The Best Tours & Excursions

Fabienne - The Nervous Traveler -in Jamaica 10

July 7, 2007

I found myself getting nervous by the minute on that day.

Although I was proud of myself for overcoming my fear of water for whitewater rafting, I kept thinking of my other fear: heights. The more I thought about it, the more I felt my muscles tighten. We were going on a zip line canopy tour, which literally consists of soaring high in the wooden forest, more than 45 feet above ground, with harnesses clinging from cables.

We woke up early, and I found that a large, ugly, purple bruise had spread on my arm. I couldn’t figure out how it had gotten there, or when during our rafting adventure I had hurt myself. I didn’t remember hitting any rocks or anything of the sort. But that bruise hurt, and it looked like someone had hurt me badly.

We weren’t sure how many people were going zip lining with us. Kenita and Stephen had talked about bringing their parents with them, and we tried to call, but to no avail. Since our driver was picking us up at 10 a.m., we had breakfast and waited in our rooms for our friends to come. Then, they called and said they were downstairs. I left Deuce in the room and went down to the lobby where I found Kenita and Stephen, and her parents. But we found out they wouldn’t be coming along. The ride would probably not be appropriate for her mother.

So we were left to go again, the four of us, and wouldn’t you know it? We missed the driver. Somehow, we got sidetracked (Deuce's Note: They were sidetracked by the food at the breakfast buffet! No matter how much I tried to get them to hurry up, they walked and ate like they couldn't possibly move any faster. They acted like they were on vacation!) and by the time we made it to the pick-up section, we found out that our bus driver had already come and gone.

We scrambled to find a ride, and finally, we called a taxi to take us to Chukka's farms, hoping that we would still meet the bus that was heading up into the mountains. Then, Deuce had an idea to call his contact at Chukka Caribbean, Daniel Melville, to let him know we had missed our ride. Mr. Melville told him he was in route for Chukka Farms and had just passed our hotel, so he turned around to come and pick us up personally.

When the drivers and hotel personnel found out we were being picked up by Daniel Melville, we had the sense that we were receiving the royal treatment. (Deuce's Note: They would just stop and stare, without saying a word, whenever I would mention "Melville"!) Daniel was the young, smiling manager of tour operations at Chukka Farms who everyone seemed to know and recognize. We rode with him to the Farm site, and he took it upon himself to ensure that we would get to the zip line site.

On the road, Daniel points out some horses on the side of the road riding on the sidewalk. Apparently, some individuals like to make their money that way, owning a couple of horses (some looking quite malnourished and weak) that they make available to tourists outside the hotels. According to Daniel, they are running a “yahoo cowboy operation” that does not take in consideration the safety of their clients.

Chukka Farms, on the other hand, was the real deal. This vast property spread on ____ acres, and hosted a multitude of excursions, including ATV and Jeep safaris, and their famous horseback ride and swim tours. We parked by the stables, where the horses were lined up for duty, all looking healthier and more appealing than the ones we saw earlier on the road. A bar was set up by the entrance, and I was able to get a drink of water for my throat that had dried up during the drive. Then, I had to rush to the bathroom, a charming backhouse with ladies and gentlemen doors appropriately labeled “stallions” and “mares.”

Then, we were ready for our drive up the mountain. We had to catch up with the group that had left us behind, and Daniel rode with us in the bus. The driver knew the road by heart, of course. The ride, like all other we’ve taken up to the mountains, was bumpy and visually appealing.

Finally, we made it up to the site. There, three guides were waiting: Vanessa, Scott and Devon. They strapped us in our harnesses and helmets, and that’s when I felt the fear overpower my whole body. Devon helped me get ready and adjusted my helmet for me, and I confessed how nervous I was.

(Continued)

Fabienne - The Nervous Traveler -in Jamaica 4

RIU Ocho Rios

Back at RIU, it was back to having drinks and cooling off in the lobby. I give my vote hands down for RIU’s lobby as the best I’ve ever seen. I do have an eye for interior design and décor, and even architectural touches, and this resort flaunted the most handsome receiving space one could ask for, especially in the Caribbean.   It was spacious enough to hold a thousand guests, and opened up so that the island breeze flowed from the entrance to the other end of the lobby, which lead to the ocean. Here and there, agents settled at little tables to set up their tours, and guests engaged each other in chit chats and card games while reclining on wicker sofas.

We had to drink. Every day. It was inevitable because we could not go up to our room without passing a bar. And they had many: the Reggae pool bar and the Rastafari swim up bar (in the pool, literally, and you can sit around different little tables), the Blue Mountain bar salon (my favorite, because it is hosted by the most joyous and friendliest bartenders of all who take advantage of every opportunity to engage you or dance together while they serve up my Jamaica Rum Cream), the Dunn’s River Plaza bar, and the Sports Bar, open 24/7 and located right underneath us.

And of course, we had to eat. How could we not. RIU boasts six different restaurants to suit all eating habits. Most require reservations, but the St. Ann’s Buffet was surprisingly pleasing and was not as high-brow. The Pizzeria Piccola Italia was opened until two a.m., perfect for my midnight-cravings (their pizzas are small but have quite a kick to them, especially the jalapeno and pepperoni ones).

By the time this vacation would be over, I would need to make it to Mo Bay’s airport in a wheelbarrow. Thank God, RIU’s gym was available for us to work out, and the RIU staff had an extensive list of physical activities for its guests to select from, including water aerobics, soccer, tennis and dance. The real question was, did we work out?

 

July 4, 2007

Wednesday. On the agenda: visiting different tour operations and finding out what they’re all about. It’s a drive to Mo Bay to visit Chukka Caribbean, a mogul in tour operators in the Caribbean.

Chukka is known for its professional, thrilling and eco-friendly tours throughout Jamaica, including Negril, Montego Bay and Ocho Rios (that’s a total of 25 tour sites in Jamaica alone), and in other islands such as the Bahamas, Belize, the Cayman Islands and Turks and Caicos. In fact, they are pinned as the Caribbean’s Leading Nature Adventure Excursion Operator and are one of the top five operators nominated for the 2007 World Travel Awards. Plus, they offer an endless variety of tours: ATV Safaris, Jeep Safaris, Zion Bus Line tours, Horseback Ride and Swim, Zip Line Canopy Tours (which are Green Globe certified), Dogsled experience, Sea Trek Tours, River Kayak, Mountain Bike Adventure, Sting Ray Swim experience, Air Boat tours, Jungle Buggy tours, Dune Buggy Tours and River Tubing. I say endless because they actually launch a new exciting adventure every year. This way, you’re guaranteed to find a tour you really want. There’s something for everybody.

Next on our list will be Caliché Rainforest River Rafting, a company whose white-water rafting is so thrilling, it keeps you on the edge of your seat. Literally. You’ll learn why a little later. But if you’re looking to add a kick to your otherwise smooth vacation, then Caliché’s rafting would be perfect for you. Besides, why wouldn’t you opt for rafting in Jamaica? Caliché will take you on the best, most gorgeous rapids on the island, and this adventure is both fun and educational.

Then, if we had time after our meetings, we would dare a drive to Negril. I could not wait! I had heard so much of Negril’s natural beauty that I initially wanted to dedicate a whole day to it. But since we had so much on our agenda, we had to squeeze it in.

(Continued...)