Jamaica, Part 2: Dunn's River Falls

On Wednesday of our Jamaica week, Vanessa, Marco, and our family of four hired a driver to go off the resort on a day trip to Dunn's River Falls near Ocho Rios, another town on the northern coast about an hour and a half from Montego Bay (my parents weren't interested in this much time in the car and stayed at the resort).  Interestingly, the only other place in Jamaica I have ever been was to this area of the island and these falls on a stop during a Caribbean cruise in 2009. 

The Falls are truly lovely. Unfortunately, it's not well advertised that in order to "experience" the falls, you must wear swim gear and water shoes and prepare to get totally soaked. I did not have the right footwear back in 2009 but did remember and came better prepared with Keens this time, while Vanessa had to purchase water shoes at the entrance, and Marco, who only had tennies, just stayed on the adjacent deck and beach (we hadn't planned the day trips ahead of time).

We thought we were going to just make a run of "climbing" the falls alone, but soon realized we were in over our heads and latched onto (literally, holding hands in a chain!) a "guided" tour, where the guide showed us the best spots to plant our feet to avoid slipping, and took some great photos as well.  It took us about an hour to get from the beach up the falls to the top (and my Keen straps actually broke partway up -- they're "Dunn for!").

Iver (in his crocs) was a trouper!

Niall basically got carried the whole way and we realized later that he didn't meet the height requirement to join us-- but guidelines are sometimes pretty loosely enforced here in Jamaica (and he wouldn't have wanted to be left behind!). 

The beach at the bottom had great views, too.

"Whoops, they let me on!" 

Iver really enjoyed the water slide near the splash pad at the end (again, he was just shy of the height requirement but the attendant "let it slide").

The kids were thoroughly tuckered out on our return trip and Vanessa got a break from their incessant chatter and question-asking and probably was happy to become an "auntie pillow"!