When visiting Jamaica’s beautiful Ocho Rios make sure you take some time out of your vacationing, water sporting, fun in the sun, and exciting nightlife partying to visit the Bob Marley Nine Mile, the community that helped shape the life and career of one of the most famous musicians of all time. Even if you’re not a particular fan of the man’s music, you’ll get a real sense of what he was about.
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| Bob Marley (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
Many Bob Marley fans come to Ocho Rios specifically for this unparalleled experience. The quaint village of Nine Mile is nestled high in magnificent mountains of St. Ann, and serves not only as the birthplace of the legendary Reggae King (1945), but also where he was laid to rest in 1981. Fans of Marley have described the Nine Mile experience as one that allowed them to get more in touch with the musician’s roots, to understand the depths of his lyrics, and to come away from it feeling a renewed sense of faith about what’s most important in life.
Be sure to check out the small family house—where the Bob Marley legend all began. Some of Marley’s family are still there, most notably his mother (“Mother B”) and Uncle Lloyd. The small home is littered with photos of the renowned late musician, and you will likely hear stories of Marley’s childhood and early musical career from his mother and/or uncle, as well as the guide. You should also visit Mount Zion Rock (the famous Bob Marley meditation spot), the Fireside, where he cooked many meals, and finally, the mausoleum, the King of Reggae’s final resting place.
If you’re not quite sure how to go about touring through the Bob Marley community, try a Nine Mile guided tour complete with an authentic Rastafarian guide (in authentic Rastafarian garb, no less!) who will take you through the village from one important element to the next, so you don’t miss anything and so you can soak in the entire experience from beginning to end.
