Ocho Rios Sept. 2006. One day visit last year on cruise. Dunns River Falls just as exhilerating this time. Recently refurbished Hotel -two towers well situated close to town and across the bay from the liner jetty. Water is clear and warm, beach has fine white clean sand- just a little weed. Holiday rep hints that we should buy duty-free in town as the airport may charge last- gasp prices. Don't believe it!! Airport prices are at least 30%+ LESS.. ! AND you have heavy stuff in your suitcase that attracts excess baggage charge. Suspicious?!

Two trips in week one included Jeep Safari. The Land Rover we rode in should not be allowed on the road- well past sell-by date. Thru Fern Gully and then up 2000 feet to Murphy Hill, top left. Next a sweeping visit to Kingston- mostly upmarket Uptown. On the way, Spanish Town- top rite- old capital with typical caribbean history. Other previous capital Port Royal, shows power of nature in taking the sea from around the fort and dumping it on the town. Bot left. is a school trip. By the time I got the camera ready the boys pushed to the front !!!? Mid bot. shows armoury dislodged by a later quake, and a big cannon- with a breech- so I think, may have come along too late to pay its way. Bot rite. is the town house of Robert the Wailer. The more you travel inland -and usually upwards- the greener the grass, more rain. Cows and goats seem well nourished.

Week two we did a long day to Black River, about 13 hours round trip via the Appleton Estate, YS waterfalls and back via Montego Bay. Again, the bus was a bone shaker with high pitched transmission- tiring when so much time is spent on the road. Lots of opportunity to join one of Jams favourite pastime - EATING. Food stalls along most roads.