| It's easy to find an all inclusive vacation in Jamaica but | | | | miles by road and nearly three hours by raft from |
| the majority are for families. That's great for people | | | | the sea. The rafts are thirty two feet long and |
| with kids and fine for those who don't mind having | | | | constructed from bamboo poles lashed together. The |
| kids around at their holiday resort. Many couples with | | | | deck area has a seat for two passengers at the |
| grown up children, enjoy being freed from the | | | | stern whilst a dreadlocked boatman, stands further |
| demands of family vacations. The last thing these | | | | forward and steers the raft with a long, bamboo |
| couples want is to have to spend their holiday with | | | | pole. |
| other people's children around them instead of their | | | | You are taken at a leisurely pace for most of the |
| own. | | | | way, occasionally picking up speed to cross stretches |
| There are however, several very good couples-only | | | | of the river that might be described as minor rapids. |
| vacation resorts in Jamaica that can be booked on an | | | | The boatman provides his own brand of constant |
| all inclusive basis. Three are owned by the same | | | | entertainment, telling many far-fetched yarns about |
| company and are called "Couples". One is in Negril, | | | | the rich and famous people he has transported in his |
| one in Sans Souci and the other is in Ocho Rios. We | | | | raft or by singing some Bob Marley favourites to you. |
| enjoyed a glorious sixteen day holiday at Couples, | | | | The photo opportunities of the voyage are virtually |
| Ocho Rios a few years ago. Being naturists, we were | | | | incessant. As well as some beautiful scenery and |
| attracted to this hotel because it has a | | | | wildlife in the form of vultures and other exotic birds, |
| clothes-optional facility in the form of a tiny island, a | | | | your navigator also creates many pictures worth |
| hundred metres or so out from the hotel opposite | | | | snapping as he stylishly poles the raft, guiding it |
| the main beach. The island is served by a beautiful | | | | through its tricky course. There is always a colourful |
| swim up bar and a boat to take you there and back | | | | array of tropical plants to admire on the banks of the |
| at any time you want throughout the day. Most of | | | | river and your guide is most eager to tell you their |
| the island is covered with decking on which sun | | | | local names and provide interesting stories or folklore |
| loungers and hammocks are set out to furnish guests | | | | about their uses or associations. |
| with comfortable seating. There is exactly the right | | | | Along the way, you will pass other rafts selling |
| amount of coconut palms to provide the sunbathers | | | | refreshments and the boatman will suggest that he |
| with a perfect combination of sun and shade at all | | | | stops for you to buy a can or two of Red Stripe |
| times of the day. The island is an idyllic place to do | | | | lager or some trinket souvenirs. He is also likely to |
| nothing all holiday except sunbathe, swim and enjoy | | | | invite you to take a swim in a particularly inviting part |
| the drinks and snacks provided at the swim up bar. | | | | of the river where it is perfectly safe to do so. |
| But even fanatical sun worshippers like ourselves will | | | | The big advantage of going on a trip organised by |
| want to take some time out and see a bit of | | | | the hotel is that when you get to your destination at |
| Jamaica during their stay. | | | | St Margarets Bay, your coach will be awaiting you. If |
| Without any doubt, the most enjoyable excursion for | | | | you organised the trip yourself you would have to |
| us was a raft trip on the Rio Grande, Jamaica's | | | | find some way of getting back to Berridale to pick |
| longest river that runs from the Blue Mountains into | | | | your car up. |
| the sea. Tours, organised by the hotel, start with a | | | | As well as rafting, there are many more wonderful |
| fascinating coach journey to Port Antonio, calling in at | | | | places to visit and things to do in Jamaica but if you |
| the famous Blue Lagoon along the way. This was the | | | | prefer not to go on excursions full of kids and want |
| setting for the film Castaways and it is indeed the | | | | to enjoy your vacation as an exclusively couples only |
| most beautiful and peaceful place you could ever | | | | experience, my best travel tip is to book your |
| wish to swim in. Don't expect a beach however. The | | | | vacation at one of the "Couples" all Inclusive Hotels. |
| Blue Lagoon hasn't got one and the film's beach | | | | The best time to go is between December and April, |
| scenes were shot elsewhere. | | | | when Jamaican weather is at its best and the waters |
| The starting point of the raft trip is at Berridale, six | | | | of the Rio Grande are not too swollen or rapid. |