A Day in Ocho Rios

[mokatee]

On a sunny December day aboard the Freedom of Seas cruise ship, we stopped in Ocho Rios

[mokatee]

Re: A Day in Ocho Rios

This was the only port that we had a pre-arranged tour scheduled for.

The night before at dinner we discussed the time we’d meet each other and agreed that we’d meet up once we got off the ship and not to venture too far so that we’d see everyone

While at breakfast, I kinda had to speed up the leisure eating of one of my travelmates, she was on buffet helping #2 and I was looking out of the window to see if our other friends had got off the ship. When she said “Let me think of what else I might want,” I said “We need to be heading out, not to cut your brekky short but we’ve only got a few hours here"

[mokatee]

Re: A Day in Ocho Rios


I snapped a few shots out of the open windows of the ship

[mokatee]

Re: A Day in Ocho Rios

We were a group of seven and once we got off, 5 of us were accounted for.

I was not turning on my US cell phone to make one phone call and I forgot my Ja cell at home

We took the cruise ship photos getting off the ship and waited around to see if the other 2 would show up

I made contact with someone at the cruise terminal and told them I was waiting for Lee’s Tours and Taxi .

Seems that you couldn’t get out of the area without stating where you were going.

While we were instructed to wait in the air conditioned building, I heard someone call out my name…

I turned around and it was the missing 2

My girl Pie says to me “I found someone that will take us out for the day.” “But we have a tour booked already.” I told her.

She says “I found him because I didn’t remember the name of our tour company and so I told the guy at the gate we were taking a tour with Ms. Norma”

Whoever she talked to called a MS NORMA but it wasn’t the Norma that I was dealing with. And this new Ms Norma (unknown person) was going to put a tour together for her

[mokatee]

Re: A Day in Ocho Rios

We both laughed hysterically after she told me that...she said "It would have gotten really sticky if I hadn’t found you... It’s Jamaica, and we haven’t had one trip that wasn’t an adventure"...ain’t that the truth.

So now we are one big happy family and ready to start our day

[mokatee]

Re: A Day in Ocho Rios

Who would do what (activity) was still up in the air but we knew that we’d be going to White River and Coyaba Gardens and Mahoe Falls

Fear of the unknown overtook a few that teetered the fence on going rafting or tubing One wanted tubing and one wanted rafting, 2 would stay on the bus and the other 2 couldn’t figure it out

Well after a subtle debate and feeling how cold the water was the 4 of us decided on the rafting.

[mokatee]

Re: A Day in Ocho Rios

It was a very calming and serene ride through the White River. We saw several homes along the way

[mokatee]

Re: A Day in Ocho Rios

When we pulled over for a break I was thinking, I know this aint the end of the ride and a break... we just got in the water

After getting out of the raft I saw a lone computer and an orange cord running from a small shelter, a closer look and I saw a printer. We stopped for a break to buy pictures the guides had been taking along the way and to browse some of the wares that were being sold

[mokatee]

Re: A Day in Ocho Rios

We bought pictures and 2 small replica rafts and continued our journey.

The guide in the raft ahead of us sang such sweet melodies I guess he was inspired by having a chummy couple aboard, our guide didn’t sing, guess he could couldn’t think of any "just good friends" songs for 2 chicks LOL

[mokatee]

Re: A Day in Ocho Rios

At the end of the river we signed the guest book and loaded the bus for our next stop.

First things first. Once we load back on the bus we all partake in some homemade rum punch, so refreshing and delish! Made for a giggly rest of the day

Our driver asks where are we eating lunch and I tell him the place his wife suggested, if time permits

[mokatee]

Re: A Day in Ocho Rios

We arrive at Coyaba and we have to remind my travelmate Tia...no touchie, no takeie....I heard that her fingers get sticky in botanical gardens

[mokatee]

Re: A Day in Ocho Rios

[mokatee]

Re: A Day in Ocho Rios

I don’t think he paid an admission fee

[mokatee]

Re: A Day in Ocho Rios

[mokatee]

Re: A Day in Ocho Rios

While at the falls we decided to take pictures in a small rushing stream of water. I was the first one to take a picture and as I approached the bottom step, I almost lost my balance