Jamaica Part 3

This is the last set of photos from our trip to Jamaica. Our 4 days there went by so quickly but they were beautiful and relaxing.
We actually only left the resort one day. We walked into town for a little sightseeing and shopping (although we bought very little compared to many others who filled their suitcases with T-shirts and trinkets with the words Jamaica and "No Problem" on them) and we did an afternoon trip to Dunn's River Falls where we formed a human chain with a family of 16 Canadians (and bunch of other vacationers) up the 600 ft waterfall.

There were also bobsled and zip line tours through the mountains we could have done, but there was plenty to do (and eat!) right at the resort, so we spent most of our time there sitting by the pool...Using the water slides...
Paddle boating in the bay...
And snorkeling. Although I freaked out a little (or a lot) when a group of guys standing on the pier watching us snorkel pointed out what they described as a 6 foot long water snake swimming in our vicinity. Minutes later (as I swam as fast as I could back to shore), a local clarified that it was only a white eel and not a water snake, as water snakes prefer shaded areas of water. Still, I had a hard time convincing myself that it was safe to go back in.









My husband, the electrician got a kick out of the outdoor lighting, screwed directly to a palm tree.
Sunrise on our last day. It was hard to say goodbye to that beautiful and WARM sunshine.
And one last Red Stripe at the airport as we were waiting for our plane.

Jamaica Part 1

Yes, as the title suggests, this is going to be one of those annoying weeks where every day I post pictures from our winter escape to sunny Jamaica, tormenting the rest of you who were stuck at home with freezing temperatures and pale, sun deprived skin. Sorry about that.

We left early, early Tuesday morning and by sunset that evening we were finally checking in to our hotel. The bus ride to the resort in Ocho Rios was long but beautiful and the driver stopped at a little roadside bar so we could start our vacation out with a bottle of Jamaican Red Stripe beer. Yum!
The first night there was a beach party and tons of food but it was dark so whatever we put on our plates was a bit of a mystery. It was delicious though and I think I hit the buffet line at least twice. Double yum!

The next morning I woke up early, left my sleeping husband in the room while I wandered around devouring all of the sights and sounds of a morning in the Caribbean. As soon as the buffet opened we were some of the first in line for made to order omelets and every kind of deliciously ripe fruit and anything else you could possibly think of. Can you tell I gained 5 pounds in just 4 days from my excitement over the food?
This was the view from our favorite table in the restaurant.


I have no idea why the housekeepers make these little towel creatures but it was fun to come into the clean room after a day of relaxing with a drink in my hand and see what sort of animal was waiting for us on the bed in towel form.

The views from our room.


We walked into town the first day and I bought this drink mug/vase from a local who was carving them out of fresh bamboo. He wanted to scratch my name into the side of it (to be sure I would buy it from him) but instead I asked him to sign it with his own name. I was unsure of the pronunciation of Toe (you never know, right?) so I asked him and he pointed to my foot. Like duh!




More tomorrow as I need to get started on the mountain of dirty laundry and make a run to the grocery store. Our fridge is completely empty!

New Year's Eve

Like every year, we knew this year's theme for the costume party several months ago, but like every year, we waited until the night before to start making our costumes. If you haven't already scrolled through all of the photos and figured it out already, this year's theme was Prehistoric.

The Gardener and I decided to go as a Fred and Wilma Flintstone.
For the second year in a row, I won the contest for best female costume.
And this guy won best male costume. He totally deserved the win, spending the entire evening in little more than a pair of women's shape wear.
The rest of the costumes were fantastic as well. New Year just wouldn't be New Year without synthetic wigs and over the top accessories.

Have you ever seen so much animal print fabric in one room? As usual, the party was a blast and we all had a great time ringing in the new year.

The only low spot of the night was when poor T was busting a move on the dance floor and wound up busting her knee. Yes, a broken kneecap and a trip to the ER this morning was how she spent the first day of the new year. Feel better soon, T!

Shit Happens When You Party Naked

The Gardener and I just got back this afternoon from a weekend up at the cottage with some close friends and family for the annual Hog Wrestling extravaganza at one of the local watering holes.

You would think that at such an event, the squealing hog in the ring would be the most outrageous thing to witness all the day. Guess again...This is just a taste of this week's Wardrobe Wednesday. You've been warned...