Blogs from Jamaica, Central America Caribbean

So I intend to kind of backtrack as I go here, starting with my most recent trip and going back from there. This was the first time I have traveled out of the country since having children and I had heard warnings from other parents about how hard it would be to leave the kids..... I can tell you I survived! Not only did I survive, but i think it made me appreciate everything about the vacation even more! Traveling B.C. (Before Children) you have a great time and you relax, you might do some exploring excursions etc, but after children you see all these experiences with a new point of view. Suddenly you realize that for the first time in a long time you can go at your own pace, you don't have to pack ... read more

Jamaica, Jamaica, Jamaica..du gföhrlich bezaubernd schöni Insle! Im Flughafe in Montego Bay acho, hät mi mini ebeso-umereise-Kollegin, dLaura mitme riise Knuddel am Flughafe begrüesst! Läckk hät das guet ta wiedermal öpper zgseh und zknuddle, wohni scho sit langem känn! Scho ufm Wäg zum Hostel und di negste paar Stunde hämer nur scho mal demit verbracht, ois gägesiitig Gschichte, Begägnige, lustigi Erläbnis und co. zverzelle womer uf oisne bisherige Reis scho erläbt händ. DLaura und ich händ ois bi sonre Tour agmolde, wos innert 10 Täg eimal rund umd Insle gad. Da mir aber no chli Zit gha händ bis zum Startschuss, simmer a eim Tag uf eigni Fust mal Mobay (wies dLüüt da nänned) Downtown go discovere. Will weder dLaura no ich ois NULL uf Jamaica vorbereitet händ (ich mein mi händ ois für e Tour ... read more

Just kicking back while Cynde catches a nap. Yesterday evening we took a sunset cruise and snorkle trip. While the snorkeling is pretty amazing, it does not quite compare to Mexico. The water however is georgeous! Yesterday, while climbing on the rocks on the beach outside our room, I smashed my water camera! The timing could not have been worse since we had scheduled snorkeling! At least we have the memories. We saw lots of brightly colored fish, coral, and other sea life. Unfortunately, the rum flowed freely, again! It was a great trip! Tomorrow is our last day in Jamaica and we have a great trip planned. We will blog it tomorrow evening. It will be a mountain jungle trip with bobsledding, zip lines, and a water slide!!! Sounds intriguing! Later Mon K... read more

The inherent, organic beauty of this natural gem is breathtaking. However, the name of this magical place could not be more prosaic. Is this some kind of etymological prophecy? The deluge of tourism that exploits these waterfalls sadly desecrates this natural wonder to the level of its annoyingly boring name: Dunn’s River Falls. The name is derived from a family that owned much of the property close to the falls in the 19thcentury. Can one see how the name allotted to this as a human property is a prophecy for the human stain to contaminate Mother Nature? In the beginning, was the word, right? The concept of this stunning wonderland being human property is a pantheistic joke. Before I get too immersed in the exploitation issue, let me begin by describing its natural beauty minus the ... read more

Leona and I went to Couples Tower Island to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the opening of Couples Tower Island (our 35th was a few years ago!) formerly known as Couples Ocho Rios. Lots of memories here as we have been going since the 1980's. Things have changed since then but haven't we all. There is still that beautiful cove with Tower Island set in the middle and beautiful music and people. The anniversary party is Saturday and will post more pictures after that.... read more

Jamaica lies about 150 kilometres south of Cuba but despite its location in the Caribbean Sea it doesn’t blend in easily with its neighbours. Nowhere else is in the Caribbean is the connection to Africa as keenly felt as it is here. Port Royal and Kingston were some of the main ports for the infamous slave trade. Many of the African traditions survived, and to this day many Jamaicans claim a stronger affinity for Africa than for neighboring Caribbean islands. Today, Kingston's crime and shantytowns deter most visitors but the capital is worth a brief visit, in particular for the famous Bob Marley Museum and Devon House. Montego Bay on the other hand, is home to Jamaica's busiest airport and cruise ship port. There is steady stream of visitors to the 'Hip Strip' - dozens of ... read more