Have you really been to Jamaica if you haven't visited Bob?

You can’t visit Jamaica without experiencing Bob; his music, image and words are everywhere. But have you really visited Jamaica if you haven't looked a little deeper and visited one or more Marley hangouts? Here are my favourite Bob Marley spots: 

Kingston

Bob Marley is an iconic figure across the world and nowhere more than in his home city of Kingston. The Bob Marley Museum is a cornerstone of the Bob Marley Foundation, which supports social projects across Jamaica – each aligned with Bob’s spiritual, social, cultural and musical values. The museum is housed at Bob’s former home at 56 Hope Road. This is the house where the infamous assassination attempt in 1976 took place. It features in the movie One Love. 

Tours of the museum are guided, fun, relaxed and inormative. The guides are experts on all things Bob and enthusiastic and impassioned. You don’t need to be a Bob Marley fan to enjoy a visit to the museum. If you arrive without knowing much about Bob - I will bet that you leave with a new understanding and respect for him. 

Bob's home at Hope Road is 'uptown' - he spent his formative years in a very different environment, just a few miles down town at Trench Town.  The Culture Yard at Trench Town opened to the public in the very early 2000's. This is a community owned and managed project. It's not just about Bob; yes, it gives an insight to the Trench Town that shaped Bob Marley - it also gives a glimpse into life for today's Trench Town residents. Enjoy some time at Culture Yard and then take a guided tour of the local area. 

Strawberry Hill is a million miles from Trench Town, and yet just an hour or so drive into the Blue Mountains. This was the family home of Chris Blackwell (Island Records) and where Bob recuperated following the 1976 assassination attempt. Nowadays Strawberry Hill is a beautifully, luxurious hotel visited - a favourite spot for fashionistas and music legends (Mick Jagger, Robbie Williams, Naomi Campbell and Kate Moss have all been frequent guests). Treat yourself to a couple of nights in one of the hotel's rooms or cottages with stunning views across Kingston. Or pop up the mountain and enjoy Sunday brunch on the terrace - you won't be disappointed! 

Nine Mile, St Ann

If you are staying in Ocho Rios, you are close to Nine Mile, a quiet village with a population of about 300. Visit Nine Mile and you'll get a flavour of rural Jamaica. This was where Bob Marley was born and spent his early childhood. It's also where body was laid to rest here when he passed away in 1981. Managed by members of Bob Marley's family, the museum has many Marley artifacts including guitars, awards and photographs. There are two mausoleums on the property. One is that of Marley's mother, Cedella Booker. The second contains the remains of Marley himself.

Visit Nine Mile and you’ll get a sense of the difficulties and poverty that Cedella experienced as a young single mother. You will also leave with a lasting impression of the very strong sense of community hereabouts and the pride in Marley.

“Love the life you live. Live the life you love.” Bob Marley