Skip to Content

How Ochi Got Her Name

Share with fellow cat lovers!

ocho rios-ochi-pink

Just the other day, someone asked me how our new kitten Ochi got her name. Ochi (pronounced o-chee) is the nickname of the town of Ocho Rios, which sits on Jamaica’s north coast.

John and I wanted a name with a sentimental tie. Coco had been named for the coconuts we enjoyed on so many trips (and because she had three spots on her head and neck, much like a coconut). To honor her memory, we wanted another name tied to the Caribbean.

Of all the destinations we’ve covered through the years, we’ve traveled to Jamaica more than any other location. Over 50 trips have taken us to every part of the island, from tourist hot spots to remote mountain villages. We’ve written five complete guidebooks to the island and, for 10 years, we wrote the annual Jamaica coverage for Fodor’s guidebooks. What better way to commemorate one of our very favorite destinations than name our new arrival after one of its communities?

If you’ve never had the chance to visit, Ocho Rios is the garden center of Jamaica. One of its most famous attractions is Dunn’s River Falls, a spectacular series of climbable falls that cascade from the mountains to the sea:

ocho rios-dunns-river-falls

And, if you’re wondering, there aren’t eight rivers in Ocho Rios as the name would imply–but, hey, with this beauty, who’s counting?

ocho rios-riverboat

The Ocho Rios area has long been a draw for travelers and even served as home for some luminaries including playwright Noel Coward, whose home, Firefly, entertained visitors ranging from Queen Elizabeth II to Elizabeth Taylor:

ocho rios-firefly-coward

James Bond author Ian Fleming made his home at nearby Goldeneye. One of our most memorable stays on the island was in Fleming’s former home, now a villa. You might have seen this beach–and the beach at Dunn’s River Falls–in the early James Bond movies:

ocho rios-goldeneye-villa-beach

We even worked on one of our books at the very desk that Fleming used during the writing of all the James Bond novels!

ocho rios-james-bond-desk

On one Ocho Rios assignment about destination weddings, we had the chance to have a vow renewal right by the sea:

ocho rios-us-couples-vow-renewal

You can see why we have so many great memories of Ocho Rios. Now, we can’t wait to make new memories with our own special Ochi!

ochi-catio-cover

Paris Permenter
Follow Me
Latest posts by Paris Permenter (see all)
This post originally appeared on CatTipper.com and is the sole property of CatTipper and LT Media Group LLC.