and seh: "I must now travel to all the countries whose capitals I didin't remember!"
... and she serious too [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/704555_dwl.gif[/img]