Magalie Billod and her mother Marlene Billod enjoy rafting on the Martha Brae River in Trelawny. - Contributed photos

Having heard about Make-A-Wish Switzerland, she contacted them and expressed the wish to go to Jamaica so that she could follow in Bob Marley's footsteps.

Magalie's wish finally came true with the hard work of Nancy Francis of Make-a-Wish Foundation, Switzerland, Muna Issa of SuperClubs Resorts and Imani Duncan-Waite of My Tropic Escape.

On April 6, as Magalie celebrated her 18th birthday, she flew off to Jamaica.

Lifestyle asked Magalie to keep a diary of her stay and here is what she wrote:

Friday, April 6

The little city of Neuchatel in Switzerland, seemed a lifetime away as the aircraft hovered over the Caribbean Sea about to touch down at the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston, Jamaica.

My first glimpse of Jamaica was breathtaking. The island was beautiful from the sky.

I grew impatient, waiting to disembark and mix and mingle with the people in the land of reggae music. We were greeted at the airport by the charming Imani Duncan-Waite and Stewart Wanliss of My Tropic Escape. Robert Alexander, my interpreter, was very accommodating and friendly. He helped me and my parents to break the language barrier which the rhythms of reggae had already transcended.

As we journeyed to the Jamaica Pegasus hotel, we talked non-stop of Jamaica's rich cultural heritage. I was so excited! I had just turned 18 and, to me, this is the ultimate birthday present exhausted from almost 24 hours of travel, we stopped for a drink at the bar in the hotel as part of my birthday celebrations. I had my very first Red Stripe Beer and that was out of this world.

I went to bed immediately after the drink anticipating the exciting week ahead.

SATURDAY, April 7

On Saturday morning, we woke early and my first stop was at the Bob Marley Museum at 56 Hope Road, in Kingston. It was almost surreal to believe I was actually standing in a spot where my reggae icon lived and worked.

The trophies, awards, newspaper clippings and even the bullet holes in the kitchen, gave me an even greater appreciation of the reggae superstar. I enjoyed immensely the documentary feature that they presented on his life and work.

The next stop was lunch at Star Apples. My mum loved the Jamaican roast beef and rice and peas - I wasn't quite ready to try the full Jamaican fare as yet - but I did have refreshing coconut water which was amazing.

Then we were off to The Culture Yard in Trench Town. While there, I felt like I was at the heart of reggae music. What struck me most about The Culture Yard was the authenticity of this place. It appeared to have stood still in time and transcended life as it was in the days when Bob Marley gathered with fellow musicians and hone his craft. The rastaman who took us around the compound on our Mecca-like visit, gave us many insights into the life of Bob Marley.

I found myself thinking that Trench Town is not for the glamorous, but indeed for real die-hard fans of Marley.

The day ended with a very special visit to Vale Royal where my family and I met the Prime Minister, Portia Simpson Miller. She was a very charming and stately lady and presented me with three Marley CDs and a gift basket. I had my first tamarind balls!

SUNDAY, April 8

Magalie Billod (centre) and her parents Claude-Alaine and Marlene Billod in front of the statue of Magalie's idol, Jamaican reggae icon, Bob Marley, at the museum named in his honour on Hope Road, St. Andrew.

On Sunday morning, I was given an opportunity to actually get intimate with the production process at a real Jamaican recording studio.

Grafton Studio in Vineyard Town is run by Mikey Bennett, one of Jamaica's best-known producers. We met Dean Fraser - it was cool to learn he played saxophone on Bob Marey's 'Survival' album. Believe it or not, we also got a chance to do a recording of our own. Right there, we composed and recorded a song praising the Make-a-Wish Foundation and all the people who made it possible for us to embark on this journey. I will always cherish that CD.

At lunch, I had curried goat for the very first time. It was very spicy but nice. After indulging in that bit of Jamaican culinary delight, we journeyed to the North Coast and SuperClubs' Breezes Runaway Bay. We listened to Bob Marley music and other reggae artistes on our way down.

On arrival, we were greeted by members of staff and some of the managers. I was very happy with the attention and very appreciative of the gift basket I was presented.

Right away, I wanted to be taken to the beach to have a look at the sea. The beach was all I expected it to be and more, I could not wait to get into the water .

Around 8:00 p.m, my family and I went to the Star Light Grill & Restaurant. We had a wonderful time indulging in Mongolian Stir fry cuisine under the stars. The food was excellent .

At 9:30 p.m, we saw Patricia Edwards in Cabaret on the Terrace. It was a wonderful performance. We retired to bed at 10:30 p.m, after a well spent day.

Monday, April 9

Early in the morning, my parents and I went to the beach. We spent the first half of the day on the beach and in the pool area.

Lunch was at the Jamaican RASTAurant at Breezes, Reggae Caf where we enjoyed delicious jerk chicken. I was not particularly in the mood for the St. Ann kite festival but around 8:00 p.m, we left for the concert at Seville where the Kite Festival was taking place. Though confined to a wheelchair, I was eventually able to locate an area where I could see the stage and one of my favourite artistes, Beenie Man.

We got back around 1:00 a.m., it was time for bed.

Tuesday, April 10

Magalie Billod's dream of visiting the home of her favourite artiste Bob Marley has come true. Here she sits on the bed that Bob once slept in.

Tuesday was a much-anticipated day for me. It was the day we were destined to travel to Nine Miles, the birthplace of Bob Marley.

We were all so excited, we did not even have a real breakfast.

We drove from Ocho Rios through Fern Gully, a two-and-a-half-mile stretch of a variety of ferns. During the journey, our tour guide told us some interesting stories about Marley's songs.

It was a long and winding journey, which took us through the hills and valley of deep rural Jamaican countryside.

At the mausoleum in Nine Miles, The tour began at the house of Bob Marley's grandparents where he was born. We then went to his mother's house where he moved when he was five years old. We were shown the room where Bob slept and I could hardly believe I was standing at a spot where he once stood. I actually sat on his bed! Pictures were taken of me there - I can't wait to show them to my friends when I get back to Switzerland.

We were also shown the place where Marley cooked and a rock where he laid his head and used his locks as a pillow.

The vibe at the Mausoleum was mystic. Incense was being burnt and there was an air of reverence. Everyone had to take off their shoes before they entered but I did not have to take off my sneakers, as being physically-challenged, I was carried.

Inside the mausoleum, they showed me where Bob Marley was buried. They say he was buried with a spliff and his special guitar.

The tomb, made from marble and granite, is said to be imported from Ethiopia. I was deeply touched by my experience, especially at the burial spot. We signed the guest book then went to the gift shop and bought some Marley memorabilia.

We returned via Brown's Town with Stewart our driver, who was accompanied by Lenny, a rastaman from the hills. He told us a lot about the Rastafarian lifestyle and culture. We stopped at a restaurant in Brown's Town where we had fish and rice - ital all the way!

That was a wonderful day that I will never forget.

Wednesday, April 11

After a delicious breakfast, we set out to the Martha Brae River in Trelawny.

The 90-minute ride on the Bamboo raft down the river was beautiful. It was so close to nature I felt totally revitalised. It certainly lifted my spirit and the scenery was exquisite.

That evening, we went to the Starfish Hotel in Trelawny where I finally met Muna Issa and her family and had dinner with them.

Thursday, April 12

Magalie wrapped in a Jamaican flag at Dunn's River Falls, St. Ann.

On Thursday, we visited Dunns River Falls, which is one of the most exquisite waterfalls in the Caribbean. The water was rejuvenating and I got in at various levels of the falls assisted by Stewart and Robert and my family, of course.

One of the highlights of the day, was my visit to Walkerswood, the home of authentic Jamaican jerk seasonings and spices.

It was intriguing to learn about the medicinal qualities of some of the herbs and spices. The tour of the processing plant was also very interesting. The jerk pork and chicken we sampled was scrumptious.

That evening, we packed for our return home. All good things must end. Unfortunately, we had to leave the island the next day, but I was excited because Imani and her team arranged one last surprise for me - a special visit to Tuff Gong Studio.

Friday, April 13

Leaving Breezes was so sad, it was the beginning of the end of my journey and I could hardly hold back the tears. But focusing on my Tuff Gong visit kept my spirits up. It was amazing - everyone was so kind and friendly to me. I saw where they made the actual records (which was really interesting, as I only really know CDs)! I sat at Bob's actual piano and then I actually met Yasus Afari. He was spiritual - I was really happy that he gave me an autographed copy of his book; more insight into the spirituality that Bob Marley lived and sang about in his powerful songs.

An amazing way to end my sojourn to the land of reggae music. I sang on the CD we recorded almost a week ago: 'Respect Bob Marley, Jimmy Cliff, Burning Spear'.

I am happy for all the new friends I made on my journey and my heart is warmed when I think about them.

Words cannot express my gratitude to everybody who helped me to enjoy the 'One Love' experience that Bob Marley, my musical icon, was singing about.

This to be used as a side bar.

Make-A-Wish foundation grants the most heartfelt wishes of children who live with a serious illness - not incurable - as many of the children recover from their illness.

Magalie is suffering from Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type III. Often referred to as Kugelberg-Welander, children can present symptoms from a year old or as late as adolescence. The patient with Type III can stand unassisted and walk. However, once they begin walking, they may fall frequently, have difficulty getting up from sitting on the floor or a bent over position, and may be unable to run.

With Type III, a fine tremorcan be seen in the outstretched fingers. Type III individuals can sometimes lose the ability to walk later in childhood, adolescence, or even adulthood, often in association with growth spurts or illness.

It was the pulsating rhythm of reggae music that captured the heart of Magalie Billod from Neuchatel, Switzerland. Not an English speaker, the music inspired her to learn the language so that she could get closer to the message of the music of Jamaican legend, Bob Marley. Before long, the 17-year-old physically challenged Maggie became a diehard fan of the superstar, and her intrigue grew.