Blog #7 Still Jammin in Jamaica

---

This morning I sit in awe at a little restuarant table sipping a tropical smoothy next to our resort looking out onto the beautiful calm aqua blue ocean and sugary white sand. The scene never ceases to amaze me!!

Week two was great in Jamaica! A highlight for us here is the beach as you can see by the pictures. Negril Beach is 7 miles long and never a dull moment. Many days we walk about 4 kms east along the beach. the Jamaicans selling their wares are fun and they are anxious to invite you to look. Wood carvings, beachwear, jewellery, massages, jerk chicken and everything you can imaagine are set out on the beach. As well many of the vendors trudge up and down the beach keen to make a sale. One of our favourite bands is a father and son duo that we heard in 2005. They are still playing and their music is fantastic. his time we bought one of their C.D's. We often stop at Whitesands where we styayed in 2005 for a two for one special and then walk by Couples Swept Away that brings back many fond memories of the wedding. Wouldn't it be great to have a reunion!!!

A few times a week we walk into the town of Negril for banking, groceries and other shopping. One day we continued along the West coast towards the famous Negril Cliffs. We stopped at a beautiful spot on the ocean for a red snapper sandwhich and a red stripe. We continued on and ended up at another spot where we climbed down the cliffs for a swim. The water was so nice .... deep blue. crystal clear with gentle rolling waves.

We couldn't ask for better weather since we have been here. Everyday has been ideal..... sunny with the odd cloud and shady trees make it the perfect beach climate. We had one day around 4 p.m. with a few showers but that's it for rain. Since we have been here it seem to be getting warmer and warmer.

We have had some real tasty meals. Other than the true local places, the restaurant prices are about the same as home. One day Gary bought lobster from a peddlar on the beach that was already cooked and cracked. We put them in the fridge and had them for supper that night with a bun and some veggies. Patties are definately one of our favourite Jamaican food. They look like a pop tart pastry filled with spicy chicken, beef, lobster, seafood, cheese and tomatoe or veggies. We never tire of them for lunch. We had a favourite jerk chicken that we ate at 6 years ago. It's called "Best In The West" jerk chicken. It's still here and probably the best we have ever tasted. Another Jamaica man on the beach sells jerk pork which is scrumptious. We also enjoy the coco bread which is made from coconut milk.

Carol and I had a masssage on the beach the other day. It was really nice however not the price we paid in Thailand!!

You might be interested in a few Jamaica Facts:

 • Capital - Kingston
 • Currency - The 'J'' 1US dollar = 85 Jamaican dollars
 • Language - English
 • Culture - Afro Caribbean
 • Landscape - mountains, rain forest, coastal plains, sandy beaches
 • Average Yearly Income -$3,350
 • Population - 2.6 million
 • Size - 146 km long, 22 km wide
 • Industry - Tourism, Boxite, Coffee, Rum

Hope everyone is doing fine. Thanks for reading our blog.

Mallory and Warrren

---