Jamaica- Dolphin Cove

We chose to do an excursion to Dolphin Cove to swim with dolphins and see lots of other ocean/jungle creatures.  It was a GREAT deal and we couldn’t pass it up! I am so glad that we were able to go.  We didn’t get to take our own photos or videos (money making at its finest) so we purchased on 5 x7 for $16 to show our memory! We got to each ride our dolphin, Beyta, kiss and be kissed in return, dance, pet, and ask it to do tricks.  They are amazing mammals!

 

we got to hold a sting ray just like this one, but of course no photos of us actually doing it. ):

Then we snorkeled around. It wasn’t the best snorkeling because it was a man made blocked off area, but we still had a great time exploring especially with our new underwater camera!

After we went kayaking in a little ocean lake and then found some rocks and seashells for the girls.

The dock was decorated in a pirate theme and when I told Anna we got to see a real pirate with only one leg she was amazed! Arrr Matey!

 

After all the swimming was said and done we ventured off to meet Jungle creatures. Some Jamaicans will do anything for a couple bucks.  These photos were posed and taken by the Iguana man, he didn’t get a tip from us. Sorry.

Nothing like a romantic kiss (not actually caught on camera) posing with an iguana (see why he didn’t get a tip!) awkward!!!

This was my nervous smile.  I wish I had a shirt on, ewww… (he, again, posed my thumbs up)

Next we met some lovebirds.  They were awesome! Isn’t that the cutest face?

The lady at the Macaws was not as eager to earn a buck and not very friendly, but we did get a blurry photo!

 

There were also goats, but they didn’t warrant a photo from us.

Jamaica- The Hotel and Island

We stayed at a resort called Hotel Riu in Ocho Rios. It was a great resort with LOTS of yummy drinks (as I have mentioned) and beautiful scenery.  Here are a few shots of where we spent 7 days.

Lobby Area.

Restaurants.

and “hallways.”

Pools. (and gross bodies in swimsuits)

 

View of the backside of the hotel (from the ocean via me, the waterproof camera and my swimming skills)

View from our floor.

 

Welcome to our room.

The view from our balcony.

Of course I was happy that the one towel animal we got was an elephant!

The beach.The beach.

The Garden

Outside the resort was a lot different.  I loved going and spending time in one place for a week (verses a cruise were you just get a taste of the island).  I felt like we talked to a lot more locals and got to know what life was like a little more.  I wish we would have been able to feel safe and comfortable walking around the island and exploring, but we played the safe card.  The people there are very outgoing, laid back, and fun people.  They would always say “yeah mon,”  “no problems” “no worries,” etc.  Many times you would catch a local singing Bob Marley and I think it was only a rare occasion that Dave and I weren’t singing his songs either. When we went out on the bus towards our destinations I tried to capture “REAL” life outside the resort. 

Wanna car wash or grocery shop?

Here is the ambulance’s entrance to the hospital. I am sure glad we didn’t have to see the other side of this wall!

Lots of people selling fruit, shells, and other things on the side of the road.

There were wild goats everywhere!  We also tried and liked the taste of one (cooked at the restaurant of course)

This looks a bit scary to me!

They drove on the opposite side of the road than us. Our first bus driver called the right side of the road, “suicide.”

Lots of the areas by the ocean are hurricane areas and many of the homes and their land are continually destroyed, but people keep fixing them up and staying.