ATV Trip

Posted byericnewellPosted inTravel
We were told that when we get to Jamaica we should do an excursion because the beaches were filled with people interested in personal charity (panhandlers).  From our experience, it didn’t seem that way, but we were definitely glad we took the advice to go on an excursion.  Most excursion options included a trip to Dunn’s River Falls, a 600 ft waterfall you can walk down and back up.  We decided to try something different and sign up for an ATV ride into the jungle.  It was kinda expensive at $89 per person, but hey- we’re on vacation. 
 
We got off the ship as soon as it docked at 9:30am and wandered into the excursion holding tent which quickly filled with about 250 people.  The lady trying to direct people to their excursion had a very quiet voice, so we all engaged in a game of "telephone" as she would say "Horseback Riding" and each person would have to yell it back to the person behind them.  After about 15 minutes, the rumor spread that the ATV trip was ready to depart.  The 16 of us boarded a 24 seat van and headed out.  Our van ride lasted two blocks.  Just as we were getting started we stopped at another gravel parking lot so we could board another van which was a replica of our existing van.  When we got on the right van, our driver, Clarence, drove us for about 20 minutes along the north coast of Jamaica to the excursion provider’s ranch.  Along the way he gave us some background on Jamaica and taught us a few Jamaica (patois) terms such as:
  • No Problem Mon – apparently "Mon" works for either sex
  • Irie – their way of saying "all right" like everything irie.
  • Piknie – kids – I guess if you say kids you’re talking about goat offspring.

When we got off at the ranch, the facitilies were better than expected – clean bathrooms and all.  They had a bar at the ranch where I’d later partake in a Jamaican beer – Red Stripe.  Some on the trip grabbed a beer as we headed off to get started.  We got aboard our ATV and our guide cationed us about the safety procedures such as no drinking or drugs.  About 6 people polished off their Red Stripes and then we were on our way.  This was the first time either Becky or I had ridden an ATV, so it was nice that we got to cruise around the practice area for about 5 minutes before we headed off on the trail up the hill.  The ride was very bumpy with lots of rocks and the occasional puddle thrown in.  We made our way under the highway all passed all the vegetation.  I wouldn’t really call it a jungle – it was a forrested area that wasn’t too dissimilar from northern Minnesota except for the palm trees.  I was riding four from the back of the single file line with Becky 2nd from the front.  We had four tour guides riding along with us – 1 leading and the other three mingling around with one usually bringing up the rear.  As we were nearing hill lookout the guides had all gotten in front of me as I stalled my ATV riding up a hill.  The 4 guys behind me all just cruised right past me and left me there on the side of the hill, fortunately within site of our stop.  Becky was surprised to find that everyone made it to the top of the hill except her husband, but she must have thought "here we go again" after my misadventures a couple years ago on a similar excursion on horseback where I fell off my horse and had to be babied along.  I started walking up the hill and a tour guide finally came down and got my motor restarted (it was a pull start) and I was fine from then on.  At the rest stop, we had a great view of the north coast of Jamaica from 800 feet up.  We could see many miles in either direction and you can see many of the pictures we took up there in my latest photo album. 

The way down was fun as we cruised a little faster and got to go through a stream.  Our tour guide had said that when we went back down the mountain we were going to stop at the coast so we could go cliff jumping.  I assumed he was kidding since there wasn’t any mention of it in the description of the trip and he said it kind of flippantly.  But we rode right past the ranch on our way back and made it to the water’s edge and stopped.  We got out and saw a little cove with a guy sitting nearby with lifeguard swim trunks on.  I guess he wasn’t kidding – we could cliff jump.  There was a rock platform about 15 feet up over the cove which was 20 feet deep.  The lifeguard jumped in and it looked like lots of fun. Unfortunately neither of us had our swimsuits on because we didn’t this was going to be on the tour, so Becky didn’t want to go without a suit on.  After about 5-6 people tried it, I figured I’d go for it.  It was awesome.  I mean it was a little scary as you jumped off and weren’t sure when you were going to hit the water.  I landed on my feet both times so the impact wasn’t too bad, but one member of the party did a belly flop, and I’m sure he felt that for a while afterward.  The water was so refreshing after riding in the heat for an hour and a half – that alone was worth it.  It was just really fun and I was glad I did something that was semi-daring for once. 

After my bath in my shorts, we had a beer and the bar there as they tried to sell us 6 pictures from our adventure for $20.  Then Clarence loaded us back into the van and took us back to the ship.  We got back aboard, changed clothes and had lunch.  Then we went back ashore and did a little shopping before calling it a day.  When we got back to the ship a second time we were so exhausted we slept for a couple hours before dinner.  What an awesome adventure.

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