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OCHO RIOS, JAMAICA Thursday, December 6. This was supposed to have been a day at sea as we sailed toward Punta Cana. Punta Cana is on the easternmost tip of the Dominican Republic where the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean meet. High seas there made it dangerous to use tenders to get ashore, and the Captain decided to go to Ocho Rios on the north coast of Jamaica instead. From the time of Columbus’ discovery until 1655, Jamaica was ruled by Spain. As was often the case, the native peoples were used for labor until they died out, then they were replaced by African slaves. In 1655, the British seized the island from the Spanish. The English mispronounced the Spanish name Chorreros (rapids, for the waterfalls in the area) and called the little settlement here Ocho Rios. After slavery was abolished by Jamaica in 1834, the newly freed slaves turned the town into a stable and peaceful fishing village. Beginning in the 1960s, the Jamaican goverment undertook major development efforts to make the area attractive for tourism, and Ocho Rios is now a resort with a cruise ship harbor and a beach lined with modern hotels.
Our ship docked there at 8:00 a.m. A few excursions were offered, but we decided to get a taxi
and explore on our own. We went ashore about 10:30 and found a taxi. The driver took us east
for a few miles. The highway generally followed the shore line. Much of the time we could see
the beaches through the trees. The area was heavily developed, mostly with older properties, but
there were several large, modern resort hotels spaced out along the beach.
We stopped at Harmony Hall, a lovely plantation house built in the 19th Century with an
architectural style called Jamaican-Georgian. The house later became the manse for the local
Methodist Church, then a private home. In 1986, it was restored and subsequently became the
upscale Harmony Hall Art Gallery. It was declared a national monument in 2003. Unfortunately,
the art gallery recently closed, and its space on the second floor was vacant. The ground level
was occupied by the Toscanini Italian Restaurant. Our driver pointed out that many of the older
tourists businesses are suffering since the construction of the large all-inclusive hotels along the
beach.
Our driver took us back toward Ocho Rios and stopped at a huge villa with extensive gardens
and grounds. It was very run down, but still quite beautiful. We parked on the street, and a young
woman waiting at the gate led us into the garden (and later gave Jane a big hug). A tall hill rose abruptly in the back, and water
poured down a sheer rock face to form a beautiful waterfall. There was also a huge stone gazebo
or pavilion in the garden.
After lunch we read and relaxed, glad to have the free time. Darrell went up to a computer in the library to check our email again. He also got to the gym for the first time on the trip. At 7:30 we had diner in the Red Ginger, the second of the ship's two limited access restaurants. It featured Asian food, especially seafood. It was quite different from any of the other restaurants on board. Fine lacquered chop sticks were optional. Feeling daring, Darrell ordered the raw ahi tuna appetizer, and it was delicious. So was the sea bass entree that almost dissolved in his mouth. Each diner was served a pot of tea with the main course. No coffee was served with dessert. We finished just in time to make the 9:30 show in the lounge. The performer was a magician and comedian. He was entertaining, though not particularly talented. | |||||||
