Ed Polasko

My wife and daughter and I arrived at Ochos Rios via the RCI Mariner of the Seas on August 4, 2004 (Hurricane Charley would visit Jamaica exactly 1 week later). We had booked a tour with Phil Lafayette via the web around mid July, and Phil met us in the parking lot just beyond the pier area within 10 minutes of leaving the ship. Phil’s genuine enthusiasm for his island home and his playful presentation of himself provided a counterpoint to what seemed like a society lacking a middle ground. The lavish and the less fortunate sides of life are both very apparent. This is one stop where a family is probably better off going with a tour guide, rather than winging it on their own. (You do know that they drive on the LEFT side of the road, don’t you?) We chose not to do the river tubing, and Phil took us down to the river take-out point to await out tubing travel-mates. It was hot and humid, so Phil encouraged us to dive into the river (which was more like an oversized stream) to cool off. We did, and thoroughly enjoyed the dip.

I don’t think other tour guides encourage their patrons to “take a dive”. We did the Dunn’s River Falls thing, but declined the DVD of the climb. Just have your Fall’s guide take a photo with your water-proof camera (Buy two at Wal Mart before you leave home). If you like spicy foods, try the jerk pork after the Fall’s experience. Yum!

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