Respect. One love. Ya mon. These were the phrases I heard most in Jamaica. This port wasn't as exciting as the others in terms of what we had planned to do. We could've gone zip-lining through the jungle, but decided to do something a little less intense and just drifted down the river instead. I learned a lot more about the culture of Ocho Rios since we had more time to explore.
First getting off the boat, we came across a yard-sale type set up of vendors selling hand-made goods. Wood, weaving, painting, braiding, it was all very authentic colorful stuff!
At the same time, there were these shady guys holding beaded necklaces sticking their arms through the gate calling out to us as we passed by to buy some of their things. I probably would've as souvenirs if they weren't so shady...reminded me of when Jafar from Aladdin dresses as that old guy and opens his cloak asking "wanna buy a watch?" Although they kinda freaked me out, they were quite understanding...when I said "No thank you," they always replied with "No problem," another very common phrase in Jamaica.
So we boarded the bus to go river tubing. An hour and a ridiculously terrifying bus ride later we arrived.
Our bus driver's name was Winter and he was one of the nicest and most informative bus drivers I've ever met. So as we made the bumpy, daring journey up the mountain that apparently turns people religious, he told us all about Jamaica. Pointing out everything from the all age schools to the golden spiders (they spin webs of gold...there were tons of them and they were the size of my hand) he narrated the entire ride.
They drive on the opposite side of the road...not like this small road HAD an opposite side
1. He kept honking...AT EVERYBODY WE PASSED. At first, I thought, what is this guy's problem?? BUT they do it as a greeting in Jamaica. Everyone honks to say hi. So we'd pass someone on the street, he'd honk his horn, point at the guy with an endearing smile, sometimes an "Eyyy" and continue driving.
2. Most of the people don't wear sunglasses. Jamaica is by far the sunniest place I've ever been to, yet hardly anyone had sunglasses on! I found it so peculiar.
3. Tourism is Jamaica's largest industry. No wonder why we were offered $1 taxi rides to go 5 ft. from where we were standing.
4. The roads going up the mountain were 1 lane, 2 way roads. Basically, 2 way traffic on a one way street with no other road rules beside "Don't hit me."
5. He said "When people go up this mountain, they become very religious." I assumed it was because of all the churches and stuff.
6. Driving 2 inches away from the edge of a cliff over which you could potentially plummet to your death is ... I wouldn't say exhilarating, but definitely kept me on the edge of my seat...for an hour and a half.
7. "OH MY GOD!" we are on a path that is barely wide enough for our itty bitty van -- a wall of nature to one side and a wall of air to the other (a cliff...a big scary cliff) when a car comes zooming straight toward us. Does Winter panic? Naaah, he merely says, "I told you people become religious on this mountain." hahaha how witty.
8. Apparently Mick Jagger has a house here...perhaps he enjoys going to Margaritaville?
After about 75 near death experiences, we finally arrive at the starting point of our river tubing adventure. We slap on some life vests, hop in the tubes and begin drifting along to the song "Don't worry...bout a thing...cuz every little thing...is gonna be alright," sung by our guide.
So romantic ;]
Mummy and Daddy's second honeymoon?
Enjoying the tropical scenery while floating along was a change of pace from all the excitement, so it was very pleasant. I absolutely love river rafting and things of that nature, so this was fun for me either way. There were 2 times the rapids got a little quick, but not like a category 5, which if you've seen "Without a Paddle" a funny line should come to mind.
I always enjoy word play...and above the bathrooms was this:
[male]
[female]
...I thought it was funny :p
Another day of successful adventure, and the last port at that.
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