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Yes to another adventure!
Today a group of us ventured to a spot in Jamaica known as "The Blue Hole". I went along with Ema (who until the start of this week was my roomie), Thahn (Ema's boyfriend who works in the Casino), Craig (social host), Danny (fitness instructor who sadly leaves the end of this cruise) and Eddy (the DJ). The Blue Hole is a spot that apparently only crew members usually go to. We asked the locals there if they get many people come out and they said almost only crew. The six of us were the only people out there all day. It only made it all the more magical.
So what exactly is The Blue Hole? It's part of the White River. It's a spot where there are a series of waterfalls that fall into really deep pools and the water is a shade of vibrant blue. And it's all tucked away in the middle of the rainforest. Stunning!
The Blue Hole is about a 20 minute drive from Ocho Rios, the city where the ship docks. Our taxi took us through the city, through some small villages, out into the countryside and then
finally down some REAL rough back roads. You know it's a rough road when your Jamaican taxi driver, who was speeding around every twist and turn laying it on the horn, suddenly slows down to 10 miles per hour. We were creeping along that back road. It's been a long time since I've been down a spot that rough. Reminded me of some of the precarious drives through Uganda . . . Anyway, we finally reached the spot. We walk through this bit of a field, turn into the forest and then it appears. The bright sparkling blue water, almost glowing in the midst of the trees.
Then the play began. There's a big rope swing hanging over one of the falls. You walk over into the middle of the falls, grab onto the rope, swing and splash down into the pool! The water was extremely cold but it was worth it. Such fun! There was another spot where you could jump and dive off the falls and into the pool. This spot was about a 10-15 foot drop depending on where you jumped/swung from. I had such fun taking action shots of the boys flips and jumps. We
were rating Danny and Craig's olympic swinging. It was quite fun.
We would have been thrilled with the day if that were it. But no, there was more!
We walked for a bit through the forest following the river upstream. Then we came to a spot where we were up on the cliff, looking down into another pool. According to the locals, you could jump from the cliff, but you needed a good run so you would clear the rocks at the bottom! I took one look and said no way. But Danny and Craig, those crazy boys, took and run and lept right off the cliff - a 30 foot drop!
The rest of us walked our way around to the base of the big falls at the pool where the boys had jumped. At this spot, you could swim right underneath the falls where there was a series of small caves. Then you could climb through the caves and right out the side of the falls. So cool! I felt like a little kid playing pretend - except it was real!
Then, the next crazy thing. This big huge waterfall (30-ish feet), you could
walk down. I watched the boys do it and then the local guy convinced me to go up to the top. I kept looking at the falls, not understanding how I could possibly make it down without slipping and falling and breaking my body all over the rocks. Seriously. Look at the photos. It does not look possible. But the bottom is rough, so your feet can grip on. But it's still scary, cause there's just nothing to hold onto and that water is rushing right down past you. I slowly started making my way down, but my goodness . . . I have not been that scared in a long long time. At one point, I just went to the edge of the falls and sat down on the cliff. Eventually you reach this point about 2/3 of the way down where it's just too steep to walk, you have to sort of run down the falls and then jump the last few feet. I think I must have stood there in the middle of the falls for so long just staring down at the bottom while everyone with me stood there staring at me, cameras ready to take
photos. They said later you could see the terror on my face. But I did it - took the run and lept down into the pool. And I was pretty darn happy with myself afterwards - mostly just cause I made it through!
Oh, and then there was still more!
Beyond the falls, further upstream, were more smaller pools and falls. We walked up and around, took a few more jumps and dives. It was so pretty up there.
Then eventually it was time to make our way back to the ship. But what an awesome day! We all haven't been able to stop raving about it to everyone else.
So . . . if you ever get to Jamaica - go to the Blue Hole! It's like a little secret tucked away in the forest. One worth finding.
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swills82
Sarah Willett
Amazing
Congrats on conquering yet another fear! The photos are amazing. Beautiful! Loved the jete. No in-air pirouettes?