Day 2 (November 11, 2016): A beach day-PLUS!

We were disappointed to wake at 7:00am and hear pouring rain, given that our visit here is such a short one.  Having slept like logs after having been up for 21 hours on Thursday, we finally pulled ourselves out of bed at 7:45am.  The resort breakfast buffet was over-the-top good.  By 9:30am, the rain had let up, and feeling more than stuffed, we headed to the beach.  A stiff Jamaican breeze blew all day, making it quite enjoyable to sit there.  With partly overcast skies and the shad of a palm tree, I assumed I was being protected from the sun.  But at the end of the day, I realized how strong the sun's UV rays are:  my skin is on fire as I sit here tonight typing this blog.

[OK, I know this may look disgusting.  These are actually boiled bananas - a Jamaican favourite, on offer at the resort's buffet breakfast.]

[The resort pool, as the morning rainstorm was blowing out to sea]

[This guy was on the resort property all day long, cutting coconuts and preparing them as drinks.  Jamaicans have a crazy handshake, in which you rub thumbs three times - for love, peace and respect.  This guy taught me the handshake. I feel like I belong to a secret club now!]

[The resort's beach area comprises three coves. Note the palm shadows that I assumed were protecting me from sunburn.  NOT!]

[Of the three coves on the resort, this is the one where we chilled out all day.  I snorkeled here and saw a scary-looking eel poking out of its hole on the sea-floor.]

By 2:30pm, we were feeling 'beached out'.  So we jumped in our rental car and headed to Falmouth, the island's main cruise-ship port, 20km back towards Montego Bay.  We had heard that Falmouth had a lot of quaint, Georgian-era buildings.  So we thought it would be a good place to stroll the afternoon away.  Replace 'quaint' with 'severely dilapidated, and that will tell the tale better.  In any case, it was neat to see the crazy bustle of a small Jamaican town square and market.

[Enroute to Falmouth, these homes are built on the hilly terrain.  These are definitely of the up-scale ilk, and do not reflect the home of the average Jamaican.]

[The faded but still grandiose courthouse, where the town council presides.]

[Sugar cane for sale in Water Square]

[The chaotic bustle and commerce of Water Square.]


[The chaotic bustle and commerce of Water Square.]

[This Victorian market used to be the site of slave auctions.]

[This is a Jamaican Ackee tree.  The fruit was imported to Jamaica from West Africa on a slave ship before 1778. Since then it has become a major feature of various Caribbean cuisines.]

 

 

We were back at the resort by 4:30pm.  I did a run and then we got ready for the resort's massive buffet and entertainment extravaganza.  Melia Braco Village turns its village centre a huge party every Friday night.  It was all so well done!

[Pam at the village fountain.]

[This is Leroy the Fabulous.  He's an incredible fire entertainer.]

[This Jamaican drumming group had amazing energy!]

 

So that is the sort of day we had on our first full day in Jamaica.  Relaxing, fun, great food and entertainment.  After all, that is what we came for!  Good night from here.