Hey mon,

The new wife and I just returned from a 10 day honeymoon in Jamaica. :D The resort had a few SOT Ocean Kayaks, so we were able to get out paddling a few times. The Caribbean was beautiful, warm and blue as always. In addition to kayaking, other water pursuits included sailing a Hobie Cat, snorkeling over a sunken WWII minesweeping boat and reef, and rafting the Martha Brae River on a 30' bamboo raft.  8)

In addition to the water sports, we climbed Dunn's River Falls, did a biking trip in the Blue Mountains (which included a coffee plantation), a checked out the sights in town.

Jamaica is an interesting and beautiful country. The entire island is like a rain forest, exotic foliage and waterfalls abound. Weather is hot and humid year round. Everyone we met was very friendly, and most were eager to try to sell you something. The wife picked up a few pounds of Blue Mountain Coffee, supposedly the best in the world. I am not a coffee drinker, so I cannot comment on this claim. But the Red Stripe beer is very good. ;D

The tourism industry is well developed, and the island offers numerous resorts of all types and classes. The driving is hazardous to say the least. They drive (fast) on the left, passing on whichever side is convenient, across very poor and narrow roads. Let's just say tourists don't rent cars. As a result, resorts and tour operators include shuttles to and from your destinations, which is nice. All-in-all a highly recommended destination where everything is "no problem".

Irie.

Hi-ho, Ranger!

Thanks for the report & congrats on getting married, mon!!

I guess Silver stayed home.  I saw no mention of horsebacking riding on the beach in your report.

Guess you're no so a-lone Ranger, anymore???

Tis better, mon, tis better.


Jimbo   8)

wrote on Nov 9^th, 2004 at 7:10pm:

The driving is hazardous to say the least. They drive (fast) on the left, passing on whichever side is convenient, across very poor and narrow roads. Irie.

Did you notice the unique horn honking code the locals use at uncontrolled intersections. Somehow they signal with their horns in short frantic beeps. During a week in Jamaica some years ago I never quite figured it out. All of it just added up to chaotic adventure filled trips in a car.

Kingfisher,

I didn't pick up on a horn honking code at the intersections, but they do honk their horns constantly. From what we could tell, it was primarily when they were driving around sharp/blind corners to warn oncoming traffic. We were often driving in 20 or so passenger Toyota buses, which were too big for the roads we were on. Especially when we got out of town and into the countryside. They also honk at any pedestrians, dogs, goats, cows, etc. that may be in the road.

What part of Jamaica were you in when you visited?

We stayed near Montego Bay about 20 miles outside of town. Our most interesting day trip was to the mountains visiting a former coffee plantation and an elementary school. We also took a day trip on a 3 masted sailing ship on a very windy day that made several people on board sick so that we had to cut the day short. Personally, I was having a blast and was disappointed that we had to quit.
I have a friend named Rohan (pronounced Ron) who lives and works in Ocho Rios as a dive instructor for one or more resorts. You didn't possibly make contact with him did you?
He moved to Wisconsin with his new wife for about a year and we played and coached soccer together until his homesickness got the best of him. I thought our winter was going to kill him. Eventually he moved back home.

Ranger,

I did that bike trip that you described (or at least one similar).  I really enjoyed it.  If I remember right we only had to peddle a few times.  We coasted down the mountain the majority of the way.

It's good that your wife got some Blue Mountain Coffee.  It is about $14 a pound there and $50 a pound here.  It is, IMHO, the best coffee anywhere!  Needless to say I only drink it when I can bring it back from there, or have someone bring me back some.  I have heard that it will be even more expensive with the recent hurricane and all.

Glad you had a good trip.