Blogs from Jamaica, Central America Caribbean - page 7

We finally found a trip where we could escape the cold of Oklahoma and find consistent sun! After arriving in Montego Bay on Monday, we located our arranged transportation with some trepidation. A mid-sized bus was awaiting us - large enough for some 20 or so weary travelers. We were somewhat surprised, and skeptical, that this was our transportation. As it turned out, it was great! Our driver was a great orintational tour guide - full of information relating to the local landscape, culture, and people. This is where we were first introduced to the most important phrase one could utter - - - Irie Mon, meaning relaxed and happy! Add that to "No Worries", and you can almost pass for a local. Almost! Our resort is great. Nestled between the mountain forests and the aqua-blue ... 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

...Honeymoon cruise continued! (Forgive my lack of detail, I'm posting this in 2014.) We ported in Falmouth, Jamaica and took an excursion to Dunn's river falls This was a neat place where the falls connect to the sea on the beach. We started at the bottom and climbed out way up. The staff is very friendly and helpful and has several photo areas where they will take your picture for you in the water. (For free, with the hopes of tips later.) I chickened out about half-way through and exited to watch from the observation areas. (I have a track record of being the only one to fall in the water... see my Dominica entry from 2010!) Jason braved on without me, lol! Afterwards we visited Dolphin Cove where we were able to hold/feed some birds, ... read more

November 2009 Our trip to Dunn's River Falls, Ocho Rios (Eight Rivers), Jamaica came as part of a shore excursion while cruising on the Island Princess. We were too timid to climb the falls, but wish we had after watching others, and seeing how easy and fun it actually was. There is a paved walkway and decking system beside the falls for those, like us, who didn't climb. For those who do climb, you need tennis shoes, or appropriate rubber soled water shoes, which are available for either rent or purchase inside the park. While you can climb the falls by yourself, most people opted for a guide. While climbing the climbers join hands, primarily for safety. In the groups we watched, no one fell. The worst part of visiting Dunn's River Falls Park is the ... read more

THE BLUE MOUNTAINS OF JAMAICA AND MORE….. IRIE From afar and atop, the Blue Mountains present as a cluster of rolling mounds inhabiting the eastern corner of Jamaica. And now, I was about to visit them, see them live, some sixty years after they were first described to me in high school lessons on West Indian geography. We set out, Penny, Charmaine, Ron and I, 6:30am, from Rose Hall in Saint James along the coastal road on the north shore of the island; and, always, to the south of us, there was the persistent presence of an elevated range, rising contour, intent on turning our eyes east toward the Blues themselves. Sky white, clouds mapping the way like pencils from above, we proceeded, tutored in the history, current affairs and geography of Jamaica by our knowing ... read more