Well, two days ago, of course, watching the Broncos win Super Bowl 50 on the Emerald Princess (that's me, never missing an opportunity to say that again). But, we did it again today, with our first-ever visit to Ocho Rios, on Jamaica's north coast, and yet again when we climbed the famous Dunns River Falls.
At the end of every cruise, Princess emails us a survey about our cruise experience. And I dutifully spend about 20 minutes every turnaround day, while I have free AT&T Internet, to answer it. One of the questions asks about the importance of each port on the itinerary in the decision to choose that particular cruise. I would wager that the instrument has yet to be invented that can measure the lack of interest the passengers on this cruise had in visiting Jamaica.
Jamaica has an awful reputation, mostly well-deserved, about its crime and aggressive local attitude. We'd only visited the island twice before, both times stopping in Montego Bay, about 70 miles west of Ocho Rios, also on the island's north coast. We had done ship excursions on both visits (river tubing and zip-lining) and came away with favorable impressions of the excursions but less than favorable impressions of the island. We resigned ourselves to this one stop in Ocho Rios this winter, but wondered if it would change our impressions of the island.
We certainly thought Ocho Rios (Ochi to the locals) was nicer than Montego Bay. The locals seemed a bit more laid back, the port area was definitely an improvement and the hills overlooking the city were very picturesque. Hiwever, the weather again refused to cooperate. It was cloudy and very windy, and occasional rain showers passed over. But we were determined to get off the ship and see Dunns River Falls.
The Moon Palace Resort in Ocho Rios
Our scheduled arrival was early again today, at 7am, and we were barely awake when we heard the announcement that we had arrived. Unlike yesterday's announcement about the closure of the Georgetown port that came directly into our cabin, this one is only heard in public areas and hallways. It's easy to sleep through, but today we were nearly awake already. We dressed and went to breakfast in the DaVinci Dining Room and planned our packing list for the day.
We had heard from a fellow cruiser that admission to Dunns River Falls was free and that there are only charges for extra activities, like zip lining. We now know how wrong that is, but, going on that premise and the fact that petty thievery is a huge issue in Jamaica, we decided to take just enough money with us to get there and return via taxi, and have a drink or two at the bar we had heard overlooks the falls, where we could sit and watch others make the climb up the 600 foot stepped waterfall after we did.
We left the ship and walked down the not-short pier to the cruise ship terminal, and bypassed the small buses offering rides to Dunnss River Falls for $10pp, and smaller taxis offering it for $40. After we exited the security gates surrounding the port, we were approached immediately by a taxi driver who gave me a bad vibe. We declined his services and continued on. We were next asked by Peter (contact information to be filled in tomorrow) if we wanted a ride or a tour and decided he was our man.
For $30 round trip, Peter drove the short distance to Dunns River Falls and waited for us while we entered the park and climbed the falls. The problem was that the admission to the park was not free, but was instead $20pp. This totally depleted our planned drink money, but we still climbed the falls. Instead of joining a hand-holding group, as seemed to be the practice, we just set off io our own, skipping the phot ops and picking our way up the stair-stepped rocks of the falls.
I had worried a little about this. I had heard horror stories of slippery rocks and nasty stumbles, but I think we did better by going it alone. The only issue we had was that the river water was not clear, and we sometimes had to feel our way up the stones with our feet. And occasionally the step up was so high that it took a three point stance to climb it. But, we survived with our relationship in tact and no bodily injury. Go us!
We had enough extra money to tip the 'singing guys' at the park entrance. These were two (occasionally three) guys who played a guitar and (occasionally) maracas and the most ingenious of all bass instruments: a wooden box about 2 feet by 1 foot with a 6 inch hole in the front covered with 7 pieces of metal of varying lengths, all attached by screws at the bottom. By plucking these metal strips, various bass notes were played, while at the same time the wooden box provided a seat for the musician. Cool!
Peter met us at the agreed upon time and, with our remaining $10, drove us up to Shaw Park for a view of the Emerald Princess docked in Ochi harbor. Just above this lookout is a huge house owned by Mick Jagger. Or so they say. ;-) Of course, no one can say with certainty that Mr. Jagger has visited there in the last decade. But it's one of several homes he owns.
Of course, all along the way we were offered various forms of pot ("Jamaican is the best!"), the most clever advertising being the man standing on the road up to Shaw Park holding a sign saying 'BROWNIES', with a little green marijuana leaf drawn just above it. If this sort of thing bothers you, you've been warned.
The day had never been a pretty one, overcast and fairly humid, but we were spared any downpours. We did encounter mosquitos while climbing the falls under the damp cover of a rainforest, but had sprayed ourselves with ample amounts DEET 50 before we began. We returned to the Emerald Princess about 2pm and cleaned up with a shower before going to the Horizon Court Buffet for lunch.
We encountered our first really inedible food of the cruise today. Caribbean roti wraps that were hard as rocks and a veal roast that required a sharper knife to cut. But we found plenty to eat (I had a big salad) and then followed it with ice cream and strawberry sauce from the Scoops ice cream counter. Yummy!
We had time for just a quick hot tub visit before sailaway, but were chased inside by the first downpour of the day. No matter; by then it was 4pm and time to start getting ready for dinner. Tonight was the single Captains Circle party for this cruise, at 7:15pm. We were honored to be the #3 MTP, and Bob and Candy joined us for this last hurrah with #2 MTP Phyllis. We then joined Phyllis in the DaVinci Dining Room for dessert and coffee, which we had skipped to get to the party 15 minutes early, as we are asked to do when we're in the top three MTPs (which also gives us time to get our first drink order in early!).
The weather tonight required that the Love Boat Disco Deck Party be moved from the open deck to Club Fusion, but that didn't stop us from attending. A few line dances, the 'Isaac', and a sing along of the Love Boat theme song later, we are tucked into bed.
I will never remember how I made it to the end of this post!!! I'll add photos tomorrow...or the next day. I fear it's going to be another 'getting hit in the nose with the iPad' night unless I end this right NOW.
