Thursday, so it’s Ocho Rios Jamaica. We were alongside at 08.30 this morning, bang on time. How the hell the skipper inches this huge ship alongside with such precision, is just amazing. No tugs, just seems to get it almost in place by using the engines and bow thrusters, then simply pulls it tight to the jetty with the mooring ropes.
The wind died down last night, so the journey from Aruba was very smooth. However there were some ominous clouds gathering at 06.30 this morning and it looked as though it was going to pour down. Fortunately, these clouds passed over and the sun began to shine, luring us into a false sense of security, as just as we left the ship, it started to rain. In true Caribbean style, the sun shone again and it rained again. It was like this all day!
We took an organised tour as lots of people warned us that it was not a good place to go sight-seeing on your own. Our tour took us to the famous Dunne River Falls, where for an extortionate fee you can try your hardest to break an arm or leg. If you’re really lucky you may just get away with minor lacerations or losing a layer of skin or two as you climb the 600 feet up the waterfall. But it’s ok; as when you come to make the insurance claim you can replay the video that some mad cap guide has taken of you falling the 600 feet back down the falls. I’m sure that climbing the falls is regarded as one of the things you should do before you die. However, we’ll just have to hang on a bit longer as we managed to resist the temptation this time round!!
Also went to Coyaba (which is Arawak for paradise) gardens, which were very pleasant, quiet and tranquil. Not as many flowers as we would have really hoped for, but interesting nevertheless. On the way to the gardens we saw Mick Jagger’s house, which is located right at the top of the ridge that overlooks Ocho Rios. He must have the most amazing view. Can’t think why he set up a home here???
Minor disaster on the food front today, as were a little late back for the silver service lunch, so had to make do with a burger from the poolside grill. The sacrifice did mean that we could snatch a couple of hours worshiping before the sun went down behind the hills. As the clocks went back an hour last night it means that sunset is now around 5.30 pm, which happened to coincide with our departure from Ocho Rios. There has been a guy singing reggae music on the quayside since we berthed at 08.30. They finally shut him up at around 4.45pm. I reckon he was one of Bob Marley’s Wailers from the sounds he was making. He also seemed to float about a foot from the ground most of the time. It was probably something he puts on his cornflakes in the morning; whatever, he seemed to be enjoying himself.
As usual, a fantastic choice for dinner, but I opted for a traditional dinner of sirloin steak followed by treacle tart and custard, hotly pursued by cheese & biscuits and coffee. We then adjourned to the theatre to watch the Ventura dancers prance around the floor to various different tunes. Pretty good really, as they only have a few days to get it all right, before they have to perform, then learn the next routines.
Not sure why, but we feel absolutely cream crackered this evening, so have gone for an early night. Very busy day tomorrow, as we will be in transit to Grand Turk in the Turks & Caicos Islands, which means an early start to get a decent sunbed ready for a full days worshiping.
Finally, something that I should have mentioned earlier; there are three good things about cruising on this ship. Firstly, you can get a pint of Pedigree bitter. Secondly you can also get a pint of Speckled Hen and thirdly they only cost £2.65 a pint. Cheaper than most pubs back home.
Finally, finally, for all those poor souls freezing and expecting snow, the temperatures in Jamaica today just nudged the low 30’s, but don’t worry about us, we just turn the A/C up a notch!!!!
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