Phil Lafayette can't be beat!!

[imatarb]

Just wanted to give a good word about our wonderful tour director Phil Lafayette. We were in Ocho Rios in May, and he was, without a doubt, one of the friendliest, most informative and knowledgeable tour guides I've ever had the pleasure of meeting. His tour was flexible, fun, frivolous and friendly (see the theme of the "f"'s Phil?...I'm nowhere near as good as you, though).

 

In any event, he made sure that the 14 of us that were on his tour were like members of his family, and insured that we all saw what we want and went to the places we wanted to see. We learned about Jamaican culture, lifestyle, schools, etc. It was GREAT!!

 

Our tour consisted of a visit to Phil's private falls (personally, I liked these much better than Dunn's River), a roadside garden with all sorts of flora and fauna to see, tubing down one of the rivers (great time!!), a trip to Dunn's River and then to the Jerk Centre for lunch. Hands down..the best jerk pork, chicken and beef I've ever had. The Red Stripe was great, too. He ended our tour by dropping us off near the pier for shopping. Just an absolute perfect day.

 

Price is right, people were great, and I would highly recommend Phil Lafayette. His tours are personal, not too big, and I guarantee you'll have a good time with Phil. Check out his website at:

 

http://www.phil-lafayette-tours.com/Tours.html

 

No problem, mon!

 

Phil, if you happen to read this, we'll be coming back to see you probably next year with our six-year old son in tow! Can't wait to share beautiful Ocho Rios with him.

Lisa :)

[pattie63]

I, husband and two young sons spent time with Phil in April 2004. We would strongly recommend Phil to anyone visiting Ocho Rios. He's a wonderful statesman for his county and a great guide.

 

Thanks Phil!!

[pattie63]

I, husband and two young sons spent time with Phil in April 2004. We would strongly recommend Phil to anyone visiting Ocho Rios. He's a wonderful statesman for his county and a great guide.

 

Thanks Phil!!

[funcorn]

Hi, Lisa! Haven't heard from you in a while! Everyone else----I ditto what Lisa said about Phil. He's the greatest! My friend & I are going on the Victory (again) in December & will probably do Phil's tour again--although I can't imagine having more fun than we had in May!

 

Funcorn (Peggy)

[music]

Another vote for Phil. We just got back and there was an

e-mail waiting to see if we got home ok!! We had a great time with Phil. Never had to wait for anything, he is very informative and a fun guy to be with!!

[PTarbay]

How many people are on Phil's tours?Peat's tours?

[music]

When we took Phil's tour, it was just 4 of us. I believe his van holds about 10. We had a great time with him and would use him again with no doubt!

When we got home, Phil e-mailed us to make sure we got home ok.

[sealegs9]

We took Phil's tour on 8/31 (from Voyager) with several of our CC buddies. I hope Phil and his crew make it through Ivan without damage -especially to his lovely garden.

Phil sent us an e-mail on Sunday asking if we arrived home safely. I responded that we did and he sent me another with greetings.

 

We booked Dunn's River Falls, sightseeing and river tubing.

Phil met us where the private tours meet, to the right of the port building. He escorted us to on of his vans and introduced Bobby- the guide who took us to the Falls. Phil met us afterwards and continued with the tour and river tubing.

 

Bobby was great. Some in our group did not want to climb the whole thing. Bobby showed us where to meet our group to climb the "easy" part. We had a blast. We went very early- before the ship's tours and other tours. By the time we left, there were huge lines of people waiting to climb. Kudos to Phil & Bobby.

 

When we left the falls, Phil called ahead to the tubing place and told us we'll have lunch first, since the tubing place was crowded. He wanted us to have a "private" experience. (There were 17 on our tour). We went to a charming local restaurant where we ate outside, overlooking the harbor. We felt like we were in a James Bond movie. The view was great. The food was very good.

Then, off to river tubing. We went to a place downriver from the place where the ship's excursion takes you. The guides did a great job of keeping us out of the brush along the sides of the river. We also passed locals swimming, bathing and washing clothes in the river. The ride was about 30 min, with gentle rapids in a few areas, but mostly like a lazy river ride- sometimes the guides pushed us to get going. It was realy fun.

 

Phil then gave us a driving tour of Ocho Rios, gave some history of Jamaica, and entertained us. Very charming. He then took us to a "garden" and showed us different vegetation and fruits native to the area.

 

We were supoosed to meet some of our CC/M&M group at Margaritaville, but returned with about 15 minutes to shop at Island Village. No problem- quickly bought coffee & tee shirts. We'll catch M-ville next time.

 

Phil charged $50/person for the whole day (it was supposed to be 3.5-4 hours. We were with him from 9:30 to 4:15. The ship's excursion for river tubing was $50 (without the tour and falls). I did learn that the ship's excursion took you up higher in the mountains and more upstream -and you were on the river for 1 1/2 hours. Still- I preferred the variety of Phil's tour.

 

Phil- if you read this (I hope you do) - hope everything works out for you and you have no damage tonight.

[rudeboy613]

My friends and I cruised on the Carnival Triumph September 2004 and met up with Phil Lafayette in Jamaica sortly after Ivan. But there were no problems mon! This tour was one of the highlights of our trip. We all jumped aboard the exquisite bus, number 169 and had an Irie time! YEAH MON! Phil sang about his home the entire trip and we all sang along. we stopped along the side of the road to buy gifts and souvenirs and to watch a fire eater we also had a chance to take pictures! Some of our group decided to do the river tubing and some did not. So Phil dropped the non tubers off at Dunns River Falls and then took the tubers to their destination. After that he picked up the everyone and took us to this really nice restaurant to eat. The entire trip Phil was teaching us about the culture and showing us the plants used to make different things that we use at home every day. We were able to touch and smell most of these plants and flowers. We are now honorary Jamaicans. We talk fast and walk slow. Thanks again phil.

[DayCruisers]

Since you do the falls first, do you have to spend the rest of the day in your wet swimsuit or is the a place to change?

[imatarb]

I do believe there are places to change at the falls.

 

Just wanted to express yet again how happy we were with Phil. Anyone who reads this thread can probably see how happy we ALL were!

 

Lisa :)