We just got back from a great trip to Jamaica. Please notice the word "trip" and not vacation. You see in my mind vacation means relaxing and no stress. Trip means busy busy and stress. Usually with Rocky+travel=stress. At least for me. He likes me to try new things, things that might make me a little uncomfortable. Like maybe SCUBA DIVING. Yes, I can now actually say I have been. I still have the knots in my back to prove it. It was very stressful for me, but turned out to be a great adventure. My instructor was about 300lbs, 6'3" and his name...."Tiny." I know, it was weird for me too. He taught me, and the Roberts family (Craig, Paula, Emily and Wendy) the basics of scuba. We learned hand signals for animals and for underwater crisis, like running out of air....and I'm out of air. That part had me a little nervous. We swam around a kiddy pool a couple times with dear on and then tada....we were official. In under 2 hours I was ready to scuba dive. I felt very unprepared. Fortunately and unfortunately our dive was scheduled for two days later. I had two days to prepare, forget, and all in all freak myself out. By the time our boat came I was so stiff I didn't think I would be able to walk out of the water. But for the sake of my husband and his excitement for me to Scuba I had to push on. I mustered up all the courage I had and climbed into the boat. Not sure what to expect and if I would return. (so dramatic) As our boat took us out to the choosen dive spot, Tiny helped us get our gear ready and on. We got paired up with buddy's. My buddy was also a first timer. I don't think either of us had a clue what we were doing. When the boat stopped people started walking off the boat and into the water. I didn't think I would be able to make it past this part. And it was only the beginning. The instructor told us to grab onto the rope and make out decent. I was worried that my ears would give me trouble, and they did. They hurt most of the time. I couldn't get the equalizing thing down. Oh I forgot to mention that I also have this incredible talent. I'm a floater. I can float on top of the water for hours. My weakness is sinking. so while in the water when I had reached the end of the rope I let go and immediately began to float back to the surface (right where I belong). One of the instructors grabbed my flipper and pulled me back down. Then as a group we began to explore the ocean. It was beautiful. The only sound you hear is your breathing. In and out, in and out. Very peaceful. We swam around a huge reef and saw colorful coral, sea cucumbers (turds), sea urchants, two eel (too snake like for me, ick) and many many fish. Before I knew it our time had ended and we back to the rope to return to the surface. While I had a wonderful time in the ocean world I was so glad to return to the boat. I had done it and I could finally relax and begin my vacation. Yeah, right.
Scuba Diving wasn't our only adventure while in Jamaica. We also took a three hour bus ride to Dung River Falls. The falls were amazing and the crazy thing about them is that you climb them. You get water socks for your feet and start climbing. I'm such a worry wort. I thought for sure that someone would hurt themselves. Water and rocks usually mean "slick" to me. But that wasn't the case. For the most part it was like walking on a dry rock with a ton of water pouring on you. I'll have to post picts. I made it to the top safe and sound...although I did take some of the easier routes. Rocky, his mom, and sisters were very daring in their choice of path to take. It was great fun and I was relived when we made it to the top.
After the falls we rode around in our bus to a restaurant to eat some authentic Jamaican food. It was SOO good. Too hot for Rocky. He can't handle the "jerk" but I love it. Then it was back to the resort.
Cyndi was the master of the Taxi and we took a taxi ride to another city to watch and participate in diving...again I'm turning more and more into a scaredy cat but I didn't care and I still really don't. So I didn't participate in the diving but watched and took pictures. Our favorite was a local who climbed a tree (dead tree that looked like it would crack at any moment) labeled 90 ft. We thought more like 60 ft, anyway it was a ways up. When he climbed the tree its like he transformed into a Gorilla. Very odd. He put on a little show and then jumped. Crazy!
Jamaica was a blast. I hope to visit again.
