The Enchanted Garden Ocho Rios

... and picked up, I believe, some Jamaican Rum and Irish Cream and a couple t-shirts for the kids before heading back to the boat. Dan and the kids and I went straight back to the ship and played some mini-golf, after which the kids did a little rock climbing. Jarod only got about a quarter of the way up wall, but he was on a pretty tough side. Jessica got an easier line and got nearly three-quarters of the way up. They both did really well, in my opinion. I’m going to be ...

... were really keen for sales. We just bought some sunscreen and came back on board the ship. We all went back to the H2O zone and enjoyed the relatively empty pool area.

It was another incredibly hot day so it was very relaxing to just kick back and hang out by the pool. Now THIS is a holiday!!

After dinner we put the girls to bed and went watch the show.

Ocho is an interesting city, divided by a straight line, on one side (from the center to the port), relatively safe area day and night, upscale boutique, restaurants and on the other side, the chaos and not so safe area. There are a few hundreds meters of beachfront.

... under them - ahhhhhhh! When we got to the top (45 min's later) we were offered to buy the DVD for $80, but we said all we have left is $20, so the guy reluctantly sold it to us - yeah, one for us!! Was much easier getting through the market as well. Kept telling the vendors we just spent our last $20 on the DVD. Of course, "we accept plastic" was the next phrase out of each of their mouths. For which our smart response was: we left all of our plastic ...

... all went. Zip-lining is when you are in a harness that hangs on a steel cable tied between trees and you slide or 'zip' on the cable from tree to tree leaping from one platform and landing on another one. You travel at speeds up to 40 mph and you can be very high off the ground. It is not for the faint hearted or someone afraid of heights but it is very exhilarating for those ...

... resort with a lot of peace and quiet, you may want to consider someplace else. But if you are into the fun party atmosphere this is a great choice.
In keeping with the Italian theme, Sandals has brought in some great evening entertainment including Cuban Dancers and even a Jamacian opera singer named Rorie. I was skeptical at first, but it works and people love him. He's also a good friend, and fellow diver. You won't be able ...

... to provide information for more efficient and effective solid waste management interventions for the benefit of public and environmental health. Well at least that is what I am hoping for. Perhaps I shouldn't jump the gun by saying that I am satisfied to know that my research will possibly be utilized in Jamaica. If that actually happens, then the aspirations I had when I joined Peace Corps, 'to make a direct positive impact,' will be fulfilled. Well I ...

... Normally when we were out all day, we weren't around the construction so it wasn't bothering us. But that one day when we just wanted to lay down and nap it was unbearable. I do enjoy the all-inclusive package though. We never had to worry about the check when we went out for dinner at any of the 5 restaurants or any of the bars.

... concerned that I would be seen as a tourist, and that the Jamaicans would point that out to me, like they say, "hey white girl," like I forgot my skin color, they would ask me if I want my air braided or whatever. Fortunately since I arrived the occurrence of comments towards me have been limited to the normal comments about how I look, so I must be doing something right. I just walk around like I know what I'm doing. My job at the Health Authority is going well ...

This was a horrible nasty little place I hope to never see again. When you walk down the street, it is filthy and taxi drivers nag at you and then throw insults when you refuse to take a taxi. I Came. I Saw. I LEFT! One almost saving feature of this hideous place was swimming in the water, but even that turned south when I felt what I believe to be a sewer pipe under my feet.