Blogs from Jamaica, Central America Caribbean - page 14

Arrived Montego Bay Saturday 6th at around 5pm. We were met at the airport by Steve, who is the owner of our guest house (Bethel Court Guest House). After being hit by the heat and a mass of people all wanting our bags and money we were bundled in to Patrick's car, our guide for the rest of the week. It was a little disconcerting having to get through three padlocks and a door lock to get to our room, but since our first night it's obvious that it's the norm around Jamaica. Everyone has guards and metal grates over their windows and doors. I think there are problems on the island, but we've had positive experiences everywhere we've gone. Yesterday we spent diving near Runaway Bay. We completed our certification to use sea scooters (diver ... read more

We spent ten great days at Couples Tower Island. The resort had been closed for approximately one year after undergoing renovation and after having been going there several times over the last 20 some years, we were very curious to see what changes have been made. It has lost some of its old world Jamaica feel which has been replaced with a 50's Miami Beach ambiance. The revitalize room bathrooms, swimup bar and additional snack bar were greatly appreciated as well as the outstanding staff service and food! ... read more

I started off the day with some exercise, trying to remove the effects of the umpteen dirty bananas I drank last night. With the failed attempt at running yesterday, I decided a swim would be much more fitting. After walking down to the bridge, I jumped off and swam up the length of the water towards the pool, back to the low platform and then back to the pool again where I wrapped up my exercise. All-in-all, it took less than 15 minutes but that was plenty of swim work for me for now. I got cleaned up and joined some others at the pool. This morning was cloudier than the past couple days but the heat was still present. I took out my book and read for a while. Some of the older men were ... read more

Today I departed Philadelphia for a few days of fun in the sun and Jeff and Mel’s destination wedding in Negril, Jamaica. I was happy to be leaving freezing temperatures for, according to Jeff and Mel, “88°, partly cloudy with a 100% chance of an incredible time.” This would be my second trip to Jamaica after heading down with some friends from Baltimore in March 2006. But it is my first time in Negril as we went to Ocho Rios in 2006. The flight down was nice, with my upgrade to first class certainly helping. I’m going to miss my frequent flyer status when it expires in a few weeks. Behind me sat Jamie and Jon, Jeff’s sister and brother-in-law, and their small children. I hardly recognized them after meeting them in Jacksonville last year when ... read more

3. On your first day in Montego Bay, Jamaica, find your way out of the resort area since it just sucks. Let your traveling duo be approached by a fellow, who only seems to want to show you that he excels in questioning you on where are you from, what do you do, and what is your name, blaah, blaah, blaah. Half an hour later, as the guy gets more and more tedious by the minute, exchange a few words in Finnish with your friend and decide to ditch the bore. Next, learn that labeling this dude dull was a serious error of judgement, when he demands to be payed for being your guide to this shit hole while a group of his comrades suddenly appears from nowhere and surrounds you to make sure you understand ... read more