Well we have been touring. We visited the Bob Marley mausoleum and his birth place, well the cost was $15.00 US, and we would like to say the highlight of the tour was the rock that Bob Marley sat on, thought and composed some of his songs. We of course were offered some ganja because at Bob Marley’s place it legal (sure).
We also went to Ocho Rios a tourist town where cruise ships come in. Every second person asked Karen if she would like her hair braided and Cheryl was only asked once, the rest asked Cheryl if they could roll a joint for her. Go figure. It was wall to wall vendors peddling their wares or services. Needless to say we were underwhelmed and very happy to get back to the quite of our little marina.
After some boat work we went touring again. Along with another boat we rented a car and toured the Blue Mountains, they are famous for their coffee. Well the day began very early with a lovely drive up the north coast of Jamaica then we turn inland on an old road that went from the north shore to Kingston on the south shore. The road we heard was washed out by hurricane Dennis. The plan was to go as far as we could go then find a way back to our boat. Well they were right about the road it was old, windy, very narrow (don’t forget we are heading up into the mountains, 7200 ft). In some place there was very little of the road left or a boulder in the road. In fact in one section we had to go through a private coffee plantation to continue our trip.
Since we were going across their property we had a little tour, we learned how they pick and roast the coffee. Of course we had to try some and buy some. So could now say we say how Blue Mountain is made coffee. Cheryl was given a baby coffee plant to grow so in 18 months we can see if we have coffee. Yah right.
After leaving what we thought was the rough part of the road we ventured towards home. Well the cows and goat did not even use the road. At one point we had to get out of the car and push it up the hill. On the map the road showed a lot of switch backs and lots of turns, that was an understatement. At every fork in the road we would stop and ask, usually a guy with a machete, which road to “whatever” and with a smile and probably a snicker they would point to the road. We did see some amazing views. We went across river where women were washing their clothes, under bridges and over boulders. By the way we were driving a Toyota Corolla. Well we finally were reward with a semi paved road and a breathtaking view of Kingston (the capital of Jamaica). As we ventured towards Kingston, Anick (French boat that we rented the car with noticed a resort/spa which was on her must see list, so we went in. The place was called Strawberry Hill, well it was spectacular, and you had the view of Kingston and the Blue Mountains. The rich and famous go here for a get away but they let us in anyways.
Finally we found a road that was paved and made our way home and to bed early but it was a great day and the Jamaican people along the way and the view made the trip very special.
We journeyed into Kingston for some provisioning with Islandia’s chef, a 138 foot boat that is here every year. Sue took us to an amazing supermarket were we found all the little things we wanted and more at very reasonable prices. This time the food bill was more than the wine bill! We are working on correcting that oversight!
We had dinner with the dock master/head of operations of Errol Flynn Marina, along with Frank and Sue on Islandia. Great food and lots of laughs. 15 minutes after we arrived back at the boat a squall came through. Interlude was just fine. However, Islandia managed to loose her anchor and had to leave the dock in the middle of the squall! Some fine boat handling by Frank and helping hands from two of the boats on the dock allowed them to get off the dock, avoid the other boats and set anchor in the harbour. More than enough excitement for the night! (By the way during the squall we were freezing, hot tea was the order of the night.)
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Bonaire and Jamaica Man
Bonaire is described as “Divers Paradise” and it lives up to its name. Bonaire is a marine park there seems to be abundance of fish it is like they want to get there picture taken or just want to come up and say hi. We spent most of our days under water but occasionally we did come up for air and went to this windsurfing beach for the day and sat and read a book and watched the beginners windsurfers make some amazing landings.
After one of our dives our rental truck got broken into and our wallets, cell phone and Cheryl’s shorts were stolen. The robbers had smashed the passenger window. The rental car agency had warned us to keep our windows open but we did not listen. We were not the only one broken into that day, there was a least 3 others. Busy robbers. The good news on the last day before we left Cheryl went into the police station and someone had found our stuff minus the money, Karen’s cell phone and most important Cheryl’s shorts. Cheryl’s short are the ones with the zipper legs, she still has the legs but no shorts to attach too. It has been suggested that Cheryl should wear the legs with suspenders. We will let you know how that fashion statement takes off down here. It would be cool, but she may get sunburn.
Our friend Dan from Canada who sailed down from Cuba to Aruba with us in 2003 came down to sail up from Bonaire to Jamaica. After a quick tour of Bonaire with Dan we did our final food shopping and food prep. And a last trip to Casa Blanca, a restaurant offering an Argentinean beef grill, which provides many days of very tasty left overs.
We left at 8:30 am for a 4 ½ day sail up to Jamaica. Our neighbour (Wendy from Canada) on the mooring ball beside us came over before we left to say “see you down island somewhere” and gave us sushi and California spring rolls for our lunch that day. It was an amazing treat. The fist night was a little bouncy to sleep so none of us slept but by the second night we all got into the groove of the boat and the watches. We where visited by dolphins and a very occasional ship pasted us but mostly it was just us and the beautiful sea. It rained twice for about 20 minutes and the winds slowly died down along with the seas which gave us the opportunity to fly our new sail which is a large downwind sail. At one point we saw 10.2 knot on the GPS. Our boat top speed is 8 knots. We where flying.
On the last morning we slowly started to see the Blue Mountains of Jamaica peek up in the horizon. After leaving Bonaire a very dry island where only cactus grow, to see the beautiful lush island of Jamaica is quite a contrast. As we pulled up to slip at Earl Flynn marina in Port Antonia we were greeted with “Welcome to Jamaica Man”. The people here are very friendly and helpful. After washing down the boat and getting through all the doctor, custom and immigration paper work we went exploring the town of Port Antonia. Before long we had arranged a site seeing tour to go down the Rio Grande river on a banana raft.
After a full night sleep without any boat movement we went off to the Rio Grande with our guide Captain Rebbo and our taxi driver David. The trip was amazing, we learned that the raft where originally and are still used to ship bananas down the river but it was Earl Flynn who started the trend of taking people down the river. For him it was an opportunity to take his lady friends down the river for a romantic boat ride. After watching Captain Rebbo’s technique of pole and steering us down the river, Karen asked if she could give it a try. Well we all got a try on poling our way down the river, even through some very small rapids.
So now we are just planning which bay we are going to visit next in Jamaica and of course go and explore the Blue Mountains and buy some of their famous coffee.
After one of our dives our rental truck got broken into and our wallets, cell phone and Cheryl’s shorts were stolen. The robbers had smashed the passenger window. The rental car agency had warned us to keep our windows open but we did not listen. We were not the only one broken into that day, there was a least 3 others. Busy robbers. The good news on the last day before we left Cheryl went into the police station and someone had found our stuff minus the money, Karen’s cell phone and most important Cheryl’s shorts. Cheryl’s short are the ones with the zipper legs, she still has the legs but no shorts to attach too. It has been suggested that Cheryl should wear the legs with suspenders. We will let you know how that fashion statement takes off down here. It would be cool, but she may get sunburn.
Our friend Dan from Canada who sailed down from Cuba to Aruba with us in 2003 came down to sail up from Bonaire to Jamaica. After a quick tour of Bonaire with Dan we did our final food shopping and food prep. And a last trip to Casa Blanca, a restaurant offering an Argentinean beef grill, which provides many days of very tasty left overs.
We left at 8:30 am for a 4 ½ day sail up to Jamaica. Our neighbour (Wendy from Canada) on the mooring ball beside us came over before we left to say “see you down island somewhere” and gave us sushi and California spring rolls for our lunch that day. It was an amazing treat. The fist night was a little bouncy to sleep so none of us slept but by the second night we all got into the groove of the boat and the watches. We where visited by dolphins and a very occasional ship pasted us but mostly it was just us and the beautiful sea. It rained twice for about 20 minutes and the winds slowly died down along with the seas which gave us the opportunity to fly our new sail which is a large downwind sail. At one point we saw 10.2 knot on the GPS. Our boat top speed is 8 knots. We where flying.
On the last morning we slowly started to see the Blue Mountains of Jamaica peek up in the horizon. After leaving Bonaire a very dry island where only cactus grow, to see the beautiful lush island of Jamaica is quite a contrast. As we pulled up to slip at Earl Flynn marina in Port Antonia we were greeted with “Welcome to Jamaica Man”. The people here are very friendly and helpful. After washing down the boat and getting through all the doctor, custom and immigration paper work we went exploring the town of Port Antonia. Before long we had arranged a site seeing tour to go down the Rio Grande river on a banana raft.
After a full night sleep without any boat movement we went off to the Rio Grande with our guide Captain Rebbo and our taxi driver David. The trip was amazing, we learned that the raft where originally and are still used to ship bananas down the river but it was Earl Flynn who started the trend of taking people down the river. For him it was an opportunity to take his lady friends down the river for a romantic boat ride. After watching Captain Rebbo’s technique of pole and steering us down the river, Karen asked if she could give it a try. Well we all got a try on poling our way down the river, even through some very small rapids.
So now we are just planning which bay we are going to visit next in Jamaica and of course go and explore the Blue Mountains and buy some of their famous coffee.
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