Blogs from Central America Caribbean - page 2106

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Central America Caribbean » Jamaica October 4th 2005

Well, thank goodness the drive to Montego Bay was as hellish as I was expecting! Not only was it painfully long, but the “highway” which runs across the island just happens to be the same slow roads that we traverse on a daily basis. Some parts are straight and have two lanes in each direction, but the vast majority of the ride is through dangerously curvy mountain roads, over humongous pot holes and sections where the road doesn’t exist at all, as it is in the process of being rebuilt. The main problem is that the rain, which comes every day, has the bad habit of flooding the roads, so huge segments will be entirely underwater when you try to drive through. I believe Nancy inserted a picture somewhere on here of the “swimming pool” which ... read more


Today, I took a trip down to one of the many “farmacias” or pharmacies in town to get a refill on a prescription that I had filled originally in the U.S. The thing about it, though, is you don’t need a prescription in most cases. Just tell them what you want, and you’ll get it. Usually, I’ve found it is best to bring in the old pill bottle or box and just show it to them and they’ll give you exactly the same thing or a generic version. While, as I’ve said, there are many farmacias in San Ramon, I like the one I usually go to called “Farmacia de Jesus,” complete with a big statue of Jesus Christ on one of the walls of the shop. For about the same price as an insurance “co-pay,” ... read more
The ferry that took across the sound
Crude map of where we went
Vendor selling pork on a stick

Central America Caribbean » Jamaica October 1st 2005

Whittled away another night playing canasta (God, how old are we?!) after a rousing evening of Friday night mass (with the carousel-singing-sister) followed by Jamaican jerk chicken wings and guava-pineapple juice. This is the high life!! We spent the previous three days being consumed by feisty mosquitoes. I now know how it feels to be eaten alive - 67 bug bites on my legs, 29 on my arms, and various others on my head, neck, and even the bottom of my feet. HOW DID THEY GET THERE?? Anyway, today more than made up for the pain of previous days as Sophia, Jornah, Nancy and I made the trek to Dunn’s River Falls in beautiful Ocho Rios. Another life-threatening drive through high mountain towns and the curvaceous area of Fern Gully landed us amidst the gorgeous seaside ... read more


If you ever needed something to spark you from normality this has to be it....This picture is the view from out the corridor of our room and two steps out onto the balcony....all for $20 per night between 4 of us. Gold. A few beers out here on the balcony and it makes you wonder why people enjoy going on planned trips and organised tours...silly stuff. Anyway... So we are in this place called Isla Colon which is in part of an area of Panama called Bocas del Toro which means mouth of the bull. Its a chilled out town with 3 streets full of carribean flavour...and smell. You can see the bottom of the ocean with ease and the resturant owners catch their own lobster for the nights trade. More on that later.... Lately has ... read more
Two Rough Heads
Panama City
Foggy Times


I have had a request to inform all of you of Marks most recent update. A few days ago he emailed me that life is incredible there. i did not get a ton of details but this is what he told me... he sleeps on the deck with some of his new friends at night because it is way too hot in the bunks. i guess it storms every night too but they just stay up there. he likes the boat and the crew a lot. he also said, "every view is beautiful, the diving and free-diving is awesome. i got to free dive through some caves that was really cool and scary." he will not be able to use the computer much because, for now, they rarely come ashore. sorry for the lack of proper ... read more

Central America Caribbean » Jamaica September 28th 2005

My first days in Jamaica. ---I will get the pictures posted soon, I promise!!! Today marks my 7th day, first full week in Jamaica. Disclaimer: The following are only my first impressions, most of them from very first day, and may or may not represent the country or the people well. I have felt extremely welcomed in Jamaica. It’s hard to believe that more people say hello and wave to me than at home in Kansas. After arriving off the plane, and through customs, I was almost immediately greeted by the two sisters. A short, extremely broad shouldered, grey/white haired sister approached me and began giving very wet kisses on both of my cheeks. At this point I knew that she was Sr. Paolo from Italy. Her Italian accent introduced me to Sr. Sophia from the ... read more
the pool forms in front of our house
my bedroom
George

Central America Caribbean » Jamaica September 28th 2005

I have been meaning to add these entries for a couple weeks now, but have not been afforded the opportunity until now, so now, without further adieu: After 7:30 am mass and a 9:30 meeting yesterday, Nancy and I boarded into Sr. Amora’s car to make the 1 ½ hour trek to Linstead - barely-on-the-map - Jamaica. The house here is absolutely gorgeous: 2 stories with 5 bathrooms, 6 bedrooms, a big kitchen and dining room, a sitting room, a prayer room, an office, a giant porch downstairs and veranda upstairs, a laundry room, a garage, and a storage room in the basement, not to mention large front and back yards filled with banana, guava, coconut, orange, and june plum trees. While the living quarters are quite luxurious, the living is not. We are constantly plagued ... read more

Central America Caribbean » Costa Rica September 28th 2005

The week started off nicely on Sunday with a full house of guests brought by George Lundquist, (www.costaricaretireonss.com) one of the people here who do “retirement tours” for people—mostly North Americans—considering spending their latter years (or not so latter years) in this beautiful country. It’s a nice tour and I’m glad he comes to stay with us every month at Angel Valley Farm B&B. He gives a great “insiders” view of Costa Rica and shows his clients property for sale throughout the Central Valley. I am still amazed at the prices here for which one can buy a nice piece of land and build a custom home. Who said living the “good life” had to be expensive? A great group for those considering a move to Costa Rica is: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CostaRicaLiving/. Monday was a chaotic day. It ... read more

Central America Caribbean » Cuba September 28th 2005

Cuba is in the past, my past. I have left the biggest island in the Caraibes and its people behind me, chased up by the hurricane Rita. The memories of its beautiful landscapes, enchanting people and confusing politico-economic system will stay. Maybe I should start with the lesser -but still interesting- news: Some policemen tried once to bribe U$15 out of Ted (well acquainted with this ‘road system’ by now) with no success when asked their name; and there was the incidence of me chasing after the thief of my camera in Old Havana… This young guy had been hovering for half an hour looking at the digital images on our cameras and when I was about to pack mine away he asked to have a last look and bolted with it out of my hands!. ... read more


Boca Chica is the closest beach town to the capital city of Santo Domingo.Boca Chica Beach is about 30 minutes away and is a great beach to hang out at all day. The water is clear and extremely calm as Boca Chica beach is a natural lagoon. Kids can play in the water all day long without lifeguards as the water is calm and shallow. The East end of the beach features lots of bars and restaurants right on the beach, while the western end is more for locals that will rent a table under an umbrella and order their food and drink from strolling vendors. Speaking of vendors, people will try and sell you everything under the sun in Boca. Some find it annoying but some like the local flavor. From beach towels and beach ... read more
Dominicana on Boca Chica Beach
Hotel El Caucho swimming pool




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