| |
<<
<
1
2
3
4
5
6
>
>>
TRAVELERS
CHOICE 2008 WINNER TOP 25 DESTINATION LATIN AMERICA/CARIBBEAN
"Ochi" offers
the white sands and clear water expected of a Caribbean
island, complete with waterfalls and rainforests. Climb the
natural staircase of Dunn's River Falls, stroll the Coyaba
River... "Ochi" offers the white
sands and clear water expected of a Caribbean island,
complete with waterfalls and rainforests. Climb the natural
staircase of Dunn's River Falls, stroll the Coyaba River
Gardens or take a driving tour under the lush canopy of Fern
Gully. Swim with dolphins or ride horseback along
plantations and beaches. Reggae fans should make the trip to
Nine Mile, Bob Marley's birth and final resting place. Jazz
aficionados should check out the annual Ocho Rios Jazz
Festival in June.
Ocho Rios History
When most speak of
Ocho Rios, they generally include areas from
Discovery Bay on the west to Oracabessa on
the east.
The history of
Ocho Rios is long and rich, with influences
from ancient Taino Indian culture, African,
European, East Indian, Lebanese and Chinese
descendants and reggae roots all playing a
role during different times periods.
Primarily, the history of Ocho Rios is the
story of an island culture melding and
emerging to become an area rich with its own
unique culture.
Ocho Rios was
originally settled by the a tribe of Arawak
Indians called Taino, who had settled in
Jamaica at around 1,000 BC and called the
land Xamayca, meaning land of wood
and water. After Christopher Columbus landed
in 1494 and claimed the island for Spain,
Ocho Rios was names Chorreros meaning rapid
rivers. The Tainos were
ultimately obliterated by disease, slavery
and war. Some also committed suicide,
presumably to escape their conditions as
slaves. Spain brought the first African
slaves to Jamaica in 1517 as laborers to
work on plantations throughout Jamaica,
including Ocho Rios.
In May 1655,
British forces seized the island from the
Spanish. The English misunderstood,
misinterpreted and mispronounced the Spanish
name Chorreros and called the town Ocho
Rios, which sounded close enough. In 1657
and 1658 the Spanish, sailing from Cuba,
failed to retake the island in fierce
battles in and around Ocho Rios.
Historically, Ocho
Rios had never acquired any prominent role
to either the English or the Spanish. It
was, however, utilized by pirates who along
with Port Royal, regarded it as a
perfect base of operations.
Slavery was not
abolished in the island until 1834. The late
nineteenth century was a time of poverty in
Ocho Rios, but it was also a time of growth
and celebration, as the newly freed slaves
began to work towards gaining other types of
freedom in the area. Patterns of growth
and decline continued throughout the
twentieth century.
In the late
twentieth century, the beaches of Jamaica,
including the many beautiful beaches of Ocho
Rios, began to be recognized as a tourist
attraction. Today, Ocho Rios extends four
miles between Dunns River Falls, two miles
to the west of the town centre and the
White River, two miles to the east.
Almost all the development outside the
centre is to the east.
In the last
twenty five years, "Ochie" has grown from a
small fishing village to a world class
tourist destination as the area developed a
tourist-based economy.
Ocho Rios
Culture
Like the
culture of the rest of Jamaica, there
are influences from all the Irish,
English, German, Chinese, Indian,
Lebanese, and African descendants that
inhabit the island today. Many visitors
never realize that Jamaicans have such a
varied cultural background and so miss
the opportunity to explore the full
culture of the island.
Jamaica is a
very Christian nation and a plethora of
religions co-exist on the island. Ocho
Rios has a multitude of churches for you
to visit for services. Strong Christian
values are firmly rooted in the core of
the Jamaican people and is the source of
their much lauded warm, genuine
hospitality.
The
culture of Ocho Rios and the rest of the
island is influenced by the flavor of
the Caribbean and the roots of reggae
music. One of the most popular tourist
destinations in Ocho Rios is Reggae
Xplosion, a themed museum devoted to
commemorating the influence of reggae
music on the people and the culture of
the area. The culture associated with
reggae music is commonly known as
Rastafari, a term which actually refers
to an Ethiopian religion.
Although
reggae is the music of choice associated
with Jamaica, one of the biggest annual
events at Ocho Rios is actually the Ocho
Rios Jazz Festival (
http://www.ochoriosjazz.com/). This
weeklong summer festival which has been
going on for more than fifteen years
draws in big names in jazz as well as up
and coming jazz performers and
contributes greatly to the culture of
the area during the summer months.
The culture
of Ocho Rios is also influenced by the
West Indian tribal cultures associated
with the history of the area, the
ancient Taino Indians, and the West
African slave history of Jamaica.
These various tribal influences are
reflected in the dance, theater, arts,
language and dining in Ocho Rios.
Ocho
Rios Shopping
An
excellent cultural tour has recently
opened, Outameni, that entertainingly
depicts the awesome extent of cultural
growth on the island. Outameni should
definitely be on your list if you are
truly interested in exploring the
culture of this beautiful island.
The Taj
Mahal Mall
offers fine
jewelry with
a large
variety, a
cigar room,
t-shirts,
swimwear
wraps,
alcohol,
coffee, and
other
souvenirs
at good
prices. Vi
If you plan
on going
shopping, do
not buy from
your resort
gift shop as
it will
probably be
overpriced.
If after
going
shopping you
still didn't
find the
item you
want to buy,
THEN buy
from the
gift shop.
In Ocho
Rios, ask
your taxi
driver or
guide to
take you to
the T-shirt
factory. It
is where
many gift
shops buy
their
merchandise.
Here they
have
t-shirts for
US$2.40,
wraps for
US$3, and
other very
cheap
merchandise.
Shot glasses
can be
bought for
US$1, and
key chains
for US$0.75.
A very good
price for 1
pound of
Blue
Mountain
Coffee is
US$18
and rum
cakes US$5.
Go to Wassi
Pottery in
Ochi for
beautifully
crafted
pottery.
Vendors on
the beach
try to sell
beaded necklaces
for US$12-15
dollars. In
Taj Mahal
and
other markets,
the same
pieces can
be bought
for 5 or 6
dollars.
Bracelets
and ankle
bracelets
can be found
for 3 or 4
dollars.
You can also
check out
the local
craft
markets,
they have
great
souvenirs...and
you can
bargain with
them.
Ocho
Rios Things to Do
Established
in 1983,
Chukka
Canopy Tour
(Ocho Rios)
offers tours
by 15
well-trained
guides, each
of whom
received 200
hours in
training ,
certification
and first
aid
preparedness.
The tour
equipment;
including
harnesses,
pulleys,
carabineers
and
traverses;
are
inspected
daily and
weekly for
safety.
Gloves and
helmets are
provided for
each guest.
The tour
uses a
double-line
system,
where guests
are clipped
to two zip
lines at the
same time.
If the main
zip line
fails, the
secondary
line takes
up the
weight.
Guests are
also clipped
to safety
lines while
walking and
on steps.
Dunn's River
Falls &
Park-website
link:
Dunns
River is
great if you
are
physically
able to
"climb" the
falls it is
a must. The
most
treacherous
part of
going there
are the
vendors in
the gift
area. they
are very
shrewd and
charming.
you should
be able to
get a t
shirt for 10
us. however
watch for
the wood
carvers and
their free
gift "for
the lady".
they also
use a
trick..."follow
him he will
get you a
bag" that
leads you to
the next
shop. Dunns
River Falls
in Ocho Rios
is a nice
day trip but
need to know
a few things
to have a
good trip.
You need to
understand
that you
will be
climbing a
water fall.
You may slip
or even
fall. You
will get
wet. If the
climb gets
to be too
much for you
they do have
exits that
you can get
out and walk
up. When you
leave the
falls you
will go
though a
shopping
area, If
you want
something
stop, if
you do not
want
anything do
not stop.
The
vendors are
a little
pushy.
Things that
you need to
bring:
Water shoes
that fit
you. Water
proof
camera.
Small bills
for tips. A
bathing suit
that fits
and will not
fall off.
Money for
shopping any
maybe lunch.
Things that
you do not
bring with
you are
items that
can not get
wet or items
you do not
want to
leave on the
bus. Best
days to go
are the days
the cruise
ships are
not in
port. Go to
cruisecal.com
to check the
port in Ocho
Rios.
Dolphin Cove - Please check in advance
about the
ages of the
children's
exact
interaction
with the
dolphins.
Children may
not be
allowed to
be
"pulled" by
the dolphins
- they are
allowed
in the water
as adults
and charged
the same
price.
Visitors
should be
informed in
advance that
this age
group will
not be
allowed the
same privileges
as an
adult. The
TOUCH rather
than
the SWIM
program may
be the
better
option.
Still, a
great place
to visit and
explore.
Plan to
spend at
least 3
hours
(without the
dolphin
interaction).
A very
expensive
day, though,
without a
doubt!
Mystic Mountain is an adventure park located between the cruise port and Dunn's River Falls. It features three rides, an infinity pool, gift shops and a Jamaican history display. Upon entering the park a chairlift takes you to the top of the mountain. The view is spectacular! Once at the top, you have the option of hopping on a bobsled...think of the Olympic Jamaican Bobsled team!!! It is like having your own roller coaster! The ride takes you through twists and turns around the mountain and finally back to the top. You can then don your harnesses, helmets and gloves and fly down the mountain via a series of cables!! The zip-lining adventure features a five cable system that has you 'zipping' from treetop to treetop. After completing the zip-lining, a chairlift takes you back to the bottom of the mountain where you can finish your day or take a round trip ride back to the top to do it all again!!!
The
craft market is a small fenced in
area located in Ocho Rios. It was a safe
and fascinating experience. Many locals
have small stalls filled with their
crafts, t-shirts and other things they
are willing to sell. Everyone here is
trying to sell you something and compete
with the stall next to theirs. Some
crafts are of higher quality then
others. Dealing is the only way to get a
good price here. Decide how much
something is worth to you and if you
can't get it for that price just walk
away. In most cases if your price is
fair they will sell it to you. Are the
people pushy? To some it would seem that
way but there are car dealers in the
states that are worse. Respect and
politeness goes along way. Every stall
wants a chance to sell you something or
at least for you to take a look at what
they have. The best practice was to take
a very quick look and comment on how
nice there goods were but say that you
were not interested in anything today
and thank you anyways. People got lots
of big smiles from the sellers
regardless if they bought something. In
closing, there are some very
talented people in Jamaica and even
Wal-Mart can't sell for the price many
are selling their goods for. Have fun,
be kind and respectful and the market
will be an enjoyable experience for you
and your family.
|
