Family fun in Jamaica...

Whether you are at one of Jamaica's beautiful all-inclusive resorts like Beaches, or just cruised in for the day on a Carnival or Royal Caribbean Cruise ship, there is so much to do and see on this island. My family has visited the island twice. The first time we did Dunn's River Falls, which we loved. Make sure you wear some type of water shoes (you can rent them there too), and be careful with cameras as it is slippery in places. You start your climb at the bottom and work your way up, but you may get off the falls and use the walkway at anytime. Your guide will take pictures of your family in places if you ask. We forgot, but your best bet is bringing a cheap waterproof camera. Don't bring valuables you do not want getting wet, or you can rent a locker before getting to the falls. The guides were not rude at all about tips, but it is expected for you to tip them. We gave him $10 for the 5 of us. Everyone should do that at least once. We were there the day the Jamaican track and field runner won the gold in the 100 yard dash and the island stood still as he ran, then burst into an instant party when he crossed the finish line first. The entire island cheered in unison and Jamaican flags waved everywhere you turned.

Situated in the resort town of Ocho Rios in Jamaica’s “Garden Parish” of St. Ann, and only 5 minutes from the Ocho Rios Cruise Ship Pier in one direction and a short 5 minute drive to Dunn’s River Falls drive to the west is hottest new destination in Jamaica. The Rainforest Bobsled Jamaica at Mystic Mountain, it boasts over 100 acres of land stretching from the coast road entrance near Dunn’s River Falls to over 700 feet above sea level at the peak of Mystic Mountain. We took the Royal Caribbean Freedom of the Seas tour here, and it was literally a blink of an eye from the cruise ship.

This ride features custom-designed bobsleds celebrating the Jamaican bobsled teams of Olympics past. Just like the guys in the movie. We sped on winding stainless steel rails 3,280-feet (1,000 meters) on gravity-driven ride through lush forest, on our black and yellow bobsleds. The rides takes about 6 minutes including the ride back up the mountain. The staff told us the bobsled track was laid around the natural landscape to minimize the environmental impact. We could control our own speed, allowing for either a leisurely tour through the forest or something a little more interesting. We got more daring each time we went down, since we could buy more rides at a cheaper rate while there. At the end of the ride, the bobsled slides to a graceful stop and is slowly pulled back by cable to the top of the mountain, completing the entire circuit in approximately six minutes. We were told the bobsleds go about 25 mph at top speed. Believe me it feels a lot faster than that. For younger children who may not want to ride alone, two bobsleds can be connected so the parent sits in the front and controls the speed.

Positioned at the park’s entrance, is the Rainforest SkyExplorer a state-of-the-art chairlift that sends guests above the treetops up 700 feet to the top of Mystic Mountain. The descent carries them through the heart of the canopy, giving them firsthand glimpses of the wonders of the tropical seaside rain-forest. Staff told us that the towers for the lift ride were brought in by helicopters to not disturb the ecosystem. You must ride this to ride go to any of the rides here, and to eat at the restaurant. You can also swim in their infinity pool which even has a water slide, while at the top.  My kids really liked it even if it was a simple pool. Do be careful, when we went, the slide was made of metal and was quite hot.  The 30-minute round trip excursion in an open-air chairlift take you through 1.3 miles of the rain-forest canopy. From the top of Mystic Mountain you can see Ochos Rios and the cruise terminal clearly.

We did not ride the Zipline this trip. It seemed very nicely done as we saw people zip through the forest, above our heads, as we rode the bobsleds. The secure Zip Line attraction whisks travelers through the rain-forest canopy, gliding from one platform to another.  The Zip Line tour consists of seven platforms and 6 Zip lines averaging 100 meters in length, with one 10-meter vertical rappel descent and one 25-meter suspension walking bridge.

There is a three in one package which offers: the Rainforest SkyExplorer, Rainforest Bobsled Jamaica, and the popular Zip Line. The SkyExplorer carries guests above the trees to the peak, then both the Bobsled and Zip line sends them speeding through the heart of the forest. If you want to experience all of them this would be the way to go.

My kids really did like Dunn's River Falls, but they loved Mystic Mountain. They played in the pool for over an hour, we ate lunch up there, rode the bobsleds, shopped and looked around for about 4.5 hours. I think that kids ages 6-89 would love this excursion. This 46 year old loved it. We took a shuttle back which were constantly returning to the cruise ship's terminal. We will surely be back to Jamaica. Hopefully next time to an all-inclusive.

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Welcome to Pardise....with Butler included

A Sandals (and Beaches) vacation fit for a King or just someone very rich....at a price you can afford.

You work all year. Sometimes missing important events and moments to make sure you have a job, or to advance in your profession. You give it your all, and now you have a week or two as a reward for all that work. Don't you deserve to be spoiled and catered to? Everything in this vacation is prepaid and up front from excursions, to entertainment, and of course your butler.....just close your eyes and imagine it.......

Imagine arriving  at your Sandals resort in a Mercedes Benz or Rolls Royce private transfer from the airport! You meet your own personal butler who's sole job is to anticipate and cater to your every need. Your butler takes care of check-in while you sip champagne, cool off and relax in your spacious suite. You change your clothes and head for cocktails and dinner, while your butler unpacks your suitcases, hangs up your clothes and even spread tissue in the drawers before arranging your clothes there. He gives you a cell phone so he is always a phone call away. He has reserved a prime location for your lounge chairs at the pool and beach. He delivers a cooler of your favorite beverages to the beach or pool, whether it be water, soft drinks, champagne or beer. You forgot your suntan lotion? No problem call the butler he delivers it to you at the beach. One day your butler calls from the sandwich table at the buffet to ask exactly what you would like on the sandwich that you requested  delivered to your lounge on the beach! Your Butler handles all of your dinner reservations with prime table locations and escorts you to dinner, where you discover a linen tablecloth covered in flower petals and candles. Your butler might arrange private in-room meals – breakfast, lunch or a candlelit dinner – with a special personal menu. In the late evening you came back to your room to find that your turn-down service included towel art in the form of intertwined swans, surrounded by flower petals with candles with soft music playing in the background. But the night is young, and your butler has prepared a bubble bath in the whirlpool tub, complete with candles, chocolate covered strawberries(your favorites) and an iced bucket of champagne! When you regrettably have to return to reality, the butler packs your bag and escorts you to your VIP private Mercedes or Rolls. Who wouldn't want a vacation where you are treated like royalty? Don't you deserve that after working all year?
Butlers ensure that all whims and wishes will be met at all times…in short, a butler will do anything you ask as long as it is legal!  Butler Service makes an already special event that much more memorable!

Contact us at 1-508-808-5995 or at gloria@secondstartravel.net for more information on a Sandals or Beaches vacation with concierge or butler service, because you deserve the best!

 

 

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What is that big yellow thing in the sky??? (Trip report)

We woke up this morning and we were ecstatic to see the sun shining through the drapes. We opened the drapes and low and behold we had bright sun. We were pulling into Ochos Rios, Jamaica and it was a beautiful site. After 4 days of rain so far we were extremely grateful to have sunlight. So, as quick as we could we threw on our bathing suits, lotioned up and off we went for our excursion.

Now we have been to Jamaica before and had done the Dunn's River Falls and tubing before. The falls were a lot of fun, and so was the tubing but once was enough for us. So we tried the Jamaican bobsleds tour. It was not more than 10 minutes from the ship by tour bus. We got out and we were escorted to a ski lift that brought us up the mountain. Below us as we went up was the rainforest. We did not see and animals, but there were many sounds from the forest. The flowers and trees were beautiful. We were at the top in about 15 minutes. They have lockers at the top of the mountain. They take a deposit which all but $1 is returned when you return the key.

At the top there was a beautiful garden you could walk around in. A few artists selling things, a small store and then the entrance to the bobsleds, and the pool. Now we had paid for each of us to ride the sleds once on the cruise ship tour. we each got our own sleds. Now if you have a child or anyone who feels uncomfortable driving the sled themselves two sleds can be connected with the first sled doing the driving. The sleds are on a track, so the only thing you control is the speed and the breaks. There are cameras on the tracks so they do not let people go until they get past certain points so no one can crash into each other. When you get to the bottom, you go back up the mountain on your sled. We immediately purchased 5 more rides for $50 when we got to the top. On the lat ride we did not have enough ticket for me to go, and the attendant was kind enough to let me go on the last ride with my kids. I tried to get video, and will try to upload it from my phone, but it may not happen. There are lots of pictures though, which I will upload and add later to this post. After riding 4 times each, we took a dip in their endless pool. They had a nice size water slide and whirlpool there too. From the pool you had great views of the Navigator and Ocho Rios. We spent about 5 hours there. We could take as long as we wanted as busses came and picked up every 20 minutes. As we rode the ski lift (that holds 4 people comfortably) down it started to sprinkle. In all our excitement we had not noticed that it had become overcast and now the rain was coming in.

We got on our bus and met Phil (the DH) on the road that leads to the ship. We did some shopping (Pandora bracelets) at the ship approved stores and went back to the ship as it started to rain. We showered and went down to dinner.

Our table mates had enjoyed their limited sun as much as we had. The ladies had gotten their hair braided (ok, I was a little jealous I didn't) and had gotten a good amount of color. The men had been offered to have their hair braided too by people. They really were a great group of people to eat with. They had been on a carnival cruise the week before coming on this one and it had rained and been cloudy on that cruise, so they deserved this warm sunny 1/2 day!

Bye Jamaica!

We were so tired we zonked out early....tomorrow our last day at sea!

If you want to have all this fun...call us at Second Star Travel 1-508-808-5995


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