| One of the ports of call for our Royal Caribbean | | | | to make things safer but as we witnessed, this |
| cruiseship during the week of November 28/04 was | | | | method of going up the falls is not a guarantee |
| Ocho Rios, Jamaica. Probably the most famous site in | | | | against falling. We saw a woman let go and she fell |
| the region is Dunn's River Falls and we chose to tour | | | | down the rocks during one of the steeper sections. |
| it on our own rather than through one of the | | | | She wasn't badly hurt but we imagined that she |
| cruiseship tours. Once we disembarked from the | | | | sustained some nice bruises. There are various points |
| cruiseship, there were cabs and shuttlebuses available | | | | along the falls where you could get off the falls and |
| at the pier. Cabs to Dunn's River Falls were $22 US | | | | back on the stairs to walk up the rest of the |
| for a return trip. Cabs allowed 1-3 people per vehicle. | | | | way.Not everyone there attempted to climb the falls |
| We were also told at the pier that small shuttlebuses | | | | as many were happy to just walk dry along the side |
| also go to the Falls at $5.50 US per person. These | | | | on the stairs. We chose not to go with any of the |
| were also based on return trips.The only problem | | | | groups which tend to go up the left side of the falls. |
| with shuttlebuses was that we had to wait until they | | | | We made our way up on our own mostly on the |
| filled up the shuttle before leaving for the Falls so | | | | right side. With some breaks for photos, we made it |
| since we were the first on the bus, we had to wait | | | | all the way up the falls in about 30 minutes. Going |
| about 15 minutes for it to fill up. The driver then asks | | | | with a group would have taken longer for sure. The |
| you when you want to be picked up at the Falls for | | | | water is a bit cool and if you have a wetsuit, it is |
| the return trip. Our driver suggested 2 hours to see | | | | highly suggested that you wear it for the climb. |
| the Falls so we agreed on this time duration.Once at | | | | Cameras used there up the falls are also |
| the Falls, a woman then came onboard the shuttle to | | | | recommended to be water resistant since they likely |
| sell tickets for admission to the site at $10 US per | | | | will get wet. We left our digital camera on the ship |
| adult person which was the same rate at the park's | | | | and took one of those $25 underwater |
| ticket booth. Once inside the Dunn's facility, there | | | | cameras.After climbing the falls, we headed back |
| were rentals for special rubber shoes as well as | | | | down to the relatively small but uncrowded beach |
| lockers. We carried a small backpack so we didn't | | | | where the ocean water was warmer until it was time |
| require paying for a locker. We also brought along our | | | | to depart. The exit back at the top of the falls was |
| scuba diving booties so we didn't have to rent those | | | | strategically located at the end of a market so we |
| rubber shoes on site either. The cruiseship shop was | | | | did have to go through some locals who tried to sell |
| also selling these rubber shoes in advance. Shoes of | | | | us their souveniers. These locals who worked inside |
| some type are highly recommended as the rocks on | | | | the Dunn's site were hustling but not as aggressively |
| the Falls can be slippery and some of the bottoms of | | | | as those in the town of Ocho Rios. The shuttlebus |
| the water pools are a bit rocky. If you have old | | | | arrived at the site parking lot on time as agreed. The |
| sneakers you don't mind getting wet, they will be | | | | total amount we spent including the park admission |
| suitable for the climb up the falls as well. Our scuba | | | | and the shuttle was $31 US for the two of us. |
| diving booties turned out to be sufficient. The | | | | Taking an organized tour through the cruiseship would |
| entrance to the site is at the top of the falls so we | | | | have cost more than double this amount. So it is |
| took some stairs that were adjacent to the falls to | | | | quite possible to tour Dunn's River Falls on your own |
| the bottom where the beach and entrance to the | | | | rather than take the more expensive tours. We |
| climb were.There are official guides dressed in blue | | | | were glad that we did see Dunn's River Falls but we |
| polo shirts and shorts who will take groups up the | | | | thought that it was not nearly as impressive as |
| falls. Normally, they will ask to carry all cameras for | | | | depicted on photos in travel brochures.The official |
| you so they can take photos of you as you climb. Of | | | | website for Dunn's River Falls is Leung is owner of |
| course, they expect to be well tipped for their | | | | Free Spirit Gallery ( an online gallery specializing in Inuit |
| services. Also, groups were told to hold hands | | | | Eskimo and Northwest Native American art including |
| forming a human chain up the falls. This was suppose | | | | carvings, sculpture and prints. |