Jamaica - 2 trips down, one to go...

Well, I will start with the fact that I hate Blogger, I spent 2 or more hours on this thing today to reach the point when I finally wanted to post it and it gave me some sort of security error and said to 'try again', soooo not happy!!! But here I go....

I had forgotten how much I loved the Caribbean. We arrived at Montego Bay just at dark and then were driven an hour and a half to Ochos Rios and the Riu Resort. It was a good thing it was dark because they drive like maniacs and, of course, on the left side of the road. About 1/3 of the way there Jim asked Germain (the driver) (Gerry to Jim) if we could stop for a beer. WELL, he pulls over in the middle of no where and he and Jim get out and go over to the store or bar or whatever the heck it was. I was sure that was the last I would see Jim but all was well and the Redsripe calmed my nerves because I was sure we were going to die in a fiery crash 'somewhere' in Jamaica.
We arrived safely at the resort and got checked in. Our room was lovely. The best thing for me was I went out on the patio and I heard the whistling frogs and I felt like I was on PSV again. For all the places we have been, Petit St Vincent is our favorite and these frogs brought back a lot of great memories.

We decided we should tour the resort and figure out where everything was but it was late so there wasn't a lot open. I only had one thing in mind. PUT MY SORE FEET IN THE CARIBBEAN, you'd think I had walked to Jamaica (gotta love arthritis)!!! The thing was that the weekend before we left, the Vancouver Sun did an article on Jamaica. Basically it said it was the murder capital of the world. Not to go off a resort, not to walk the beaches, etc, etc. Well I'm thinking the beach right in front of the resort has to be fine, there must be security people, right? Apparently not.

I head to the beach, Jim is up checking out the pool. I'm playing in the water like a six year old (the water is 83 degrees) and out of the darkness comes this guy. I think I was nothing but teeth and eyeballs because he says, "Sokay M'Lady, are you okay, y'all right?"

Well needless to say I was a lot worried but thought this will be all right, so I started talking. "YOU scared me, coming out of the night like that!"

"Sokay, you in Jamaica, no problem."

"Well, were I come from it says there are a lot of murders here, tourists are getting afraid to come here."

And that broke the ice. We had a great conversation. He says the murders are true but are in the cities and are always to do with drugs. Then I said, "Hey! You're smoking dope right now."

And he says, "Ya Mon, you want some?"

Duh, no. But that is Jamaica. It's everywhere. It's in the air on beach, in the resort, in the streets, in the market, everywhere! You are hungry the whole time you are there. Permanent munchies!! Anyway, 'Bob' and I got along great, I saw him on the beach a few other times. He sells 'stuff' down from the resort. The locals aren't actually allowed on their beaches any more...

You know Mon, I think our first real shock was when we woke up the next day and realized this huge resort was 'mauve' or as the books say 'forest orchid' or as us Canucks would say, "Freakin' place is purple!"

The resort is very nice but Jim & I soon discovered we are not 'All Inclusive People' (we're such snobs) (not). I guess me in particular. For those of you who know me well you know that I am at my best out in woods or on a beach with my dogs and my camera. Not surrounded by 2000 people who apparently don't know the meaning of modesty or sunscreen.... There was a man at breakfast in nothing but his Speedo. His navel was below his Speedo. You know, I don't mean to be mean cause I'm heavy too but COME ON!!
The good thing is it sure puts you off the sausage...I mean...okay, that just didn't sound right.


I am going to continue tomorrow and you will see it out of order but what the heck. Here goes! Once again I am going to try to post. The previous one was the whole week and so good... but oh well....