Jamaican thrill seekers take up combo deal

Despite rainy conditions on Saturday, scores of Jamaicans, some dying to let loose after having their enjoyment strangled by restrictive COVID-19 measures, turned up in St Ann to take up the Urban Development Corporation's (UDC) Triple Thrills offer.

The promotion offers thrill seekers a combo deal for access to Dunn's River Falls and Park, Chukka Falls Flyer's zip line, and Green Grotto Caves, in Discovery Bay.

Besides the falls, Dunn's River also features several other attractions such as the Central Gardens and the food court.

The offer of $3,500 per person, and $2,800 per person for groups of 10 or more, was welcomed by Jamaicans who were frank about the usual prices.

"The last time I was here was about 10 years ago. We can't afford this, as locals, on a normal basis, so we're happy for the promotion," Toni Bramwell told THE STAR.

"I'm here with my daughter, Tori. Today is her 13th birthday, so we're just here to celebrate and have a good time, taking advantage of the promotion, hoping that it continues into the summer and maybe even further discounts and benefits for us Jamaicans," she added.

The family had journeyed from Christiana, Manchester, after hearing about the promotion, which runs until February 14.

The family enjoyed riding the zip line then climbed the falls but put off the tour of Green Grotto to another day. She recalled that the last time she went to Green Grotto was on a school trip over 30 years ago.

Felecia Dawson, Rosalee Rosedam, Takiya Brown, and Tashianna Willoughby, co-workers and friends, journeyed from Kingston just for the promotion also.

"It was a great day. We did zip lining first and then we did the falls, and we climbed all the way from the bottom. The zip lining was our money's worth, and we really are having a great time," Brown said. Then they posed for photographs before rushing off to Green Grotto Caves to complete the tour.

DIFFERENT EXPERIENCE

Things were a little bit different for David Dixon and his family of five, who drove down from Kingston to enjoy the north coast offerings.

He brought them because it was his daughter Davia's eighth birthday. However, once they arrived at Dunn's River and heard of the promotion, he quickly signed up for it.

"Green Grotto wasn't bad; it was a learning process. Now we're going to try the zip line and then the falls and then just chill out here for a while," Dixon said.

Marie Henry, manager on duty at Dunn's River when THE STAR visited, said the Triple Thrills promotion was going well and was being supported by Jamaicans.

She explained that patrons "don't have to do the Green Grotto Caves the same day. They can do it another day. All they have to do is keep the receipt and the wristband and take it to the Green Grotto Caves, and they will get their entry during the promotional period between December 15 and February 14."

Dunn's River Falls and Green Grotto Caves are managed and operated by the UDC. Chukka has forged a partnership with Dunn's River Falls in which they offer zip lines and hanging bridges over the waterfall.