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