Vacationing in Jamaica 2014

Last month I went to Jamaica to celebrate my sister's birthday! It was a very much needed escape from the daily grind and the painfully cold winter of 2014. This was the first time in a very long time that I scheduled two solid weeks for vacation. I hesitated because of the unfinished business of the upgrade, but it was best that I step away from it all to rejuvenate and relax. The first few days, I dedicated to making a few things to take on vacation. Nothing fancy; really simply pieces in bright colors, perfect for beautiful Jamaica. Believe it or not, this time of year wasn't extremely hot. I think the average temp was around 85/90 degrees. It was splendid compared to the brutally cold winds of Chi-town.

We lodged at the Riu Negril Resort and Hotel. It was an all inclusive vacation package which is great if you don't want to worry about planning where to eat, play, drink or be entertained. Everything was in walking distance. The hotel and resort layout was open. Not many doors to go through to get to festivities. Your room, disco and the gift shops were the only places where you had turn a knob to gain entrance. The grounds also included a theater, casino, cyber room, a pool bar (among many bars), an ocean side jerk chicken bar-b-Que pit, and several restaurants (buffet and reservation required). The only excursion was a trip to Rick's Cafe by way of the "Wild Thing". This little trip included all you can drink, dancing until you were tired, snorkeling at the reef, swimming at the "caves", and jumping from the cliff at Rick's Cafe. No pressure, do what you feel kind of trip.

It's been a very long time since my last visit to Jamaica. It seemed a little more developed than 26 years ago, but, I could see there was still great disparity among the people. We did not travel to Kingston, which I understand is the most poverty stricken part of the Island.  The country's coastal regions are all about tourism.  Many of the beaches are privately owned by hotels and are not accessible to Jamaican citizens. The people we met were very hospitable and always wore a smile. I returned home saying, "How are you today, My Lady? I hope you enjoyed your vacation in Jamaica." All the way home I was singing Third World's hit "Try Jah Love" and Bob Marley's, "One Love". Both songs are favorites of mine and I was able to hear both while in Jamaica.

Was I ready to come home? NO! I could have stayed at least three more days, but... home we came. So, this vacation post, I'll share a few pictures of Jamaica.  I was enjoying the beautiful Island instead of snapping pictures all day.

These birds where everywhere

The Caves

Popular Special Drink

Favorite Hang Out

Mike aka Big Bird Tour Guide and Swimmer

Mike the Life of the Party

Me Dancing with Mike

Wild Thing Arriving at the Caves

 

The Queen's House (Castle)

Rick's Cafe Mmm Mmmm Good!

Children Dive from the Cliff for Money

Silver Bird Band Excellent!

Energized!

 

Awesome Raggae Band

Silly Me on the Beach

Me and Trice on the Beach

Sunset in Negril, Jamaica

Next posts will be about the vacation garments.
Happy Sewing!
C