Ya, Mon!

WOW - Jamaica was so much fun! Aside from being solicited for sex and drugs from the moment we stepped into the airport terminal after our flight (literally!), it was the best place ever for vacation. Let me take you through my days:



Thursday: Arrived in the luscious island of Jamaica. Checked into the Sandals Inn and thus began the endless pampering that would follow in the week ahead. By tomorrow, most everyone will know our names! We spent the day getting to know the people, the place, the drink selections...


Friday: Michelle & I went on the Chukka Ultimate Kayak & Canopy tour. We kayaked (and I was so not good at it that the tour guide was stuck to me like glue!) down to a landing where we stopped and climbed (hiked, felt like we were going to die before we got there) to the first of three zip-line platforms. Michelle very graciously allowed me to go first (yeah, thanks!) and off I went. It wasn't as scary as I thought it would be, maybe because I held onto the line too hard and therefore stopped myself short of the next platform. I had to pull myself to the platform and decided the next time that I would hold onto the line from my waist to the suspension cable to keep myself from breaking too hard. That worked out well because I made it to the next landing, but I spun around since I was not as skilled as our guides. The last line was easy - I was a pro by then! I only spun once or twice and made it to the platform no problem, mon. Then we walked back down to our kayaks and continued on our way. By the end of the tour I was given some more wiggle room to kayak and I ended up off course more than a few times because of it. If you go to Jamaica, this tour is DEFINITELY worth it. The guides made an great tour exceptional.

Saturday: We took an all-day trip to Negril. We learned a lot about the history of the island and saw some "famous homes." Of course, there was duty free shopping and "name that tune" games on the bus. Our tour guide rocked - I feel like I'm saying that a lot, but darn it, it's the truth! We went on a glass bottom boat tour, and I enjoyed the baileys on ice at the swim up bar emensely. Oh, then there were the hammocks were I partook in a nap (um, hello, did you read what I did yesterday?!?!). The best part of the day? Watching the sunset after an evening of cliff jumping. That's right - I jumped off a cliff in a very literal sense! Michelle & I were the only girls that jumped (earning the respect of all the men, of course) but hey, we have always been the kind set a new standard. You know what, I think she made me go first again here too! If I didn't know any better I would think she was trying to get rid of me. Oh well, it was an absolute blast and made me feel 16 again. I can use that kind of fun more often in my life.

Sunday: We did another trip today. It became pretty obvious pretty quickly that scheduling back-to-back trips was not our smartest move. Fortunately, this was a short tour. Not to disappoint, however, the day got off with a bang. The bus - it forgot us. So we made a mad dash onto our boat tour through the dock at Margaritaville. This would be the only time we stepped into the original Jimmy Buffett hot spot, but we got a picture of the lizard to prove it. After jumping onto the boat we headed out to sea. Well, not really, we just went a little ways out where we stopped for a submarine experience and saw lots of Sargeant Majors and some sea urchins. It was pretty neat, but not worth the money. Then there was the snorkeling. Yes, there was snorkeling. Now, ask me if we knew there would be snorkeling. That's right - the answer is no. Did that stop us from snorkeling? Right again - nope! It was lots of fun snorkeling for my first time in clothing. Hey, you've got to live a little!

Monday: Thank the scheduling gods, there were no tours scheduled today! YIPPEE!! We filled the day with pool volleyball and sand volleyball, games and drinking. What a wonderful day. I even got some hammock time that was just divine.

Tuesday: We snorkeled today as well, but this time we had swimsuits. Snorkeling is so much fun. Other than that, we had a great dinner and fun group dance lessons at Mo Bay. Then we went back home and danced some more. Wow, I could get used to this! Too bad this is our last night here.

Wednesday: Last day in Jamaica. Very sad. We swam, had a last drink, and said our goodbyes. Farewell Jamaica, you will be missed but not forgotten!