Printable View
I'm wondering what a day trip from Negril to 9-Mile is like. I know one person's grueling is another person's "no biggie," so as an example, we've done the Playa del Carmen to Chichen Itza tour in one day (2.5 hours each way plus 2-3 hours at the site) and while we were tired, we felt it was do-able and totally worth it.
Still pondering whether or not I want to miss a day on the beach to do it, but travelwise, how is it?
It is definitely a long full day, comparable at about 2.5-3 hour drive one way
The drive from Negril to Ochi area is not at all bad as the roads are quite nice and easy (much better than they used to be) but once you make the turn off to go up the mountain to Nine Mile it changes. The roads are very narrow, bumps, holes, winding around the mountain so if you get car sick this part can be a little rough and I would say takes proabably a good 30 minutes or so.
Now the question of whether it is worth it?
Yes! To me at least it was. If you are a fan of Bob then I would say it is worth it. Even more so back when Mother B was still alive as she would still spend time there at her house when she was in Jamaica and it wasn't at all uncommon to see her and even chat with her while there.
But the tour will include his childhood home, his room, and many things you hear about in many songs. Plus of course the Mausoleum where he is laid to rest.
Exactly the type of info I was looking for. Thank you!Quote:
Originally Posted by marley9808
No problem! And if you make the trip I hope you have a wonderful time.
My first trip to Nine Mile was quite the experience for me, I will always remember it
And word of advice.....Do NOT touch his bed unless you are looking to reproduce LOL
Not sure if the tour guide will mention or not but it is rumoured that if you touch his bed in his room you will soon find yourself with child.
Maybe this explains why he has so many children!!!
I have never touched the bed but I have heard from at least 3 others who did, and they all have children born not much longer than 9 months from their trips! True story!!
:)
lol
Definately go! They have some great tour guides! One is Bob's cousin and another is called Captain Crazy...very funny guy!
The trip up the mountain is rough, but very scenic. At times you are so close to the edge of the mountain
you feel you could fall off at any moment. It is an adventure that you will be glad you had!
By the way, the wife sat on Bob's bed and his resting chair....good thing she is "clipped"...LOL
SO glad to hear this. THANKS for the great info and sharing the clip. Kinda seals the deal for me. My husband doesn't know we're going to Jamaica and he's such a huge Bob Marley fan that I think he would wonder why in the world we came all this way and didn't make the trip to Bob's final resting place. And since he's snipped, I think I WILL touch the bed just to tempt fate (although that could get me into a heap of trouble I'm sure)!
I've got a few tour companies bookmarked and will look into it more...of course if you have any recommendations feel free to mention :)
For me the only grueling thing was the chessy tour guides there.The place is not that big but you still need a guide.I went along time ago before this crazy guy was around but for me I wanted a revernt place to pay my respect.What I found was a circus they created.I seen a sticker in the gift shop and asked the price $20.00U.S..I told them Bob would want it this way.Bought the same sticker for $1 at the Airport when we left.I'm a huge Marley fan seen him in concert but his resting place is a circus and they are doing this at Peter Tosh's also.Oh well!
A taste of the road - I'm a little differant and used A1 for the return trip. Used A2 then up and over from Mandeville going in.
I guess the day we were there was differant because we didn't have the laughing tour guide very reverent.
Took us about 10 hours with stops. Very worth trip.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8QKY61_bb0
and a little pic video with the 9 mile trip in there,,,,
http://www.mydeo.com/videorequest.as...709&CID=174893
We were there in 2005, on the day that would have been his 60th birthday. It was very busy as they were setting up just outside the "compound" for a huge celebration later that night. We really enjoyed it and glad to have done it.
Here's a pic my husband took as we were leaving (the camera date was wrong...it was actually Feb 6th)
Attachment 11598
Now see that is why I want to go to 9 mile someday... 8)
Nine Mile from Negril is a FUll day. My advice is always if you are a FAN, and I do mean a REAL fan, it is worth it , OR if you can enjoy just the travel around and sights themselves, I say go for it. Otherwise I say skip it. The "tour" itself is best described as a "non-tour" in my book. However, if you want to pay your respects to the man, and again, if you are a FAN, it will mean something to you and you can look over the canned fabrication of it all.
Also, I DO NOT think Bob would approve of what Nine Mile has become by a long shot.
They don't sell the weed inside but if ya linger outside the "compound" then you will be haggled to purchase. We went in January and it was a long trip - 3 hours for sure each way and that's if you don't hit traffic back in MoBay. Plus a stop for something to eat. There is a full bar inside with prices to match. Many souvenirs to purchase just like anywhere else. Tour took about 30 min max - As Misti1 has indicated - if you are a really big Bob Marley fan and want to pay your respects, then you'll put up with the drive and the disney effect of what Bob's families resting place has become.
Attachment 11771
My, that is a lovely bouquet, I wish I could smell it through the screen.
LOL at sign "persons can be persecuted" - that's better than prosecuted, I can take quite a bit of persecution.
I heard a STORY that when people arrive at the bar, the staff hypes them up with "Who wants a Bob Marley shot?" Most of the group says "Yeah Mon" and then are charged THIRTEEN dollars each for a shot. IF TRUE, that is unacceptable and also the partially the tourists' fault for not asking how much.
They should customize tours for those who overstand Rastafari and want to pay their respect in a dignified manner. I personnally would wait until the large groups had started their tour, and request a quieter guide.
Ms Goldilocks. I so agree with you.
I recommend 100% to tour with Fuzzy. He is a very dear friiend of mine He is an Elder guide and a cousin of Brother Bob Marley.
Many people are led away to a so called plantation when they are approached outside the compound.
Friends of mine were told it was the Bob Marley tour and spent all their money. When they tried to go through the gate they were asked for an admission charge. They didn't have it to pay. They had travelled from Switzerland. I was so disappointed when I heard this.
You can call the Bob Marley Mausoleum and request Fuzzy or I can send you on his telephone number.
B
Also, I DO NOT think Bob would approve of what Nine Mile has become by a long shot.
I am sure I could hear Brother Bob groan in his marble casket.
B
Dear Ms Fussy. You must check Mr Fuzzy.
How much are the tour companies charging? You will find it more enjoyable with a private charter. If it's not too much more I would consider that or maybe find another 2 Bob Marley fans ( shouldn't be difficult) and share the costs.
One love
B
Pm your name and I will tell Fuzzy to look out for you.
I fully admit that this site has been completely commercialized. Two reasons I went were to pay respect to Bob and to see where he was born. They also tell you that a lot of the money goes to fund the school in nine mile. Captain Crazy is loud, but he show much respect on the tour as do all the guides. I think the worst part about it is they do try to get you to spend money on expensive drinks at the bar. My wife and I chose to instead burn a spliff at his resting place (which was allowed). She also left a necklace of sea shells at the mausoleum.
We also saw young children reaching their hands under the fence and begging for money. As you leave, you will be strongly hassled to buy ganja in many forms. To be honest, this was the most pressure I have ever endured to buy something in Jamaica. We almost had to run to our van. That being said, I probably wouldn't go back...but I have no regrets that I did go and pay respect.
Attachment 11774
Attachment 11775
Attachment 11776
Attachment 11777
Attachment 11778
By the way Goldilocks...if you go with a group you have to stay with that group and you get whatever guide is available.
You are not allowed to take pictures of the mausoleum and you have to remove your shoes. You spend a few quiet and reverent moments there. As I said, this part of the tour is treated with high respect. Hope that helps.
That is very kind of you Ms. Sheba. I hope to be in Sweet Jamaica within 6 to 8 weeks.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sheba
Great pix SouthernRust, thanks!Quote:
Originally Posted by SouthernRust
LOL, I rarely travel with groups and I have an extremely strong inbred resistance to being told where to go and what to do. I assume full responsibility for my "risky" behavior. Obviously, I will respect the boundaries of the tour but will not tolerate being herded or pressured.
That's so nice...I will probably take you up on that and when I nail down a date I'll pm you my info. We would definitely be going JUST to pay respects and really not for any of the other stuff at all. Hubby has random drug testing at work, so even though he was once a big fan of the ganja alas not this time. He was a huge fan of Bob back when I met him (Bob had only died a few years before that), but I'm not sure how he feels now. Once a Bob fan, always a Bob fan, I'd say. We may not listen to his music every day but still have deep respect. I think even though the drive is long and makes for a long day, it would be a good way to see some of the country. Otherwise we tend to succumb to sand gravity big time. I can't ask him if he'd be interested in going otherwise he'd guess my surprise of where we're going.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sheba
I'm finding tours anywhere from $100 a person to almost $200. I think the $100 is with a big group and goldilocks I am with you, I don't do big groups real well.
Thanks SouthernRust and all for sharing photos. Great advice and insight, everyone. Thanks for the heaps of help. This is more information in one place than I was able to find after a couple hours of research online!
So if you were in Duncans Bay, or Treasure Beach which would be the shorter trip??
Just to get an idea of where you will be going it is located in Saint Ann Parish, Jamaica, a few miles south of Brown's Town.
http://www.map-of-jamaica.co.uk/images/saint-ann.gif
Ms Fussy.
I am sure someone on the board could recommend a good red plate driver who may do the trip for 250/300 US
I would be very sneeky and tell him/ your boyfriend or in Jamaica Your King, that you were going either to Ocho Rios, Dunn's falls, Dolphin Cove, Mystic Mountain or James Bond beach. You would be heading in that direction and then you would turn up at Runaway Bay.
I would even get the driver in on it and pretend he was taking you on a short visit to Brown's Town Market.
I think you might get away with it untill Brown's Town
(That's only me though. Sneeky.)
One love
B
Thank-you Sheba, looks like Duncans Bay will be the closest.
SO how many of you know about the 2,000 dollar a night rooms up there with the marble jacuzzi tubs and sterling silver dresser chests over looking the mountains and Nine Mile?