A Tribute to Bob Marley -- Reggae fans from all over the world visit the little hamlet of Nine Mile to pay their respects at the Bob Marley Centre & Mausoleum (tel. 876/995-1763), which is open daily from 9:30am to 6:30pm, charging an admission of $12. Neither the hours of opening nor the price is writ in stone.
The village where Marley grew up and where he was buried has the unusual name of Nine Mile. It's a group of ramshackle farms, stray goats, and chickens.
You can go inside Marley's two-room shanty, filled with family memorabilia, including photographs. Marley lived here from the ages of 6 to 13. Adjoining the shack is the so-called mausoleum in which Marley was buried. He shares the gravesite with his half-brother, who was gunned down by police in Miami during a drug bust.
On-site is a vegetarian restaurant and a little shop selling Marley tapes.
The big event of the year here is Marley's birthday each February 6. Reggae fans descend on Nine Mile to listen to concerts. The performer's son, Ziggy Marley, also a reggae star, often appears to entertain.
To reach the pilgrimage site, take the B3 from Ocho Rios south to Brown's Town, a distance of 39km (24 miles). From there continue south to Alexandria for 10km (6 1/4 miles). Once at Alexandria, turn east (signposted ALVA), going for another 15km (9 1/4 miles) until you arrive at the hamlet of Nine Mile of Marley fame.
