We went to Charlotte, NC the night before and caught an 8:00AM non-stop on USAir.
Carol had never been to the Caribbean. When the plane descended, she got her very first look at that blue/green water. She said, "Oh my goodness. Why didn't you tell me what the water was like?" I said, "Because there is no way to describe it."
If you've seen it, you understand. If you haven't - well, you have to to understand.
Everything bad you've heard about Jamaica really doesn't apply to the north coast. Kingston may still be bad, but we flew into Montego Bay, rode east for about an hour to Runaway Bay and found everybody friendly, accommodating and very eager to please. No troops with machine guns any where. Nobody tried to sell us any drugs. Nobody hassled us to buy trinkets. Even the shopping trip to Ohco Rios was delightful.
We stayed at a small, all inclusive resort that fit our needs perfectly. Only about 80 rooms and less than half full at this time of year. We arrived at the resort at about 1:00pm. By 4:00pm bartenders at both of the main bars knew our names and what we were drinking.
The "beach" was really two small lagoons protected by breakwaters.
We were able to swim, snorkel - more about that later, kayak, pedalboat, sunbath, eat, drink and socialize without leaving the resort.
But we DID leave the resort.
First, we took a day trip to Ocho Rios to shop. Met some interesting people from California. Got a detailed warning about the the street hustlers and how we should just say, "NO MON. We don't want none." and how there were "tourist police" whose only job was to see that the locals didn't get too pushy. We heard stories about them asking your name, coming back 5 minutes later with a carved wood turtle with your name on it and demanding $10.
But we didn't experience any of that. Maybe the good old NYC "don't make eye contact" habits worked. We did succumb to a plea to enter the craft market and "Please, come to my booth inside and let me show you my carvings." While I was buying carvings from his uncle, the young man took Carol down two booths to meet his wife and I think we met two more relatives before we got out. But everyone was friendly and gently pushy. We enjoyed talking and bargaining with them.
The next day we went to Dunn's River Falls. 600' of cascading water which you pay money to climb. More fun than it sounds. In the USA, the lawyers would have already gotten rich and you'd have pads, wooden walkways, helmets and probably be safety roped the whole way. In "NO Problem, Mon" Jamaica they have "guides" who lead you on the climb - and they're optional.
Back at the resort, I convinced Carol to go snorkeling. We had gotten my old gear out and practiced a little in the pool at home and she had gotten very comfortable. I even bought her a "dry" snorkel in case the water was choppy. We started in the sandy end of the lagoon and she was fine laying on the water watching the little silver fish.
Then we went out a little further and two things happened that ended her snorkeling career. Some seaweed brushed against her leg. And she got "up close and personal" with a 3' long fish that looked a lot like a barracuda. It wasn't a barracuda, and she knew that. But it didn't matter. She says she's a wonderful snorkeler - as long as it's in a swimming pool.
Tomorrow it's off to Dolphin Cove to go swimming with dolphins. Carol is a little apprehensive after the snorkeling experience but I think I've convinced her it will be fun. "C'mon dear, they're mammals. All cute and cuddly like our cat Peaches, just no fur."
We'll see.
Life is so good.
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