JAMAICA

We took a weeks' vacation in Jamaica this last month. Since we never got to go on a honeymoon because I was still nursing at the time of our wedding, we decided that we better go now before the new baby girl gets here and we put it off for another two years (oops). I was a little worried about how much fun we would have with me being limited to what I could and couldn’t do being pregnant, but it wasn’t a problem at all. We had an AMAZING time! Taking time to relax and rest together before we become walking zombies again soon was so worth it. Despite the worst layovers getting there, the all inclusive resort in Montego Bay was the definition of paradise. White sand beaches, pools, all you can eat food, and people serving you drinks on the beach in your bungalo’s all day? It does’t get much better than that. 

The first night we got there we decided to explore the resort/beach and find a restaurant. There were 5 different spots to eat on the resort: steak house, the zen (japanese cuisine), italian, sports bar, and the buffet. We haven’t ever done the whole all inclusive thing before, we just shyly ordered one thing each from the menu. Good thing our waiter was a jokester! He ended up just bringing us a few more appetizers and desserts, and who can resist creme brûlée that they don’t have to share with their husband? Not me! I feel like all we did was eat, eat some more, and then when we weren’t even hungry, why not eat some more? (kidding, so not healthy). 

Kayaks, windsurfing, and paddle boarding was all included at the resort, so we took the kayak out every morning right after breakfast while the water was the most calm. The go pro pictures don’t even do it justice. The reefs right off the beach were colorful and full of fish, SO gorgeous! We always met a few funny locals fishing. This is one of the highlights of the trip for us!

One night we took a boat ride out to the Luminous Lagoon on the other side of the island right at dark. The lagoon is a shallow spot in a little cove where the fresh water from the Martha Brae River meats the salt water of the ocean. Its one of four places in the world where when the two waters meet together, the microorganisms called dinoflagellates glow. When disturbed, they give off an eerie bright blue glow, reflecting the outlines of fish and other objects in the water. The lagoon is said to be the largest and most bright of the four in the world. It was literally impossible to catch a good picture though. I stole this off the internet, but it was honestly a once in a lifetime experience. If you are weird about things touching your feet you, you might not enjoy jumping in. Once you get in, your feet sink to about the knees in mud that feels like jello. 

Lobster time! On both sides of the security guarded beach of the resort live locals of the island. They’re income is basically what they sale to the tourists daily. We took a walk over to meet some of them a few different times, which is when we met Leon. He lives in a shack right off the beach that he grills fresh lobster off of pieces of tin-panel roofing for you. It was 30 dollars well spent! He set up the sweetest table for two right at sunset for us, right at the edge of the waves with flowers in a heineken bottle (nice). He started bringing us the lobster, and then some more, and then some more. Ugh! SO GOOD. I think I had at least 4 big lobsters and Jordan had a good 6 or 7. I was so busy eating I didn't even take a picture, ha! He was such a great guy, so I was so happy to help support him. 

Almost all of the locals make their income from tourists at the cruise ports and resorts. They are some of the sweetest, funnest people I’ve ever spent time with. If you’ve ever seen cool runnings, then of course you have heard “yah man” before. They literally all use that phrase a good twenty times you have a conversation with them. Positivity literally just radiates out of them, its awesome! Another term used always is “no problem,” and “respect.” A local lady we talked with told us “we don’t have problems here in Jamaica, we had small situations from time to time, but no problems.” Positivity people! We need some of that around here. They don’t make much, but they don’t borrow what they don’t have either. They build their homes as money comes to them, and they drive what they have or take the local route taxis to where they need to go. No debt? What a concept! 

We took a bus ride to another side of the island another day where we had some local jerk chicken, spicy rice, and beef patties. YUM! Then we boarded a catamaran cruise that took us out to the reefs where we got to snorkel. The water was crystal clear, and the reefs were gorgeous. In some spots it was super shallow where your stomach was almost touching the reefs as you floated along. I’m so thankful that I ran into the stingray in a much deeper area! I was swimming around with the go pro on a long pole poking around when I say a long stick like thing poking out of the sand. A massive sting ray was hidden under the sand. So beautiful, but it did spook me a little. When we got back on the boat, we took a ride to another side of the island where we would climb the Dunn’s River Water Fall. It was way different then what I had pictured, but nothing short of amazing! It was a straight shot up, no stairs or anything like that, just 1,000 feet up of rocks and rushing freezing water. The rocks weren’t slick at all, and I had water shoes with a lot of traction and am used to hiking and climbing here at home, so I felt really confident doing it pregnant. I’m so glad I did! There were gorgeous wading pools all the way up, and the jungle all around was so rad (just don’t look up, the spiders are everywhere and they are MASSIVE.) After boarding back on the boat, the party got started. Jamaicans love their rum and loud music. Drink options: rum and coke, rum punch, or rum and rum. Get the picture? Water for me, but I was one of the only acceptions. Il wish I could figure out how to work go pro studio so I could add some videos to show you a little of the party and all of our snorkeling stuff. Great time with great people though! I would recommend it to anyone. If you go to Jamaica, get with cool runnings and take that catamaran cruise! I think that was our best day there. 

One afternoon we decided we wanted to go shop some of the vendors, but we didn't want to pay the 60 dollars (one way) to get back into town where we came from when we arrived at the airport. We had met a nice couple from the UK earlier in the day who recommended we go outside of the big locked gates and security out front, and walk until we could catch a route taxi to take us to town. The security guard highly advised us against leaving the gates, but we assured him we knew what we were doing (we totally had no idea). We didn’t have to walk long until a tiny car stopped with the route taxi sticker on the side asked if we needed a ride. At the time he picked us up, it was just him with his son up front. From what I understand about these taxis is that they are the locals that get these tags from the government and charge a small amount to transport who they can with what they can throughout the day, and keep what income they are given. It was only a dollar a person each way, but I think that their gas is paid for so that they can transport their families to and from school and work as well. All we had to pay was a dollar for each of us. Screaming deal, right? Well yes, but they stop and stuff as many people as possible into these tiny cars. By the time we actually got to the town that was only about 5 miles away, we had the driver, one in the middle up front, two in the front passenger seat, and four of us stuffed in the back seat with no air conditioner and 100 percent humidity. It was an experience. Back to the beach and pool please!

And I have to talk about the coffee. Of course I have to! OH man! I knew Jamaican coffee was kind of a big deal. Its a huge deal. We got small bags in the room daily, and the cafe on the resort was open pretty much 24-7 and made a killer mocha, but it was so insanely STOUT. When I saw the price of a big bag of the same stuff I had been drinking in the room all week I died! $70 for a bag at the resort, and I saw it for $45 at a local grocery store in Falmouth, and $62 on amazon right now. Insane! Glad I stuffed a million of those little bags in m suitcase throughout the week to bring home with me. Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee is grown in the Blue Mountains in Jamaica. Over the past few decades, this coffee has developed a reputation that has made it one of the most expensive and sought-after coffees in the world. 

All in all, it was such a good trip for us! We got to spend some much needed alone time together that we never get at home. We had some great conversations and laughed so much. It felt weird always looking behind me for little Ave tagging along and her not be there, but it felt like we were just dating all over again all week. I can't wait for our next little vacation! And to finish it all off, the drive home from Denver over wolf creek pass left us with fall colors long before they hit home. If you're still around, thanks for reading this crazy long post!