Nestled high above the stunning turquoise waters of the Caribbean, the quaint village of Nine Mile in Jamaica is home to the birthplace and final resting place of reggae icon Bob Marley. The village’s seemingly impenetrable, narrow winding road protects it from the majority of tourists seeking a more typical Caribbean experience.
Photo by Flickr
Upon arrival at Nine Mile, one might find it to be a small, unassuming settlement with houses scattered across the landscape. Venturing further, visitors will discover the inconspicuous entrance to the Bob Marley Mausoleum compound. The site is frequented by locals sporting dreadlocks, Rasta hats, and yellow eyes, often eager to sell marijuana to tourists.
Entering the compound through two large wooden doors, visitors are greeted with a sense of security and the familiar feeling of being a tourist. A set of stairs leads to a souvenir shop, offering a variety of keepsakes such as trinkets, coffee mugs, jewelry, and t-shirts featuring Marley or the red, yellow, and green colors of Jamaica. Access to the Marley house and mausoleum requires an $26 admission fee per person, a price most are willing to pay considering the effort to reach the site.
Bob Marley’s bed on display at the mausoleum, Nine Mile, Jamaica
Photo by Flickr
After purchasing tickets, visitors can explore a restaurant and bar on the premises, offering reasonably priced, appetizing meals in a unique setting. For some, the highlight of the experience might be enjoying a drink accompanied by a marijuana spliff without fear of repercussions.
The guided tour begins with Rastafarian guides sharing detailed insights into Marley’s humble beginnings, his philosophy, and his music. The house where he was born consists of two rooms—a gathering room and a small bedroom—spanning a mere 300 square feet. The outdoor kitchen features a simple arrangement of rocks forming a circle to contain an open fire.
Photo by Flickr
The tour includes visits to two mausoleums: the first belonging to Mama Marley, and the second housing both Bob Marley and his half-brother. In accordance with Mama Marley’s wishes, the brothers are buried together, with Marley’s crypt on the bottom and his brother’s tomb above. Inside the casket, Marley’s embalmed corpse is accompanied by his red Gibson Les Paul guitar, a Bible opened to Psalm 23, and a stalk of ganja placed by his widow, Rita, at the end of the funeral…
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